Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Howard Baldwin? Now I've Heard Everything



A few days ago, just after the NHL said that Winnipeg and Quebec City would get a prime spot in the queue for expansion franchises, I said the only thing left was to have somebody other than the Zambonis (above) make a claim for Hartford.

Well, when you move the flashlight around a bit in a dark room, you never know what you might find crawling around the baseboard. Wait. It's Howard Baldwin.

According to the Associated Press, Baldwin is working on an outdoor skating rink at the Rentschler Field sports and entertainment stadium in East Hartford, Conn. Hmm, isn't that the field the state of Connecticut was conned into building for the Patriots? And did the Patriots ever leave Foxboro for Hartford? Anybody?

So Baldwin, who has World Hockey Association pedigree(and don't we just trust those fly-by-night operators), wants to prove Hartford is a hockey town.

Hey, here's a better idea. Prove that you have the money to be a hockey owner. No letters of credit; we've seen enough of those, thank you. Prove you have money.

Now say what you will about Wikipedia, but no one has sued them to take down this key line in the full entry on Baldwin.

"Baldwin's specialty was buying franchises with very little of his own money invested. For example, his actual cash investment in the Penguins was just $1,000. The rest was assumed debt and capital provided by other partners."


If he can prove he has money and not his hand in someone else's pocket, then I will listen. Perhaps not too intently, but I will listen. But I don't think that will be the case. Maybe Hartford deserves a team. I don't believe it deserves another dance with Mr. Baldwin.

Cue up "Brass Bonanza," please.

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