An Open letter to Bill Ford, Jr.
To: Bill Ford, Jr.
From: Dave, Gorilla Crouch
Subject: The Chicago Blackhawks
Bill, we’ve never chatted so allow me to introduce myself. I started a blog back in September 2006. It began as a way for an ex-pat who lives in Chicago to offer his views on the Detroit sports scene. But I soon realized that it was next to impossible to pay close attention to each Detroit sports team, so I morphed the blog to focus almost exclusively on the Red Wings. While that is the case I still offer the random take on the other professional teams and University of Michigan athletics.
There is an interesting parallel between your Detroit Lions and the Chicago Blackhawks. You see, both franchises have just flat out sucked for the longest time. I guess this is the point where I should mention your GM/President is 50 games below .500 so I can support this opinion with facts, although I am sure you are astute enough to not question this characterization.
Over the recent past the Hawks and Lions have both been guided by owners who had no idea what it took to run a successful sports franchise. They each took what was once a highly successful and proud franchise and ran them into the ground.
For the Blackhawks it was a refusal to show their games on television or to pay the price for the best talent. It could have been worse I guess - team owner Bill Wirtz could have grossly overpaid for mediocre talent, but the Maple Leafs hate that sort of competition. You see it’s kinda their niche. But I digress…
With your father I’m sure it’s too close and painful so let’s not go into too much detail about how he’s run the Detroit Lions. All that needs to be said is the team has won one playoff game during his 44 year tenure as the sole owner of the franchise. At least Bill Wirtz saw his Blackhawks play in the Conference Finals and compete for lord Stanley’s Cup. Dollar Bill Wirtz simply fell out of step with the times over the past 10 or so years before he passed away last year.
I was at the Chicago Blackhawks opener this past season [they were playing the Red Wings]. Their general manager Dale Tallon spoke briefly before the start of the game to “honor” the recently departed owner Bill Wirtz and the crowd booed lustily throughout the entire eulogy. It was shocking, but entirely understandable given that the hardworking people had shelled out their money year after year after year and showed up to games to be embarrassed by the product on the ice.
But rather than dwell on those negative thoughts I think it’s best to look at the job Rocky Wirtz has done replacing his father as the head of the Blackhawks. Buoyed by first round draft picks Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the franchise has been on a very clear upswing of late. They had two big free agent signings this summer [sorry about Jonathan Vilma], are going to play the Red Wings in only the third outdoor game in NHL history, and just signed the best coach in NHL history to serve as an advisor for their club. They have given their fans hope and reason to believe they’ll make the playoffs and the response has been very, very positive.
Given your recent public involvement as the Ford face for the franchise, I can only assume you will be the Lions’ version of Rocky Wirtz. So do all of us Detroit sports fans who are embarrassed by the current state of the Detroit Lions a favor and study what Rocky Wirtz is doing.
While your franchise is in dire straits please understand one thing: the Lions are in nowhere near as bad shape right now as the Blackhawks were just after the lockout. I think that’s likely because the NFL is the dominant league in professional sports. The NHL struggled mightily coming out of the lockout but is rebounding strongly. Right now the NFL is where the NBA was during the 1980’s so if you can turn things around when you assume the reins of the franchise you will have very strong fan support.
Your first move when you assume control of the franchise? Well Rocky Wirtz brought in John McDonough from the Chicago Cubs. McDonough has done a great job as the president of the Blackhawks and has played an integral role in their rebound. So shit-canning Matt Millen and hiring a competent general manager and president would be a great way to show there’s a new sheriff in town.
And if you want to totally win over the fans a “FIRE MILLEN” sign always works as a crowd pleaser.
bill ford jr bill wirtz Lions rocky wirtz William Clay FordNo Comments
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