A Shooting Star

Back in May, Barb and I were excited to make the drive to the Kansas City area to pick up a new addition to our Chihuahua group. After the pandemic pause, and the fact that we didn't really have any dogs suitable for showing anymore, Barb had indicated to our breeder friend Kathy Hulstein, of Sioux Center, Iowa that we would be interested in one of a litter of puppies that she was expecting. 

Kathy has the resources to go beyond the normal selection process when it comes to breeding matches. So she had acquired some Chihuahua stock from a line in Russia that was beginning to produce for her. The Russian line tends to have a bit of a different look, and features a sturdiness to the body that we rarely see in the U.S. When Kathy's latest match produced puppies in March, she informed Barb that there was a female in the group that she was willing to send our way. When we saw the puppy photos, Kathy didn't have to do much sales work.

When we picked up this little girl, it was love at first sight. We kicked around a number of different names that we thought might work given her Russian background. We settled on Sacha....(Sah-shuh) Many people of eastern European heritage use Sacha, as a unisex nickname or given name. Often it is a nickname for Alexander, Alexandra, or Alexa. The AKC registration name for the tiny one would be Victory Sacha Joy at Wee Scotch. Victory-for Kathy's kennel designation...and Wee Scotch for our kennel. Sacha Joy...get it? 

This mostly black with white markings little one fit into our group at home right away, after a short "get acquainted and comfortable" period. We quickly realized that she was constucted a bit differently than our other Chi friends. She was also more quiet..and wouldn't bark at just anything like the others. She grew quickly to be the most sturdily-built Chihuahua that we had ever had in our group. Like most puppies, she was curious, adventurous, and anxious to explore and learn about the world she was in. 

Beginning in July, Barb started working with her as a show dog. She went to some training classes put on by the Jefferson County (MO) Kennel Club in Arnold. This was not her favorite activity. But, after a while, she grew less nervous, and started to come around to the behaviors important to performing well in the show ring. Barb did some patient work with her in our open driveway area at the house as well. 

Barb then entered Sacha in some late Summer/early Fall all-breed shows at the Purina Event Center in Gray Summit, MO. This happened as soon as she became eligible to show at 4-6 months old. The little one did OK...but not great. It seemed she also would have to fight the battle that dark-colored Chihuahuas face. Show judges seem to prefer light-colored Chis even though there is no standard in the breed that indicates they should. To us, it seems there's a prejudice there that the dark-colored animals have working against them. But, to us the show experience is almost more of a social event than something to get all competitive about anyway. 

The plan for Sacha was to have some fun showing her, hopefully develop her show ring skills to the point of acquiring her AKC championship, and then perhaps pair her up with a boyfriend to produce some puppies and a legacy for her, us, and Kathy's venture into Russian breeding.

All of that seemed in order until Thursday, Barb's birthday. 

Sacha had occasionally threw up at night. We didn't think that unusual as puppies tend to do that until their systems mature. But Thursday she began to throw up more frequently to the point of Barb scheduling a vet appointment for Friday morning. But Thursday night, as we were trying to sleep, the little girl started throwing up or retching every 10 or 15 minutes. Barb suggested we get up and take her to Veterinary Specialty Services, a 24/7 emergency clinic that we are lucky to have nearby in Manchester, MO. So at around 2am we packed up Sacha for the trip just to be sure nothing major was amiss. Little did we know it would be something very major.

Without going into all the details, the doctors determined that Sacha had developed a blood clot in her intestines that was creating a blockage. What caused the problem? The vets had no explanation except that it was probably some sort of unknown blood disorder. We were asked if we wanted to have surgery performed to take out the clot and that part of her intestine that was dying because of it. Of course, we did. The doctors kept us informed every step of the way as the surgery was being performed. And, at one point, it seemed like she would come through and be fine after a few days at the animal hospital. It would be a costly, and scary, time for a while. But we would get through it.   

But then came the awful news in another call that she had thrown a blood clot that went to her brain and stopped her breathing. As you might guess, we were devastated that our little star was not going to come home. The vets said they would keep her alive artificially until Barb and I could make the 45 minute drive to VSS to say our goodbyes. Sacha had come into our lives only a little over four months ago...taken hold of our hearts...and now was gone. It all seemed so unreal...and unfair.

