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." Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG 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!"
