Did you guys know they retired Mark Messier's jersey last night?
What's left to say? It was every bit as emotional as it was overdone, and it rightly was a celebration of a great team just as much as it was a celebration of its leader. I was among those "foolish" to question (but not criticize) the decision to retire his jersey, but when you see Mark standing next to the proud and exclusive fraternity of players worthy of being forever honored at the World's Most Famous Arena -- it felt right. Mark Messier is among the greatest modern athletes of all time, and we got the best he had to offer during that career. If Mark Messier felt that New York deserved his greatest play, than he deserves New York's highest honor. I'm very proud to have watched him play.
(Of course, some of you then booed when he talked about Overlord Sather being like a father to him. Shame on you. Hiss.)
One more final point about last night before the links. My favorite moment was seeing Brian Leetch, my vote for greatest Ranger ever (despite what Rob Gilbert says), whose name was not mentioned until he showed up on the JumboTron. Leetch, clearly still not comfortable in front of a camera, came inches away from completely losing it when he spoke about how he played as well as he could -- and his play during the Cup run was arguably the best stretch of hockey you will ever see in your life -- because he didn't want to let his friend Mark Messier down. Wow. If they weren't chopping onions in my apartment before that, they were now.
(Of course, Brian then went out and was like -8 in another embarassing Boston loss. But you get the idea.)
The New York Dailynews fills its Friday pages today with articles from John Dellapina, Sherry Brooks (who is required by law to mention the name "Scott Stevens" in every article she writes), and even the rare Rangers column from Mike Lupica, who briefly mentions Mark Messier before ripping Plaxico Buress for not running his receiving routes. That's a joke. Nice tributes all around. Especially interesting is this one about Neil Smith and the deal that would change the New York Rangers forever. Poor Neil may have been wearing the gun-to-the-head look last night, like a guy being forced to watch his ex-girlfriend's wedding, but it was pretty classy of him to recognize the importance of the night and the '94 team. Then again, that's pretty much all he has going these days. That and maybe hanging out with Ted Nugent.
Uncle Larry Brooks at The Post: "It was June of 1994 at the Garden [last night], not January of 2006." Ehhhhh, not quite ... but his heart is in the right place. Similarly, Jay Greenberg with an article that I didn't read because, well, he sucks. And I'm sure he didn't say anything today that he didn't say yesterday.
Steve Zipay at Newsday writes what I think is the best column of the day, if only for use of the words tableau and mantra. Johnette Howard talks about 1994, Neil Best uses the opportunity to start discussion about hockey on NBC ... blah blah blah. I could keep linking to two dozen more articles around the globe, but there isn't anyone saying something about last night that every single Rangers fan didn't already know.
Personally, I think my favorite Mark Messier column was this one, written months ago. I'm a hockey fan because of Wayne Gretzky, a Rangers fan because of Brian Leetch, but I can die in peace because of Mark Messier. [Wipes tear from eye.] Wouldn't it be great if I still had a column at ESPN?
And then they played a game. Jaromir Jagr with the winner in OT in a weird game that featured two shorthanded goals, a trainer getting injured while attempting to get to an injured player, and the Rangers power-play very quietly going 1-37. The Post. The Daily News. Newsday. I'd post more, but I'm worn out. Petr Prucha and Henrik Lundqvist continue to be the best rookie duo in the league, Petr Sykora continues to fit in nicely, Jaromir Jagr continues the MVP thing, we're halfway done and the Rangers are more dangerous than ever. Good times.
Around the league, the Islanders re-enacted the baptism scene in "The Godfather." I'm bummed, as making fun of Mike Milbury was one of my most favorite things to do over the past decade. It's really the end of an era for me. Draft day just won't be the same without Mad Mike standing in the corner, grinning, his arms crossed, just waiting to shake the hand of his newest prospect and pass the ebola virus to him. Mike did his best to stack the franchise with star talent ... except it wasn't the Islanders franchise. Vancouver, Florida, Ottawa, Edmonton, and of course, the New York Rangers. Don't forget to write, Mike. Meanwhile, coached by ... well, who know, I guess they've declared a state of anarchy over there ... the Islanders actually managed to win a game. For a change. Giggle.
In other news, Joe Thornton only had one assist in shutting out the best team in the league, while Mike O'Connell's Bruins took another one on the chin. Mike Sullivan is officially polishing his resume between periods. And Detroit pounded the Flyers in the third period faster than you can say the word "Niittymaki."
That's all today. I'm emotionally pooped. If I shed any more tears this week over the accomplishments of sweaty men, I might as well buy myself property up on Brokeback Mountain. So, just to affirm my manhood. For the record this marks the first time ever that anyone got mad at a stripper's pole for blocking their view.
Posted by brian at January 13, 2006 10:38 AMeMail this entry!
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