Long time reader, first time...diarist?

by clark4calder on Jan 24, 2008 10:04 PM EST

I have a theory that I'd like to share. It's controversial, earth-shattering and I guarantee you that the mittenstringers won't talk about it. Read the new guy...

I'm new here. I've been reading PPP for a couple of months now, and finally had to speak out.

My thanks to PPP for providing a forum for those of us who have previously not had a voice. I've been enjoying blogs like this, Coxbloc and Bitterleaf immensely. I visit daily and find myself disappointed when the main contributors don't write daily. I want more, people!

So check this out. I'm watching LeafsTV tonight. And who should appear on my screen, next to the enchanting Andi Petrillo? None other than Rob Cimetta. 6-goal-scoring, German league-playing, Gord Stellick-looking Robbie motherf-ing Cimetta. Where did they find him??

This got my brain working (it takes a lot). I have a theory. I'll call it :"the theory of diminishing commentators".

LeafsTV (according to the very reliable source that is my memory) have employed 4 ex-Leafs as studio commentators: Rick Vaive, Mark Osborne, Bob McGill and now Robbie C. Each of their Leaf careers is shorter than their predecessor's (and yes, I know that Osborne and McGill still do work for LTV - I'm just making the call that this is the order in which they started working for the mouthpiece - feel free to call me on this).

The stats:

Rick "Squid" Vaive - 534 Leaf GP
Mark "Ozzie" Osborne - 426 GP
Bob "Big Daddy": McGill - 317 GP
Rob "Big Ragu" Cimetta - 49 GP

The numbers speak for themselves. There's something going on here. A definite, undeniable trend. I'm no math genius, but I think this means that the next commentator will be...wait for it...Rod Willard. He played 1 game for the Leafs in 82-83 (an aside: maybe I'm retroactively remembering this, but I think I remember the game - it was against Philly and he had no name on the back of his jersey because the Leafs used to think so little of their callups that they wouldn't even make Gunner Kinnear put his smoke down to sew a few letters on...but, I regress).

I think this should start the fireworks a-flyin'. Deal with it.

Glad to be here!

C4C

P.S. - The Capitals are quite a boardy team, aren't they??

PensionPlanPuppets.com is a fan community that allows members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editor of PensionPlanPuppets.com.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Another Great Debut Diary

Yeah, for now it's called a diary so technically you are a diarist which sounds about as lame as can get but I didn't name it and in the future it gets renamed...but I digress.

Glad to see you come out of the shadows and it's good to see you take advantage of the tools of the site.

Brilliant observation and there's no way that kind of analysis ever hits traditional media. I am not sure if Rob Willard is the next to debut because if they go with a guy with 1 game as a Leaf where do they go next?

Not that I can think of any 5 game Leafers but I would bet that one of those random alums that they flash on the screen at games could fit the bill!

I'll try to write more. I feel the same way when those West Coast punks at Cox Bloc take a day off.

by PPP on Jan 24, 2008 10:22 PM EST reply actions

RE: Another Great Debut Diary

Thanks for the kind words PPP - I feel encouraged to continue as a diarist (what am I, Samuel Pepys?)

Good point on Willard - after him, it would be down to you and me and all the 0 GPers.

How about the inimitable Val James (4 GP)? Or who could forget the excitement that Frank Bialowas brought to his 4 games? (I couldn't find anyone with 5 in my quite tour of hockeydb)

This is good debate though - just the kind of give and take I was hoping for!

-C4C

by clark4calder on Jan 24, 2008 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

Phil Housley

Those two are good options and I can't imagine that they are doing too much.

Once they hit the 1 GPers they could go by level of fame so they could start with him and then move on to Willard.

by PPP on Jan 25, 2008 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

perhaps...

Jeff Ware? I don't think he's doing anything now (either the Leafs one or the Blue Jays one.) Hell,why not both?

sorry--last night has sapped me of my snarking powers!

by loser domi on Jan 25, 2008 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Rod Willard

I actually know Rod Willard. His family is from the same hometown as me and they still own a large school bus company there. I actually got to play some men's league hockey with him when he was up for the holidays a few years back. Even 50+ he's still very good, both his brothers are also great players. I don't think he follows the Leafs at all and would expect that he would never take a job like that but great "diary" anyways.

by The Phillips Perspective on Jan 26, 2008 10:34 AM EST reply actions

How About...

I'd live to see Eric Fichaud on Leafs TV. He has the obscurity factor, but also has the added benefit of being a former goalie, and if there is anything we've learned from Greg Millen, Darren Pang and Glenn Healy, it's that ex-goalies make the 'best' commentators.

Gag.

Visit www.LeafsAreTrash.com if you're a Leafs fan who's had enough. Enter our PhotoShop contest for a chance to win prizes!

by LeafsAreTrash dot Com on Jan 30, 2008 3:12 AM EST reply actions