The end of a streak

Bob Greene on the end of Johnny Kerr's consecutive game streak. I couldn't help but think of some newspaper managers when reading this.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/14/greene.boss/index.html

 

What a sad story. Had a chance to chat with Johnny Kerr a few times during the early 1990s and he was a true gentleman.

The ironic this about this story is, Randy Smith's streak ended the same way -- thanks to an asshole coach -- Bill Musselman -- and the biggest asshat of an owner possible -- Ted Stepien -- in Cleveland.

RIP to both Kerr and Smith, two class acts.

 

Is Greene's streak of bedding readers over yet?

 

The exact same thing happened to NHL ironman Garry Unger, courtesy of Atlanta Flames coach Al MacNeil.

Apparently, it was in the third period when the Flames became aware of what MacNeil was doing to their teammate, who sat quietly on the bench, waiting for the call that would clearly never come. They began skating to the bench, ending their shifts early, and encouraging Unger to take their places. At one point, Unger stood up to jump over the boards.....and MacNeil actually grabbed him from behind and forced him back down to the bench.

What a way to earn your team's respect, eh? No wonder Henri Richard hated MacNeil's guts and ran him out of Montreal after only one season with the Habs, despite MacNeil taking them to the Stanley Cup.