Bill Meltzer: Bob Clarke Turns 66: The Evolution of a Childhood Hero

Thanks Bill, this was simply a great piece. It brought back a lot of childhood memories. Clarke being a diabetic was really a big thing, and that is how I became a Flyer fan back in Senior kindergarten.

On behalf of the under 40 crowd, thank you so much for this piece! Seems like highlights and books never seem to capture the true essence of this legend. Must have been a treat to watch him on ice. Especially live.

Fantastic blog Bill, you've really outdone yourself this time!


As a GM, Bob Clarke was good for the most part. As a player, Bobby Clarke was amazing. He and Bernie Parent were my first heroes as a kid as well.

I have never, in any sport, witnessed a player who worked as hard as Bobby Clarke. His will to win was simply incredible. Also his skill level was off the chart as well. He was, next to Wayne Gretzky, arguably the best pure playmaker/passer that I have ever seen. He was a beast on faceoffs and he was just as good defensively (heck, he won a Selke trophy in '83), as he was offensively. His shot was underrated, he just didn't shoot enough!

You also cannot understate his leadership skills. He knew just what to say and when to say it and he seemed to have a knack for knowing which player needed some quiet encouragement and which needed a swift kick in the rear.

As a Gm, during his first stint, my biggest complaint was his drafting and his trading of McCrimmon out of frustration. OTOH, he turned a washed up Darryl Sittler into Murray Craven, hired Mike Keenan and took a team to the finals twice. IMO, the Keenan team, had they not been faced with playing one of the NHL's all time great teams, would have won a cup in most eras.

During his 2nd stint, he did a good job taking advantage of the clubs deep pockets to keep the team competitive. His turn around of the Flyers D in the mid 90s was excellent and his drafting improved. What really hurt him though, was his inability to relate to the modern player which led to the Lindros mess. Clarke just could not understand why players didn't just shut up and play the game. Sadly, his heart just wasn't in it after the 04-05 lockout. In hindsight, he would have been better off if he had just retired after the 03-04 season.

All in all, I will always love Bobby Clarke for what he meant to the Flyers as a player. If I had to make a Mt. Rushmore of my favorite Philadelphia athletes of all time, the 4 faces on it would be: Clarke, Bernie Parent, Reggie White and Mark Howe.

question for you Philly-ans. how far is the ballpark from heart of downtown Philly and is it easy to get there and back?

It's about 6-7 miles.

The subway will take you from center city right to the stadium. Always the easiest way. Just don't wear an opposing teams poop on it. I doubt anyone really (frank)s with you, but it's not worth the risk. I wish I were kidding.

It's about 6-7 miles.

The subway will take you from center city right to the stadium. Always the easiest way. Just don't wear an opposing teams poop on it. I doubt anyone really (frank)s with you, but it's not worth the risk. I wish I were kidding.
- PhillySportsGuy

thanks

and im a neutral observer but they would be playing the Blue Jays and i dislike the Blue Jays, so all good there.

thanks

and im a neutral observer but they would be playing the Blue Jays and i dislike the Blue Jays, so all good there.
- DoubleDown

Based on the Phillies rotation and the Blue Jays lineup, I would recommend getting seats in left field as there will be a 90% chance you end up with a home run ball

his drafting his first go around as GM was what set back the team for many years when it finally caught up with them.

despite the perception imo he didn't trade away as many picks as one is lead to believe I think during his 2nd time around. seemed to acquire them

not getting the goalie was always baffling as he seen first hand what having a stud goalie can do for you

thanks

and im a neutral observer but they would be playing the Blue Jays and i dislike the Blue Jays, so all good there.
- DoubleDown

Blue Jays all the way

Clarke will always be my favorite player

Blue Jays all the way
- 3flyerkids

as long as the Mets or Nats dont win.....I am happy

Thanks Bill. Great stuff. I still have all my Flyer's hockey cards in a box, and will always cherish them. My wife doesn't understand my hockey passion, but my brother, and I always end up talking about hockey.
Yes, Clarke was my hero growing up as well. However, Bernie was a close second.
Bill would you be able to discuss those people that support that Flyers organization, and what stands out in our mind about them? When Lauren Hart sings that National Anthem before every home game, a tear forms in my eye; it's ok to be a grown man, and to let a voice like that move me...lol. She is awesome, and sings with such passion.
Half way to September...nice.

