Buck was frustrated like other Blues fans when St. Louis struggled early, coach Mike Yeo was replaced by Craig Berube on Nov. 20, and they were in last place in the NHL on Jan. 3. He's delighted in their turnaround since then behind rookie goalie Jordan Binnington.
It reminds Buck of the 1999 St. Louis Rams' unexpected run to a Super Bowl championship behind Kurt Warner, who became the starting quarterback after Trent Green was injured during the preseason.
"You look at this Blues team and there are a lot of similarities that way because it comes out of nowhere," Buck said. "I think playing the role of Kurt Warner is Jordan Binnington, who is this 25-year-old rookie who was an afterthought."
Buck was unable to attend when the Blues clinched their spot in the Cup Final with a 5-1 win against the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday because was recovering from a minor medical procedure. Instead, he watched from home with Trudy, his wife, Michelle Beisner, and their twins, Blake and Wyatt, who were wearing their matching Vladimir Tarasenko Blues T-shirts.
Buck will also miss Game 3 of the Cup Final at Enterprise Center on June 1 because he'll be in Charleston, South Carolina, to call the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament on FOX; Howie Long, a FOX NFL analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer, and his son, longtime Rams defensive lineman Chris Long, will use the tickets. Buck said he plans to watch the game on television with FOX golf commentator Brad Faxon, a Bruins fan who grew up in Rhode Island.
"We usually just text during these games rooting for each other," Buck said. "Now, one of us is going to show up with bruises on Sunday."
Buck will be on hand for Game 4 on June 3 after hosting his annual Joe Buck Classic charity golf tournament, which benefits the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Hull, now a good friend, will be his playing partner. He also plans to be there to root on the Blues in Game 6 on June 9, if there is one.
"They own the town now, and in the spring or summer there's been no other entity that's been able to say that other than the Cardinals," Buck said. "The Cardinals are kind of scuffling around right now and nobody cares. I think of the first time the Blues are bumping the Cardinals off KMOX Radio for the Final, and it's everywhere you go."