Stan Fischler Says Goodbye To Toronto Maple Leafs Pal, Bobby Baun

In a sense, I shouldn't really call Baun one of my heroes; I'm too old (91) for that. But I got to know Baun back in the late 1950's when he was a Toronto rookie alongside my close pal, the late Carl Brewer.

I can't believe it...

I thought the indestructible Bobby Baun, would live forever.

If I didn't know better, I would suggest that the news is not possible.

But it is; and at age 86 the four-time Stanley Cup hero (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967) passed away after months in ill health.

In a sense, I shouldn't really call Baun one of my heroes; I'm too old (91) for that. But I got to know Baun back in the late 1950's when he was a Toronto rookie alongside my close pal, the late Carl Brewer.

Brewer and Baun, what a one-two combo they were. Along with vets such as Allan Stanley, Tim Horton and Marcel Pronovost they gave g.m.-coach Punch Imlach one of the most formidable blue line corps the NHL has ever known.

Brewer was the rushing D man and Baun was back at the blue line taking care of business with some of the hardest -- and cleanest, I might add -- bodychecks I've ever seen.

I got to know Baun a lot better at a Leafs training camp around 1963. I believe it was in Peterborough, Ontario and, as expected, he was a wonderfully candid interview.

That impressed me almost as much as the brand, new -- ahead of everybody -- Oldsmobile Toronado that he parked behind the team hotel.

It was perfect; a big, strong vehicle with a powerful engine; that was Baun.

Unlike, Brewer, who got to hate Imlach, Baun's stomach was tougher and he lasted through Toronto's second dynasty years which included the Leafs' last Cup team in 1967.

"Bobby was tough," Brewer once told me, "but in the best possible hockey way."

I can't recall anyone ever labelling Baun dirty but "courageous," "indomitable," and "intrepid" were some of the solid labels attached to this hockey role model among role models.

Like only a precious few defenders, Baun is remembered for a rare act of courage.

During the 1964 Final round vs. Detroit, the Red Wings were leading the series, 3-2 and leading the game by a goal. It looked like the Motor City gang would win the Cup.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex_TeMhF2XU[/embed]

Baun blocked a Gordie Howe slapshot and fell to the ice in pain. He seemed a goner for the series. But he had his ankle frozen and returned near the end of the third period with the score now 3-3.

At 2:43 of overtime he slapped a shot that beat goalie Terry Sawchuk, tying the series for the Leafs. Back home, they won the Cup with a 4-0 margin with Baun taking a regular shift despite a crack in his ankle!

Bob Baun, courage personified. R.I.P. to a super Maple Leaf!