\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/obituaries/joshua-y-tsujimoto-93-farmer-gift-shop-owner-20130909 93-year-old Joshua Tsujimoto passed away in Buffalo last month. In all accounts, an educated, successful man held in high regard by everyone. Why is this on the board? In 1974, the Sabres were bored with the endless NHL draft and decided to have a little fun by drafting an imaginary player. They decided he should be Japanese and would be from the lower levels of the Japanese professional leagues. John Anderson, former Sabres scouting director, came up with the first name "Taro" (a common Japanese name). Paul Wieland, former Sabres PR man, remembered that there was some "Japanese gift shop" somewhere in Buffalo. And by checking the phone book, they found their name. And thus, "Taro Tsujimoto" was born. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taro_Tsujimoto
MattPie Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 http://www.buffalone...-owner-20130909 93-year-old Joshua Tsujimoto passed away in Buffalo last month. In all accounts, an educated, successful man held in high regard by everyone. Why is this on the board? In 1974, the Sabres were bored with the endless NHL draft and decided to have a little fun by drafting an imaginary player. They decided he should be Japanese and would be from the lower levels of the Japanese professional leagues. John Anderson, former Sabres scouting director, came up with the first name "Taro" (a common Japanese name). Paul Wieland, former Sabres PR man, remembered that there was some "Japanese gift shop" somewhere in Buffalo. And by checking the phone book, they found their name. And thus, "Taro Tsujimoto" was born. http://en.wikipedia..../Taro_Tsujimoto Nice find. RIP, Mr. Tsujimoto.
apuszczalowski Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 The Sabres should retire Taros name and number to the rafters this season in his honor Might be the only reason to go see a game this year...........
nfreeman Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 The "Taro Say" banners in the Aud were great.
Hoss Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Always amusing to listen to Paul tell this story. One of the few of his stories I know to be true.
Stoner Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 I don't know how you find this stuff, GoBills, but I'm glad you do! The thing about that story that still boggles my mind is how they could have wasted a draft pick. They ended up drafting a real player after that, and at least two future NHLers were picked by other teams as well. Always amusing to listen to Paul tell this story. One of the few of his stories I know to be true. Did you read his Sabres book?
Bullwinkle III Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 I remember that well. I think Punch was upset by having to draft by conference call via phone that year. I think he wanted to have a general meeting where managers could actively talk with each other. This was his way of protesting and the league actually believed it for a while. People were scrambling to find the Kanata team in Japan! lol! (Kanta - if I'm spelling it right - means 'sword' in Japanese)
MattPie Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 I don't know how you find this stuff, GoBills, but I'm glad you do! The thing about that story that still boggles my mind is how they could have wasted a draft pick. They ended up drafting a real player after that, and at least two future NHLers were picked by other teams as well. While true, being picked at #183 would be early 7th round today, or "very little chance of making it". Of the 70 guys drafted afterwards only 2 became NHL players. With those odds, creating a legend is so worth it in my books.
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Posted September 10, 2013 LMAO I missed this part, too! In addition to the obituary link that I posted above, the Buffalo News also has a death notice listing: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?n=joshua-y-tsujimoto&pid=166822803 Take a look at the obituary, then take a look at the death notice, and see that Joshua has a "cousin" surviving him as well! :worthy: :lol: :clapping:
darksabre Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 LMAO I missed this part, too! In addition to the obituary link that I posted above, the Buffalo News also has a death notice listing: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?n=joshua-y-tsujimoto&pid=166822803 Take a look at the obituary, then take a look at the death notice, and see that Joshua has a "cousin" surviving him as well! :worthy: :lol: :clapping: That is f*cking awesome.
BMWR100RT Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Tsujimoto's Gift Shop was on Seneca Street (78) in East Aurora / Elma when I was a kid. Awesome find. I don't post here much, but the entertainment value here is unreal.
