Penton: Reputations stained, but greatness memories linger
By Bruce Penton
The two most dominating athletes of my lifetime celebrated significant birthdays in the last couple of weeks, which sent me down Sentimental Drive on the way to Nostalgia Avenue.
Wayne Gretzky turned 65 on Jan. 26; Tiger Woods got to the half-century mark, the big 5-0, on Dec. 30. Both accomplished greatness, but suffered reputational stains.
It was circa 1968-69 when the CBC National News ran a broadcast feature on a skinny little kid with blond hair from Brantford, Ont., who was setting the hockey world aflame. The kid, Wayne Gretzky, was eight or nine years old and he was playing in a league among 13-year-old boys, far bigger, stronger, quicker. But this Gretzky kid was scoring eight, 10, 12 goals a game against the older opponents, and the CBC reporter chuckled through his report as grainy video showed the youngster dipsy-doodling through the opponent’s defence and putting a move on the goalie that resulted in another tally.
How did he get so proficient at such a young age? His dad, Walter, said he flooded the back yard every winter and Wayne would spend hours on the ice, almost having to be dragged inside for bed. Would he grow up to be just as good? Would the bigger kids catch up when he was a teen? Would the greatness last forever?
It did. He dominated junior hockey at age 16. He turned pro at 17, with Indianapolis Racers of the outlaw World Hockey Association. He was sold as an 18-year-old to Peter Pocklington, owner of the Edmonton Oilers, and the rest is history. Gretzky went on to set professional scoring records that will never be matched. His 2,857 total points are 936 more than his closest rival, Jaromir Jagr.
Today, Gretzky is 65, living in the U.S., and not as adored in Canada as he once was. He still has legions of fans, but many lament his close association with fellow celebrity Donald Trump. Gretzky was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009 but has yet to attend a ceremony to acknowledge the honour, one of the highest a Canadian can receive. His light has dimmed north of the 49th parallel.
Woods, meanwhile, was another child wonder who did, in fact, blossom into an ultra superstar. His 82 victories and 15 major championships in a career dulled by injuries and scandal are unlikely to be threatened. As a 50-year-old, his star is shining brighter than it was when he was enmeshed in tabloid extramarital scandal 15 years ago. These days, he is playing a complementary role in steering the PGA Tour to a brighter future. He’s caddying for his talented golfer son Charlie in junior tournaments and standing pitch-side at daughter Sam’s soccer games. Reportedly, he is in a committed relationship with his latest girlfriend, the ex-wife of Donald Trump, Jr.
Two superstars. Two humans growing old. We witnessed all the accomplishments and all the flaws. We should perhaps remember the athletic greatness and ignore the rest.
Columnist Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “Question for Gavin McKenna: You’re 18 years old. The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21. Never mind what happened in the bar —shouldn’t you know better than to even be in the bar?”
A groaner from RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “QB Teddy Bridgewater once turned down a possible starting gig in Miami to stay with the Saints to back up Drew Brees. It was the same old song: a Brees over troubled Bridgewater.”
John K, on X, on LIV defections: “Brooks (Koepka) and (Patrick) Reed have sent a very clear message: ‘You couldn’t pay me enough to play exhibition golf around the globe.’”
Super 70s Sports: “James Harden is a first ballot franchise killer Hall of Famer. Good for the local strip club economy, bad for your franchise.”
Cathal Kelly the Globe and Mail, on Olympic ‘moments’ vs. medals: “I am guessing when I try to remember which medal Jon Montgomery won in Vancouver, but my recollection of watching him chug a pitcher of beer on the street is in Technicolour.”
Another one from Kelly: “These are the stick-it-to-Trump Games. Each Canadian medal is a thumb in the eye to every dullard who, upon hearing you are Canadian, leads with a 51st state joke.”
Columnist Norman Chad, on comments overheard from the four-legged competitors at the Westminster Dog Show: “My Uncle Scruffy loves to tell the story about the time his dog-obedience class took a field trip to Washington, D.C., and he did his business on the White House lawn.”
Headline at onion.com: “Rifle-Wielding Chair Umpire Asks Crowd If Making Noise During Australian Open Truly Worth Dying For”
Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “The curling venue in Cortina was built in 1957 for the 1956 Olympics.”
Rolfsen again: “Anthony Davis was traded from the Mavs to Washington Wizards in an eight-player NBA deal. He’ll fit right in in D.C. with all the people who don’t show up for work.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca