Every Newsday sports writer, I’m sure, has been introduced to a stranger, who, upon learning what they do for a living, mentions “Everybody Loves Raymond.” No matter what axe someone has to grind with Newsday regarding politics, religion or even Islanders coverage, when they meet someone who covers sports for Newsday, they laugh and invariably bring up the title character of “Everybody Loves Raymond” because he’s a fictional Newsday sports writer.
Normally, I don’t use the Islanders blog for personal asides, but when I heard Wednesday evening about the death of actor Peter Boyle, who played Raymond’s father, Frank Barone, I thought I’d share an anecdote. Actually, I was watching reruns of the show when one ended with the words: In Memory of Peter Boyle 1935-2006.
It brought to mind a moment about four weeks ago in Tampa. As I got on the elevator headed from the arena floor to the press box, I was joined by Phil Esposito, the radio analyst of the Lightning and the prolific Hall of Fame scorer for the Blackhawks, Bruins and Rangers (Next time I see Joe Gergen, I’ll tell him Espo would have been my choice for No. 77 among New York athletes ahead of Red Grange, and I would have chosen Islander John Tonelli as No. 27 ahead of Pete Reiser, my only two quibbles).
Anyway, it was just the two of us, so, I introduced myself as the Islanders beat writer for Newsday. Espo laughs and says, “‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’ Ray Barone.” We chuckled, and he starts talking about how much he enjoys the show. “I love Peter Boyle, who plays the father,” Espo says. “The way he complains. He really makes me laugh.”
I told Espo that Peter Boyle was my favorite, too. I got the feeling we both could identify with the character. Plus, Boyle used to show up fairly often at Knicks games when I was covering that beat. I never could look at him without smiling at the memory of Boyle as the monster in “Young Frankenstein” when he was introduced as a “sophisticated man about town” before breaking into “Putting on the Ritz.” If you recall, he ended that movie married to Dr. Frankenstein’s fiancée and acting the part of the put-upon husband. Good training for the role of Frank Barone.
The elevator reached the press box, and Espo and I parted ways with a smile. It was a nice little moment. We all should leave as much laughter in our wake as Peter Boyle did.
Comments (2)
Boyle starred with Mitchum in the early 70s flick, "The Friends of Eddie Coyle." It was an Irish Mob movie. Ironically, it ended at a Boston Bruins game--symbolic of violence in America.
Peter Boyle will without a doubt be missed. Great post.