Kings News: Rob Blake's No. 4 jersey will be retired by the LA Kings

[kingsfan28]

i won't boo (hell i won't even be there), but i still hold a grudge against him. most of the ill will has evaporated over time, but regardless of Kings records, NHL stats, etc. the guy shouldn't be honored in the same way as others. there is no other single player in the history of the club that brings this type of debate and hatred forward. players that get numbers retired are revered by fans, not potentially boo'ed when they get the number in the rafters.

the PHI fans welcomed back Lindros. hey cool for him and the fans. that is there own situation. Blake, LA and the fans are different. personally i don't care what PHI did.

the first time he left i understood and had no issue. he was chasing the Cup. the second time around though was BS. it still is BS.

i would rather see M Norstrom's 14 retired before i see Blake and #4 in the rafters

I agree with your points, but we all knew this was coming one day.I personally would've waited a few more seasons. He'll be cheered and boo'd and then it will be over. I moved past this years ago and really don't care anymore.

 

[Telos]

Not thrilled about it, but it was inevitable. Don't know if I'll get used to the idea, but I'm trying. Ripping the C off will always be the first thing I think of when I see that banner in the rafters.

 

[ADifferentTim]

I guess the question needs to be asked....

Adifferenttim: Are you or do you have an 8 year old girl?

I have an eight-year old niece, to be precise.

Back on topic, since my folks were among the people that had FS West after that fiasco happened, I am appreciative of Rob Blake's contributions to the LA Kings franchise despite the maltreatment he received from Tim Leiweke.

On the bright side, at least Blake didn't get dissed in rap songs, which Patrick Ewing did.

 

[Choralone]

I was never a big Blake fan, but if Dean says we do it, we do it.

Why not retire a few others too?

#25 Petr Prajsler... simply for the time he decked Jeff Beukeboom (or was it Buchberger?)

It was Buchberger. And it was awesome. THAT deserves a statue out front.

I also nominate Vladimir Tsyplikov. BELARUS!

In all serious, if the front office respects Blake, and his hockey player peers respect Rob Blake, it would be completely bush league for fans to boo Blake other than to prove we're stubborn cusses that don't forgive or forget slights. It's not like he killed someone drunk driving, or beats his wife and kids.

 

[Whiskeypete]

In all serious, if the front office respects Blake, and his hockey player peers respect Rob Blake, it would be completely bush league for fans to boo Blake other than to prove we're stubborn cusses that don't forgive or forget slights. It's not like he killed someone drunk driving, or beats his wife and kids.

that's a valid point, but you overlook one important element.

the fans

fans buy the tickets, beers, jerseys, parking, etc. don't come back with the "team cuts the checks. fine, but without us that doesn't happen".

fans passionately invest their emotions and wallet to a team. guys being honored by any team mean more to the fans in almost every circumstance, than they will to the current players or the organization itself. players come and go, owners change and front office people change as well.

what remains the constant? the fans

retired numbers, legends nights and statues are a reflection of a team's past history and the players that are endured to its fanbase.

it is tough to give a thumbs up to any player that has a negative polarizing effect with its own fanbase

 

[KingsCourt]

Was a total dick when he left... But James can go back to Cleveland.. Blake can have the #4 in rafters.. He was one of my favs back in the day

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Fans also keep coming back when ticket prices are raised or when they were lied to by Leiweke for many years (remember, the fans dubbed him Lieweekly?). They'll get over Blake's retirement.

And it is a small pocket of immature fans who still boo the man. The organization could care less about them when those who put on the uniform, his peers, and just about anyone involved in hockey holds the man in high regard. How many Kings players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

 

[HYORI 1963]

I love this thread.

 

[BamBam1031]

Kings organization is showing its class by retiring his number. Kings fans will show their class by applauding when his jersey is finally hoisted up into the rafters.

 

[Ron*]

I wish those fans would also say that they'll no longer support the team and disappear.

Kind of a harsh statement here, Ziggy? Sounds like what you want is a fanbase that has blinders on, a forced-compliant fanbase a la 1984.

Not this passionate fanbase. This fanbase is as passionate as Cub fans are. Maybe you can get your wish if you were, say, talking about the Florida Panthers. Nope. These are the fans of the Los Angeles Kings, and your wish will NEVER be granted.

