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Bauer's rooting for Riders now
Randy Turner
LYLE BAUER has a skeleton in his closet -- make that a gopher.
"It's a Gainer the Gopher doll," Bauer revealed yesterday. "It's a little beat up, though. When we play Saskatchewan, I'll let the dogs play with it.
"And somebody spilt some wine on him and it looks like blood."
But appearances can be deceiving. Remember, Bauer is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' president and CEO today, but 40-odd years ago, he was just another Saskatoon kid who idolized Ron Lancaster and George Reed, legends of Roughriders past.
Further, his neighbours were friends with Reed and when the great running back came to town for a visit, young Bauer would sneak next door just to see him.
"As a matter of fact, I can vividly remember the 1966 Grey Cup (won by the Roughriders) as people here remember Kenny Ploen and Leo Lewis. From my perspective, it was the Riders," Bauer said, with no trace of shame.
"My family is all from Saskatchewan, both sides, lock, stock and barrel."
And did you know that Bauer, a mainstay of the...