HATS OFF TO ANOTHER RANGER GREAT....Last night local hockey fans paid tribute to ADAM GRAVES of the NY Rangers as he had his number retired and raised to the rafters of Madison Square Garden.
I was supposed to attend this event, courtesy of THE MAYOR OF MURRAY HILL, however, feeling under weather (what else is new?), I had to decline the honor and ended up enjoying the ceremony in the comforts of my sick bed.
While I personally thought he wasn't quite ready for a jersey retirement ceremony just yet (there are former members of the NY Rangers who are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, yet haven't had their numbers retired yet and no offense, this guy ain't going to the Hall), the ceremony was touching and poignant just the same. While his stats weren't the best out there, he brought to the team a blue-collar, working class ethic that the NY fans could relate to. So I guess that counts for something as well. Overall I thought it was a nice ceremony and his speech was legit as he was clearly humbled by the honor bestowed on him. Good for him.
Tonight we're hosting another edition of Pub Trivia and this will be a special one of sorts as it will be OPIE CUNNINGHAM's last appearance behind the mike before he makes his long-awaited move to Australia. Tonight's theme is a surprise so come in with an open mind and join us for what should be a fun time. Registration begins at 7pm, game starts at 8!
More updates later!
Nuff Said
4 comments:
While I agree with your assessment on Graves' stats and long shot chances at the Hall, I believe what the Ranger's did last night was honor a player who delivered lessons for his teammates and the entire league (present and future) about how to conduct yourself as a member of a team on the ice and as a Man off the ice. For me, the most telling part of the ceremony was his walk through the hallway to the ice.. In the past players such as Richter, Leetch and Messier made their way through a sea of players (both former and current), but Adam made his way through a sea of people whose lives he has touched during his playing career and long after. Kudos to him and kudos to the organization for recognizing such a person!!
I totally agree with you, that's why at the end of the day I didn't have a problem with his name going up to the rafters. I just felt that the timing could have been a little better, especially with some of the older guys who by all rights, should be up there. I see that they are finally going to get a couple of them up there at the end of the month, so I guess it's cool.
The Rangers did it nicely for a change.
SD
Funny thing is that Gravy is actually 3rd all time on the Rangers list for goals scored. And getting into the HHOF doesn't mean your # goes to the rafters as you know. But as the 1st responder mentioned; this honor was as much or even more about Adam the man as it was about Adam the player. I've never met a more genuinely nice human being in my entire life.
-Rob
Besides, it's not like when the Avs retired Bourque's #77 after less than 100 games played for the team. That was one of the most ridiculous things ever in hockey. Right up there with Fox's "glowing puck"!
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