When you think about it, broadcaster-author Steve Albert could have been a Cleveland Crusaders fan, or anIslanders or a fan of a few other teams.
Over his commendable years as a broadcaster, Stevie was all over the place including Cleveland where he broadcast for the World Hockey Association's Crusaders.
Or, the Islanders since he handled the Nassaumen for SportsChannel in their first Cup season. But we'll get to that in a moment.
Right now I want to tell you that if you're looking for a terrific sports book for summer reading, Steve has written it and the title makes you almost have to smile:
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Broadcast Booth." And the book's cover – an old-time comic book look, if you really want to know – is even funnier.
But back to Stevie and his unswerving loyalty to one – and only one – hockey team. Take it away, Mr. Albert:
"I grew up a Rangers fan, and always will be a Rangers fan even though I announced for the Islanders and the WHA Crusaders," Steve explains. "And there are so many reasons why I've stuck with the Blueshirts."
Mind you he's still sticking with them despite the fact that the 2024-25 edition was challenging for the most devoted rooter. Steve continues with his explanation.
"My brother Marv was a Rangers radio announcer for many, many years. Plus, my brother Al had a tryout with the Rangers as a goaltender and I grew up watching them on television."
Steve grew up in the Manhattan Beach section of Brooklyn and translated his early love of the game to roller hockey.
Albert: "We all wore Rangers jerseys and made believe we were our heroes – my favorite was the goalie Gump Worsley – like Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Jim Neilson and Vic Hadfield. But it wasn't just us kids, my whole family were Ranger fans."
In his early rooting days, Steve used his high school "G.O." (General Organization) card for his Old MSG 75 cents balcony ticket. But unlike the other 15,925 in the arena, this rare fellow didn't care about a seat.
"I would hang out many times in the men's room," Albert admits. "That's because the Garden would pipe in the play-by-play over the loudspeaker in the toilet and I would thrive on listening to Jim Gordon do the play-by-play.
What Ever Happened To The Rangers Offseason? It Disappeared
There used to be such a thing as the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a> "Offseason," but not any more and I'll tell you how I know.
"Of course, everybody thought there was something wrong with me, but no, I was there because I was hooked on LISTENING to the games. I'd say to myself, 'Jeez, when I grow up that's what I want to do."
And if you think that's nuts, get this. When Steve decided he wanted to be a hockey announcer he made sure he picked a college that DID NOT have a hockey team.
"I figured that if I went to a hockey crazy school like Wisconsin, BU or North Dakota, I'd wind up being an understudy. So, I found myself a school (Kent State University in Ohio) so I could start a team myself and make myself the announcer.
"There were a lot of adventures and misadventures starting a college hockey team but once it was up and running it was for real. Thanks to starting it, Kent State put five play-by-play announcers in the pros four of the five became NHL announcers."
They were Rick Peckham (Tampa Bay), Paul Steigerwald (Pittsburgh), Mike Foren (Washington) and Steve Albert.
You just can't make this up. A focused kid Ranger fan climbs the MSG balcony steps and "watches" the game by listening to Jim Gordon in the Men's Room.
And if you think I'm kidding, get a copy of "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Broadcast booth."
No need to read it in the Men's Room, but it's still an option!