Rangers Fans Of Yesteryear Were Super Characters

A visit to any Rangers game during the Original Six Era would always come with a sideshow – the fans, and Gladys (Two D's) Goodding at the MSG organ console.

Mind you; this all took place at the old Garden sitting on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets across from the Belvedere Hotel and over the Eighth Avenue subway's 50th street station.

For starters, let me first note that Ms. Goodding was the subject of a riddle that has lasted for a lifetime: It goes as follows:

Who played for the Rangers, the Knicks, and the Brooklyn (Baseball) Dodgers?

Of course Gladys Goodding was the answer since she was house organist at Ebbets Field as well as The Garden where she also tinkled the ivories for the Rangers farm team, the Rovers, as well as boxing matches.

But there were plenty of others worthy of the "character" label. Reading pal George Grimm's fine Rangers book "We Did Everything But Win," I was interested in the fans he listed in the – shall we say – "unusual" category.

Interestingly – but not surprisingly – we agree on two individuals who simply could not be ignored – well – because they were visually outstanding.

Brooklynite Sally Lark could not be missed for several reasons. 1. She was a platinum blond; 2. She sat in the same ice level seat directly next to the penalty box; 3. Since there was no barrier separating the penalty box from Sally's seat, she would occasionally chat with the players in full view of some 15,000 fans.

Sally was an interior decorator who often had a less noticeable pal watching the game with her but we never learned her name.

What was weird about the whole scene was that the penalty box was just a wooden bench and – hard to believe – was used by players of both teams.

"Lark's location earned her the nickname, 'Sin Bin Sally,'" Grimm remembers, "and provided her with significant tv exposure. And Miss Lark had ample opportunity to talk to the players while they were sitting out their penalty.

"Sally was the center of an uproar during the 1957 playoffs when the Rangers played the Habs, with the games televised back to Montreal. Each time the camera zoomed in on the penalty box there was the lovely Miss Lark."

Some Habs officials thought that the Rangers planted Sally there to distract the Montreal players. Canadiens fans even protested in letters to the newspapers. They calmed down when it was proven that Lark was a legitimate season ticket holder.

Another easy to see rooter was John Gerecitano alias "The Trombone Guy" because he entered the arena in a gold lame jacket and beret. And if that wasn't eye-catching enough, he carried a trombone and blew a few choruses to the amused crowd before taking his seat.

Speaking of music, Herbert Khaury – show business name "Tiny Tim" – was a Garden regular but a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan. At first he was heckled when he sat in MSG's cheap seats.

But when he became a star Tiny Tim could be seen in the expensive arena pews at ice level where he'd even sign autographs.

One more musical note: Gladys Gooding always played a special tune for each of the six NHL teams and naturally the Blueshirts were led on to the ice with "The Rangers Victory Song."

For the Blackhawks there was a golden oldie,"Chicago," and naturally Detroit's tune had to be "Pretty Red Wing."

The Bruins' theme was "Paree." thanks to an early barnstorming trip to Paris. Don't ask me why but a song named "Saskatchewan" was Miss Goodding's theme for the Maple Leafs and finally the Habs? What else but "Alouette."

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