Bitter, Truth-Challenged Globe Sportswriter: Boston Goalie Thomas Endangering His Legacy
It would appear that if Kevin Paul Dupont were king, he would be exploring how to send the Stanley Cup Finals exploits of Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas last year down the memory hole. Thomas "held the Canucks to eight goals in seven games" and became the first goalie ever to shut out his team's opponent in a deciding Game 7 on the road, helping the Bruins win their first Cup in almost 40 years.
Since he can't do that, the Boston Globe sportswriter appears to want to use Thomas's absence from the team's White House visit three weeks ago and subsequent Facebook postings as evidence that Thomas's "legacy" is in danger (his column's headline states that Thomas needs to "restore" it). In making his supposed case, the self-professed "confused" Dupont made and repeated a fundamental factual error. Those errors destroy any credibility he may have had in portraying Thomas's decision and subsequent Facebook postings as somehow disrupting team unity:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Thomas skipped a White House visit, which was a mandatory team event.
... Skipping the mandatory team event could have prompted Chiarelli to fine or suspend him.
That's strange, since New England Sports Network's Ricky Doyle quoted a top Bruins executive as follows on the day of Thomas's White House absence:
Tim Thomas, one of two Americans on the Bruins roster, decided to skip the White House event, general manager Peter Chiarelli said.
... Chiarelli also said that he will not hold Thomas' absence against him, as the event was not mandatory, and Thomas' decision was his to make.
The team's president also made it clear in his official statement that Thomas was not required to be at the White House:
Below is team president Cam Neely's statement on the issue on behalf of the team.
"As an organization we were honored by President Obama's invitation to the White House. It was a great day and a perfect way to cap our team's achievement from last season. It was a day that none of us will soon forget. We are disappointed that Tim chose not to join us, and his views certainly do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Bruins organization. This will be the last public comment from the Bruins organization on this subject."
It was Thomas's choice. Attendance was not "mandatory."
Two days later, EPSN Boston's Joe McDonald noted that the Bruins knew of Thomas's intention not to attend for three months:
Chiarelli also said that the organization has known about Thomas' plans for the last three months, and his statements Monday night were consistent with his conversations with Chiarelli.
"Tim is his own person and he's been that way for the six years that I've been around. That hasn't changed, and it won't change," Chiarelli said. "We won the Stanley Cup and we're playing well this year."
Bruins president Cam Neely admitted that he would have liked Thomas to go to the White House, but the goalie "felt very strongly about not going," so the team respected his wishes.
"I felt this was a team event and it would have been nice for him to be a part of it," Neely said on 98.5 the Sports Hub.
He said the team didn't make the event mandatory because "we didn't think it would be an issue."
So who do you believe, the team's president and general manager who knew of Thomas's plans for months, or a Globe sportswriter with an obvious ax to grind?
I'm not going to waste my time dealing with the rest of Dupont's diatribe. If he can't get a basic fact like whether or not an appearance was mandatory right, why bother?
Well, I do need to note one thing concerning Thomas's legacy: Nothing will ever change what he accomplished last year -- and no one, especially a bitter, truth-challenged hack, will ever take it away from him.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
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Comments
Man!
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:20am.
I love how easy it is to get a Prog/Lib to lose their mind (what little they have). All it takes is for someone - anyone - to take a principled stand.
As a life-long Blackhawks fan I have no qualms whatsoever in stating Tim Thomas's legacy IN HOCKEY is quite secure.
The original six rule!
Montreal
Toronto
Boston
Chicago
Detroit
New York
As a Red Wings fan....
Submitted by Timothy H on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:43am.
and a hockey fan, in general, I'd have to say I agree.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. -Albert Einstein
And for blonde:Some days it just doesn't pay to chew through the restraint. -Timothy H
21 and counting, Tim.
Submitted by UpNorth on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 4:34pm.
And, as a fellow Michiganian, if I happen across Tim Thomas anywhere in the off season, again, I'll buy him an adult beverage of his choice.
Axshully,
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 5:43pm.
it's "Michigander". :-)
Rangers rule the MOST!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 4:28pm.
They will bring back the cup to NY this year-Rangers in 7! LETS GO RANGERS!
Only if they rehire Mike Kennan!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 9:46pm.
:)
Hey Dupont....
Submitted by NeoKong on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:22am.
Ever hear of Google you friggin' hack....?
Thomas is a world class champion and you are just some leech who feeds on other people's ability.
Another lib jocksniffer, ala Olbermann and Lupica.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:38am.
What team wouldn't want to suspend their linchpin player in midseason over a perceived slight to the Messiah?
It seems like...
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:44am.
... it doesn't matter what you've accomplished. If you go against the grain, you can expect repercussions... diatribe, ad-hominems, pejoratives, and likewise classless behaviour from the ruling class.
This doesn't sound like a free republic to me. It sounds more like a march towards totalitarianism...
...or am I just over-reacting.
Note... trying my best to avoid Godwin's law here.
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
I'd say you ain't reacting enough.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:08pm.
You are headed in the right direction, however!
We are all expected to be "good little Hitler Youth" for Da One. We must "respect the office of the president." Bull Shiite! The current pretender to the office has done nothing to earn respect. He is taking this country apart before our eyes, and Congress, the nutless bastards, are just spectators.
So react away, canuck. We may all have to move north with you before long if we are to keep any semblance of our freedom.
Before you consider that...
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:01pm.
...consider that things ain't much better up here, or have you forgotten about our so-called "Human Rights Councils", or HRC's.
You know... The quasi-judicial body that sort-a, kind-a shut up people like Anne Coulter. Ask Anne about her recent experience at Ottawa U.
Things aren't much better up here. In fact, we're just a little further on ahead of the road you guys seem to be travelling on.
Free speach in Canada? You wish!
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
Yeah. I know, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:25pm.
... so I guess there isn't going to be a Plan B.
Time to draw a hard line right here. We owe it to our kids and grand kids.
Nah
Submitted by chiefpayne on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:52pm.
I've been looking at moving to Austrailia myself. They seem to keep themselves pretty orderly and conservative...at least for now.
You might want to rethink OZ.
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 5:50pm.
They are already more democratic socialist than the "greens" (the new "reds") are a big problem there. Even as bad as we're leaning, we're much more free than Oz.
I agree
Submitted by Franksam on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:03pm.
If Thomas played for the old Russian team, he would have made it to the Kremlin
photo op. I don't doubt for a minute that if Obama could swing it, Thomas would be playing
in Siberia, so to speak, next year.
Critics called Bush a Nazi. Obama is truly Hitleresque.
Sportswriter Spasms...
Submitted by Pilgrim1949 on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:47am.
Sounds like this whiny Lib/Prog snob is "bitterly clinging to his politics and biases" a tad too much.
Don't look now, Mr. Dupont, but your "truthiness" is showing....
"Ye canne change the laws of physics....." but some politicians believe that with the right legislation you can pretend they don't really apply to your own pet projects...
"Thomas' decision was his to make."
Submitted by Newsbubba on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 11:59am.
Yes it was, and he made the right decision, in my opinion.
We should all remember this. It is also OUR decision how we accept what Obama is shoving down our throats and up our asses. We can take it calmly, or we can refuse to stand for it.
This crap about "respect for the office of the presidency" is just that; crap. No office earns respect or even has respect. It is the person in the office that you either respect or loathe, and Bubbas and Bubba Jeans, I truly am past the point of loathing this RBFSOB.
I loved the statement about, "Tim Thomas, one of two Americans on the Bruins roster." That sort of says it all. 50% of the Americans on the roster didn't care to have Bambi get a team sweater that was about eight sizes too large for his skinny ass, although Moochie might be able to get in it with some effort. The foreign players probably thought it was a big deal to appear before His Imminence. I'm curious why the other American bothered to show up.
I hope Big Dyke is monitoring closely today.
Newsbubba is on a roll!!!
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:06pm.
...Better get out of the way!
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
Dupont, like most lefties, is just upset that they haven't yet..
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:04pm.
...acquired the ability to force people to worship at the feet of the Kenyan comrade Muslim fraud at the point of a gun.
But I'm sure they are working on it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
What about Theo Epstein
Submitted by Pha Pha on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:37pm.
Hey Red Soz GM Theo Epstein, a committed liberal, skipped White House visits in 2004 and 2007, not a peep from DuPont and any other crappy reporter.
I live the Boston area haven't shelled out a dollar for that rag in over 15 years.
That's interesting, Pha Pha
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:47pm.
More evidence of bias.
What about Theo Epstein
Submitted by Pha Pha on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:37pm.
Hey Red Soz GM Theo Epstein, a committed liberal, skipped White House visits in 2004 and 2007, not a peep from DuPont and any other crappy reporter.
I live the Boston area haven't shelled out a dollar for that rag in over 15 years.
Ironic that you should post
Submitted by Kylerk on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 12:42pm.
Ironic that you should post this story this morning . . . As I watched my NY Rangers shutout the Bruins last night at the new Boston Garden on TV, I was pleasantly surprised that there were a few people sitting close to the ice at the Boston Garden that were holding up "Thomas for President" signs. I was afraid that the sign holders may have some problems with their overwhelmingly liberal fellow Bostonians, but what was even more surprising was the obvious cheering from the rest of the crowd whenever one of the signs was hoisted up. Certainly not in keeping with the scenario wished for by Mr. DuPont.
In sports there is a saying...
Submitted by gs-425 on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:31pm.
