Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely
means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but
I hear the voices say
How can anyone say they are a fan of anything and not at very least try and learn as much as they possibly can about the history of whatever it is that they find themselves interested in? Such was the case for me nearly nine years ago when I came to my own personal discovery and found a passion for the sport of hockey and the Rangers in particular. Since then I’ve spent every free moment trying to make up for lost time. I’ve gone from casual fan to obsessed fan to being a somewhat respected “reporter” covering the best development team in that organization.
But this isn’t about me. I told you that to tell you that none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the endless patience and generosity of spirit that I’ve been shown by some very talented people. Dubi Silverstein was the first to extend me his friendship and help. A short time after that I developed a relationship with one of the best writers and people I’ve ever known in Bruce Berlet, then of the Hartford Courant. Later, I had an even more fortunate opportunity to become friends with THE hockey historian of our lifetimes, Stan Fischler. Not long after that came a writer of incredible talent and equal integrity who has taught me that when I write to be the best writer I can be and not to lose who I am in the process. That writer is none other than Steve Zipay of Newsday.
If you’re not as familiar with his writing, and I can’t imagine you’re reading this and not, Steve Zipay is an award-winning journalist who has covered events from Super Bowls to World Series and issues from sports marketing to stadium financing and just about anything there is to cover when it comes to sports. Steve’s been in New York for 25 years. He’s also been a news editor, a business editor and sports media columnist for Newsday. As is the case with any versatile writer/reporter, in 1997, Steve was a member of the Newsday team that won a Pulitzer Prize for spot news reporting on the crash of Flight 800. This is his third full season covering the New York Rangers.
Steve recently published his first book entitled, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly New York Rangers: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments in New York Rangers History (Good, the Bad, & the Ugly)” available at Amazon.com. In addition to inspiring me in more ways that I could possibly account for here, Zip was nice enough recently during a free moment from his crazy busy schedule to share a few moments.
HOWLINGS: “First Off Steve, thanks for taking a few to chat with us.”
ZIPAY: “My pleasure.”
HOWLINGS: “So let’s just get right into it. Tell me, what got you interested in hockey and then in the Rangers in particular?”
ZIPAY: “Growing up in New York City, I've followed the NHL since a youngster; besides the Rangers, I liked the Bruins and the Blackhawks, but really was smitten by the 60's Rangers, the broadcasts and the whole atmosphere of the old Garden.”
HOWLINGS: “Anyone who reads your work knows that you really love sports but that you also have quite a tremendous passion for music. Where did that come from?”
ZIPAY: “My mom played piano and sang in a church choir, as did my dad, and I took some music lessons, but I was always torn between practicing and watching my pals out the window playing stickball and other street games in our nabe, so the two kind of meshed early…”
HOWLINGS: “Growing up, what writers inspired you the most and who inspires you today and why?”
ZIPAY: “Writers, poets, musicians, god, far too many to list, because I gobbled down everything from Verlaine to Sport Magazine to Ray Davies lyrics to Jim Harrison's novels as a student. Currently on the nightstand: Tim Powers, Ian Rankin, Magdalen Nabb.”
HOWLINGS: “You’ve been writing for Newsday for quite a while. What was the process like for you to decide to do a book and why on the Rangers? I mean there are a lot of really in depth historical studies already on them?”
ZIPAY: “I'd been kicking around a book on the Rangers since the lockout, more of a Broadway renaissance theme. Then Triumph and I looked around and discovered that there really wasn't a fun, compact read that encompassed Rangers history, with some personal insights (worst draft picks, best trades, etc) on the market. The idea was to stir memories from the well of longtime fans as well as pique the interest of newer fans who populate blogs, web sites, etc. who prefer shorter items. We left some things on the cutting room floor, how can you not covering 82 years? but from the feedback, it seems we've struck the right balance.”
HOWLINGS: “Let’s bounce back to your two great loves, apart from your family of course and mix music and the Rangers. If you were going to pick a song that represents say the 1979 Stanley Cup final team, the 1994 Cup Winner and the team as it sits right now, which songs do you think best represent them?”
ZIPAY: “The songs for the ‘78 – ‘79 team? Lemme give ya a few that bounce around the cranial jukebox for each: You Can't Always Get What You Want; Thorogood's One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer, Rockpile's "A Fool Too Long." For the ‘93 – ‘94 team? How about Van Morrison's "Wild Night", Petty's "Running Down a Dream", Steely Dan's underrated "Chain Lightning." This season? "Growin Pain" Peter Wolf; "Learning the Hard Way" Gin Blossoms; "We're Gonna Make It," Little Milton; "Just Won't Burn" by Susan Tedeschi and any blues by my pal Sarah Borges and what the heck, "Everyday I Write The Book"
HOWLINGS: “How did you find the creative process for writing a book as opposed to writing your regular columns, for my own mind, how in the hell did you even find the time to write it?”
ZIPAY: “How does one carve out the time for a book while covering a team and being a dad and husband? You head to games and practices early, work the cell and internet from airports and hotels, burn the candles at both ends in my humble office in Westchester, hit the Warner library reading room to change the routine and Zen-out, play some squash to clear the bloodstream, miss a few meals, drink plenty of margaritas (rocks, no salt) for energy and inspiration and scarf down protein
for the long days and nights.”HOWLINGS: “Can you share with readers one story that you liked but just couldn’t find room for in the book?”
ZIPAY: “One item that I regret we never recovered from the cutting room floor (had to trim a bunch to keep the price reasonable in a worldwide recession): The Mullen Brothers, from roller hockey in Hell's Kitchen to the NHL.”
HOWLINGS: Well, hopefully this will sell well enough that we can get a sequel with some more great stories. Here’s a fantasy question for you. Suppose that Jim Dolan allowed you to be Rangers GM for one day what three things would you like to get done?”
ZIPAY: “Well everyone knew that I wanted to sign Mats Sundin, but that went by the wayside. I’d look to get a big vet defenseman or forward at trade deadline, and then make sure Lundqvist isn't ground down in the second half and rested for the playoffs.”
HOWLINGS: “How about if you were Commissioner for one day?”
ZIPAY: “That one’s a bit easier. I’d freeze ticket prices for the playoffs. I’d schedule the 2010 Winter Classic at Yankee Stadium and wouldn’t expand the league. I’d either retract or relocate if necessary; and I’d find a way to get games on ESPN.”
HOWLINGS: “I know you have a lot of things to get to. I just want to thank you for all you’ve done to help me personally and for the great job that you do at Newsday and especially in keeping Rangers’ fans informed with your Blue Notes blog.”
ZIPAY: “It was fun. Keep up the good work yourself with Howlings…”
If you’re a Rangers’ fan or you know of someone who would enjoy reading one of the finest books ever written on the Blueshirts, then you simply MUST visit Amazon.com today and pick up this fantastic book, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly New York Rangers: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments in New York Rangers History (Good, the Bad, & the Ugly).” I can honestly say that I’ve read it and not only was it a joy and a lot of fun to read, it was super informative and I learned a lot that about the franchise as well. I might also add that it’s one of only a handful of books, that didn’t have cartoons in them, that I’ve read from cover-to-cover without putting it down.
Steve, congratulations on writing what I believe is the primer for ALL Rangers fans no matter how long they’ve been following the team…
Do yourself a favor and pick it up today.
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
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