I'd tend to agree, but I'd say small is the wrong adjective to use, too much of a negative connotation. I just think people expected him to re-produce his 2000-2001 season where he essentially set career highs. If you look at his career, his offensive output never matched his projected output from the OHL, which I think put unrealistic expectations on him throughout his career.
- Flyers_V88

For 90% of his career he was just a big, lazy player and bad team mate. He clashed constantly with management and coaches where ever he played. While he could put up points half @ssing it through the regular season he never did anything in the playoffs when it mattered. He had those two good series against Toronto and Tampa and the Flyers lost one of them.

great blob, bill. hayes is a dolt. i've had my own run-ins with him before. not surprised by his latest display of genius.
- hammarby31

Welcome home, Hammar. And congratulations!

McGinn's birthday, huh? It's my 30th today. Guess he's one of my new fav's

It's amazing how Primeau is so revered for one playoff series. He was great in that series, no doubt. But they rest of his Flyers career, he came up small.
- MJL

Sometimes his fans bother me more than the player himself.

Why did they even have a Keith Primeau night? I remember people on here talking about retiring his number. It's unfathomable.

McGinn's birthday, huh? It's my 30th today. Guess he's one of my new fav's
- Boyer83

Happy Birthday Dallas.

I like the Dawkins idea.

Wait, do they have to be alive?

Because I also think Joe Frazier deserves a nod. Boxing is dead, but Smokin Joe was an icon.

Great piece on Bernie, Bill. I have known "Ben" personally for more than 40 years now (we are both the same age) and couldn't agree more. He is a truly magical personality. Mr. Hayes is entitled to his own opinion, of course, but the key to being the most popular living Philadelphia figure is does that popularity endure after retirement which in Bernie's case is certainly true. I think it is fair to say that the late Richie Ashburn held that title for many years after he stopped playing for the Phillies and became a broadcaster. (I remember him as both.)

Mr. Utley may be popular now and should be, but when he retires will he stay here and be an integral part of this community for the rest of his life? The fact that he does not to stay here in baseball's off season probably means that he will not. Many of the Flyers of the Stanley Cup years (Bernie, Clarkie, the Wastons, Hound, Bird, Hammer, Little "O", Otto, Arnie, Rifle, Hawk, et al) still live here (Philly/New Jersey) and have become life long Philadelphians. How many retired Phillies, Eagles, or 76'ers can you say that about. Not many to be sure.

When Bernie stepped on the ice at Citizens Bank Park on New Years Eve 2012 for the Winter Classic Alumni Game as he appeared in a Flyers uniform for the first time 31 years after his career ending eye injury he received a standing ovation from some 46,000 people in the stands the majority of whom had probably never seen him play. That's what it means to be the most beloved living Philadelphia sports figure.

As for the most unfairly maligned Flyers player of all-time, I agree that "Sparky" Bladon is high up on that list. Ironically a number of others who were unfairly maligned at one time or another during their Flyer careers also wore #3. Among those were Joe Watson (who wore it from 1967 to 1969 before switching to #14), Behn Wilson, and Doug Crossman.
- iScoop

I'm 19 years old. I'm about a generation and a half off of seeing Bernie play.

Nevertheless, I still was close to crying when I was watching the Alumni game. When he made that save....

Tell me who the most beloved player is, Marcus. No other player in Philly history would command that respect and atonement from the city.

And don't try to feed me any of this basketball bullpoop.

i like jackson too but he really needs to get rid of the ballbumper and bring back the 'stache
- Don'tForgetTocchet

As the years go on, JJ's voice and speech inflections get grating. I'm sad to say but it's starting to arrive in my ears in ill humor.

Maybe I have a thing against play by play guys with high pitched voices, as I cannot stand Doc Emrick or Rick Jeannerette when he freaks out and his voice goes up 2 octaves.

Sometimes his fans bother me more than the player himself.

Why did they even have a Keith Primeau night? I remember people on here talking about retiring his number. It's unfathomable.
- mayorofangrytown

Retire Ville Leino's number!

Welcome home, Hammar. And congratulations!


- tangent_man

Seconded!

i like jackson too but he really needs to get rid of the ballbumper and bring back the 'stache
- Don'tForgetTocchet

100% yes

thanks Bill

i like jackson too but he really needs to get rid of the ballbumper and bring back the 'stache
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I tend to agree here

Sometimes his fans bother me more than the player himself.

Why did they even have a Keith Primeau night? I remember people on here talking about retiring his number. It's unfathomable.
- mayorofangrytown

Whaaaaat?!

I liked Primeau, and thought he became a good Captain, especially for Hitchcock, but that is just ridiculous.

Bill, never knew you went to Washington. 2000 alum here.

Whaaaaat?!

I liked Primeau, and thought he became a good Captain, especially for Hitchcock, but that is just ridiculous.
- MBFlyerfan

no one has said that
MOAT just loathes Keith Primeau

there are rumors that Primeau actually spit on him as they passed each other while walking toward the parking lot after a game.

Bill, never knew you went to Washington. 2000 alum here.
- flyers2001

Cool! I graduated in class of 1988.

no one has said that
MOAT just loathes Keith Primeau

there are rumors that Primeau actually spit on him as they passed each other while walking toward the parking lot after a game.
- Crimsoninja

I saw Primeau beat one of his kids to death with a puppy. True story.

no one has said that
MOAT just loathes Keith Primeau

there are rumors that Primeau actually spit on him as they passed each other while walking toward the parking lot after a game.
- Crimsoninja

i heard there was a second spitter

I like the Dawkins idea.

Wait, do they have to be alive?

Because I also think Joe Frazier deserves a nod. Boxing is dead, but Smokin Joe was an icon.
- Hesh_

Correct on Frazier.

If you get a chance to check out the HBO doc on the first Frazier/Ali fight, I highly suggest you watch it. Well worth anyone's time.

i heard there was a second spitter
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'm gonna need a slo mo reenactment

i heard there was a second spitter
- Don'tForgetTocchet

The sad thing is we may never know the real truth.

The sad thing is we may never know the real truth.
- Crimsoninja

Don't worry, Oliver Stone's on the case.

EDIT - Dammit. Missed the bit.

I'm gonna need a slo mo reenactment
- feelingkettle

\


Back....and to the left.

i heard there was a second spitter
- Don'tForgetTocchet

SPOILERS!

(it was JR)