Bob Cole upset with being left out of playoff broadcasts

[-Vintage Canuck-]

Quote

The most recognizable voice in hockey is on the phone talking about why the Toronto Maple Leafs lost Game 1 to the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

“It’s the old phrase when you get to the playoffs,” said Bob Cole. “You better stay out of the penalty box, especially against a team like Boston. Or else they’re going to sting you!”

 

Cole, who sounds as if he’s in the middle of a broadcast, then added: “It’s a great time of year.”

 

And yet, for the 84-year-old, it’s suddenly become the worst time of the year.

 

For the first time in almost five decades, the legendary play-by-play announcer won’t be calling any playoff games.

 

It’s a decision that caught Cole by surprise. And it’s a decision that he still doesn’t quite understand, considering he’s been this country’s broadcaster since 1972.

 

“I’ve been doing playoffs every year of my life in broadcasting. This is the first time that I’m not involved,” said Cole. “It’s difficult to live with the fact that I’m not working. I surely will miss not working the playoffs. That’s the best way I can say it.”

 

For generations of hockey fans, the feeling is likely mutual.

 

Though his voice has aged a bit over the years, Cole’s staccato delivery and familiar phrasings of “Oh, baby!” and “Everything is happening!” are as much a part of the game as the ice and the boards. There’s a kind of poetry to how he describes a play.

 

“For me, Bob has always been a huge part of simply enjoying a hockey game for years,” said Sportsnet’s Dave Randorf, who is calling the Vegas-Los Angeles series in the first round. “The voice. The drama. You turn on the TV and know, ‘This will be fun.’ That is how I hope and aspire to be like Bob.

 

“He has set the bar very high for all of us. I have great respect and take that very seriously.”

 

During what might be his last broadcast — a 4-2 Bruins win against the Senators on April 7 — Cole described a Noel Acciari breakaway goal as a “free break for a cherry.” As the final buzzer sounded, he signed off on Ottawa’s season by saying “and then the roof kind of caved in.”

 

It was an appropriate line for what then happened to Cole.

 

A day later, while watching the Masters on TV at his home in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Cole received a call from his bosses. At first, he assumed he was getting his marching orders for the playoffs. Instead, he was told he was being grounded.

 

“The decision sure wasn’t mutual,” said Cole. “It was right out of the blue. Rogers decided to go with other (broadcast) teams and I have to live with that. But it was their decision — not mine.”

 

Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson are calling the Toronto-Boston series for Sportsnet-CBC, while Paul Romanuk and Garry Galley are working the Winnipeg-Minnesota series, with Rick Ball and Greg Millen doing Pittsburgh-Philadelphia and Randorf and Louie DeBrusk the Vegas-Los Angeles series.

 

“Bob Cole is, without doubt, one of the greatest broadcasters in hockey history and an icon in Canadian television,” Scott Moore, president of Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers Media, said in a statement. “He is revered across this country and loved by legions of hockey fans around the world. His career, which has spanned more than 50 years, is one to be celebrated. 

 

“We made a difficult decision this year not to include him in our playoff plans. This decision in no way diminishes the admiration we have for his substantial body of work.” 

 

Though Rogers did not indicate why Cole isn’t part of the plan this year, the decision isn’t that surprising. After all, Cole’s workload has been cut back more and more over the years.

 

In 2009, he didn’t call the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1983.

 

“It’s time for a new generation of play-by-play voice,” Moore said at the time.

 

And a year ago, he only worked the first two rounds of the playoffs.

 

“It was the first year I didn’t get to the conference final,” said Cole. “I called the seventh game between Washington and Pittsburgh and was told, ‘That’s it.’ They didn’t need me after that.

 

“They cut me back quite a bit this year, so I just lived with it and kept going,” said Cole. “But I was never told that once that playoffs start, I wouldn’t be working. I’m not going to be part of it all. That’s kind of tough, but you have to live with it.”

 

Cole isn’t sure whether he will be back in the booth next season.

 

“You never know with the way things are going,” he said.

 

But he also isn’t sure he’s ready to retire. After all, the voice still feels and sounds as good as ever. Plus, he still loves calling the games, whether it’s at the rink or at home in front of his television.

 

“I’ve been pretty lucky over the years that my voice has continued to serve me,” he said. “I hope that it has served the viewing audience OK. I just love my job. Once someone tells you that you’re not going to be involved in the playoffs, you have to respect that decision. There’s not much you can do about that.

 

“But I kind of miss it, for sure.”

 

BOB COLE’S SIGNATURE CALLS

 

From “Oh, baby!” to “Everything is happening,” Bob Cole’s trademark phrases have become part of the hockey lexicon. Here are a few of his more memorable calls.

 

Mario Lemieux’s breakaway goal against the North Stars in the 1991 playoffs

 

“Here’s Lemieux to centre — penalty coming up — look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux! Oh, baby!”

