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sports Diasabra 30 OctOber 2021

Blackhawks ask Hall of Fame to cover assistant’s name on Cup

(AP) — Chicago Black- ton had nothing to do with assertion by the owner that
hawks owner Rocky Wirtz the team. also was supported by the re-
wants the Hockey Hall of port from Jenner & Block.
Fame to cover the name “That decision, among oth-
of an assistant coach en- ers, reflects the Cup’s storied The AP does not typically
graved on the Stanley Cup history of engraving mis- identify people who say they
after the assistant was ac- takes, misspellings and errors are victims of sexual assault
cused of sexually assault- that have ended up enshrined unless they come forward
ing a player during the in silver, or been corrected publicly. Beach spoke with
team’s run to the 2010 after the fact,” Wirtz writes. TSN on Wednesday and
championship. posted a statement on Twit-
ESPN first reported on the ter on Thursday expressing
In a letter addressed to Hall letter. A message was left Fri- gratitude for the support he
of Fame chairman Lanny day by the AP seeking com- had received in the past cou-
McDonald, dated Thursday, ment from the Hall of Fame. ple days.
Wirtz writes that Brad Al-
drich’s conduct disqualifies Wirtz and the Blackhawks are Beach is slated to meet with nected to Aldrich, including The consequences of what
him from being included on picking up the pieces of the NHL Commissioner Gary by a Beach confidant. Fehr the Blackhawks did in 2010
the Cup, and the team made franchise’s shattered reputa- Bettman and Donald Fehr, told investigators he couldn’t — specifically a three-week
a mistake by submitting his tion after it released a report the leader of the NHL play- recall either conversation, period during the playoffs
name. Tuesday detailing how the ers’ association, via separate but did not deny that they when they failed to act on
team’s senior leaders badly Zoom calls on Saturday. had occurred. Beach’s allegations, allowing
“I am humbly requesting that mishandled the allegations Susan Loggans, an attorney Aldrich to remain around the
the Hockey Hall of Fame against Aldrich more than a representing Beach in his Fehr said Wednesday night team while it celebrated the
consider ‘x-ing’ out his name decade ago. lawsuit, said Fehr’s time has in a statement that there was championship — reverber-
on the Stanley Cup,” Wirtz been confirmed, and they “no doubt” that the system ated throughout the NHL
wrote. “While nothing can The independent review by a were still working to finalize had failed Beach and “we are this week.
undo what he did, leaving his law firm was commissioned the schedule for the Bettman part of that system.”
name on the most prestigious by the team in response to meeting. Florida Panthers coach Joel
trophy in sports seems pro- two lawsuits filed against Stan Bowman, Chicago’s Quenneville met with Bet-
foundly wrong.” the franchise: one by former Loggans said Bettman and general manager and presi- tman on Thursday and then
first-round pick Kyle Beach Fehr each contacted her ask- dent of hockey operations, resigned. Winnipeg Jets gen-
The Hall of Fame cannot re- alleging sexual assault by Al- ing to meet with Beach. resigned in the wake of the eral manager Kevin Chevel-
move a name from the Stan- drich in 2010, and another report, and the Blackhawks dayoff talked to Bettman on
ley Cup, but it can decide to filed by a former high school “Kyle’s reaction was that he’s announced that Al MacIsaac, Friday, and the league an-
engrave a series of X’s to cov- student whom Aldrich was glad that they are paying at- another one of the team’s top nounced that Cheveldayoff
er it up. In his letter, Wirtz convicted of assaulting in tention to what he brought to hockey executives, was no would not be disciplined.
pointed to the case of Basil Michigan. their attention 10 years ago,” longer with the organization.
Pocklington, the father of Loggans told the AP. “So he’s Quenneville and Chevelday-
the former Edmonton owner Rocky Wirtz said Tuesday very anxious to hear what The NHL fined the team off were with the Blackhawks
who had his name engraved that he and Danny Wirtz, they have to say.” $2 million for “the organi- when Beach’s accusations
on the trophy after the Oilers his son and the team’s CEO, zation’s inadequate internal were first reported to team
won the 1984 title, but then were first made aware of the According to the Blackhawks’ procedures and insufficient leadership. Aldrich has told
was covered at the NHL’s re- accusations ahead of the May report, Fehr was contacted and untimely response.” investigators the encounter
quest because Basil Pockling- filing of Beach’s lawsuit, an twice about allegations con- was consensual.

Aaron molded careers of World Series managers Snitker, Baker

The impact of Aaron, the already an established star, and manager. When it was
Hall of Famer who died on promised Baker’s mother he clear Snitker had no future
Jan. 22, is seen in much more would take care of her young as a catcher or first baseman,
than the number. son. Aaron offered an opportunity
to remain in the game as a
“Hank’s footprints are all Aaron kept the promise — coach.
over this series,” Houston and kept up with Baker’s
manager Dusty Baker said. mom, even after Baker’s Snitker has remained in the
playing career ended. organization as roving in-
If not for Aaron, it’s possible structor, coach and manager
neither Baker nor Atlanta “Going over the conversa- for 40 years, including six as
manager Brian Snitker would tions we would have had, Atlanta’s manager.
hold their current jobs. we probably wouldn’t have Baker, 72, and Snitker, 66, are
much about baseball,” Baker trying to win their first World
“I would assume he helped said Thursday. “First thing Series championship. Each
mold both of us, Dusty as he asks, he asks me about said he feels Aaron’s pres-
a young player and me as a my mother. ... Like I said, he ence. Each wants to make his
young manager/coach,” Snit- promised my mom when I mentor proud.
ker said Thursday. “He was was 18 years old.”
very instrumental, I know, “I think about him all the
in both our careers because Baker was only 19 when he time, especially in a series
I know both of us just loved made his major league de- like this,” Baker said. “I feel
the man to death for what he but with Atlanta in 1968 — his presence, especially him
(AP) — Hank Aaron’s im- at the Braves’ Truist Park did for us.” against the Astros, then a Na- and my dad.”
print is firmly stamped on all season. It remains in big, tional League team.
the World Series. bold green for Friday night’s Aaron was responsible for Similarly, Baker keeps touch
Game 3 against the Houston convincing Baker to sign As the Braves’ farm director, with Aaron’s family. He said
His No. 44 has been painted Astros. with the Braves as a teenage Aaron set the path for Snit- he called Aaron’s son, Hank
on the grass in center field outfielder in 1967. Aaron, ker’s long career as a coach Jr., on Thursday.