Friday, February 10, 2006

SAY IT AIN'T SO....

In the last few days, there has been a media frenzy over the alleged betting scandal involving a couple of former NHL hockey players, one being WAYNE GRETZKY, better known as THE GREAT ONE. In the world of sports, he is compared to MICHAEL JORDAN or BABE RUTH in terms of being the dominant figure in his/her field. As an avid hockey fan, THE GREAT ONE has always been one of my favorite players, if not THE favorite. As a matter of fact, I rank him as one of my favorite athletes, period. Favorite not only because of his achievements on the ice, but in the way he carries himself with class off the ice. So to hear that he may be involved in such a scandal, while I hope it isn't true, saddens me in a way. In a society where public figures are placed on a level of awe, only to be torn down, THE GREAT ONE was a rarity in that he is universally revered by the public. So to see his legacy beginning to unravel before my eyes, it's sad. At the same time, if it's true, it serves to remind us that he's human, just like the rest of us. And as humans, we are beholden to make mistakes.

I've had the opportunity to meet THE GREAT ONE on a number of occasions, and let me tell you, compared to other public figures (who only think of themselves and how they look in the public eye), this man is easily one of the classiest people I have ever met. Bar none. I can recount the time when I took off from work to go to Madison Square Garden in the attempt to get my jersey signed by THE GREAT ONE.

It was the afternoon of his retirement press conference. I remember the day clearly because it was a brutally cold afternoon. The press conference time had changed from 12 noon to about 3pm. So I sat outside the veranda of the Garden and waited...and waited..and waited, freezing my butt off. A few hours later, the whole GRETZKY clan emerged from the elevator, along with his agent, NY RANGERS staff and coaches, as well as security. They walked right towards me en route to the staging area of the press conference. As I stepped toward THE GREAT ONE, pen and jersey in hand to ask for his autograph, a security guard stepped in front of me and pushed me away. As the feeling of dejection came over me, THE GREAT ONE suddenly stopped, shot the security guard a dirty look and yelled for him to stop. He then walked over to me and asked if I was alright. I said that I was okay and I asked him if he wouldn't mind signing my jersey. I also congratulated him on a great career. He said that he didn't mind signing at all and thanked me for the support. Not only did he sign my jersey, but took the time to sign everything else I had. He then shook my hand and thanked me for waiting in the cold. Then off he went. Imagine BARRY BONDS or RANDY JOHNSON doing that. You'd have a better chance of throwing a snowball through hell. I'll never forget that moment.

Now they say that a man is innocent until proven guilty, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. He's earned that in my eyes. I sincerely hope that he comes out of this with his reputation intact. Good luck to him.

Last night was a mellow night at the bar; in fact, it's been pretty mellow all week long. Post-Super Bowl blues, I guess. I did happen to run into a good friend to the bar though. He is currently a very successful financial advisor, but I know him as MR. MET FAN #1. He's been a friend to the bar since day one, 15 years ago. A great guy. We got into a conversation about various things and he mentioned that he came across the blog while looking for updates on our friend MATT. In time, he's come to enjoy reading the blog; He also complimented my talents as a writer, which means a lot to me. I never really looked at myself as being a good writer. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I started the blog in the first place was to work on my writing skills. So to get a compliment from someone out of the blue, let alone a friend, means a lot to me. It gives me motivation to continue and who knows what may come of it? Let's say that I'm inspired again.

Don't forget about the AFTER-WORK HAPPY HOUR tonight: $3 Domestic Drafts/$5 Cosmos, Appletinis and Margaritas (5pm-9pm).

And if you haven't had a chance to do so, there will be another BLOOD DRIVE in honor of MATT LONG tomorrow at MJ ARMSTRONG'S (East 19th/1st Avenue) from 11:30-5:30pm. Please do your part and donate a pint! Every little bit helps.

Tune in tomorrow! And get ready folks, the weathermen are predicting a NOR'EASTER this weekend!

NUFF SAID