Garnet Campbell

Sad news to start 2012 with the passing of 1955 Brier winner Garnet Campbell. Campbell played in 10 Briers, the first back in 1947 when he was just 16. Despite his tender age, he skipped the family team that included his father, Sandy as well as brothers Lloyd and Sam Campbell. The second trip came in 1954 with another brother, Don, taking the place of his father -- four brothers on one team, a Brier first, for sure. That 1955 win was significant for a couple of reasons. For starters, it was the first Brier win for Saskatchewan. Second, it was played before a home-province crowd in Regina. Third, the premier of the day, the remarkable Tommy Douglas, predicted the Campbells would win before the first rock was thrown, and finally, the team did it with a perfect 10-0 record. The closest Garnet Campbell got to another title was in 1971 when, as third for Bob "Pee Wee" Pickering, he lost a playoff to Don Duguid. In 10 Brier trips, Garnet's record was a stellar 66-21. Campbell might have won more Briers but he peaked at the same time as another giant of the game, Matt Baldwin, who is, by the way, the oldest-living Brier winning skip.

The 1947 Baldwin team (from left): Lloyd, Sandy, Sam and Garnet.

I love this shot of Matt Baldwin talking to Garnet. You just know the outgoing Baldwin is trying to have a little fun with his longtime pal and adversary. And in both pictures, don't you just love the pants and hats?