Don't you just hate it when a speech or commentary begins with a dictionary translation pertaining to whatever the author is trying to impart his or her bon mots!
But this one today is different since it is my Definition and I suspect by the end of this piece will be yours too.
So here we go:
Definition of Ingrates: The Owners of Ottawa Canada's only two pro sports teams --the Ottawa Senators (hockey) and the Ottawa RedBlacks (Pro Football not soccer).
Why so?, I can hear you ask.
Let's go with the Ungrateful RedBlacks first. Their inaugural season was but 3 short years ago ...in 2014. In its most recent year ...2016, our RedBlacks won Canada's coveted Grey Cup for the best pro team in the country.
When the RedBlacks were formed, the last glory days for an Ottawa Football Team was more than 50 years past. I too was most skeptical of its chances - first because new teams, as a rule, take years and years to gel and besides, in the scheme of things, Ottawa is a relatively minor sports venue - it does not have the big bucks needed to attract great talent.
But my Faith in the RBs was soon forthcoming with the signing of their Quarter Back - the one and only Henry Burris. The guy oozed enthusiasm...cheerleaders would go to him to tips on how to lift our team and our fans.
And win they did. In just their 2nd season, Burris brought his Team to the finals in the Grey Cup and in the most recent year - 2016 he brought home the enchiladas.
I was astounded while shopping in Florida in 2015 when I was speaking with a cashier and I asked him who his favourite Football Team was... thinking he would naturally respond by naming a team from the NFL of AFL. He said "the Ottawa RedBlacks of course". Was I hearing right? You must be Canadian then? "Nope - born and bred American".
He went on to say how impressed he was with our quarterback - you got it...Henry Burris.
So this year - 2017 is Canada's 150 Birthday and the Grey Cup game will be held in our fair capital city - Ottawa - so naturally we can hope that Burris and his Teammates will pull off a repeat and how great that would be in front of his Home Fans.
But it is not to be...the Ungrateful RB Owners cashiered Burris at this past season's end.
Why "the guy is too old", say the bosses.
Bullshit say I. He is 41 which is on the older side for pro sport but he has been on the older side since he started with Ottawa in 2014.
I am a strong believer in the saying 'You Dance With The One That Brung Ya'
I am going to make a prediction here - just at the Boston Red Socks lived under a curse for trading the Bambino to the Damn Yankees in 1920 so too will the RedBlacks be cursed for dumping the best thing they had going for themselves from the jump start.
And not only will they miss the Grey Cup for the first time in 2 seasons, they will be cursed with a losing record for years to come.
And now for the Ungrateful Ottawa Senators.
The Senators inaugural game occurred in 1992 and over 19 seasons they have won 4 Divisional Titles and have qualified for the playoffs 15 times.
It's President, until recently - Cyril Leeder was one of a small handful of community minded citizens who were actively involved in bringing This National Hockey League Team to Ottawa.
Again, since Ottawa is a small sports centre the freeing up of money to buy the Big Guns is most difficult, but for our size the Team has consistently played beyond their potential.
In 2003, the Senators were purchased by one Eugene Melnyk permanent resident of the Barbados.
In recognition of Mr. Leeder's role as one of the Team's originals and in recognition of the hard work Leeder did in cementing the Senators' presence in Ottawa, Eugene Melnyk rightfully kept Cyril Leeder on as President.
But that was then ...this is now...and Leeder is gone from the Senators' organization.
So team owner's make changes from time to time ...do they not?
Yes they do, but I omitted one little fact...the important role that Cyril Leeder played in the life of his owner. In 2015, Cyril spearheaded a drive to find a liver donor for a dying Eugene Melnyk. The task at the time looked hopeless since Melnyk was on death's door.
Leeder came through though in a desperate last minute bid to find a suitable liver for his dying owner...one was found and Owner Melnyk was saved in the nick of time.
And was does Melnyk do less than 2 years later....
So the next time you come across the word 'Ingrate' you will know its true meaning since it describes both Owners of the Ottawa RedBlacks and the Ottawa Senators.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
