Of our elaborate plans, the end. Of everything that stands, the end. No safety or surprise, the end. I’ll never look into your eyes…again. -The Doors
Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! Happy trails Moose. According to Joe Girardi, Mike Mussina said the words we thought we’d hear all along. “Moose told me after the season that he was probably going to retire.” If Mike meant what he said, and said what he meant, if a Moose is faithful one hundred percent, we won’t have this guy to push around any more.
What a way to go. No Bill Russell. But still. Twenty wins. Finally. If Mussina does indeed retire, he will be the first pitcher to retire after a twenty win season since Sandy Koufax’ elbow failed him in 1966. Yowza! Before that? Say it ain’t so Joe. Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams of Chicago Black Sox infamy. Oh, Dusty. In-famous is when you’re more than famous. This man El Guapo, he’s not just famous, he’s in-famous. Wow, in-famous? In-famous? Yes, those guys were infamous. They had some help out the door. Not for nothing, the last guy to win a Gold Glove in his last season? Sadly, Roberto Clemente. Moose goes out on his own terms. The only guy to go out having just won twenty games and a Gold Glove.
In this post Roger Clemens era, there is no way Mussina can keep defying age until he hits that 300 win plateau. So why not? Why not now? Why not Moose? “I’ve been envious of every guy who’s retired since I’ve been playing — you’ve done what you wanted to do, and I still have to grind it out.” Mussina’s done what he’s wanted to do. He grinded it out. Joey Knish style. Grinded out twenty wins. Grinded out eight Gold Gloves. Grinded out five All-Star appearances. Grinded past Big Bob Gibson, Bullet Bob Feller and Jim Underpants Palmer in career wins. Grinded out the sixth all time winning percentage. He’s been to two World Series. He’s graduated from Stanford with an economics degree. He’s got prospects. He’s bona fide. What are you?
Public Acknowledgements: Dr. Seuss, Three Amigos, Rounders and O Brother Where Art Thou?
Public Spectacle:
Peace out homies. Six two and Even!
Need More? Mike Mussina,MLB
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