April 11, 2007

Photos of the new Gordie Howe statue outside the JLA in Detroit.: I didn't realize they didn't have one of him there yet, so this stylized entry (designed by Omri Amrany, (who also did one of Michael Jordan, as well as a few of the Tigers) is overdue.

It looks good, but it's not quite the dynamic work of art that Robert Graham's Joe Louis fist is.

posted by chicobangs to hockey at 01:31 PM - 14 comments

From the accompanying story:

"The one thing I did, I did it right away -- I fell in love with this sport," Howe said. "Even after 32 years, it was damn hard to give up, but I had no knees and a couple bones out of the wrist and back, so I thought, 'I've paid my dues.' But I've been overpaid with the great things that happened to Gordie Howe." Mike Ilitch said honoring Howe was long overdue. "He was the greatest player we had here," Ilitch said. "I felt a little guilty not getting it done earlier, to be honest." Ilitch didn't name other players, but said he plans other statues of Wings legends.

posted by chicobangs at 01:35 PM on April 11, 2007

That's a pretty cool statue. I also like the Joe Louis fist, partly because it served as a great landmark to turn left at the next block to get to St. Andrew's.

posted by NoMich at 02:08 PM on April 11, 2007

I'm old enough to have enjoyed watching Gordie Howe in his prime. I didn't know Detroit had never put up a statue of him. It's about F'ing time!

posted by Howard_T at 03:37 PM on April 11, 2007

That's what Ilitch said. And he has the wherewithal to do something about it. I'm curious which other Red Wings are slated for statue duty. Lindsay, Hall & Yzerman are logical choices, but a young Roger Crozier doing the splits would sure look great in bronze.

posted by chicobangs at 03:41 PM on April 11, 2007

Proby, doing a line while punching someone in the face. Ya gotta have that as a statue in front of the Joe.

posted by NoMich at 03:48 PM on April 11, 2007

I'm curious which other Red Wings are slated for statue duty Sid Able? Terry Sawchuk? Detroit got some rich hockey history.

posted by HATER 187 at 03:54 PM on April 11, 2007

Oh, absolutely. I just don't see Sid Abel or Alex Delvecchio (or Dino Ciccarelli, or Gary Bergman) being next in line for a statue. You Wings fans would have a better feel for who'd be actually statue-worthy, as opposed to just great. My money's on Yzerman, and maybe Sawchuk, but MMMV.

posted by chicobangs at 04:21 PM on April 11, 2007

If you are ever in Detroit,you'll be impressed by the size of the fist at the Joe. I only saw Gordie play once,and that was at the old Olympia Arena.However he was unforgettible.Even at the end of his career he was tough,as many young hotshots found out,to their dismay.

posted by sickleguy at 04:28 PM on April 11, 2007

I think Abel and Delvecchio are better than their numbers would indicate (conversely Dino isn't nearly as good as his number) Abel scored 800 career points in a time when season were around 40 games long. Stevie Y is a no brainer though. I've said it before and I will say it again best all-around center ever. My good this is soooooooo much more fun than most of the "other" threads going on inthis place. Thanks for the link Mr. Bangs.

posted by HATER 187 at 04:49 PM on April 11, 2007

I'd put money on Steve Yzerman as the next statue guy. When's the last time you looked at his draft class (1983)? #3: Pat LaFontaine, #4: Steve Yzerman, #5: Tom Barrasso, #9: Cam Neely. Man, that was some first round that year. Detroit also drafted Bob Probert and Stu Grimson that year. Others, of note, from that draft class, are Turtle in round 2, Rick Tocchet in round 6(!) and Dominik Hasek in round 10.

posted by NoMich at 05:20 PM on April 11, 2007

The accentuation of his shot is pretty cool. Gordie is one of the nicest guys in hockey, and this is well deserved.

posted by wingnut4life at 04:19 AM on April 12, 2007

Wicked. I think the only other player that gets a statue is Yzerman. Other guys might get their numbers retired - but only Captains of Cup Winners get statues. You need to be the best of your generation (with respect to your team). Not that there are rules, but I would think more like guidlines. With exceptions. Hater - don't start. Best all-round centre? All-time?

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:25 AM on April 12, 2007

oh yeah, its on! 6th all time scoring, uber sound defensively, covered lots of ice, set up plays, finished plays, good on face offs. I think he excelled in all aspects of centering. Greatest offensive center? Probably Gretzky (but I am one of those kooks that makes a case for Mario) but I don't think that there is one center who played the position, again emphasis on all-around, as well as Stevie Y. It's my dogma and I a sticking to it.

posted by HATER 187 at 07:53 PM on April 12, 2007

HATER, two words, Jean Beliveau. I'm a Leaf fan, but I know great when I see it. If 99 is excluded from this discussion, though he was fairly sound defensively, hell, he had the puck all the time, that's the best defence there is, then I think you have to consider Le Gros Bill.

posted by tommybiden at 09:56 PM on April 12, 2007

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