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Rob Ray - Sabres HOF


Andrew Amerk

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I was 9 years old at the Pepsi Center for practice. The Sabres were practicing on the other sheet next to us. I took the elevator up to the second floor to watch. As I’m exiting Rob Ray pushes past me and says “aren’t you going to say excuse me?” as if the person leaving the elevator doesn’t have the right away. I went home and got rid of everything with his name on it. He’ll always be an ***** in my mind. 

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Does anyone remember when he almost got in a fight with someone at 716 while on air with WGR. If I recall correctly, he told a Rangers fan his team sucks mid-broadcast and the guy was P!$$ed. I also recall Bulldog (or maybe it was Schopp) panicking because they thought a fight was actually going to break out. 

The whole time Ray was cool as a cucumber.

That's my favourite Rob Ray moment.

 

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He is a terrible color analyst. Not really much insight, just says "Too many fancy passes" every time they miss a pass, as if NHL players are not constantly trying to make NHL level plays to score. Reminds me of a fan that is always screaming "Shoot" every time a player has the puck.

He simply talks in generalities and platitudes and when he criticizes skilled players for a play in the offensive zone I roll my eyes like who the hell is this no talent jerk to say? I suppose he entertains people that enjoy how he says things, instead of what he is actually saying.

 One thing that is really "good" about him is that his mediocrity matches up well with Dunleavy to make the broadcast utterly unlistenable. I turn the sound off and just watch games.

I suppose in about ten years the Sabres will induct Dunleavy into the Hall of Fame, or make a section of the broadcast area the Dunleavy Press Pit.

Is celebrating the below average the mark of a successful franchise?

 

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I thought the alumni association ran out of money or something. Isn’t that why there’s been 12 years since any inductions? Genuinely looking for insight here. 
 

edit: the alumni association home page says Miller is an inductee but he isn’t listed on their members page. RJ is the last inductee listed as of 2012. 

Edited by #freejame
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1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

He is a terrible color analyst. Not really much insight, just says "Too many fancy passes" every time they miss a pass, as if NHL players are not constantly trying to make NHL level plays to score. Reminds me of a fan that is always screaming "Shoot" every time a player has the puck.

He simply talks in generalities and platitudes and when he criticizes skilled players for a play in the offensive zone I roll my eyes like who the hell is this no talent jerk to say? I suppose he entertains people that enjoy how he says things, instead of what he is actually saying.

 One thing that is really "good" about him is that his mediocrity matches up well with Dunleavy to make the broadcast utterly unlistenable. I turn the sound off and just watch games.

I suppose in about ten years the Sabres will induct Dunleavy into the Hall of Fame, or make a section of the broadcast area the Dunleavy Press Pit.

Is celebrating the below average the mark of a successful franchise?

 

Finally. Thank you. This franchise never ceases to amaze me. Ray is a horrible broadcaster. Not a bit of insight to be had. Nothing but banal generalizations. Dunleavy IS the perfect partner. If you're going to be terrible at something, you might as well go all the way. 

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18 hours ago, #freejame said:

I was 9 years old at the Pepsi Center for practice. The Sabres were practicing on the other sheet next to us. I took the elevator up to the second floor to watch. As I’m exiting Rob Ray pushes past me and says “aren’t you going to say excuse me?” as if the person leaving the elevator doesn’t have the right away. I went home and got rid of everything with his name on it. He’ll always be an ***** in my mind. 

I know him. He was f'ing w you trying to have fun. Always sarcastic and aggressive w kids. It's his style. 

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6 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

He is a terrible color analyst. Not really much insight, just says "Too many fancy passes" every time they miss a pass, as if NHL players are not constantly trying to make NHL level plays to score. Reminds me of a fan that is always screaming "Shoot" every time a player has the puck.

He simply talks in generalities and platitudes and when he criticizes skilled players for a play in the offensive zone I roll my eyes like who the hell is this no talent jerk to say? I suppose he entertains people that enjoy how he says things, instead of what he is actually saying.

 One thing that is really "good" about him is that his mediocrity matches up well with Dunleavy to make the broadcast utterly unlistenable. I turn the sound off and just watch games.

I suppose in about ten years the Sabres will induct Dunleavy into the Hall of Fame, or make a section of the broadcast area the Dunleavy Press Pit.

Is celebrating the below average the mark of a successful franchise?

 

I didn't like him as a player, but I like his on air personality. I don't need someone to explain the details of the game to me... I've been watching and playing since I was a little kid. Just entertain me.

I get him and Dunleavy do too much talking while the game is going on, but I put that more on Dan. When he was with RJ, he let RJ do the talking during the play and then provided the fun once the whistle went.

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1 hour ago, oddoublee said:

I know him. He was f'ing w you trying to have fun. Always sarcastic and aggressive w kids. It's his style. 

Ray is a very nice guy, I am not a close friend of his but have had many interactions with him at a local establishment, Elmos (Best wings in town!), and he was always polite and friendly.  Ray has been a good teammate during his time with the Sabres.  Who else would you prefer to face Domi all those years!  (Sabres' Players from the 90s).  Thank you, Ray for your services all these years!

 

Go Sabres!!! 

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8 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

He is a terrible color analyst. Not really much insight, just says "Too many fancy passes" every time they miss a pass, as if NHL players are not constantly trying to make NHL level plays to score. Reminds me of a fan that is always screaming "Shoot" every time a player has the puck.

He simply talks in generalities and platitudes and when he criticizes skilled players for a play in the offensive zone I roll my eyes like who the hell is this no talent jerk to say? I suppose he entertains people that enjoy how he says things, instead of what he is actually saying.

 One thing that is really "good" about him is that his mediocrity matches up well with Dunleavy to make the broadcast utterly unlistenable. I turn the sound off and just watch games.

I suppose in about ten years the Sabres will induct Dunleavy into the Hall of Fame, or make a section of the broadcast area the Dunleavy Press Pit.

Is celebrating the below average the mark of a successful franchise?

 

I agree that he is a horrible analyst and his insights and keys to the game are usually not very insightful or even accurate (if not just dumb generalities like "score early") but he was a Sabre warrior and a long time fan favorite. I have no issues with him being there. 

You know I remember when he first came in. He was a marginal bottom six guy struggling to make the line up but then he saw an opportunity and carved out a place for himself by developing into a willing fighter. Not what was expected when he came here. Point is, you need guys like that, guys that are willing to do what it takes and create a role for themselves. It's not just about goal scorers. Ray did what he had to do and he got good at it. Admirable. 

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1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

I agree that he is a horrible analyst and his insights and keys to the game are usually not very insightful or even accurate (if not just dumb generalities like "score early") but he was a Sabre warrior and a long time fan favorite. I have no issues with him being there. 

You know I remember when he first came in. He was a marginal bottom six guy struggling to make the line up but then he saw an opportunity and carved out a place for himself by developing into a willing fighter. Not what was expected when he came here. Point is, you need guys like that, guys that are willing to do what it takes and create a role for themselves. It's not just about goal scorers. Ray did what he had to do and he got good at it. Admirable. 

It's sad he had to play that role. I'm glad he apparently emerged from it in a semi functional state. Remarkable he never lost a tooth in his career. That's some good calcification I guess. Also hard headed?

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