Thank goodness DC United decided to pass on the Paul Gascgoine sweepstakes because they could have ended up with a real lemon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2457945.stm That gets me thinking(yes, thinking!), what was the best personnel move (or "non-move") in MLS history?
...Or "DC Stars", as they're also known to the BBC... "Gascoigne was shown the door by American MLS outfit DC Stars, and was then linked with clubs as far afield as Exeter City, Queen of the South and New Zealand club Auckland Stars." It did turn out to be a good move. Say what you want about Ray Hudson, but he recognizes "useless" when he sees it.
Ruiz in LA. Came out of nowhere to become the league-leader in scoring, MVP, indefatigable in front of goal, and of course - he scored the winner that brought LA its first MLS Cup!
I don't see anything in that article suggesting MLS side stepped a landmine. However, what seems to be sad about the situation is Gazza apparently can't read the writing on the wall. At a certain point you have to walk away with some dignity.
They've since corrected "DC Stars" to DC United. BTW, I was under the impression that Ray really wanted Gazza, but that Garber put his foot down.
No, deciding against signing him was Hudson's call. And, yes, techieman70, DC informed Alavanja that his contract wouldn't be renewed (at the same time we waived Lassiter, Villegas, Zambrano, and McGinty). http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=142247
I've never bought into this. If Gordie Howe wants to skate until his 60, or Michael Jordan wants to shoot hoops until he's pathetic, or Willie Mays wants to play until he's a pale shadow of the Say Hey Kid, that's their choice. Stars who give so much to so many should have the ability to play as long as they enjoy the game. In some aspects they may enjoy the pathetic twilights even more. Just being a guy on the bench instead of the go-to guy. Let 'em play - we don't have to watch - we control what we remember. Elvis 64 or Elvis 72 - your choice
Re: Re: Sidestepping a landmine In general, I'm with you on this. Did anyone else see the PTI last week when they had Bill Walton on and asked him if he thought Michael Jordan was hanging around too long? His reply, with obvious reference to his own career, was that Jordan should absolutely play as long as he wants and is able. I remember seeing something (probably on Futbol Mundial) a 3 or 4 years ago about the French guy who scored their (and the) first goal in the 1930 World Cup. He was in his 80s and still playing on what I would call a Super Seniors team. If Gascoigne still wants to play and is physically capable, I have no problem with that. I'm not sure I'd walk accross the street to see it, but that's another matter entirely.
Re: Re: Sidestepping a landmine Great point. And while it still applies, I think the big difference here is that those guys all fulfilled their potential, whereas most Gazza-watchers (Ian Hamilton being the most articulate) consider his career to be a series of disappointments and shortfalls, defined by a few memorable moments (often off-field), but mostly by promise going unfulfilled. I think this is what dcc was gettiing at.
Re: Re: Sidestepping a landmine I dunno, I'm with dcc134 on this one: sure, Gordie and Jordan can play as long as they want, but they're going to risk losing people's respect for them. Same way I lost respect for MJ when he started hawking insurance and everything else under the sun - the greatest basketball player ever whoring himself out to whomever will pay. I started a thread with the same premise on M, V, B & M about the Rolling Stones. At a certain point it becomes undignified, and Gordie Howe really reached that point. I don't buy this. Believe me, I would love to remember Elvis as the young, virile hipswinger on Ed Sullivan, but I just can't block the image of Vegas Elvis out of my mind.
Re: Re: Re: Sidestepping a landmine So after giving you so much for so many years, these legends still owe you the responsibility for not soiling their legendry by playing like mortals in the twighlight of their careers. Talk about arrogance.
No, they don't owe me anything, and it's their choice to play as long as they want. But that won't stop me from thinking it's kind of pathetic. Is that how you'd like to be remembered if you'd been a living legend - as a doddering old-timer being humored by the younger guys?
Its one thing for MJ to keep playing or anyone for that matter, when there is a club who wants them on the team. But for Gazza to go from club to club for almost a year now looking for a job, that is what is sad about this situation. Seriously, if MJ was getting cut by CBA teams, you don't think that would be sad?
Of course you're not, and neither am I. But that means I shouldn't post that, in my opinion, so and so should stop playing? Talk about arrogant. You've been hanging out with superdave too long, as he presents this argument anytime anyone presents an opinion regarding what a player should or should not do. Its really a pretty lame argument, IMO, as fans can have what ever opinions they want. Why follow sports if not to have opinions on what takes place?