"those that can't play....coach. Those that can't coach....write"
Kevin Paul Dupont
Submitted by John21 on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 1:38pm.
Kevin Paul Dupont is at best a fourth rate sports writer (that giving him the benefit of doubt). Some simple statements.
1. Mr. Dupont is not a very bright man (very well proven)
2. His understanding of sports (and Boston Sports) is very limited
3. His experience at covering sports is also very limited
4. He is a dedicated very left liberal and Obamabot
5. His grasp of history (and Boston) is extremely limited
6. He is very prone to making stupid statements without thought or understanding
7. The rag that he works for do not employ anyone that can not follow the liberal agenda in all
things.
8. He is a moron to believe that the main reason Boston won the Standley Cup should not be
remembered and held in deep respect (by Bostonians) is insane.
9. He obviously can't remember that Bostonians have remembered long forgotten plays and
personnel for the Sox after decades of losses.
10. Do not judge the Boston Sports Community by the rambblings of an idiot
For Thee, Not For Me
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:22pm.
Just as the legacies of leftist celebrities have been tarnished in my mind. Tony "Left His Brain In San Fagcisco" Bennett is a recent example. All I want to do now when I hear his signature song, is spit. How's that for legacy busting?
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
Bruins president Cam Neely
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:31pm.
Bruins president Cam Neely admitted that he would have liked Thomas to go to the White House, but the goalie "felt very strongly about not going," so the team respected his wishes.
and yet, he felt compelled to explain that the Jacobs family and the entire Bruins organization (except for Thomas) are admirers of the president?
What a suck-up.
We Own Boston/Massachusetts, So Who Cares?
Submitted by Motormouth KOS on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:42pm.
Paul Revere? Drunk on a horse!
Red Sox? BIGGEST Choke in September history!
Ted Kennedy? Chappaquidick should have gotten him, but didn't.
New England Patriots? NY Giants doormats AGAIN!!!!
Tom Brady? Justin Bieber Wannabe!
Barney Frank? Addicted to young boys!
The Bruins? Yesterday's news. The Rangers own these clowns.
Tim Thomas? Hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Obamination... A crisis leading to a catastrophe..(please donate to MRC)
The rangers won the cup when?????
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:45pm.
This century, how many titles a mere 3?
I prefer a larger number - 7.
Go Back to Sleep
Submitted by Motormouth KOS on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:48pm.
Jackass.
The Obamination... A crisis leading to a catastrophe..(please donate to MRC)
As a fannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:40pm.
Being from here and a HUGE sports fan, this whole charade has peeled off the sacb of these sports writers who all seem yo be Obysmal loving liberals that ARE pissed that Thomas won't talk about his personal life with THEM.
The facts are that many of these entrenched a-holes said NOTHING when Theo blew off Bush, when Manny Ortiz (inside Boston joke towards Kerry...........) blew Bush off and when Bird blew off Reagan - NOBODY SAID BLEEP and WE the people didn't care a bit.
Now it is a big deal and facts are first home game, THOMAS GOT A STANDING OVATION and on the Herald site the writers are being told how hypocritical they really are and on talk radio.
The Globe charges to post so I don't blog there anymore, it was more of me schooling the libs free of charge, but I "aint" paying to do it.
The Bruins have been slumping so if course it is Booooooooooooosh's fault, errr Thomas's fault, but they were starting to slump a month ago.
You would think this is a uber-liberal state, not as much, we are gaining some steam here.
As a fannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 2:42pm.
Being from here and a HUGE sports fan, this whole charade has peeled off the sacb of these sports writers who all seem yo be Obysmal loving liberals that ARE pissed that Thomas won't talk about his personal life with THEM.
The facts are that many of these entrenched a-holes said NOTHING when Theo blew off Bush, when Manny Ortiz (inside Boston joke towards Kerry...........) blew Bush off and when Bird blew off Reagan - NOBODY SAID BLEEP and WE the people didn't care a bit.
Now it is a big deal and facts are first home game, THOMAS GOT A STANDING OVATION and on the Herald site the writers are being told how hypocritical they really are and on talk radio.
The Globe charges to post so I don't blog there anymore, it was more of me schooling the libs free of charge, but I "aint" paying to do it.
The Bruins have been slumping so if course it is Booooooooooooosh's fault, errr Thomas's fault, but they were starting to slump a month ago.
You would think this is a uber-liberal state, not as much, we are gaining some steam here.
OMG, he missed the appearance of Ear Leader?
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 4:34pm.
He must be an "evil conservative", right, lib Boston GLOB "writer"? He is now my second fav goalie-Lundqvist is my fav, of course-and he reminds me of Mark Chmura, TE of the GB Packers, who refused to go to the White House to see Bubba Clinton after they won the Super Bowl!