Obviously, I can't write a happy ending to this story. I wish I could. This should not happen to precious little animals who are so loved and cherished. This should not happen to people like us who so fiercely love our little Chihuahua friends. But, as this episode in our lives makes so abundantly clear, there are no guarantees in life. And we must learn to treat each day with people and animals we love as a special blessing...and not take for granted that they will be with us the next day. 

Sacha's legacy is that for us...every day, every person, every special little friend will be loved each day to the max. She was Sacha joy! Our only consolation is that we did the best we could for this little star who shone very bright for us, but for a much too short time. Run and play in heaven little Sacha until we meet again. 

Bright Hockey Future

In recent days I have thought a lot about how far St. Louis has come with its hockey presence in the world since I became involved with the Blues. I started thinking about it while working the PA for the PWHPA (Profession Women's Hockey Players Association) Dream Gap Tour games that were played May 16 & 17 at Centene and Enterprise. 

Those rosters were dominated by women from the northern U.S., but Jincy Dunne, who played for Ohio State and the women's national team, represented O'Fallon, MO. And goaltender Alex Cavallini has relocated to St. Louis to work with her goaltending coach. Not all that long ago, women's hockey was barely a blip on the sports radar. Now, with good reason, it has advanced to the point of being thought of as a viable professional-level sports offering. And you can bet that St. Louis girls will become prominent as women in this sport before long. 

In taking a brief survey of the extended rosters of the 31 NHL teams, I found not only the obvious names connected to St. Louis but several I was not aware of who are under contract. I might have missed a few. For that I apologize in advance. But here are the players who have obvious connections to St. Louis and youth hockey in our region-- 

Columbus- Josh Dunne, Ryan MacInnis / Dallas- Ben Bishop / Detroit- Chase Bradley / Nashville- Luke Kunin / Tampa- Jack Finley, Pat Maroon, McKade Webster / Arizona- Clayton Keller / Minnesota- Dakota Mermis / Blues- Luke Opilka / Boston-Trent Frederic / Islanders- Scott Mayfield / Rangers- Austin Rueschhoff / Calgary- Matthew Tkachuk / Ottawa- Brady Tkachuk / Toronto- Joseph Woll / Winnipeg- Adam Lowry (born here-raised in Calgary), Paul Stastny 

When I started with the Blues in 1987 the NHL was totally dominated by Canadians. There were a few U.S.-born players around and a few Europeans. Having someone at the professional level from anywhere south of Chicago was extremely rare. Now we have high-level pros who call sunbelt cities their hometown including Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was born in California but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona watching Coyotes games.  

Combine the existence of more ice sheets that have previously not existed and the early efforts of Blues alumni and other dedicated mentors who have worked to grow the sport in recent decades, and you have the answer to the question..."why have so many St. Louis kids hit the professional level in the last several years?" By adding Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights and Maryville Hockey Center in Chesterfield to the mix in recent years the growth among our area youth will likely explode to even greater heights.

We also have several area colleges and universities dressing high-level teams in the sport giving local players the opportunity to grow with the sport as they continue their education. This also exposes the sport to many people through their connections to these schools.  

A few years ago the Blues began calling our region The Heartland of Hockey. It's obvious that this is becoming more true with every passing day. As I head into the latter years of my life, I surely don't have to worry about the growth of the sport of ice hockey in the St. Louis region in what's left of the 21st century.  

Pujols Return Not in the Cards

So it appears the 10-year deal that Albert signed with the Angels wasn't all that heavenly for them as it draws to a close. We kinda thought they might regret it at the time. Albert Pujols, who provided so many wonderful and amazing thrills for Cardinals fans in his earlier days, is to be out on the open market. That is, unless he somehow is claimed off waivers. 

Many fans of the Redbirds will be clamoring for the team to sign Albert back to finish out his career in St. Louis. While that sounds like a fine idea on the surface for sentimental reasons, I think some other, more business-related factors, will get in the way. And that's probably a good thing for the Cardinals team make-up. 

I can't imagine any National League team being all that interested. Albert hasn't been hitting like the Albert of old...or even close...and having him take up a spot on a Cardinals roster without the designated hitter in place just doesn't seem practical. Where would he play? The Cardinals have highly-paid stars at the two positions that seem to make any sense...third and first base. Albert as a once-in-a-while pinch hitter? Doesn't seem like the way he would want to go out. And he has said he wants regular playing time. One of the reasons the Angels cut him loose was because he wasn't being used enough to satisfy his urge to play. Some AL team might like to take a chance and see if he has anything left in the tank as a DH. But he may not want that either. He might hang up the spikes. 

