Toronto's hockey curse
My Leafs' cartoons
The "Curse of the Bambino" was a superstition that blamed the Boston Red Sox’s 86-year World Series drought on their 1919 sale of Babe Ruth (nicknamed "The Bambino") to the New York Yankees. The curse was said to have ended when the Red Sox finally won the World Series in 2004.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 57 year long Stanley Cup drought is often tied to the legacy of owner Harold Ballard, who took over the team after their last championship in 1967. Under his chaotic leadership, the Leafs became a dysfunctional franchise—alienating stars, making spiteful trades, and dismantling a winning culture. Like the Red Sox trading Ruth, Ballard's reign is seen by many fans as the moment the Leafs were "cursed," setting off a half-century of frustration and failure.
I was actually alive, although technically, the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup. I was born on May 25th, 1967. The last time the Leafs won was on May 2nd, 1967. This would make me -23 days old on that date.
As someone who lived in Toronto when there were only 6 NHL teams, I have trouble with hockey played in places where snow & ice never existed; when 'Expansion' was solely a waistline issue. The idea of hockey played where flamigos, oranges & warm ocean breezes exist, belies my reality.
I miss the gloves off, sticks down mid-ice brawls. The Frank Mahovlich, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Jean Béliveau halcyon days, where I knew players by sight & name.
Texas, Florida, Georgia, California & the Carolinas were places to visit & ward off winter's icy claw, not to cheer on teams who could go from rink to reef in minutes! 🏒 🐠
Now QUICK! Name the 6 original NHL teams! Go!
Well, I was a two-month old in my dad's arms as he watched the 1967 Stanley Cup Final, seated on a sofa in Fairfax, California! So, another technical witness to that last victory. :D