A good idea, a better idea, and the best idea of them all…

So we’re chock in the middle of baseball season, so what better time for the other three major sports to try to grab the headlines.  (For the record, I’m wearing my NY Islanders polo shirt as I write this.)  The NHL has announced that Fenway Park will be the venue for the 2010 Winter Classic.  The Boston Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers this coming January 1.  Read the story here. 

This is great on so many levels.  The Winter Classic, albeit a gimmick, gets people to watch the NHL on TV.  And the die-hard fans in the local market where it’s held go bonkers for it.  It’s a badge of honor to host it, and it’s a situation that more than half the teams will never be able to do.  There will never be a Winter Classic in Florida, Los Angeles, etc.

And it only adds another dimension to the sports rivalry between Boston and Philadelphia.  The Sox and Phils have developed a nice little rivalry during interleague play.  The Iggles and Pats played in the SuperBowl in 2005.  Larry Bird and Doctor J.  The Flyers won their first Stanley Cup in 1974 vs. the B’s.

And that’s why I have a call for action.  Let me get my megaphone.  ATTENTION FLYERS FANS!  THE SECOND TICKETS GO ON SALE, I WANT YOU TO IMMEDIATELY SCOOP UP AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.  PACK UP THE WALLY WAGON, BUY YOUR TICKETS ON SOUTHWEST, US AIRWAYS, AMTRAK, BOLT BUS, MEGABUS, PETER PAN, OR GEYHOUND.  DECEND ON THE SO-CALLED “HUB”.  RETURN THE FAVOR TO THOSE OBNOXIOUS RED SOX FANS THAT CAME TO CITIZENS BANK PARK, NATIONALS PARK, CAMDEN YARDS, OR ANY OTHER BASEBALL VENUE IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE A HOME-FIELD ATMOSPHERE ON THE ROAD.  THIS IS YOUR CHANCE FOR REVENGE.  SHOW THEM YOUR BEST 700-LEVEL HECKLING.  YOU WILL BE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.  DO NOT DISAPPOINT!!!

I’d even suggest pushing off the Mummers Parade off until Saturday, the 2nd.  I’d even suggest sending a few string bands to parade in the outfield during intermissions. Again, an opportunity to market the Mummers Parade.  Yet, I digress…

But while we have the ice out at Fenway, why just have the Flyers and Bruins play.  There’s been rumors that they’re trying to get BC and BU play.  But I say why stop there?  GET THE BEANPOT!!!  I don’t care if it’s played on successive days on January 2 and 3, or just one round, but GET MY NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS!!!  PRESIDENT AOUN, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET YOUR NOSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS!!! DO NOT LET THOSE TWO SCHOOLS GET THE SPOTLIGHT AND PUT NORTHEASTERN IN THE SHADOW AGAIN! NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER!!!

That is all.