Albert had a great return to Busch Stadium in June of 2019, just after the Blues had won the Stanley Cup. It was great!!! An emotional night with hugs all around and huge ovations for Albert when he came to the plate. Most everyone thought that this would be his St. Louis swan song. Let it be that. He will be welcomed back in St. Louis to get his red jacket some day. Sounds like now that day is much closer than it was yesterday. 

#1 in Our Hearts

 After learning of the passing of Bobby Plager, I thought sitting down and writing a tribute would make me feel better. I hope by the end of this I do. Because hearing of his passing in an automobile accident was like taking a Plager-brothers punch to the diaphragm. You don't get over that very quickly.  

Let me be clear, as much time as I have spent at Blues hockey games since the late 80's, I didn't encounter Bobby nearly as much as I would have liked. But when I did, it was always "smile time". He either had a joke to tell or a story that would light up your day. Getting to see him enjoy the Stanley Cup parade and celebration, and all that went with it, in 2019 will be how I choose to remember him. So, with that in mind, let me tell you a story that I think he would approve. 

Robert Bryant Plager was a very good hockey player for 14 years in the NHL. But it's my belief that his influence and impact on the sport, particularly in St. Louis, is not fully understood. I believe this because of an experience I had in 2008 north of the border. 

In January of 2007 the Blues management surprised me with an on-ice ceremony prior to a Detroit Red Wings game to recognize my 20-year anniversary as the team PA announcer. My wife Barb was invited onto the ice as John Davidson (then President) and Dallas Drake (then Captain) presented me with a few gifts to commemorate the occasion. One of the gifts was a chance to fly on the team charter to anywhere the team would play in the next season. Barb was invited to come along. 

We decided that a trip to Toronto and the chance to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame would be a great idea. It also happened to coincide with our 30th wedding anniversary in January of 2008. So off to Toronto it would be. But let's get back to Bobby. 

The day before the game we were already in Toronto and had a chance to look around the city. Bernie Federko, already a HOFer, was kind enough to get us passes to the Hall of Fame...which is awesome by the way. Kelly Chase recommended a great steak house not far from the team hotel. It wasn't cheap...but it was worth every penny. As we approached the hotel on our walk back from dinner I said to Barb..."I wonder what's going on at the hotel?" "Why?"...she said. "Because there's a big crowd creating a commotion in the lobby for some reason." 

It turned out the reason was Mr. Bobby Plager. 

Bobby had taken some time to travel back to his home area knowing that the Blues would be in town. Bobby's home town is Kirkland Lake, Ontario in the northeastern part of the province. It's not really that close to Toronto, but believe me, the folks from around Toronto know him very well. There must have been a hundred or so people crowded around him in that hotel lobby as he held court. He told stories...most of them family-friendly it seemed...signed autographs, and generally made the crowd happy. I'm sure some were there to catch a glimpse of some of the Blues players. But Bobby was a rock star to that group on that night. You know Bobby...he was just happy to be around hockey people and talk up the Blues. You might have confused him for Gordie Howe or Wayne Gretzky based on the excited behavior of that crowd. I was amazed, and saw our Mr. Plager in a whole new light. 

So to those who think that Bobby was just a St. Louis phenomenon...think again. Hockey fans in Toronto on that night were as thrilled to be around him as we always have been in St. Louis. The Blues organization definitely did the right thing in retiring his number and raising his jersey to the rafters at Enterprise Center...as if there should be any doubt. The hockey world knew all about Bobby Plager. I would hope there's a place in that Toronto Hall for him some day.  

So...that's my Bobby Plager story. Oh there are others, but this one I thought might give him the hockey-world respect he so rightfully deserves. 

I don't feel any better about losing our good friend after writing this. I guess I knew I wouldn't. We all loved him so much....because he always loved us first. Rest In Peace Bob. And we know you'll enjoy those crowds around you in hockey heaven. 

The Passing of a Radio Superstar

-My thoughts upon hearing of the passing of Rush Limbaugh immediately went to a day in the mid-90s. I was working at Belleville station WIBV in the days before Tim Dorsey brought all of the KMOX folks aboard. I was working mornings and also serving as Program Director. The station had become a "minor player with some oomph" in the market with a talk format mostly geared to the Metro-East because of the station's funky AM night-time signal.

