Remembering the Retirees
Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star writes a column reminding everyone how former NHL players take in paltry pensions in comparisons to other sports.
Sipping on a scotch or beer in the clubhouse after one of his appearances in former Los Angeles Dodger Don Drysdale’s annual golf tourney, [Yogi] Berra must have loved to share with [Andy] Bathgate the details of his $120,000 (all figures U.S.) annual pension.
“He joked he didn’t even have to pay into it,” Bathgate said.
The former hockey star, meantime, must have felt like shuffling his feet when he revealed his annual stipend totals just $8,480.
Perhaps if the NHLPA was still fighting for guys like Bathgate, who played in over 1000 NHL games, and probably never made today’s average yearly salary throughout his entire career, they’d have the support of more fans. And perhaps, just perhaps, the NHLPA could make pensions more of an issue. Try and get some of today’s money for yesterday’s players - even if it means taking some money from both the league and the players (ok, ok, let’s just call it what it is - your money).
“When you’re still playing, you’ve got blinders on,” said former New York Islanders captain Pat Flatley, who has been involved in efforts to enrich the pension plan. “You tend not to look beyond your own career. I don’t think many active players are aware of the plight of some of the retired guys.”
If today’s players are always fighting for themselves and the players of tomorrow, why can’t today’s players fight some for the players of yesteryear as well? Someone should, and the first one to do so will be the first NHL winner I’ve seen in a long time.
Next entry: If You Open, They Will Come
Previous entry: Preds GM Poile Not Happy With Eaton
Comments