There are a lot of awesome pieces of St. Louis Blues lore that I could write about them for days. But today, I wanted to roll with only those truths that real Blues fans must know about, and those that will hit harder the longer they become more attached to the team.
Why? What I'm about to share are legendary tales, to fan traditions that Blues fans who've been around the team for a while have grown used to seeing.
And if you're new to the Blues, you'll see why they're one of the NHL's most unique franchises. Or, at least I get a sense of uniqueness every time I sit down to write about one of the Midwest's most exciting professional sports teams.
1 - The Blues rallying anthem back in 2019
The 2018-19 Blues were a massive rallying team in their own right, given their improbable run to and winning the Stanley Cup Final that year when it seemed like al the odds in the book mounted against them.
During the rally, the song "Gloria" by Laura Branigan symbolized that run, and the superstition-fueled Blues kept playing the song throughout 2019. It started in January, and they played it all the way through October 2nd of that year, the night they raised their Stanley Cup banner.
When they first heard the song at a bar during an NFL playoff game, the Blues were down and out, and figured they'd be watching the NHL playoffs a few months later. They noticed the energy that the song held, and after a shutout win the next night against the Flyers, the Blues celebrated by playing the song which, as mentioned, they kept playing.
And honestly, it's a catchy song, so I can see why the Blues found it so energizing. No wonder not only the Blues, but the entire city rallied around "Gloria," to the point Y98 played it for 24 straight hours after they clinched the Western Conference Final.
2 - The Monday Night Miracle
No, the Monday Night Miracle didn't end with the Blues making a historic run to seal the Stanley Cup, nor did they even make it that far. But it doesn't mean May 12th, 1986 won't live in the hearts of Blues fans forever. I mean, the Blues were down 4-1 at one point and then 5-2 at another, making everyone in Arch City think this game was just about over.
Then Brian Sutter scored to make this one 5-3, before Greg Paslawski put up a couple to make it 5-5. Finally, during a grueling overtime period that nearly ended in a win for the Flames when forward Joe Mullen doinked one of the post, Doug Wickenheiser scored the game-winner to guarantee new life for the Blues.
Sure, the Flames may've ultimately won the series when they took the following contest and earned a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, but wow, what a way to solidify the gritty, hard-working nature that is the heart and soul of St. Louis.
3 - The Power Play Dance
If you're heading to a Blues game for the first time, prepare to see a lot of dancing when the Blues go on the man advantage. Why is that? Because fans in specific sections like to throw their arms up with their palms outward, in an almost robotic-like way while the Eurodance anthem Twilight Zone by 2 Unlimited plays.
Like so many traditions out there, including another one on this list, nobody's really sure where this one came from. I'm one of those people who will say that the origin probably holds a bit of truth in each tale, so whether it started with a section of season ticket holders or a company sponsoring the power play, there's probably a little truth in each.
But for a fanbase that has quite a few unifying traditions among them, the more interesting take for me is that, whether the Blues have a good or bad power play unit that year, is that optimism is always there.
4 - The Home of the Blues
The Star Spangled Banner is a fixture at every sporting event in America. Regardless if whether you attend a little league hockey game or the Stanley Cup Final, the National Anthem is a given.
But that doesn't mean some fanbases won't tweak a word or two. At the end of the song, you'll hear fans say, "Home of the Blues" as opposed to "Home of the Brave."
Of course, this one can cause controversy, depending on how one views the National Anthem. But, nevertheless, it has become a fan tradition, and another one with no 100-percent known origin.
While this is regarded as a fan tradition, it's not unique in terms of pro sports, as you'll see teams like the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs doing the same. So, if you ever attend a Blues game and wonder why the fans chant "Blues" for that final word, now you know.
5 - The Towel Man
There are fans, and then there are superfans, and that's what you can call Ron Baechle. Most know him as the Towel Man, thanks to his leading the crowd in the goal count every time the Blues score and tossing a towel into the stands.
Baechle initially saw this tradition going on with the Peoria Riverman, who were a Blues affiliate at the time, and he liked the idea of it. This enticed him to bring bath towels to the arena before he ultimately switched to using hand towels.
The entire Blues community has recognized Baechle, and he's even made his mark with TV appearances. That said, he's not affiliated with the Blues, but there's no doubt that he gives the team and its fans a lot of energy every time they find the back of the net.
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