PB 1.0 archive: THE PIN
A personal tale on Arbour’s 1,500th game
Saturday was the 50th anniversary of my parents’ wedding. Monday would have been my father’s 75th birthday. Today, we went with Mom to mass at OLM in Hicksville in our dad’s honor. On this occasion, I’m re-purposing a story I banged out in my Coliseum office just before the start of Al Arbour’s return for his 1,500th game as Islanders head coach.
For Nick and Jane Botta…CB, May 17, 2009.
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“THE PIN”
Al Arbour’s 1,500th Game
Saturday, November 3, 2007
This game tonight means so much to so many people for many different reasons. Just about two hours before Al Arbour walks to the Islanders bench one last time, please allow me to explain why it means so much to me.
I’ve had the incredible fortune to be part of every jersey retirement night here, starting with Potvin and Bossy through Bryan Trottier’s worth-the-wait afternoon. For a kid who was raised on Long Island, for a kid who grew up with the Islanders, I don’t think I could ever put into words what it’s been like to play a small role in the planning of these events.
I was a part of the preparations for Al Arbour Night in January of 1997, but it was the one banner-raising I missed.
My father passed away two days before Al’s big night.
I will never, ever forget coming home from the wake that Saturday night, putting on Sportschannel and catching the last few minutes of the game as the Islanders held on to beat Chicago, 3-2. For a little while, it was a wonderful distraction.
I didn’t catch the ceremony, but towards the end of the game one of the teams called a timeout and the TV broadcast had a close-up of Islanders head coach Rick Bowness drawing up a play. Rick and his staff were wearing the lapel pins the team gave out that night. The pin featured a classic shot of Al in his shiny blue Islanders coaching jacket, whistle in mouth and the words AL ARBOUR 739.
When I came back to work a few days later, I told Bowness how moved I was when I saw him on the bench wearing the pin. Later that day Rick came over to the office and said he had something for me. He dropped his Al Arbour pin in my hand.
When you hear all this talk about Coach Al and his family, it’s not some sort of over-hyped legend. It’s real. At my father’s funeral at Our Lady of Mercy on Monday, Jan. 27, 1997, in walked Al Arbour. The church, for a brief moment, got real quiet. That was understandable because Al is a local legend and had just been on the back page of Newsday. One of my best life-long buddies walked up to me after the mass and said, “I know this day sucks and all, but you have to admit that was pretty cool.”
Tonight, I get another chance to be part of an event for Al Arbour. And that pin Rick Bowness gave me ten years ago? I’ll have it with me all night.
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The Tavheduch conversation continues in next thread. Comments.
32 Responses to PB 1.0 archive: THE PIN
A personal tale on Arbour’s 1,500th game
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Matt says:
wow, touching story chris.
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LawrenceTeller says:
Again Chris… all of old timers who have been with this team since the start… can not put into words what PB means to us. As I sat beside my dad in Section 324, Row L, him in Seat 7, me in Seat 8 for all three home cup victories and countless other classic moments, the Islanders have always been about family, and fathers and sons.
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Great story Chris. RIP Nick Botta. I have similar issues coming up this year. Mom died a little over a year ago, she would have been 72 in June. Parents 50th anniversary would be this October. Dad is alive and well.
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Bedell says:
Firstly I am sorry for your loss Chris. But anyway terrific story, truly touching. Arbour represents everything this organization stands for and more. I wasent alive when the Isles were winning cups or Arbour was coaching but from stories I here and the way he acts I must say he is the model person. He was great coaching on the ice but he is an even better person off of it. and also by the way that game was unbelievable. It felt so magical. Then to top it off us coming back to win late in the game. I must say, it was one of my best games
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Irish Isle says:
That was an amazing story Chris. I too know what it is like to lose a parent, Mom was on 62. It is hard to see in the darkest days, but there is always a light that we can look back on.
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kevin27NYI says:
sorry for your loss. havent had the pleasure of watching aarbour but i like the stories.
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Isles Dawg says:
CB…
You have touched on all of what this whole circus is about. Its about good people making a difference in life.Sharing something special with your family. I am sure you and your dad shared those moments. Just as you have with your boy’s and me with my son.
That is why ‘WE’ as a community not just as a fan base need this organization to stay put. They are more then just a hockey team. They are a way of life.
Thank you for sharing and once again opening peoples eyes.
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Steve says:
Chris, I have been with you and the Isles every step of my thirty-something way. God bless your father, and thank you for all the enjoyment you provided me in following our team this year.
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Madchef says:
great touching story. The isles and their history good and bad I can remember where and what I was doing. I hope they stay in Uniondale and man I cant wait for the day when they are on top again
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isles316 says:
Great story.
