As a fan, there are always those few special athletes that you can idolize, respect, and admire. After all, how many of us wanted to “be like Mike”?
Despite all of the various accolades, what is arguably most personal to the player, the fans, the team and city they represented is to have their respective numbers retired in their home arenas.
On Jan. 12, one of hockey’s greatest players, Mark Messier, had his No. 11 retired at Madison Square Garden. It was an honor to be in the Garden as the atmosphere was filled with excitement, intensity, and that lump-in-the throat moment that he would never take the ice again. In a lavish ceremony filled with gifts, tearful and appreciative speeches, and fond memories, “the Captain’s” number was hung in the rafters, alongside three other former Rangers, never to be worn by another Ranger.
Though Messier had a major impact statistically, the fans came out and embraced him as their “Captain” for what he did off the ice. From charity work to never turning away an autograph, Messier exemplified the true fan favorite. A major part of professional sports is the connection with the fans. However, there are teams that have taken the ceremony of number retirement to an extreme and sullied the importance and distinction of the award.
For instance, the Yankees have retired 16 numbers. This is certainly over the top and begs the question: how can you put Ron Guidry’s No. 43 next to Babe Ruth’s No. 3? I bet if you ask 10 self-identified Yankee fans on this campus, fewer than half of them have ever heard of Guidry. And his was the most recently retired number! The Boston Celtics are another guilty party, with 23 retired numbers. Does John Havlicek belong in the same rafters as Bill Russell?
One team that seems to have it right is the Red Sox, who have retired a mere five. Though the team has had dozens of once-in-a-generation talents , the Sox require a National Baseball Hall of Fame induction as well as 10 years of service with the organization. The Rangers and New York Knicks also have respectable retirees; the Knicks only retired nine and Rangers four with the addition of Messier.
Retiring a player’s number shouldn’t be about mere numbers or who is the best. It should be about who shows the most heart or community involvement. Isn’t that what sports are all about?
A perfect example is Adam Graves, a former New York Ranger who played 10 years on Broadway, was part of the 1994 Stanley Cup team, and holds the most goals in a season by a Ranger. Though he will never get a Hall of Fame vote, Graves will always be remembered and loved by the “Garden Faithful” for his charitable efforts and commitment to the fans.
Doesn’t someone who dedicates so much of their effort to giving back to the fans and community deserve to be immortalized rather than a “one season wonder?” Goals are nice, but heart and dedication are legendary.
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