In a meeting with our GM at the time, Bill Kniesly, we discussed that the Rush Limbaugh show was available to St. Louis market stations. We agreed to give it a listen to see if we thought it would fly in this market. Rush already had a reputation for being somewhat outlandish and we weren't sure if our listeners could handle him.

I got the satellite coordinates and dialed up his show for an audition. I had not ever heard Rush before. After listening to the first hour of his show that day, I went in to get Bill. I told him..."You have to hear this. And we have to carry this show." I had no interest in, and really didn't care about, the political position presented at that time. I just told him that it was the most well-produced and entertaining radio talk show I had ever heard. There was a laugh every few minutes...some politically-based...some not. It was a talk show that sounded a lot like an old DJ-based show because of the production values. He had a music bed for all of his regular features...Clarence "Frogman" Henry and "Ain't Got No Home" for the Homeless Update comes to mind.

We signed a contract and carried it for several years until the call came one day that Rush, and his EIB network, had made a deal with KMOX. That was astonishing to us as KMOX had promoted itself in the years before as having all "locally-produced" programming in a shot at syndicated shows. Rush broke that ice.

Rush, having grown up in Cape Girardeau, knew very well how KMOX was the "big dog" in the St. Louis market. It was about this time (in my humble opinion) that Rush's show changed from a fun 3-hours to one of mostly politics spiced up with his catch-phrases and political rants.

One thing is for certain Rush, and a few others, have dominated network radio and have kept AM radio on the map for the early part of the 21st century. Who fills that void? It will be interesting to see if anyone can. RIP to Rush Limbaugh - a radio legend.

The Media Conundrum

Let's see if I have this right. 

When someone (let's call him John) posts an outrageous, hurtful, obviously crazy, tastelessly vulgar, or over-the-top political statement on social media, often John will be unfollowed or unfriended by the person receiving it. That is unless the person receiving it has a really good reason for remaining friends with John. (Business connection/family/neighbor etc.) Am I on track so far? 

If that's true, John will, over time, lose many of the friends/followers who aren't interested in John's ideas, political position, or poor attempts at humor. So, in effect, John eventually is reduced to trying to be funny for, or influence the thinking of, all of the people who are of the same set of beliefs as his. Preaching to the choir etc. So, then John would be posting for his own gratification and a relatively small number of others who "like" his posts. Or, at least, smaller than John thinks or would like.   

But, if John has enough friends/followers who buy what he is selling on social, then there's value in being an "influencer" of those people, however many there may be. What, then, becomes the value of a John post? Not much to John...but to some other entity that wants to appeal to John's group. 

John has acquired the ability to channel a smallish group of people to another website/platform etc. that is interested in promoting something. That could be a product or service...but often it's beliefs. People of the same set of beliefs, likes and dislikes, tend to be "funneled" to platforms that solidify their own ideas or wants and would like to inspire them to act in some way. Sometimes that can be good when someone is looking to purchase a particular product...or connect with a group of old friends. But it also is used for the promotion of sinister ideas and activities. And there is very little regulation of this mechanism.  

This phenomenon begins to mirror what is going on with today's mass media. People watch the news channel or network that reflects their own beliefs about right and wrong, liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, radical or moderate and so on. The channel or network has ratings and surveys that tell them who is watching and why. They feed their beast by presenting news and commentary slanted toward their viewer base. The viewer base grows or declines depending on how well their particular animal is fed. 

So...the social media funnel works to separate us all into groups of like-minded people. While the networks and cable/satellite channels are in the business of the same and taking advantage of those different groups. 

Is it any wonder that our country is so horribly divided on so many things these days? All of the devices in our hands, on our desks, and in our living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms are in the business of promoting ideas that cause us to dislike one another, and be segregated, for any number of reasons....unless you religiously watch the Hallmark channel and ignore your smartphone. 

Somehow we must understand that we are being channeled into groups of people that are unlike one another on purpose. It's a natural effect of the way social media and mass media are currently making money. And they won't change unless they no longer make money at it. 

We must fight the urge to be manipulated and influenced in this way! Believe what you want...but also have kindness and compassion for fellow humans...no matter how they look, how they act, where they live, or what they believe. Not part-time...but always.  

My thoughts here won't influence many. But if enough of us choose love over hate, common decency over radical ideas, acts of kindness over acts of destruction, and refuse to be manipulated by mass or social media, we will come out of the current dark tunnel of hateful pressure into a new light on the other side. I believe our future as a country seen as the world's beacon of democracy depends on it. 

Thanks for reading.