Imrem: Media whiners should leave Winter Classic alone
Wimps ... they're all wimps ... wimps, wusses and whiners.
You know who you are. You're the softies who think hockey's Winter Classic has run its course.
Most players still enjoy playing outdoors and most fans still enjoy watching them play outdoors.
That leaves a single segment of the population that is looking for something to complain about.
As usual, that would be members of the sports media.
This is surprising because these are the very people who will be spectating from the warmth of the press box, studio or basement today when the Blackhawks and Capitals challenge each other and the elements in Washington.
Some in the media - a single one would be too many - claim that the novelty of the Winter Classic has worn off.
They must be reeling from too much egg nog, because the Winter Classic is the best thing to happen to the NHL since spearing, roughing and fighting.
Seriously, every sports league should have something like this to break up the monotony of the regular season.
The NHL being the pioneer could advance into requiring that players in the New Year's Day game be hung over and wear party hats, rumpled tuxedos and untied skate laces.
Seriously, professional sports have become oh so conventional.
All the fields have to be manicured just right. All uniforms have to fit just right. All news conferences have to be staged just right.
An end zone can't be a couple yards short like when the Bears played in Wrigley Field. One hockey rink can't be smaller than another. Heaven forbid a basketball court has soft spots in the hardwood.
You know why the Europeans win the Ryder Cup? Because they're toughened by not every blade of grass having to be perfect on their tour.
So hurrah for NHL executives who insist on scheduling one or two or three games a season outdoors in potentially adverse conditions.
Actually, the league shouldn't stop there. One, two or three isn't enough.
Each of the 30 teams should be scheduled for one outdoor game every season: At home one year and away the next.
Have at least one a week in the league starting at Christmas, going through New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and April Fools' Day.
In sweltering heat in Los Angeles. In a blizzard in Chicago. In whatever Mother Nature has planned wherever.
Not every outdoor game has to be nationally televised. Maybe a couple could be, with the rest being nice little local treasures beamed on local TV.
Blackhawks fans should be especially appreciative of the gift they will receive today.
Let's face it, nothing about the Hawks is compelling between the first game of the regular season and the first game of the postseason.
Hockey is the fastest game in sports, but the NHL season is as slow as all the rest.
This might surprise some of you, but the Hawks couldn't avoid making the playoffs even if they wanted to. Maybe a natural disaster could get in their way - but Jonathan Toews would navigate them around it anyway.
So a game like today's is a pleasant departure that separates itself from the otherwise excruciating sameness.
When an NHL team's season-ticket holders divvy up the games, a good guess is a Winter Classic spectacular is one of the few in demand.
No wonder Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough would volunteer to have one here every year.
A headline early this week proclaimed that today's game might be delayed by sun glare.
Let's hope so. Then let's hope that snow flurries, falling temperatures and blustery winds arrive.
This is one sports writer who won't wimp out today by complaining while watching the Winter Classic from the warmth of his family room.
mimrem@dailyherald.com