Yesterday Don Cherry said goodbye to his faithful listeners and signed off of his podcast for the last time. Here's how it sounded.
Don Cherry is a complicated figure. His Coach's Corner during the first intermission of Hockey Night in Canada on CBC was appointment viewing for me. I found him thoroughly entertaining and I wanted to hear what he had to say.
It was always problematic. His outright refusal to pronounce French names properly, for example, as illustrated by his former co-host Dave Hodge.
As time went on, Don Cherry appeared more and more like a man from a previous era, refusing to evolve with the times. There were more and more cringeworthy comments until it was no longer fun. Rogers eventually fired Don, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back.
You people that come here, you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada.
I really wanted Don Cherry on Toronto Mike'd, and Mark Hebscher suggested I write him a letter and mail it. So I did. That resulted in a phone call from Don Cherry.
He politely declined the invitation to appear on my podcast, telling me The Fan 590 wouldn't be too happy about it because he had a show with Brian Williams on that station. The very next week, Grapeline was cancelled.
And now Don's podcast has come to an end. I didn't listen to the show, but I liked knowing it was out there. I'm sad to hear this news.
Update: Despite a Canadian Press article about Don Cherry hanging up his headphones for the last time, there is a little doubt as to whether this was goodbye for the season or forever. Don's own X account said it was the final episode, but Don himself isn't so sure.