 

[HYORI 1963]

that's a valid point, but you overlook one important element.

the fans

fans buy the tickets, beers, jerseys, parking, etc. don't come back with the "team cuts the checks. fine, but without us that doesn't happen".

fans passionately invest their emotions and wallet to a team. guys being honored by any team mean more to the fans in almost every circumstance, than they will to the current players or the organization itself. players come and go, owners change and front office people change as well.

what remains the constant? the fans

retired numbers, legends nights and statues are a reflection of a team's past history and the players that are endured to its fanbase.

it is tough to give a thumbs up to any player that has a negative polarizing effect with its own fanbase

So, if it's the fans, why is it that the majority of the fans or at least 50% of the fans have forgiven Blake, but the other half still harbors ill feelings?

 

[Quattro]

This team won two Cups. I'm pretty much ok with anything they do at this point

 

[Whiskeypete]

So, if it's the fans, why is it that the majority of the fans or at least 50% of the fans have forgiven Blake, but the other half still harbors ill feelings?

i doubt it's even 50% at this point Black. my guess is realistically it is more like a quarter of the fans. due to the overturn of fans and recent success it wouldn't surprise me if a large percent of the fans weren't even around to know about the debate.

that said if a jersey retirement was left to the fans, i think he would get the votes. there would be a minority like myself that wouldn't vote for him. as i said a player shouldn't split fans opinion the way Blake has and get his jersey retired

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kings organization is showing its class by retiring his number. Kings fans will show their class by applauding when his jersey is finally hoisted up into the rafters.

One would hope.

 

[BigBrown]

He was a part of an organization that brought a Stanley Cup to LA. He might not have been a big part of it but his name is going on the Cup as an LA King regardless. I find it ridiculous to continue to boo him after that but that's just the way some people are I guess. That being said I can't say I'm thrilled about having his number retired either, those things should be reserved for beloved players and Blake still has a long way to become beloved, but whatever. Just as I don't love or hate Blake I don't love or hate having #4 retired.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Wake me when they announce MATTY NORSTROM's number being raised to the rafters. Blake? Lame, way to piss off at least half the fan base.

 

[HYORI 1963]

I think we should have a Blake jersey retirement ceremony before every home game for the next 10 years. I'm thinking by then, some of you guys may be coming around.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Wake me when they announce MATTY NORSTROM's number being raised to the rafters. Blake? Lame, way to piss off at least half the fan base.

The whiny half you mean?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

[/B]

The whiny half you mean?

The ones that sit in section 304.

 

[King RAZZ]

I'd rather see Jere Karalahti's number retired...but there's one major drawback... We already have a better #8 currently playing...

 

[Reclamation Project]

Players that deserve to have their number retired instead of Blake - Frolov, Richardson, Ivanans, O'Sullivan, Visnovsky, and Ersberg. Carcillo deserves a Legends Night.

 

[King RAZZ]

Players that deserve to have their number retired instead of Blake - Frolov, Richardson, Ivanans, O'Sullivan, Visnovsky, and Ersberg. Carcillo deserves a Legends Night.

Heck...The Goon Squad deserves an appreciation night more than Buck Flake...

 

[KopitarFAN]

Really can't think of a good thing to say about this, I never wasted time booing Blake. However, I have no respect for guys who do things the way he did, both in leaving the first time, and not wanting to leave the second time, only to sign with SJ that off-season.

 

[reset]

ambivalent about this...
but I'm going to let bygones be bygones. Its been close to more than 13 years since his initial departure and i think its time to move on.

When his number goes up the rafters, I will clap and cheer him on.

Ill leave the boos for bettman (i think i was the only one at SC booing him after game 5), lol

 

[King RAZZ]

ambivalent about this...
but I'm going to let bygones be bygones. Its been close to more than 13 years since his initial departure and i think its time to move on.

When his number goes up the rafters, I will clap and cheer him on.

Ill leave the boos for bettman (i think i was the only one at SC booing him after game 5), lol

Isn't it funny that Butthead wasn't even introduced ahead of time for him to get his standing BOO...EITHER TIME??? The other PA announcers announced him BIG TIME and he got the boo shower... You know you're disliked when you're not even introduced by the home team's PA announcer...