from Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun,

Then, as noon approached, the long-distance call from someone else who was having a rough time.

It was Don Cherry, but the news from him wasn’t bad.

He had just read Cracks of Don in the Toronto Sun.

He tracked down my number because he had to let me how much he appreciated the column on former Boston Bruins winger Bobby Schmautz, who passed away Sunday on his 76th birthday.

Cherry was emotional.

Schmautz was his “favourite,” and three or four times during our chat he had to stop and compose himself.

“I just wanted to thank you so much for writing such a good story,” said Grapes. “I read your thing every time. It’s really good. It really brings back memories. And boy, when I read that one, I got all choked up.”

Now if you think my decision to use that quote isself-serving, I can’t argue.

I’ve always been a big Cherry fan, and if he’s going to praise my work, damn right I’m going to make it an in-column ad.

But ego aside, I liked listening to his stories about “Schmautzie” even more.

I’ve got room to tell you a few.

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