One-Tank Trip
for May 4/19
(c) By Jim Fox
“He shoots, he
scores!”
That phrase, coined
by hockey play-by-play legend Foster Hewitt, was repeatedly heard during the
era of superstars Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky.
Now the Hockey Hall
of Fame in Toronto pays homage to the most-prolific scorers with 9 & 99:
The Howe-Gretzky Exhibition.
Referring to their
jersey numbers, this is an exhibit “unlike any other,” said Kelly Masse, director of corporate and media relations.
 |
| Superstars Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky are being memorialized at the Hockey Hall of Fame. |
Visitors to the exhibition, on now through next March, can “witness
the greatest compilation of milestone artifacts and rare personal memorabilia,”
she added.
Hall curators hand-picked
the items from their family collections that reveal the “legacy and indelible
bond of ‘Mr. Hockey (Howe)’ and ‘the Great One (Gretzky)’.”
This comprehensive
tribute explores how they transcended the game in their generations and highlights
their Hall of Fame careers.
On view are more
than 150 historic artifacts that range from 1946’s Detroit Red Wings jacket
presented to Howe as a signing bonus up to Gretzky’s final NHL game in 1999.
Other items are
Howe’s gloves from his first Stanley Cup (1952); Gretzky’s first pair of skates
(early 1960s); Howe’s 2,000th point stick (1974-75); and Gretzky’s 2,000th
point puck (1990-91).
 |
| Wayne Gretzky’s first pair of skates are on view at the Hockey Hall of Fame exhibition. |
There are other record-setting
sticks and pucks all the way to Howe’s 801st goal (April 6, 1980) and Gretzky’s
record-breaking 802nd goal stick and puck (March 23, 1994).
Capping it all is
Howe’s last All-Star Jersey (1980) in which he played with Gretzky and the
Brantford superstar’s last game equipment (April 18, 1999).
These historic
artifacts help to “relive their magnificent careers while helping us preserve the
history of hockey,” said vice-president Phil Pritchard.
Play ball!
The shrine to baseball has an expanded
and renovated museum in St. Marys.
The Canadian
Baseball Hall of Fame’s addition has interactive exhibits, an archive and
resource library for its historic documents, said curator Scott Crawford,
director of operations.
 |
| The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame has renovated its museum and opened an addition. |
It will serve as
the new home of the Centre for Canadian Baseball Research.
There have also
been renovations to the original stone house museum that continues to showcase
one-of-a-kind artifacts now in professionally designed displays.
Calling it “an
exciting new chapter,” board chair Adam Stephens said fans will better be able
to learn about “Canada’s rich baseball history.”
There’s also a new
visitors’ lounge featuring a collection of original baseball artwork and videos
of induction ceremonies.
 |
| An addition and renovations to the stone house museum tell the story of baseball. |
Upcoming is the
hall’s annual ceremony from June 13 to 15 to honour former Toronto Blue Jays
general manager Gord Ash, coach Rob Thomson and former players Jason Bay and
Ryan Dempster.
The museum at 386
Church St. S. is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays
except for holidays. baseballhalloffame.ca;
1-877-250-BALL (2255).
Fore!
Golf aficionados can immerse themselves
in all aspects of the game at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in
Oakville (1333 Dorval Drive).
Operated by Golf
Canada, visitors can discover more about the game and the hall’s inductees.
 |
| The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum honours “outstanding individuals of Canadian golf.” |
“It celebrates the
outstanding individuals of Canadian golf” from players to builders, architects
and others who have been “fundamental to the evolution of the game in this
country.”
Golfer Rod Spittle
and coach Herb Page will be inducted into the hall on June 4.
The museum is
filled with golf clubs, trophies, pins, awards, balls, clothing and more as it “preserves,
protects and promotes the evolving history of the game of golf in Canada.” cghf@golfcanada.ca; 1-800-263-0009
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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