Blow Out the Candles December 9

One of the most feared linebackers of all time, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is celebrating his 69th birthday today.

1972 Topps #170

"I'm not so mean.  I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important - like a league game or something."

"Few people get to earn a living at what they like to do and there are hazards in any profession. Football is something I was made for. I gave the game all I could for as long as I could. I guess my only regret was that my career was too short."

"I worked hard at becoming a professional football player, just like society says you should. It said you had to be fierce. I was fierce. Tough. I was tough."

"If I was smart enough to be a doctor, I'd be a doctor. I ain't, so I'm a football player."

"I want to be recognized as the best-no doubt about it. When they say all-pro middle linebacker, I want them to mean Butkus!"

Hall of Famer Joe Kelley was born on this date way back in 1871.

 Kelley was on six pennant winners between 1891 and 1900. He stole a career high 87 bases in 1896 playing for the National League's Baltimore Orioles.

Bill "Red" Hay turns 74 today.

1961-62 Topps #35

 Red was a member of the 1960-61 Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. He won the Calder Trophy in 1960. For the last decade Bill has been the Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame.


4 time All Star Pit Martin was born on this date in 1943. 

1973-74 Topps #164

Pit was part of some really good Blackhawks teams in the 60's and 70's. He died in 2008 in a snowmobiling accident in Quebec. I think he looks like a hockey playing James Bond in the card pictured here.

January 7, 1967

Boston Bruins' defenseman Bobby Orr sets his sights on puck after his goalie Ed Johnston has just blocked a shot by Hawks' Pit Martin (7), during 2nd period of 1/7 game. Black Hawks won, 4-3.

1961 Stanley Cup Champions Honored

Last night the Blackhawks had a ceremony honoring the Blackhawks players from the 1960-61 Stanley Cup Championship team.  Eight (I think) of the old guys were introduced one-by-one including four Hall of Famers, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Piere Pilote and Glenn Hall.  Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough have done a great job in bringing back the alumni over the last couple of years, after the previous Wirtz's antagonized them into exile.

Here are the signed cards I've managed to collect of players from that great team:

1960-61 Stanley Cup Champs Blackhawks Autographs

The Blackhawks have been limping toward the Stanley Cup playoffs, 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. Overall they've had a great season at 48-22-7. Hopefully they'll get hot and accomplish what the gentlemen from 1960-61, below, did -- that is bring the the Stanley Cup to Chicago.