Tears in my eyes
I admit it. I will cry every once in a while. Like when the old guy got up to pitch in the Rookie. And tonight, when Reggie Miller had his shot blocked by Big Ben, there was a tear wanting to come out.
Forget the rings he never won and the all star appearances and the playoff highlights. One of the rarest thing in sports is to see a guy call in quits in the same uniform he was drafted in. Hell, Eli Manning never took one snap with the team he was drafted with before demanding a trade. But Reggie. 18 years with Indiana. Its an incredible level of dedication to one city in the era of free agency.
In Detroit, we had a few guys like that too. Guys like Tram and Lou played the middle of the infield for the tigers for 17 years together. Both retired wearing the olde english D on their head. Barry lit up the Silverdome for over a decade, and even though he betrayed his team and his fans when he called it quits two days before training camp, at least he never demanded a trade or signed somewhere else like Emmitt, and will always be remembered wearing Honolulu Blue and Silver. Stevie Y may or may not be done, but for 18 years he wore the winged wheel across his chest. Drafted at 18, named captain at 19, he has had an incredible run here, one that was cut short by the NHL labor dispute. And who could forget the smiling assassin, Isaiah, or his backcourt mate, Joe. They lit up the Silverdome and the Palace, winning two championships, never wearing another teams colors.
There aren't too many of these one team wonders left anymore.
Unless you count Bobby Higgenson.
Forget the rings he never won and the all star appearances and the playoff highlights. One of the rarest thing in sports is to see a guy call in quits in the same uniform he was drafted in. Hell, Eli Manning never took one snap with the team he was drafted with before demanding a trade. But Reggie. 18 years with Indiana. Its an incredible level of dedication to one city in the era of free agency.
In Detroit, we had a few guys like that too. Guys like Tram and Lou played the middle of the infield for the tigers for 17 years together. Both retired wearing the olde english D on their head. Barry lit up the Silverdome for over a decade, and even though he betrayed his team and his fans when he called it quits two days before training camp, at least he never demanded a trade or signed somewhere else like Emmitt, and will always be remembered wearing Honolulu Blue and Silver. Stevie Y may or may not be done, but for 18 years he wore the winged wheel across his chest. Drafted at 18, named captain at 19, he has had an incredible run here, one that was cut short by the NHL labor dispute. And who could forget the smiling assassin, Isaiah, or his backcourt mate, Joe. They lit up the Silverdome and the Palace, winning two championships, never wearing another teams colors.
There aren't too many of these one team wonders left anymore.
Unless you count Bobby Higgenson.
posted by Air Time at 11:51 PM
5 Comments:
These are the types of players that epitomize the true character of a dedicated athlete. Reggie, Tram, Isiah, and, especially Stevie Y could have asked for trades when times were really rough. I mean, they had the talent to play on any team. I mean, Stevie could have asked for a trade when Mike was giving away cars to get people to come to the Joe. But, they stuck through the bad times and were rewarded for their character, perserverance, adn dedication. Unlike, players like Eli and Eric Lindros. Unfortunately, Reggie never won a championship, but he won the respect of the league, every one of its players, and will have immortality in Indiana.
But, btw, Stevie was not given the "C" at 19. He was given it at 21, making him the youngest and longest tenured Captain ever.
-OC
my mistake. he did get the C at 21.
I can't stand Reggie, Im glad that his last shot was blocked..I was watching the game with steve and nat, and I said, I hope the Pistios are winning by 2 with a few seconds left and Reggie puts up an airball, to end his career...Why do I have so much hate for REG, i dont know really I know, I do think he's overrated, On ESPN they were comparing him to Regie Jackson in terms of his clutch performences, the difference is that although Reg did hit a few big shots in teh playoffs Mr october did it in the World Series.
My reasons for dissliking the man is i think he flops more than anyone in the league.
Also just everyone elses unnatural man love for the guy has turned me off him.
I wonder, what's Spike Lee going to do with all his free time? Scary...
That's a great story. Waiting for more. » » »
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