Of Milestones and Miracles

Several milestone anniversaries either already have or will occur this year. Among them are the 100th anniversary of Prohibition going into effect throughout the United States with the ratification of the 18th Amendment - in this writer's heady opinion, favorably corrected with its nullification by the 21st Amendment in 1933. After that failed experiment comes triumph with the 75th anniversary of "Operation Overlord" that initiated the Battle of Normandy - generally regarded as the Normandy landings or “D-Day,” separately codenamed “Operation Neptune” - and heralded the downfall of Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Lastly, one of the pinnacles of human achievement is celebrated with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing - the American flag eternally planted in its surface by the first humans ever to walk on it.

Coinciding with the latter, there is a lesser milestone of local St. Louis concern. Beginning the 1969-70 hockey season, the St. Louis Blues again campaigned to reach the Stanley Cup final for a third time in just their third year of existence. Achieving that goal, the Blues would face the Boston Bruins - lamentably, with the exact same outcome as their previous two attempts against the Montreal Canadiens. Swept in four games, the Blues would not reach the final again until the most recent season - to again face the Bruins, their last opponent in it. This time around, there would be no quick sweep for either team.

In a previous post several years ago, I predicted another Blues team would contend for the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, it did not come to fruition, but certainly worth the wait to witness the current roster do it with their astounding and exhilarating quest toward that end result. What truly makes this championship special is not simply what the team did on the ice to accomplish it, but what they do away from the rink in the community. With their willing accessibility, the connection between players and fans is unmistakable and encouraging.

Nowhere was this on display more than during the parade and rally following their victory over Boston. Typically, parades and rallies are meant to honor the team. Blues players, however, took the opportunity to acknowledge and pay respect to the city and its fans for keeping faith and supporting them not only this season but since the team's inception. Among the alumni ranks, including Bobby Plager, Bernie Federko, and, yes, a highly “enthusiastic” Brett Hull, this was not simply a team victory to be celebrated but one for all who bleed blue to be showcased.

Many question when we will return to the Moon. I ask, how soon do the St. Louis Blues win another Stanley Cup, now that their first has been forever engraved? Given the character and fortitude of this team, it is not such a moonshot to consider expectations of immediate future glory. Long live the Bluenote, Jon Hamm’s scarf collection, and the legend that is the Golden Brett…for indeed, we went Blues!

©2019 Steve Sagarra