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Ben says:
Thank you Chris.
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chip saunders says:
Excellant story,It’s alway’s hard to talk about a loved one who has passed on.
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Strummer's Army says:
Really enjoyed it CB.
I lost my Dad in 2002 and understand what you went through.
I grew up watching Al Arbour and Don Shula coach my teams. Even then as a very young boy I knew they were special and it may not last but I never knew until later how great I had it with those two.
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matt says:
sorry for your loss Chris…from what I see, Al is one of the most respected and classiest man you would know….great presence….NY best coach period.
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Brad says:
Great story it was also one of the best games I’ve ever been to.
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hathead68 says:
Thanks for sharing a very personal story, CB.
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Akeem says:
Great story, CB. I’m sure your dad is real proud of his son and all the great work that he does, and al the joy he brings to so many hockey fans on a daily basis, even in tough times…I was wondering, is it just me, or does Al Arbour not get mentioned enough in discussions of the greatest coaches of all time?
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Moving story Chris … very belated condolences … Thanks for sharing your story … makes us feel closer to you on a personal level … Al Arbour is a 1st class act … they just don’t make ‘em like the used to eh.
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Gary9-19-22 says:
I was at 1500. Not counting game 6 of the 80 Cup Finals and Game 6 of the ’86 World Series.
One of the best sporting events I was ever at.
1) Isles win OT Win vs Wash ’93 playoffs
2) 15 game win streak Isles vs Colorado Rockies (Chico in net) the loudest I have ever heard the NVMC.
3) Al Arbour 1500
4) Bossy 50 in 50
5) Doc Gooden 1 hitter vs the Cubs -
Jimmy Mac says:
Hey Strummer Army… Isles and Dolphins are my teams too.
For me it also had to do with Bossy and Marino…. but your right Arbour and Shula are special.
Actually… my birthday is May 17… so the Isles last won the Cup on my 13th birthday.
Keep up the good work CB…
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Joey303 says:
Great touching story Chris. I used to go with my dad in the 70′s and 80′s. He passed on Fathers day 1988 at a very young 56. We were there Kenny Morrow’s OT goal against the Rangers. The best memory off being there with him. Gary # 21 – Was there also at the 15 game winning streak. Johnny T baby!! (not Taveras) Gave the usher $5 to get in and we sat on the concrete steps in those days. every game was sold out
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islestherapy says:
OLM is in Hicksville brotha.
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Sorry for your loss Chris. Al Arbour is one heck of a person and someone I would absolutely love to meet someday.
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K021 says:
Unfortunatly I was very young when the “Isles were a Dynasty” and I wasn’t into hockey yet. The reason I became an Isles fan was because of the pride the Isles fans had about 25 years ago. I picked my other teams, Giants, Yankees, and the Knicks cus my dad passed them on to me. I just hope that I didn’t pick the wrong team to invest my heart and emotions into. I hope to God that the Lighthouse gets approved.
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Sorry for your loss Chris.
You just get better and better everyday. I check this website three to four times a day and you never let us down. -
You know what gets to me???
The fact that the Isles players are always out in the community doing charitable things for the community especially for the kids but the ToH couldn’t care less.
The ToH and Mr. Murray, only serve themselves and its going to be a sad day when/if the ToH gets their way. They are charitable to their own interests. The fact that her father is 65 and was to retire but instead was given another position as a clerk earning $70,000 a year while there are plenty of young men and women who need the experince and the work is disturbing.
I’m disgusted!
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Sab says:
Great piece…all my best to you and your family Chris…
I’m glad I got a chance to meet you briefly at this incredible event too!
Take care and keep up the great work!
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pablo says:
Your Dad must be proud of you CB. And by Mr.Arbour showing up shows the respect he has for you.
This is all the Measure of a man.
Regards.. -
Andrew says:
Hey Chris… Thanks for sharing. I am approaching 30 and have been attending games since my father was carrying me into the collesium during the cup years. I recently had a son of my own about 3 months ago and one thing i can’t wait for is his first Islander game with me and his grandpa. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood are from going to games with my dad and I can’t wait to do the same with my son…..
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Rick says:
Chris, thanks for sharing that story. If anything, I think it speaks to the man your parents raised and the incredible impact you had on that organization. As has been said before, the Isles have always been about family – while my dad was never a big hockey guy (always football for him), my aunt & her daughters were taking me to the Coliseum in my Trotts jersey when I was 3 and I look forward to the day when I can take my son (or daughter, whenever he or she arrives) to their 1st games at the old barn – though hopefully by then, it’ll be a new barn.
I had the honor to attend that game and it was a magical night. Brought back so many great memories for me personally. I still have the ticket and the banner they gave away that night and I will never forget it.