Hi everyone! Have I got some great reading material for you this week, but before we get into that, a little quiz. Get your thinking caps on and take a few seconds (or minutes) to figure this one out:

Everyone who has been to this site before knows that the original NHL Seals, circa 1967-68, failed pretty spectacularly. According to Barry van Gerbig, which of the following reasons explained this phenomenon?

a) the Oakland Raiders winning the AFL championship

b) the arrival of the Oakland A’s

c) an indecisive Rick Barry

d) all of the above

I would tell you the answer, but instead I will urge you to read Ed Levitt’s piece from the January 18, 1968 Oakland Tribune, where the answer may shock and surprise you. To be precise, it’s not the answer itself that will shock and surprise you, but rather Barry van Gerbig’s complete unawareness of reality and the true source of the Seals’ dismal failure in year one of their NHL adventure. As a bonus, Levitt also talks about how the trade that brought in Ted Hampson, Bert Marshall, and John Brenneman would revolutionize the Seals. He was right in that the Hampson and Marshall would be key contributors to the club for the next few years, although there was only so much these two quality players could do. Brenneman was also a useful addition, but most of his contributions were concentrated on the final months of 1967-68.

As an added bonus, a second article from the same day’s Oakland Tribune where we see the immediate impact of Hampson and Brenneman on the Seals. I’m literally talking Batman-and-Robin-on-Gotham-City impact. Seriously. You can find both articles here. Enjoy!

Anyway, that’s it for today folks. Hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time, stay gold!