It’s really late and maybe I can write more about this during the day but I couldn’t wait (see, I’m already suffering from sleep deprivation). Saturday night, the Stanley Cup came through Austin again. Last year I missed out because I didn’t know how to find the Travis County Expo Center and then I didn’t have the cash for the parking. Pretty lame on my part. Thankfully it came through Austin again as part of a promotion for the Austin Icebats playing the Wichita Thunder. I was really psyched for it. The picture is okay but there was a long line behind me so I didn’t want to waste the stranger’s time doing another. Doesn’t matter, the oldest professional sports trophy is the real star. With Philly’s current losing and injury streak, my jersey may be the closest the Flyers will get to the Cup this season. I wonder how much I would’ve had to pay someone in the NHL to at least have one chance to hoist it over my head and share a moment with Gretzky, Howe, Orr, Esposito, LaFleur, Lemieux, Hull, Chelios, Sawchuk, Clarke, Roy (reluctantly) and, recently, Messier.
I had to throw in the other picture with the arrow. The arrow? The red arrow is pointing toward the man whose job is to be the guardian of the Stanley Cup. Wherever it goes, he goes. Everytime the Cup is on television, you’ll see him. When it’s presented to the winner, you’ll see him. Several years ago, he starred in a MasterCard commercial about the Cup’s expenses (white gloves and polish) but being its courier (or guardian) was priceless. He didn’t have much time to talk yet I don’t think he was irked, just rushed.