Lou-perstitious

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In our first year of marriage my wife and I lived on the 13th floor of our apartment building in apartment 1404. Bizarre, right?


Last week some news broke in regards to Mike Cammalleri, his jersey number and a New Jersey Devils' newly changed policy. All I can say is it's about time!

The often celebrated and rarely criticized  Lou Lamoriello ran, understatedly, a 'tight ship' in his tenor as Devils' General Manager (1987-2015). His 'no nonsense' approach was arguably the backbone of a trap-heavy, defensive juggernaut of a team that won three Stanley Cups in '95, '00, '03. However, along with Lamoriello's assertive leadership came a more than bizarre superstition. Absolutely no one on the Devils were permitted to dawn the number 13. Upon being asked about Lamoriello's ban of the number 13, my colleague Kirk Lougheed summed it up best. "That type of irrationality would make me want to slap him."

Due to the arrival of Ray Shero as the new GM of the Devils, winger Mike Cammalleri is now once again permitted to wear his #13. Cammalleri was forced to wear #23 for the Devils during the 2014-2015 season. He previously wore 13 for the L.A. Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames.


Notable Athletes to wear #13:

Wilt Chamberlain (NBA)
  Steve Nash (NBA)
  Dan Marino (NFL)
  Kurt Warner (NFL)
Alex Rodriguez (MLB)
Pavel Datsyuk (NHL)
Mats Sundin (NHL)

Admittedly this is somewhat of a weak argument, but look again at the talent on that list! 

We've noticed for many decades the superstitions of athletes, coaches, managers and owners. To learn of another person who holds on to 'old wives' tales' has absolutely no novelty. More broadly speaaking in society, to see this sort of mythology surrounding the number thirteen is also nothing new. 

 Why is #13 considered unlucky?

- Traditionally there were 13 steps leading up to the gallows.
- There was a mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307.
- According to Mr. Krabs on Spongebob Squarepants, there are 13 dirty words.
- Some consider Judas Iscariot (the disciple who betrayed Jesus) the 13th person at The Last Supper.


I think I made my point. What Lou Lamoriello brings to the table (both good and wacky) is now the blessing (or problem) of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sweet Lou recently took charge of the lowly Leafs as their new General Manager on July 23, 2015.

Comments

  1. Anonymous18 September 2015 at 11:37

    [南無藥師琉璃光如來]


    [南無大勢至菩薩]



    (大佛頂首楞嚴經)



    {南無大方廣佛華嚴經} {南無華嚴海會佛菩薩}

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