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(Image via Getty Images: Ron MacLean and Don Cherry)
In November 2019, CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada’s segment Coach’s Corner’s iconic commentator, Don Cherry, was fired by Sportsnet because he made certain comments on the country’s immigrants.
Cherry said on-air, “I live in Mississauga (Ontario). Very few people wear the poppy. Downtown Toronto, forget it…nobody wears the poppy. Now you go to the small cities, you people…that come here, whatever it is - you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey. At least you can pay a couple of bucks for a poppy or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada. These guys paid the biggest price for that.”
Cherry was alleging that the country’s immigrants were not honoring the fallen soldiers by wearing poppies on Remembrance Day, November 11. Ron MacLean, the co-host on that show, had given a “thumbs up” to Cherry’s on-air statement. But six years later? MacLean called it Cherry’s orchestrated exit strategy.
Hockey Night In Canada shut down Coach’s Corner, fired Don Cherry, but Ron MacLean wasn’t fired
Ron MacLean recently spoke to Gare Joyce, a senior writer at Sportsnet. When Joyce asked MacLean about his long-time partner Don Cherry’s exit, the commentator said, “It was a bit clumsy.
But it was the right outcome. Ultimately, that’s what needed to happen. It was liberating. Don needed out, and the time was right. Remembrance Day was his last swing, taking a stance that’s unpopular, but that feels good in his world.
For Don, it’s all a fight. It’s all a battle. So he was happy and I’m happy for him.”
MacLean thought Cherry was not only expressing his earnest opinion but also knew what the outcome would be.
As a result, Hockey Night in Canada shut down Coach’s Corner and dismissed Don Cherry. Joyce wrote that many people criticized MacLean for not being fired like Cherry was. They labelled him Judas for betraying his long-time on-air partner.
Ron MacLean talks about Don Cherry’s health scare in Boston
MacLean also addressed Don Cherry’s health scare at the time of his exit. Cherry was 85 years old at the time(in 2019). “When we landed in Boston, I had to park him on a bench and get his luggage.
We checked into the hotel room and then took him to a nearby fitness center that had a sauna - tried to clear out his lungs. Don and I didn’t have our post-show ritual beers because he was so sick. I just had a couple of beers by myself, and then I got a call from Gary Bettman - you know, he and I like, well, pick your poison - and he asks, ‘How’s Don?’ I tell him, ‘He’s good.
Why do you ask?’ Bettman says, ‘Well, he’s in the hospital.’ That was a shocker.”
Ron MacLean said Don Cherry started plotting an exit strategy after being diagnosed with pneumonia in Boston
MacLean said Cherry’s illness also played a role in wanting him to retire at the time. Back in June 2019, Cherry had landed in the Boston Hospital with pneumonia after the Stanley Cup Final between the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins. MacLean said, “I think that pneumonia scare was it. The pneumonia said to Don - it’s time. He had to think - why is this grind suddenly so hard? He was ready to have an exit strategy. From that moment on, he was plotting a way out.
The first opportunity to end Coach’s Corner was going to be a happy one for Don, and I thought he did it well.”
Don Cherry is very disappointed with Ron MacLean’s comments about him
Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington reached out to 91-year-old Don Cherry. Cherry was very disappointed with his on-air partner of 38 years, Ron MacLean. He said, “I’m very disappointed in Ron that he wouldn’t let it go. He should let it go.” Talking about his pneumonia health scare, Cherry said, “I didn’t go to the hospital in Boston.
I went to my room. I was pretty tired, but I just didn’t go to the hospital.” Cherry’s son, Tim, said, “I can’t believe someone’s health was in a story.
It’s really nobody’s business.”
Don Cherry says he does not have any feelings toward his on-air partner of 38 years, Ron MacLean
Cherry said that MacLean’s comments weren’t true about looking for a way out. He said, “No, I wasn’t looking for a way out. I was surprised. I never even thought of that.” His son, Tim, added, “It makes no sense.” Cherry later said, “He can say what he wants, but it never happened. I guess he had to say it, but he doesn’t say it right.” As a parting note, Don said, “I don’t have any feelings toward Ron.” When Warmington asked if Don would want to sit and talk it out with MacLean, the commentator said, “No, I don’t want to talk to him about it.
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