Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you are in the Birdcage. I want to spend a little time rebutting an article published on HockeyRodent, penned by Mhurley (I refer to her as My Queen as she is Royal). Margaret is a little sick of the Messier celebration and mentions the high ticket prices for the game where the Rangers will hoist Messier's # 11 to the rafters.

To me, these are two separate issues, maybe three.

Let's address the ticket issue first. I agree that when a Garden event is seen as one of those once in a lifetime deals, the tickets can be hard to come by. In addition the pricing of said tickets explodes whether you use a scalper or a ticket service. Is it fair? No. But supply and demand is the rule of the day. This issue has nothing to do with Mark, his career or whether his jersey should be retired.

Has this event been over-hyped? I can see how some would feel that way. If you only look at the Captains' effect here in NY over the last seven years it would seem like we're spending a lot of time promoting a guy who split for the Vancouver cash and then returned to lead us no where. But that's a short sighted view of who Mark Messier is/was and what he did when he was here. Mark has become a NY sports icon. That's no small feat in a town with so many sports stars to choose from. Hell, hockey is way down the list of sports importance in NY and that in itself makes Mark that much more special. Personally, I have no issue with the 12 days of Messier and the surrounding hype. He deserves it and so do his fans.

Now, if you wish to debate whether Messier's jersey belongs with the three others that hang at MSG, go right ahead. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion on this and I have read both sides on this and can see valid points with each. However, as a lifelong Ranger fan.....one who suffered a lifetime without a Cup, Mark Messier help end the 54 year drought and brought us the ONLY Stanley Cup in my lifetime. It wasn't just that he did it, it was the way in which he did it. That brings me back to a point already made. His heroics, his leadership and his off ice stuff made him loved in NY as a sports icon. people who don't know or like hockey that much know about Mark. Despite some who look down on the masses of so called casual hockey fans it's clear that Mark Messier has had a huge impact on the NY area hockey scene.

In my opinion, retiring number 11 is a no brainer. Celebrating his career is the right thing to do and tomorrow at my house I have declared a double holy day. That's usually reserved for playoffs.....but I haven't had the need to invoke that in quite some time. I'm happy to tomorrow. Mark Messier was quite simply the best all around hockey player I ever saw live. I saw him as an Oiler and as a Ranger. In fact, the last time I was at MSG was in the last season, yup....for Mark Messier's last game. Ironically I was sitting next to the Queen herself.

Sorry Margaret, I don't agree.....I'm fine with the Messier celebration. I embrace it....so should you.

Thank You Mark!

----}- Bird

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