Here's another interesting Rangers history story from The Maven.
Rangers fans – especially my buddy Hal Gelman – loved Rangers coach Phil (1955-59) Watson.
He was a dynamic French-Canadian, a winner and funny; especially when mangling the English language.
Watson's goalie – from 1955-56 through 1958-59 – was Lorne "Gump" Worsley. In his autobiography, "They Call Me Gump," the netminder wanted to make something abundantly clear.
"It's not true that Watson and I disliked each other," Gump explained. "Hate would be a better word. Phil was an egomaniac. When we won, he took all the credit. When we lost it was our fault."
Once, Worsley gave up three goals to a relatively low-scoring Chicago forward named Hector Lalonde. Even worse, Lalonde's club came from a 5-3 deficit to gain a 6-6 tie in the third period.
The Maven was there after the game to hear a classic Watson tirade:
"Dat Dope!" Then a pause to better identify "Dat Dope," Watson went on: "When a dopey Frenchman like Lalonde scores three goals in one game, HOW GOOD CAN THE GOALIE BE?"
As always, Gump had the perfect squelch: "Tell Watson that he's full of bull!"
By that time, post-game, Watson was across 50th Street from the Garden at Al Muller's Restaurant, having a pint. But even there Phil couldn't fully escape his critics.
Muller had a talking parrot perched by the bar, who Gump and buddies allegedly had taught to say "You're a lousy coach!"