Former Ranger Rod Gilbert attends the ceremony honoring Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell prior to the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Rangers on Feb. 22, 2009 at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
It was New Year’s Day, 2018, and it was really, really, really cold at Citi Field, where the Rangers were hosting the Sabres in the NHL Winter Classic.
Needing a break while interviewing fans before the game, I ducked into the Hodges Gate and immediately encountered a gale-force wind of warmth and good cheer.
It was Rod Gilbert, the best person on God’s green earth to run into if one happened to be a middle-aged hockey fan and sportswriter in need of heat and a good quote.