Ron MacLean is a dirtbag!!!

[McG]

Well, no surprise here about throwing Don under the bus years later. Just like the 80s oilers love, Maclean just can’t stay relevant. I’ll also note that he engineered George Strombolopolous’ exit, and then placed himself in pole position to bring himself back. That doesn’t get enough attention. I was really pleased when they brought someone different in, and instead of giving the new team a chance to grow, immediately reverted to the past.

I’ve got Maclean’s statement right here:

Maclean: “Much like the great blue line standoff in the 1908 Flin Flon barn and tapestry tournament, many people had to share their experiences listening to mark and Paul and Wayne and Glenn warming up by hoisting 3 or 4 cassette tapes playing music in the background. Pope Francis showed the way to box the boxing where hearts beat red with the sound of glen sathers grandmother making jerseys from the old hunt and hook magazine.”

[troutman]

He made me sick at the last Hip concert. Making himself the center of attention and acting like he was the biggest expert on Canadian music.

[direwolf]

I used to like MacLean years ago, but ever since he became president of the Oilers’ circle jerk club, he’s been an insufferable clown and an embarrassment to his profession.

And yes, he was incredibly irritating during the final Hip show.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by direwolf

I used to like MacLean years ago, but ever since he became president of the Oilers’ circle jerk club, he’s been an insufferable clown and an embarrassment to his profession.

And yes, he was incredibly irritating during the final Hip show.

I used to be pretty neutral on MacLean. He was just kind of an average broadcaster that i didn't pay attention to. I remember many times the Cherry would interrupt him, talk over him, and basically #### on him. I think Cherry would have been a horrible coworker.

Not a defense of MacLean or anything because I can hardly stand his Oilers ass kissing and his stupid takes on things either.

[Freddy]

I personally liked the Strombo audition and was disappointed to see Ron back hosting after only 1 season. As much as I would have preferred Ron not resume then, watching the most recent playoffs and all the different networks intermission panels I enjoyed the HNIC ones the best for relevant analysis and jovial but professional dialogue. Like I said I don’t personally love the guy, but he’s going to be remembered as a legend in Canadian sports broadcasting.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

In what universe would anyone want to defend Don Cherry? Get a grip OP.

Can you please point out where I was defending Don Cherry, Terwillger? Thanks, I'll wait. How about you get a grip??

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I personally liked the Strombo audition and was disappointed to see Ron back hosting after only 1 season. As much as I would have preferred Ron not resume then, watching the most recent playoffs and all the different networks intermission panels I enjoyed the HNIC ones the best for relevant analysis and jovial but professional dialogue. Like I said I don’t personally love the guy, but he’s going to be remembered as a legend in Canadian sports broadcasting.

I think the trend in sports broadcasts to go to multi-person panels is one of the things that made Cherry's style obsolete. Could you imagine him on a panel with three other people? No one would ever get a word in.

[curves2000]

Some context about the Sun article about Cherry's disappointment, Ron gave an interview to a well known sports reporter who is also working on a soon to be published long read about Don Cherry. Love him or hate him, Cherry was a titan in hockey circles for a long time and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame quickly after his death. I know some people don't like to hear that but Cherry was a big and positive influence in hockey outside of his time at HNIC. The charity events, supporting falling hero's like armed forces personal, first responders on the air and behind the scenes. When it came to helping people and pet's, Cherry was and is still legendary. People who know, will know.

Unless this long read is some sort of hit piece from his hometown paper in a few weeks, I suspect this is Ron's attempt to try and look better in his and other peoples mind about how things may have gone down.

For some strange reason, Ron keeps trying to throw Cherry under the bus and going to the media to make himself look good. Showing up the house for a birthday and then telling the world about it, thumbs up all the time is just weird. Why talk to the media about health concerns about a then 85 year old man and talk negatively now about a frail, soon to be 92 year old? Don is Don and I personally like him a lot, I always liked Ron but the guy has kinda lost credibility of being a good dude since this relationship went sideways.

https://www.thewhig.com/news/ron-mac...r-health-scare

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Love him or hate him, Cherry was a titan in hockey circles for a long time and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame quickly after his death.

Hockey Hall of Fame entry isn't based on living status. He's not Foster Hewitt material and passing away isn't going to change that.

[fotze2]

My dad was the goalie and Cherry his dman for the Barrie Flyers a million years ago in the 50's. Whenever I asked about Cherry he would remark on how dumb he was. That was his schtick, being a dumbass. And not very good at hockey. Wasn't mean just he was not very smart and everyone knew it.

Tim Horton on the other hand was a beauty maniac.

[calumniate]

Ron smack-talking and disclosing someone's health is pretty low. And pneumonia really? That's not even remotely a reason to quit your job. "Hey I have pneumonia and need to strategically plan my exit." Huh?

What did Ron have to gain from this? Haha, what a loser

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Locke

In other news..."Water...still wet!"

This deserves more thanks lol

[BigT112]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Hockey Hall of Fame entry isn't based on living status. He's not Foster Hewitt material and passing away isn't going to change that.

And therein lies an interesting conversation. He's not really a Foster Hewitt candidate so his path to the Hall would have to be as a builder. He's known primarily as a media personality and the builder category (it seems anyway) is reserved for coaches, GMs, league execs etc.

Now arguments can certainly be made that he was instrumental in the growth of hockey, but truly how wide was is reach outside of Canada? That, combined with the glut of worthy candidates in the builder category waiting and Cherry's controversial nature make for an interesting situation.

As macabre as it may be, his death might be the catalyst to go in as a builder. Bygones are bygones when someone has passed away.

[Gizmo]

It must be the offseason. What a joke of a thread.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Putting someone in, who was openly and vocally prejudiced against European players, as a builder, would be quite the choice.

[jay2tharoc]

Grapes is a legend. Ron MacLean is a smarmy, pseudo-intellectual snake.

[dustygoon]

I like Gare Joyce a lot. Surprised he didn't get some comment from Cherry if he was going to run this piece. Sounds like it is part of a bigger story he is going to be releasing this month about Cherry, so maybe he is going to get some comments from Cherry later?

Maclean is a fool for dipping his toe back in these waters. No win for him.

[Enoch Root]

the whole thing is probably staged and coloured as a teaser for the larger story

and it's working perfectly

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Putting someone in, who was openly and vocally prejudiced against European players, as a builder, would be quite the choice.

Nobody was off limits including french players. He gained his popularity back in the day via controversial takes that haven't aged well. I said it from the start that it was a mistake for Rogers to bring back both Cherry and MacLean but expecting Rogers to do the right thing is like expecting Trump to understand how tariffs work which is simply too much to ask.