Lowering the Boom: The Bobby Baun Story

By Bob Baun

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0773732594
• ISBN13: 9780773732599
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Stoddart Pub
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.0" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

An Original

For those people both old enough to remember "Original 6" hockey and fortunate enough to have inhabited an Original 6 city, there exists a special place in the heart and memory for the hockey stars of this era. There was an intimacy between fan and skater of this time for a number of reasons. The players would often skate for the same team for a decade or longer. The personalities were more accessable. There were more personal appearances and banter between fan and player. The players often worked off-season jobs to make ends meet. They were regular guys. And lastly, there were no helmets, so the fans burned the appearances of the players into their consciousness. If you saw your favorite player walking down the street, there was instant recognition. Bobby Baun was a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a hockey team with an amazing tradition and fan support. Although never a prolific scorer, he was a rugged, solid, and dependable member of this "dynasty" of the 1960's, and generated huge popularity among the fan base of the Maple Leafs. His story is well told (by him) and he wears his heart on his sleeve regarding his friendships throughout his hockey career, his disappointments, and the heights he achieved as a four time member of a Stanley Cup winning team. The relationships with other members of his teams are most interesting, as it is enlightening to learn about some of the larger than life personalities, like Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuck, and Frank Mahovolich, and not least, Punch Imlach through his eyes. Some of the other players I enjoyed reading about were Carl Brewer, his partner on defense, and Tim Horton, whose name today graces so many bakeries. His off the ice business adventures were equally interesting, and he does not gloss over his failures. He retains an ebullience throughout his life, even through a failed marriage, family tragedies and many business starts and stops. He comes off a winner in life through his friendships made in hockey and the wonderful experience that the NHL opened to him. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Bobby Baun's book, and for anyone who lived through "original 6", or even early expansion hockey, and wants to remember the vivid characters of that era, this will be welcome reading.