Cool piece. Clearly took you some time bill, so thanks for the effort.

On behalf of the under 40 crowd, thank you so much for this piece! Seems like highlights and books never seem to capture the true essence of this legend. Must have been a treat to watch him on ice. Especially live.
- MatveiDmitrii

Just turned 33 in mid July. I don't even live in Philly. I'm a black kid living in Detroit and originally from Canada.

I never saw Bob Clarke play but I met him on the night in Toronto before Mike Richards was able to score his first short handed goal while being two men down on Eddie Belfour.

I'm at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant with my back turned to the door, while facing a Toronto radio show. My buddy across from me points behind me and says"Hey look, it's your buddy!" I turn behind me expecting to see an ugly woman or a handicapped child and walking towards me is Bobby Clarke. I smack him in his mid section and put out my hand for a hand shake, which he shook. It wasn't until I turned around to realize how star struck I was. The first Flyer I ever met.

Paul Coffey and Eric Lindros are the reasons why I'm a Flyers fan. I followed Coffey here from Detroit.

Bill, Great Blog.

You mention the orange Mylec road hockey ball; I think we can all relate to that.

For me it was Hextall. I would want to play nets in road hockey so I could clang my stick off the goal posts like he did. I also wanted to handle the ball like he would handle the puck.

Sam Carchidi ‏@BroadStBull 3m3 minutes ago

Sam Carchidi retweeted Joey Ritter

Exactly 8 weeks (56 days) until the Flyers open the season in Tampa. But who's counting?

Just turned 33 in mid July. I don't even live in Philly. I'm a black kid living in Detroit and originally from Canada.

I never saw Bob Clarke play but I met him on the night in Toronto before Mike Richards was able to score his first short handed goal while being two men down on Eddie Belfour.

I'm at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant with my back turned to the door, while facing a Toronto radio show. My buddy across from me points behind me and says"Hey look, it's your buddy!" I turn behind me expecting to see an ugly woman or a handicapped child and walking towards me is Bobby Clarke. I smack him in his mid section and put out my hand for a hand shake, which he shook. It wasn't until I turned around to realize how star struck I was. The first Flyer I ever met.

Paul Coffey and Eric Lindros are the reasons why I'm a Flyers fan. I followed Coffey here from Detroit.
- SuperSchennBros

A Flyers fan in HockeyTown. That must be a joy.

Excellent article, Bill. Thanks.

" I turn behind me expecting to see an ugly woman or a handicapped child and walking towards me is Bobby Clarke. I smack him in his mid section and put out my hand for a hand shake, which he shook.
- SuperSchennBros

You smacked Bobby Clarke in the midsection and then forced him to shake your hand?

You dog.

Just turned 33 in mid July. I don't even live in Philly. I'm a black kid living in Detroit and originally from Canada.

I never saw Bob Clarke play but I met him on the night in Toronto before Mike Richards was able to score his first short handed goal while being two men down on Eddie Belfour.

I'm at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant with my back turned to the door, while facing a Toronto radio show. My buddy across from me points behind me and says"Hey look, it's your buddy!" I turn behind me expecting to see an ugly woman or a handicapped child and walking towards me is Bobby Clarke. I smack him in his mid section and put out my hand for a hand shake, which he shook. It wasn't until I turned around to realize how star struck I was. The first Flyer I ever met.

Paul Coffey and Eric Lindros are the reasons why I'm a Flyers fan. I followed Coffey here from Detroit.
- SuperSchennBros

You're lucky he didn't slash your ankles for that mid-section tap.

A Flyers fan in HockeyTown. That must be a joy.
- MatveiDmitrii

Calling Detroit HockeyTown is like calling Florida SnowyTown.

You smacked Bobby Clarke in the midsection and then forced him to shake your hand?

You dog.
- KGBflyers10

He handled well. It was a shock. For about 3 second of my life, I was gay.

adam what are you doing in here