'Oh Baby!' — Remembering Bob Cole's Top 5 Calls of All-Time
No one calls games like Mr. Cole did. His staccato delivery and familiar phrasings are part of hockey's lexicon. There was poetry in how he described a play.
Bob Cole was a legend. And his voice was legendary.
From "Oh, baby" to "Everything is happening," the Hall of Fame broadcaster left his stamp on the hockey world in a way that few others have.
Mr. Cole passed away on Thursday. He was 90 years old.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Cole several times during my career. Our last conversation was in April, 2018, after he had been told that he would not be calling playoff games for Hockey Night In Canada.
It was a decision that hurt Mr. Cole, who never wanted to retire, much less stop calling games. As he told me back then, "I will miss it." And I speak for all hockey fans when I say, that his voice has been missed. But it will never be forgotten.
No one calls games like Mr. Cole did. His staccato delivery and familiar phrasings are part of hockey's lexicon. There was poetry in how he described a play. He added drama and gravitas to what you were watching — what he was watching — in a way that didn't sound forced or manufactured or planned. He was unique. But he was also passionate. And that passion shone through over the years, as Mr. Cole narrated some of hockey's biggest moments.
Here is a top five of Bob Cole's most famous calls, including his final send-off at Toronto's Maple Leafs Garden, where he appropriately ended things by saying: "Well folks, that's it for here."
1. Doug Gilmour’s wraparound goal against the Blues in the 1993 playoffs
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9gIqHFwzgM[/embed]
“Gilmour back of the net, Andreychuk in front with Borschevsky. It is Gilmour waiting, waiting, around the net, waiting — he’s open! Gilmour! Solo job! And he’s won it, in a second overtime period. How. About. That. Oh my. Oh my. What a night, tonight, for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
2. Eric Desjardins’ overtime goal against the Kings in the 1993 final
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L-JL2Q5DPg[/embed]
“Desjardins following the play and he misses with the short side and there he is again — scores! Desjardins! And the Canadiens win in overtime. His third goal of the game. And the series is a brand new one.”
3. Mario Lemieux’s breakaway goal against the North Stars in the 1991 playoffs
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yeFak3D7MU[/embed]
“Here’s Lemieux to center — penalty coming up — look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux! Oh, baby!”
4. Erik Karlsson sets up Derrick Brassard in overtime
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNCHHSgS6EE[/embed]
"Keeps it onside, good work by Karlsson — look at him skate — passes, scores! Wow. What a play! What a play by the captain. What. A. Play."
5. The final game at Maple Leaf Gardens
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmmBPsxg-DY[/embed]
"Some have said the book is closing tonight. The crowd is cheering tonight. Oh, wait a minute, as Leafs president Ken Dryden said the other day, the book has not closed, it's not the end.
"I like what he said; it's the end of a chapter, maybe. And look at this crowd, appreciating this last moment at Maple Leafs Gardens. It certainly will be a brand new chapter. It will begin a week from tonight at the Air Canada Centre. And I'm sure the Maple Leafs and their fans are thinking precisely that.
"Forty-nine seconds in this third period. This great and admired lady has been just fine since 1931, thank you. While times change and things must go on. The first game, next week at the Air Canada Centre. The final game at Maple Leafs Gardens is done…
"Well folks, that's it for here."