The past, the present and the future…
When asked a couple of weeks ago to write a blog post I, like most any true Tomcat, pounced at the opportunity. As I am one of the few remaining active Tomcats that is long in tooth (old), it was suggested that I perhaps write a funny story about how/ when I met Killer and how he found his way into the Tomcat fold.
As anyone who has played against Killer on the floor, there is nothing funny about that. Life threatening perhaps, but not funny. Actually, he got his nickname because of his early playing style. He often slipped or fell to the floor in the early days, and while down there he would slash his stick from side to side in an attempt to knock the ball off your stick. This action would inevitably result in someone saying something along the lines of “hey man, stop it, you’re going to kill somebody.” Hence, the Killer name was born.
There are a lot of other tidbits of Tomcat history of which the younger/newer players may not be aware. Did you know that the original Tomcats actually started out playing basketball and that they called themselves the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Fortunately, that was even before my time.
What is also amazing was the fact that most/all original Tomcats worked in the same office, which meant that come Wednesday morning you had to work with the player with whom you had words with on Tuesday night. What happened on the floor stayed on the floor.
Another interesting fact is that there is a long history of Tomcat participation in charitable activities and events such as Challenge Cup, charity golf events, and blood donations just to name a few. Can anyone guess which historically famous Tomcats has made over 100 blood and/or blood plasma donations? (answer at the end).
Did you also know that there used to be two tournaments per year with the first occurring before the Christmas break. As I recall it was a Montreal versus Toronto game. Let’s just say that due to the amount of passion brought to this game every year, this tournament was suspended. I’m wondering, noting the many play related rules that have been put into place in the last decade or so, whether this tournament could be resurrected. Something to consider.
As for the present, I have realized that the current clowder of Tomcats (yes, that’s a real word) have the same great qualities of many of the originals. I see it every Tuesday and in the many Facebook and emails that I have received over the years. Some like Hollywood support multiple charitable activities and organizations, and others support the down-trodden working people across the country.
Others like Doc and his wife open their home annually to raise money for charities. And then there are the unsung Tomcats that help set up/pack up every Tuesday, grab the ice for the cooler, grab and put away the sticks, bring snacks for after the game, and take on the incredible challenge of organizing the many annual events set up for the Tomcats. Lastly, no Tomcat can ignore the efforts of our fearless leader Stevo. In the early days, he created, edited and mailed each of the Tomcats a copy of the St. Felix. He also created and edited special edition versions with player and team photos, guys on stage etc. I can’t even begin to imagine the hundreds of hours he has dedicated to the Tomcats since 1989. Worthy of Vince Lombardi recognition if I may say.
As with all our futures, we must look at it from both a short-term and long-term perspective. In the short-term, it is possible that the ongoing concerns and restrictions related to COVID 19 will impact the 2020-2021 season? Yes, this is very possible. However, having been around for the onset of AIDS, MERS, SARS, Ebola and a whole host of diseases in my many years, I am also certain that we will at some point be able to return to the game that we all love.
In the interim, this attached photo shows a possible temporary option for a return to safe play.
BTW, it is Razor that has made over 100 blood/blood plasma donations, which means that he has saved over 300 lives. Actions matter. Stay safe and see you in September.
The Rake
Gordon’s Gin Golf League:
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