Lord Stanley and the Penguins Crossing Allegheny
“Lord Stanley
"Lord Stanley
and the
Penguins Crossing the Allegheny”
Legend has it they had come down from the north, in search of new territory to play a foreign game where players wore ice skates and used wooden sticks to slap a puck into a net. With peculiar names like Evgeni, Jean, and Jaromir, they formed an expedition to take their game south. They would be led by a great man they revered and knew as Lord Stanley of Preston. According to folklore, “penguins would guide them” on a journey over hundreds of miles of rough terrain and ice laden rivers. They were to follow the penguins until they had reached a “magical place where three rivers met”. It was here they would find a large “igloo made of ice surrounded by three bars of gold”. Along the water routes, they encountered extreme conditions which made the journey nearly impossible, but, with hard work and determination, they finally reached their goal. A man known as Barrasso would tend the bow of the boat, preventing any ice from slipping past and damaging it. Crosby, Coffey and Jagr would man the oars on the port side. Malkin would command the rudder, steering the ship clear of any danger. Kehoe, Pronovost, Stevens and Mullen would team up to power the starboard side of the vessel. Lord Stanley, who introduced the highly coveted award that would later become known as “The Stanley Cup”, would serve as captain. The guardians of Stanley’s Cup were Lemieux and Francis, who held it high and proud, for the entire world to see.
Lord Stanley was first to set foot on the new ground and, upon entering the arena, tossed his hat onto the ice and claimed “the Igloo” and the “Golden Triangle” as home to these mighty penguins. A hockey team was established and a community would rise around this group of skaters to become known as Pittsburgh, “The City of Champions”. Whether rooted in fact or just plain fiction, one tale that has been passed from one generation to another goes something like this… after Lord Stanley had thrown his hat onto the ice, his pet badger, Bob, scampered out, jumped into the hat, slid clear across the ice and into the goal, where he shouted as loud as his little badger voice could muster…
“…it’s a Great Day for Hockey!”
by Fred Carrow
Parodied from German American artist Emanuel Leutze’s oil on canvas painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” 1851.
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Click Here to See What CBS Commentators Phil Simms and Jim Nantz had to say about it
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Allegheny River View
Original Oil on Canvas 12 x 24
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A 1000 Piece Photo Mosaic of Hines
Detail Below...
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Big Ben Godsend
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AFC Championship Night
January 23rd, 2011
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Steel City Dreams
Twas the night before the game, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, except for his mouse.
The posters were hung, on his walls with great care,
In hopes that Big Ben, soon would be there.
The child was nestled, all snug in his bed,
As visions of touchdowns, danced in his head.
Terrible towel for his hand, bedpost for his cap,
He and his dog, settled down for their nap.
When up on his desk, arose such a clatter,
Should he awaken, the players would scatter.
From posters and photos, the players came forth,
Rehearsing the game, this team from the North.
With halftime approaching, the cardinals were poised,
To score a touchdown, and end all this noise.
The call was to blitz, but deep in his mind,
James saw this before, and dropped in behind.
A slant to Fitzgerald, could never miscue,
Be sure to account, for this guy, ninety-two.
He slyly slipped back, and made a quick slash,
Intercepting the ball, for a one hundred yard dash.
Now Larry was game, and would never give up,
He’d run down this thief, who drank from their cup.
He could never get near, with this team that surrounds,
In order to catch him, he’d sneak out of bounds.
With a heart from the Burgh, but his apparel now red,
A pass up the middle, and the birds were ahead.
Ten peeked at the clock, its time to be great,
We’ll give it our best, and seal our own fate.
One final drive, to take back the lead,
Get Santonio the ball, and we'd surely succeed.
To the corner he ran, to the ball he did stretch,
Two toes in the zone, for the game winning catch.
He ‘woke the next morning, his visions had waned,
Twas merely a dream, yet the ticket remained?
And later that evening, his dreams they proved right,
“Seasons beatings to all and to all a good-night.”
