Two legends in the broadcast booth may have called their last Maple Leafs game ever and it's a real shame
Joe Bowen once said when asked which of his iconic play calls was his favourite, "Lots of great memories, but my favourite call hasn't been made yet." I always loved that quote. Bowen, now 72 years old, wanted nothing in this world more than to see the Maple Leafs hoist the Stanley Cup, and be the voice behind a highlight for the ages. Now that the Leafs have been eliminated from the playoffs, that call may never happen. The biggest loss of the season may not even be the one suffered on the ice.
Bowen and his broadcast partner Jim Ralph's contracts with Sportsnet and TSN Radio have expired. Unless they are able to come to an agreement on an extension, the Leafs' 3-2 overtime loss on Friday night may have been their last Leafs game ever called. During the handshakes, Bowen and Ralph acknowledged the fact that they might not be back next season, and issued a farewell, "just in case".
Joe and Jim had already been the "Voice of the Maple Leafs" for 11 years when I was born. I grew up hearing "Holy Mackinaw" in my house every Saturday night and saying it myself as I scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in my driveway. Heck, I even bought a Cameo from Joe to tell my parents my wife and I were expecting our daughter. If this really is the end for Joe and Jim, I just want to say thank you, thank you both. Thank you for all the memories, and for being the beating heart of Leafs Nation for 41 years. Nobody will ever be able to fill your shoes. MLSE, Sportsnet and TSN need to do the right thing here and extend these two. The Leafs just aren't the Leafs without Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph.
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 164 ANSWERS Two legends in the broadcast booth may have called their last Maple Leafs game ever and it's a real shame Should Bowen and Ralph be back next season? | ||
| Yes | 86 | 52.4 % |
| They need to be on TV | 60 | 36.6 % |
| No, it's time for someone new | 18 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||
