RIP Bob Plager
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Heard about this yesterday and remember him well with the Blues.
Looked up his career stats and he was one of those minor leaguers who benefited from expansion in 67.
He made his mark in St. Louis.......
Looked up his career stats and he was one of those minor leaguers who benefited from expansion in 67.
He made his mark in St. Louis.......
I think he was the guy in the 'money shot' of Bobby Orr scoring the winning goal for the cup.
Correction- The Cup.
Correction- The Cup.
In the early days of the Blues, Bob Plager endeared himself to the fan base — and tormented opponents — with his famous hip checks, which could send an opponent flying. To the fans since then who have gotten to know Mr. Plager as a hockey ambassador and raconteur, he endeared himself to them by being himself.
Mr. Plager, an original member of the Blues whose post-career roles with the organization outshined anything he did on ice, died Wednesday (March 24, 2021) in a car crash on Highway 40 (Interstate 64) in St. Louis. He was 78.
Mr. Plager’s number, 5, was retired by the Blues on Feb. 2, 2017, placing it next to his brother Barclay’s, 8, in the Enterprise Center rafters. In an emotional moment, Bob’s jersey was stopped halfway up and then Barclay’s was lowered to meet his. The numbers then rose to the ceiling together.
“Seeing the No. 8 coming down, I looked at my family,” Mr. Plager said that day. “I think we all had tears in our eyes.”
“They use the expression to say someone is ‘true blue,’” former Blues coach Scotty Bowman has said. “Well, no one could be more true Blue than him.”
“He has personally impacted countless Blues fans,” Blues owner Tom Stillman said. “Most can remember the first time they met Bobby, with a story about the early years and an endless supply of jokes. Fans immediately embrace him and he wholeheartedly returned that embrace. He is the ultimate Blue.”
“Truly one of a kind,” said Bernie Federko, another longtime Blues player whose number has been retired. “He’s a big reason the St. Louis Blues are such a special franchise to play for. He’s a true Blue who personifies what the Note really means.”
“I bleed Blue,” Mr. Plager said.
The news of Mr. Plager’s death was met with sadness around the hockey community. The Los Angeles Kings replied to the Blues announcement of Mr. Plager’s death on Twitter with three hearts.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bobby Jr., Melissa and the entire Plager family,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Wednesday as he confirmed the news. “As Bobby would fondly say, ‘He’s No. 5 in your program, but No. 1 in your hearts.’ That holds true today and forever as Bobby is, truly, the St. Louis Blues.”
‘Unimaginable’ loss
“It is unimaginable to imagine the St. Louis Blues without Bob Plager,” the Blues said in a statement. “He was an original 1967 member of the St. Louis Blues, but also an original in every sense of the word. Bobby’s influence at all levels of the Blues organization was profound and everlasting, and his loss to our city will be deep. Bobby liked to say he was No. 5 in our program, but No. 1 in our hearts. Today, our hearts are broken, but one day they will be warmed again by memories of his character, humor and strong love for his family, our community, the St. Louis Blues and generations of fans who will miss him dearly. The St. Louis Blues send all of our love and support to his family, and we hope everyone will find strength knowing that Bobby got his parade.”
Mr. Plager, an original member of the Blues whose post-career roles with the organization outshined anything he did on ice, died Wednesday (March 24, 2021) in a car crash on Highway 40 (Interstate 64) in St. Louis. He was 78.
Mr. Plager’s number, 5, was retired by the Blues on Feb. 2, 2017, placing it next to his brother Barclay’s, 8, in the Enterprise Center rafters. In an emotional moment, Bob’s jersey was stopped halfway up and then Barclay’s was lowered to meet his. The numbers then rose to the ceiling together.
“Seeing the No. 8 coming down, I looked at my family,” Mr. Plager said that day. “I think we all had tears in our eyes.”
“They use the expression to say someone is ‘true blue,’” former Blues coach Scotty Bowman has said. “Well, no one could be more true Blue than him.”
“He has personally impacted countless Blues fans,” Blues owner Tom Stillman said. “Most can remember the first time they met Bobby, with a story about the early years and an endless supply of jokes. Fans immediately embrace him and he wholeheartedly returned that embrace. He is the ultimate Blue.”
“Truly one of a kind,” said Bernie Federko, another longtime Blues player whose number has been retired. “He’s a big reason the St. Louis Blues are such a special franchise to play for. He’s a true Blue who personifies what the Note really means.”
“I bleed Blue,” Mr. Plager said.
The news of Mr. Plager’s death was met with sadness around the hockey community. The Los Angeles Kings replied to the Blues announcement of Mr. Plager’s death on Twitter with three hearts.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bobby Jr., Melissa and the entire Plager family,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Wednesday as he confirmed the news. “As Bobby would fondly say, ‘He’s No. 5 in your program, but No. 1 in your hearts.’ That holds true today and forever as Bobby is, truly, the St. Louis Blues.”
‘Unimaginable’ loss
“It is unimaginable to imagine the St. Louis Blues without Bob Plager,” the Blues said in a statement. “He was an original 1967 member of the St. Louis Blues, but also an original in every sense of the word. Bobby’s influence at all levels of the Blues organization was profound and everlasting, and his loss to our city will be deep. Bobby liked to say he was No. 5 in our program, but No. 1 in our hearts. Today, our hearts are broken, but one day they will be warmed again by memories of his character, humor and strong love for his family, our community, the St. Louis Blues and generations of fans who will miss him dearly. The St. Louis Blues send all of our love and support to his family, and we hope everyone will find strength knowing that Bobby got his parade.”