 

Doug Gilmour’s wraparound goal against the Blues in the 1993 playoffs

 

“Gilmour back of the net, Andreychuk in front with Borschevsky. It is Gilmour waiting, waiting, around the net, waiting — he’s open! Gilmour! Solo job! And he’s won it, in a second overtime period. How. About. That. Oh my. Oh my. What a night, tonight, for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

 

Eric Desjardins’ overtime goal against the Kings in the 1993 final

 

“Desjardins following the play and he misses with the short side and there he is again — scores! Desjardins! And the Canadiens win in overtime. His third goal of the game. And the series is a brand new one.”

http://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/legendary-bob-cole-baffled-at-decision-to-sideline-him-for-playoffs

[-Vintage Canuck-]

While Bob Cole does make mistakes, he does well for his age and has a legendary voice that many of us grew up hearing. I personally would rather hear him call games over guys like Romanuk or Randorf.

[Monty]

Honestly, just due to his lack of/never studying players on a consistent basis other than the Leafs (whether old age or other reasons), I’d rather watch a game with no sound on than when he calls it. Have felt that way since the mid 90s.

[Twilight Sparkle]

I don't mind randorf but yea Bob Cole is a good 120 years old, it's time to hang em up, bud

[Slegr]

Bob Cole is a senile old fool. He and Don Cherry should be put out to pasture. 

[Art Vandelay]

I basically don’t hear the announcers nowadays. White noise. But Bob Cole always is where he needs to be in setting the tone or atmosphere of what’s going on. Even if what he is saying isn’t great. So I miss that. Lots of guys could learn from Bob. 

[Rob_Zepp]

Is this more Edler elder abuse?

[Nuxfanabroad]

I heard there's a vid floating around of Bob cavorting with Stormy Daniels. This is a cover-up! Let's get to the bottom of this, eh?

[Rush17]

100% Agree.  it saddens me we can't hear his calls.   There are several guys who could take a back seat.  If you want him to retire do it in the regular season.  Not at the start of the playoffs that's just classless. Reminds me of Gallant getting forced to cab to the airport from Flordia's road trip.  

[Down by the River]

I don't get why people are so obsessed with getting names right. Were you really unable to figure out who he was referring to? I much prefer Bob Cole over Dave Randorf. 

[Gaudette Celly]

1 hour ago, -Vintage Canuck- said:

While Bob Cole does make mistakes, he does well for his age and has a legendary voice that many of us grew up hearing. I personally would rather hear him call games over guys like Romanuk or Randorf.

My mother has dementia, and even she can't stand Randork's voice.  Surely there must be better candidates?

[Twilight Sparkle]

21 minutes ago, Down by the River said:

I don't get why people are so obsessed with getting names right. Were you really unable to figure out who he was referring to? I much prefer Bob Cole over Dave Randorf. 

Sounds better when someone knows the players name and not "That guy with the puck now" just sounds like you're old and you're not even trying any more

[Lancaster]

Getting players' name correct shouldn't be treated as some monumental task..... it's just about being prepared and professional.  

Once you have difficulty keeping up with the many names, it's a sign that the job as passed you by.  

[Riviera82]

Bole Cole might be slowing down and he might make some mistakes but his enthusiasm is infectious, his voice is iconic, and the playoffs dont sound as exciting when he's not making the call. The man is 80-something years old and he's more fun to listen to than pretty much all of the other guys in my opinion, maybe even Hughson.

[HC20.0]

I love Bob Cole, but I think age is just catching up to him. He can’t 

tell who’s on the ice half the time. I agree that it’s probably time to transition from Cole, but it doesn’t help when some of the commentators are awful. 

[stonecoldstevebernier]

I'll still take Bob Cole over Romanuk any day.

[DADDYROCK]

How old is Bob Cole? Bob, retire sit back and relax.

Work isn't everything and for the most part your particular job has probably paid you handsomely for many years so unless you need the job to make ends meet ,let some young dummy bust his ass in your place.

[King Heffy]

Appalling that Sportnet would consider scum like Randorf better options.  Sad that they can't find room for one of their few commentators capable of acting like a professional.

[Canuck Surfer]

3 hours ago, -Vintage Canuck- said:

While Bob Cole does make mistakes, he does well for his age and has a legendary voice that many of us grew up hearing. I personally would rather hear him call games over guys like Romanuk or Randorf.

I agree.

 

A related subject > I like listening to NBC's broadcasts.  Doc Emrick(Is that his name?) & the worlds worst GM, who is still a pretty good broadcaster, Mike Milbury. Pierre McGuire plus Keith Jones & Jeremy Roenick.  

[rekker]

Bob Cole makes mistakes on names and can be behind the play. But he is the voice of hockey in this country. Put him in there. I miss the guy. He is a legend and could do every game as far as I'm concerned.