...when the snow falls and falls and falls, doesn't it seem to you that no one can handle this? Here in the snow belt we are used to it, but if you view the old tube each snow fall in NY-'Bahston'-D.C. is the "blizzard of the century". Those towns creep to a halt; nothing can be done; government shuts down; schools close all over the place; etc. But two things stand out. 1) all Firefighters and Police Officers always seem to make it through such snow and are there when we need them; and 2) the games continue to be played. People can make it to the games, but can't get to work? Come to think of it, the players (workers) show up for the team (employer) and perform their duties (play the game) for the fans (those who cannot go to work; school; etc,) and no one seems to care about the "storm of the century". Seems kinda silly eh! (that's a little Canadian for a good loyal friend who lives in the great state of Minni-so-ta (remember "Trading Places"?) and he has no problem getting to work...I think) Anyway, this bring me to a story from long ago...yes in the '70's.
To those who follow the NBA back then, the Portland Trailblazers had a won the title in '77 with the key players being Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas. Powerful team and great to watch. The strength of Lucas with the deft passing and shooting of Walton. Balance scoring, strong rebounding and shut down defense, leading them to the title over the Dr. J-led 76ers. The Trailblazers were making their only trip into C'Town to play the Cavaliers at the Coliseum in Richfield OH. Tickets were purchased long in advance and it is now game day. But wait...it is snowing...and snowing...and snowing! No problem, leave early and take your time, the game is still on and we have out ducats! (tickets for those under 30!) The four of us load in the van and off we go. To say the road were snow covered is and was an understatement, but we forged on. We tune into the radio-WWWE and Joe Tait to listen to the pre-game show. Lo and behold what do we hear from Joe....the following.."Folks if you haven't been out and are planning to attend the game, don't!" WHAT! The immortal Joe Tait, voice of the Cavs, is telling everyone to stay home! This cannot be true! But we forge on. As we approach the expansion bridge over the Cuyahoga Valley, traffic stops. I mean STOPS! We are parked and right on the bridge! Wind blowing and rocking the van. We can see the lights from the Coliseum but that is it. Again, Tait says, do not try to get to the arena, too dangerous. Too dangerous my butt...we are within arms reach, just let us move for the last 1 mile! Game starts, and Tait says there are about 4500 fans in attendance for a sold out game. We sit and wait and listen. 1st quarter ends; then it is half time, and we have not moved one lousy inch! 2nd half starts-but nothing starts on the bridge. 3rd quarter ends and in the rear distance we see yellow flashing lights. That could only mean, yes, snow plows!!! But what could they do. Both lanes are dead stopped. Well, the plows slowly move through the middle of the two lanes, which was opened very slightly by the cars moving to the side. Cavs are now making a game of it and it happens!!!! Traffic is now moving. Okay, crawling. We make it to the exit and just as we turn off 271, the horn sounds on the radio, Trailblazers win! We pull into the arena parking lot, drive to the parking lot exit, turn back on to 271 and head north, also known as homeward bound. Never saw the inside of the area; never saw Walton in person; didn't see the Cavs failed comeback; but still cannot forget the moment.
So whenever we get these "Blizzards of the Centuries" (which seem to be a yearly occurrence), and everything comes to a halt, I remember four die-hard fans who put everything behind them to take in a basketball game, which we never saw. Looking back, what a memory! How about yours?
PS: There is another ending to tell. The snow keep falling, and everything in Greater Cleveland shut down the next day. Schools closed; businesses opened but closed early; colleges canceled classes, but the four of us did what we had to do the next day. Left for work early and got to the fire station on time for our next schedule 24 hour shift, and went to work. No big deal, it was what we were paid and trained to do. Kudos to Mike; Jim; and Phil for their dedication. Still snowing, but the fire is burning safe in the fireplace and I'm done!!!
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