Pittsburgh 27 XLIII Arizona 23
Original Poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore (1822)
Parodied by Fred Carrow 2009
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10 x 18 Signed Lithograph
During Ben Roethlisberger's rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers he was informed by the NFL that he could no longer write the letters PFJ on his shoes or face a fine. According to Ben, the letters stand for "Play For Jesus" and that he had written them on his shoes through his college days and wanted to continue that tradition into the NFL. Ben continued to write the "PFJ" on shoes but in a place where the cameras could not discover it. This is the motivation behind the concept of my Big Ben Godsend banner that I hang at home games I attend. It is based on Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" panel on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Art Rooney, the Chief, rides along side God whispering in his ear that the Steelers need a good quarterback.
I wish Ben and the Steelers the best in the upcoming season and look forward to cheering them on.
Here we go Steelers...
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I have now opened a physical gallery in Seneca, Pa. It is located in the old Cranberry High School and is open by appointment. Call and stop by to see my originals in person. I will also be conducting drawing and painting classes starting this fall.
I look forward to your call...
814-657-1270
Main Gallery
Black and Gold Room
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"Heart and Seoul"
"A 1000 Piece Photo Mosaic of Hines"
Detail Below...
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"Troy"
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"IMMACULATE RECEPTION II"
A Light Hearted Snapshot of the 75th Anniversary Tailgating Team
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Check Out My Latest Sports Art Click Here
To Watch a Short Newscast About My Artwork Click Here
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"ONCE IN A BLUE MOON"
A Steelers Celebration Dinner After Superbowl XL
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"HEINZ FIELD"
A Panoramic View of the Home of the Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Roberto
The Great One
"He gave the term ‘complete’ a new meaning. He made the word 'superstar' seem inadequate. He had about him the touch of the royalty."
These were the words spoken by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the eulogy at Roberto Clemente’s funeral. Roberto was the complete player on, and off, the field. Unlike the players of today who are lured by dollar signs, Roberto, a 12 time Golden Glove recipient, spent his entire 18 year career as a Pittsburgh Pirate. During his spectacular career he amassed 3000 hits, held a .317 lifetime batting average, hit 240 homers, and batted in 1305 runs. He was a two time World Series Champion (1960, 1971) and was voted MVP of the 1971 series. Many people who had the pleasure to have watched him play still speak of his greatness to this day. He was committed to the fans of Pittsburgh and knew what the term “team player” meant. He played most of his 18 years at Forbes field in Oakland and this is why I chose it as the backdrop for the collage. Roberto excelled in all aspects of the game both offensively and defensively. He could bat, he could run, he could catch, and above all else, he could throw. Oh my, how he could throw! Many opponents were made to look absolutely silly as they were thrown out by his tremendous and accurate arm. Through these five different poses, I hope to convey the essence of this remarkable ball player. His stellar career was tragically cut short, as he died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve, 1972. He was on a mission trip to aid the survivors of a Nicaraguan earthquake. In a true testament to his character, Roberto left this earth during a final and selfless act of kindness towards his fellow man.
''Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth.''
"I am convinced that God wanted me to be a baseball player. I was born to play baseball."
Thank you Roberto…
May your legacy live on for future generations
To behold your grace,
To appreciate your sincerity,
and
To emulate your character.
Viva Roberto!
I hope this artwork serves to bring back those fond memories of a player who brought his “whole being” to the game of baseball and even more so to the game of life.
-Fred Carrow 2010
Watch AFC Championship Game Celebration Click Here
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My Brother, Ed, hand delivered Once in a Blue Moon and Big Ben Godsend to Giovanni at his "Steelers bar" in Rome. If you visit Italy it is a must visit. Ed said to Gio "I guess you've adopted Pittsburgh as your team," to which Gio responded "I think Pittsburgh has adopted me!"
Click on the link below to see Gio's Steelers Bar in the heart of Rome...amazing
www.romanightlife.com/labotticella
Thanks for viewing and God Bless,
Fred Carrow
Phone 814-676-5470
You can also order by sending Check or Money Order to:
Fred Carrow
145 Melat Lane
Oil City, PA 16301
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