| The Great One |
October
2002 |
Kings Retire 99
The Los Angeles Kings Ice Hockey team has decided to honor its greatest player, Wayne Gretzky, by retiring his number, 99. This North American custom of forbidding future players from wearing the same number is one of sports more gentlemanly habits, and is most suited to Gentleman Gretzky.
That he was the greatest hockey player of his day is beyond doubt. Seeing him skate, even when his best days were behind him as a New York Ranger, the crowd sensed the extraordinary ability of this man.
Older fans of the game may argue that he was not the greatest that ever played. Hull, Orr, and Howe (not a law firm, but it could be) are the reasons why those over 50 deny Gretzky the title. Perhaps. Every sport has this debate.
What is beyond debate is that Wayne Gretzky epitomized what an athlete should be, a fierce competitor, a talented person, and a humble idol for those who will follow.
Mr. Gretzky was no saint on the ice, and is no saint now off of it. But he never descended, as near as one can tell, to the vile habit of modern American athletes -- trash talk, or if one prefers, talking smack (no, not a discussion of opiates). The coarse chatter of idiots bragging about their abilities has gained acceptance, and the world is poorer for it.
Maybe, it is his Canadian upbringing -- those Canadians are awfully nice people. Perhaps, it was playing hockey -- the sport has a long way to go before it plumbs the depths that basketball has reached. Whatever the reason, when the Kings retire 99, they will be retiring the number of a magnificent hockey player, and a gentleman. Both are sadly in short supply.