Finding Don Cherry

Don Cherry is a colorful hockey personality who is enormously popular on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, and who also happens to be equally loathed by many others. The perfect recipe to stardom! There isn't a sports commentator in this country that remotely approaches his status. His segment on Coach's Corner, with the witty pun master Ron Maclean, is an intermission mainstay ritualistically watched by millions - including myself.

Why? I happen to be of the opinion that Cherry knows what he's talking about on most issues. Sometimes his bare-boned honesty gets the better of him, but he should not be chastised for it. So he pounds the desk and tells Ron to 'keep quiet and let me finish.' It's all part of what makes this duo unique. In a time where we cynically lament constantly about not having enough interesting and honest people in broadcasting (not to mention the dying art of poetic sports writing), Cherry serves a positive reminder that old time personalities still exist. People who like Cherry are not stupid; they just appreciate candid opinions. They surely don't need presumptuous journalists warning us that he is Rated 'R' before we listen.

Too often we get hung up on the messenger rather than the message. People can't stand his 'in your face' aggressive and brash style, but behind the persona, more often than not, lies some insightful comments about hockey - even life. Cherry goes where no journalist dares go. If the trend and fashion is to demand visors, you can bet that Cherry will offer an alternate opinion. Many may disagree, but at least he offers real debate - and this bothers many in the media.

Media hates whenever there is a dissenter among them (though the smug ones would never dare consider him a colleague) and Cherry is most definitely a vigilante; the Dirty Harry of hockey commentating. Thank God. What's the point of having the same opinion all the time? Of course, all that this has earned him is scorn and a seven-second delay on the CBC to appease mother hens. Cherry is about freedom.

Many times Cherry has outshone his brethren when it comes to predictions and thoughts about the game. For example, I often find myself comparing his analysis with one or two journalists in the Montreal Gazette sports pages that absurdly obsess over him (not to mention attack and seek to unwittingly censor him), and there simply is no comparing the two. In fact, one particular arrogant writer (who mixes sports with his political views fit for a University paper) often makes it a point to attack Cherry, though it never seems to dawn on him that he uses same shtick.

Ah, but there's the kicker! He believes he's in the right. He's too smart for Cherryesque musings. Nonsense. Those who do nothing but complain and offer no solutions to perceived problems are part of the problem themselves.

I doubt the journalists who hate him have earned, nor command, the respect Cherry does. He is in the community for various causes (including organ donation), he always sets a few seconds on his segment to honor a fallen police officer (most recently the slain QUEBECOIS POLICE WOMAN from Laval) or a young hockey player who suffered life-altering injuries. Don Cherry always finds a moment for the people and the fans. He is constantly paying homage to our troops (when so many of us forget), our collective history - which serves as a reminder that Cherry cares and there is little proof that he is a decadent barbarian.

He has been called a troglodyte and racist by those who don't get him, (one of the enduring myths is that he 'hates' French-Canadians I have seen him praise Quebec hockey players before my own eyes. One of his all-time favorite players is Guy Lafleur).

However, Cherry is not going to give any nationality a free pass. He is equally hard on all of them but he does give praise where warranted. Some have called him a know-nothing wannabe coach (he compiled a .597 winning percentage in six seasons with the Boston Bruins, taking them to the Stanley Cup finals in 1977 and 1978 - only to lose both times to the Montreal Canadiens -arguably the greatest dynasty ever).

Say what you will about Don Cherry. Some true, some not. Behind the big thumping chest lies a complex individual (and sports have always been riddled with them from Dick Butkus to Ted Williams to Bobby Knight). On the surface they are malignant characters. Scratch a little and you find interesting men with intricate world views who take words like loyalty, honor and accountability to high art. It's not hard to find Don Cherry when put in this light.

Funny, eh? Journalists pride themselves on being instinctive and perceptive. When it comes to Don Cherry, however, they have failed miserably. The paupers, on the other hand, pass with flying Cherry red colors.