Hi everyone! Well, we’re getting closer and closer to announcing the nominees for the 2021 Seals Hall of Fame, and since I’m totally in favour of democracy, I thought I would play Devil’s advocate today as I throw out one controversial question… maybe THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL question a Seals fan could ask another: Should Charlie Finley be enshrined in the Seals Hall of Fame?

At first glance, many of you are probably thinking, “Oh Hell NO!” After all, Finley has been blamed by many, including myself, for being at least partly responsible for the Seals falling apart in the early 1970s. Yes, on one hand, he was cheap, controversial, and made a lot of bad decisions. His decision not to sign his players to lucrative new contracts to keep them away from the WHA was a big factor in the Seals falling apart in 1972-73. He was difficult to work with, leading to the departures of Frank Selke Jr. and Bill Torrey, but it was also Finley’s decision to hire Garry Young, the architect of that star-crossed 1971-72 club, that gave the Seals a chance at making the playoffs that same year.

Finley was also, shall we say, “creative”, coming up with the Seals’ green-and-gold skates (and of course the memorable white skates) and green-and-gold uniforms, none of which are any worse than what is seen the professional sports these days. If anything, the Seals’ classic uniforms would be bigger sellers today than they were then. Finley also came up with the team’s most famous moniker, “California Golden Seals”, which may have partly inspired the successful Vegas Golden Knights. He was also the first owner to push for names on the back of sweaters, discouraged the Seals’ unfortunate earlier practice of trading of first-round picks for immediate help, and in a weird sort of way he gave the formerly anonymous forest-green wearing team some much-needed exposure through his blustery behaviour. He was also the Seals’ longest tenured owner, and his paychecks never bounced once. He treated his players well, always flying them first class, and he enjoyed treating his troops to new suits, fancy shoes, steak dinners, and new suitcases and sport jackets, something very few other owners did. He also hired some very competent people behind the scenes, such as Young and famous broadcaster Joe Starkey.

The Hockey Hall of Fame has inducted other controversial builders such as Harold Ballard and Bill Wirtz, so the question that needs to be asked is whether Charles O. Finley deserves induction into our little Hall of Fame. If Mr. Finley succeeds in getting over 50% of the vote, he will be included on the ballot for the 2021 Seals Hall of Fame, so think of this as a sort of referendum. You can cast your vote right over there to the right.

There is also a new, Finley-related article for you to read this week from the February 17, 1974 San Francisco Examiner. It was published shortly after Finley sold the Seals to the NHL, Joey Johnston was named the team’s new captain, Marshall Johnston was appointed the club’s new coach, and Garry Young became the Seals’ new director of player personnel operations. The article is all about Finley’s rocky tenure as owner, but also his personal feelings about the sport of hockey, and the Bay Area’s potential as a hockey hotbed.

Hope to see you back here soon! Until next time, stay gold!