Stoner Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 So either the family has a sense of humor, the obit writer has a sense of humor (seems less likely) or… there really is a Taro Tsujimoto! (They picked Taro, according to Wieland, because it's a common Japanese name.) Now, different thread I know, but if the Sabres' marketing people were smart, they'd track this guy down and bring him to Buffalo for Taro Tsujimoto night. He could come out in uniform — hell, retire the number. Let the legend live!
MattPie Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Tsujimoto's Gift Shop was on Seneca Street (78) in East Aurora / Elma when I was a kid. Awesome find. I don't post here much, but the entertainment value here is unreal. Whereabouts? That's right were I grew up. Wait, is it the place near Seneca and Jamison ("A Snails Place" now)?
tom webster Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Whereabouts? That's right were I grew up. Wait, is it the place near Seneca and Jamison ("A Snails Place" now)? Pretty sure that is the one he/ she is talking about. Stopped there plenty of times with the family on the way to the family farm in Colden
MattPie Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 Pretty sure that is the one he/ she is talking about. Stopped there plenty of times with the family on the way to the family farm in Colden Heh, that's maybe a mile or two from my parents' house, and I went to cub scouts with the sons of the current owner (or last I knew).
nfreeman Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 So either the family has a sense of humor, the obit writer has a sense of humor (seems less likely) or… there really is a Taro Tsujimoto! (They picked Taro, according to Wieland, because it's a common Japanese name.) Now, different thread I know, but if the Sabres' marketing people were smart, they'd track this guy down and bring him to Buffalo for Taro Tsujimoto night. He could come out in uniform — hell, retire the number. Let the legend live! Awesome. I would guess that the family has a sense of humor.
Sabre Dance Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 I remember that well. I think Punch was upset by having to draft by conference call via phone that year. I think he wanted to have a general meeting where managers could actively talk with each other. This was his way of protesting and the league actually believed it for a while. People were scrambling to find the Kanata team in Japan! lol! (Kanta - if I'm spelling it right - means 'sword' in Japanese) The team name was "Tokyo Katanas". The katana is a long "samarai" sword, having a curved (and VERY sharp) blade. I always thought that Punch drafting a non-existent player from a phantom team was a real hoot. Paul Wieland kept up the April Fools jokes for several years after. I remember one year, they sent out a press release saying that the Sabres would be playing an exhibition game on an artificial ice surface on the aft deck of the USS Little Rock. Those were the days (sigh...)
darksabre Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 So either the family has a sense of humor, the obit writer has a sense of humor (seems less likely) or… there really is a Taro Tsujimoto! (They picked Taro, according to Wieland, because it's a common Japanese name.) Now, different thread I know, but if the Sabres' marketing people were smart, they'd track this guy down and bring him to Buffalo for Taro Tsujimoto night. He could come out in uniform — hell, retire the number. Let the legend live! The Sabres should be focused on the on ice product, not some front office joke from the 70s!
IKnowPhysics Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 This is all somehow Darcy's fault.
darksabre Posted September 10, 2013 Report Posted September 10, 2013 This is all somehow Darcy's fault. Stop it, that's GoDD's job and he's super cereal!
Cereal Posted September 11, 2013 Report Posted September 11, 2013 Excellent. My fantasy hockey team this year is the Tokyo Katanas, and the rest of my league is dumbfounded by the Taro story. Stop it, that's GoDD's job and he's super cereal! Say what?
Andrew Amerk Posted September 11, 2013 Report Posted September 11, 2013 LMAO I missed this part, too! In addition to the obituary link that I posted above, the Buffalo News also has a death notice listing: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/buffalonews/obituary.aspx?n=joshua-y-tsujimoto&pid=166822803 Take a look at the obituary, then take a look at the death notice, and see that Joshua has a "cousin" surviving him as well! :worthy: :lol: :clapping: Where is Toyoko?
Huckleberry Posted September 11, 2013 Report Posted September 11, 2013 Excellent. My fantasy hockey team this year is the Tokyo Katanas, and the rest of my league is dumbfounded by the Taro story. Say what? should watch south park episode with al gore :D the manbearpig one :blink:
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