Usually when someone is with an organization for 25 years, it is customary for the employee to receive something exceptional for the length of service that that person endured.

For Pat Foley, he got NOTHING.  Actually, he got the BOOT!

The long time voice of the Chicago Blackhawks did not receive a new contract, and subsequently was let go.  Foley, who for years shared the calling of Hawk games with their current GM, Dale Tallon, was an institution in Second City Sports, and a member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Wirtz, the long time owner of the BlackHawks is quite a frugal man, and one who does not like to be disrespected.  He has let many of his employees go, he does not provide the Chicago fans television coverage of their team when they are at the United Center, and I am sure that I could get hundreds of other examples of just plain ‘cheapness’.  He is probably one of the most hated men in the city of Chicago today.

As a fan, you have a special relationship with your team’s broadcasters, without even knowing them personally.  You identify with them.  You understand them.  You feel that every word they say is important.  Chicago fans have a LOVE of Pat Foley.  He brought the games to life.  He has the midwestern ‘accent’, and calls a great game.  However, he is now gone, and many fans there are quite upset.

Just to bring the point home, the following was found on a Chicago Sports web site from a fan by the name of Bill Haddad.  He conveys the feeling of thousands of Hawks fans that identify the team by the person that lets him know what is going on:

The Hawks did not simply “sever ties” with Pat Foley. They ignored his 25th anniversary of broadcasting Hawks games. Then they tossed him to the curb. How can I support this team now? How can I think of this franchise as anything other than ungrateful and uncaring? There are no words that can describe what I feel about the Blackhawks. And I can’t even begin to think how I could ever listen to a Blackhawks broadcast again.

Just like the memorabilia that remains of the first woman I loved, I am going to take everything I own that displays the team’s logo and put in a box. Just like the scores of people who have lost others that they’ve loved (and I have no right to compare sports to the loss of a family member), I can only conclude that Pat Foley is going to a better place. There is no worse place on this earth to be a hockey fan than Chicago. Compared to this place, any other place is heaven.

We fans anywhere can relate.  The new radio voice of the Hawks, John Weideman, for the last five years, provided the play-by-play for my Isles.  I totally enjoyed his passion, his excitement and what he brought to the team.  When the team was struggling, he let you know about it, but tried to make you feel better about the team.  Chicago, hopefully, will treasure John as much as I and many Islander fans did.  He is going ‘home’ to do his hometown team, and you can’t fault him.

Pat Foley will be doing the AHL Chicago Wolves this season.  At least he gets to stay home.  Although he will not be in the NHL, he will get to do HOME games.  The Wolves will broadcast all of their games, home and away on Comcast Chicago.  I feel glad for him, and I know that he will do a bang-up job.

Good luck Pat!

Gary

Posted under Ramblings