Emails in on Gehrig & Favre
The new emails are in, and I struck a chord by writing about two legends who had impressive punch-the-clock streaks. Lou Gehrig and Brett Favre. I didn’t write about their consecutive game streaks, but still, it’s sort of an ironic week. Anyway, let’s start with Gehrig.
Mark: “A biography on Lou Gehrig is tucked away somewhere in my study that I read in the late ’50s. Being left-handed and of Germany-Polish heritage, I have a hero for the ages. Thanks for lifting our spirits; it’s nice to remember our heroes.”
Well, I certainly recommend the newest Gehrig bio, Jonathan Eig’s Luckiest Man. An excellent book. Which reminds me. There are epic biographies about Babe Ruth (Robert W. Creamer’s Babe: The Legend Comes to Life), Joe DiMaggio (Richard Ben Cramer’s Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life) and Luckiest Man. But so far as I know, none of the many Mickey Mantle biographies rise to that level.
Karan: Good refresher on the life of Lou Gehrig. His life is inspiring. It’s a shame that this many years later there is still no cure for that terrible disease.”
Don’t you find it interesting that we expect to cure all our diseases? Not that we shouldn’t. Without trying to cure all the diseases, we probably would not have cure any. But there’s a general reluctance to accept death. I find that somewhat honorable in humanity.
Bill: “Thanks so much for your article on Lou Gehrig. Quite a tribute to him. I in no way wish to denigrate Cal Ripken’s accomplishment as the leader in consecutive games played, but I bet that watching Gehrig was more entertaining. Of course, you and I are both too young to remember anything at all about the man, but can you imagine playing in those days of woolen uniforms, dead balls and train travel between cities and then still maintain a .340 average? I would venture to say today’s prima donas would have a very difficult time in that era. Player of the century? At least. Probably for all time.”
I love Gehrig as a player. But as Bill James wrote years ago, the Gehrig/Ripken records were not/are not as unbreakable as we believed. They are records of will. In other words, most anyone could break them, with cooperation from employers. The Gehrig biography clearly points out that several times during Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 straight games, he played but an inning, either with an at-bat or three outs in the field, then was removed. The streak was very important to Gehrig, as it was to Ripken.
Leigh: “Thank you for the wonderful story about Lou Gehrig. Although I was born a few years too late to hear his farewell speech or follow him as an active player, I read a book about his life as a grade school child, and have loved Lou Gehrig and the Yankees ever since. Thanks for bringing back good memories of Gehrig and what it was like to have gracious, dignified players who have their priorities straight.”
Sudden thought. Gehrig clearly remains the greatest first baseman of all time, though a few guys in history have certainly been worthy of consideration, too. Jimmie Foxx. George Sisler. But Albert Pujols is making a run at it. Pujols’ campaign is over, of course, if he’s found to have juiced.
OK, on to Favre. Ryan, a Viking fan: “I think you raise some interesting questions and submit some valid points in speculating Favre is not the answer. Some interesting analysis that I think you left undeveloped is the QB rating among common opponents or something even more telling, the QB rating vs. playoff teams from each year you were comparing. Additionally, I think it is fair to say that Brett has never had the benefit of a running back the likes of Adrian Peterson in his backfield. Instead, Favre has been the guy expected to carry the team. We saw that happen last year and that would not be asked of him in Minnesota, unless Adrian were to get injured. The Vikings do not have a QB on the roster who provides the resounding threat of being able to throw the deep ball and open the field up for Adrian. Jackson has all the talent, but he lacks the ability to carry that talent to the field. Jackson is the guy that can light up the radar gun, but as soon as someone steps on the batter’s box, he can’t find the plate. I do agree with you on one point. It is very possible that Adrian will wake up and be 30 without a sniff of the Super Bowl. I think the path to getting there is by continuing to suffer under the development of Jackson.”
All I’m saying is that 25-year-old quarterbacks with loads of talent sometimes grow up to be effective, but 40-year-old quarterbacks, now matter how talented they once were, always will break your heart.
Jon: “Um, you’re kidding, right? You don’t think Favre can do this year what Kerry Collins did last year? What Joe Flacco did last year? I’ve got news for you, the Vikes have more all-around talent than last year’s Titans and last year’s Ravens. We have three Pro Bowlers just on the D-line. Football is a team sport, and we are stacked and very deep at every position except safety, but that will be covered up with a great pass rush. You’re missing a big point: all we need is improved QB play. We were 10-6 with Gus Frerotte. You don’t think Favre will be better than that? Did you watch the Vikings games last year. There is no way on Earth Favre will be worse than that.”
Is that the Vikings’ mantra? Our guy is better than Gus Frerotte? But to answer your question, no, I’m not kidding. I don’t think Favre is anywhere close to Kerry Collins anymore, and I don’t think the Vikes D is anywhere close to the Ravens. If you want improved quarterback play, a 40-year-old QB is not the place to find it.
Terri: “I am a huge fan of Adrian’s. I am not a Vikings fan, but I love Adrian. He is indeed the best tailback in the game today. No question. I knew he would be. I do wonder what the other six teams that didn’t take him due to his supposed injury proneness. As my Steelers were pick No. 15, I was privately hoping he would drop to us. Imagine Big Ben handing off to Adrian. Wow. At least Peterson would have a ring, which gets me to your article. I do agree wholeheartedly that Peterson is going to be the next Barry Sanders if the Vikings do not step it up and do something at QB. A worn down, broken down Brett Farve is not the answer. May as well try with Jackson or Rosenfels.”
Some ask what the Vikings have to lose. I’ll tell you. Any chance at a season. Here’s the worst-case scenario for the Vikes. Favre realizes in September he no longer can play and walks away. Then Minnesota has squandered several weeks of preparation and whatever confidence Jackson or Rosenfels could have been building by leading the squad into the season.
Danny: “I say let Michael Vick play and go to Minnesota.”
Don’t think it can’t happen.
James: “What is the purpose of this story? Appears you are bashing a legendary QB. I saw the interview and you took AP’s words out of context and wrote an opinion piece.”
The purpose of this story was to bash a 40-year-old quarterback. And I conducted the interview.
Joe: “Being a long-time Viking fan, I can honestly say I’m excited about Brett Favre. I saw how he played through the first 11 games with the Jets last year and at one time he was leading the league in passing. I believe his arm was too sore after that to continue and it was either the Jets or Brett who pushed too hard. I believe the Vikings have to take this shot at trying Favre, and if it works, great, it was worth it. If it doesn’t work, at least they tried something. I don’t think Tarvaris Jackson is the answer, and Sage Rosenfels, well, too many questions linger there. But I think the time is now for the Vikings to give it the big push, and with Favre knowing the offense and being able to read defenses, this could be their best immediate shot.”
There’s a reason Favre’s arm was too sore. He was 39 years old.
Some readers wanted to talk about the Thunder draft. Gary: “I don’t know anything about Mr. Presti or James Harden except for what I read in the paper. However, I am going to guess that Presti’s No. 1 concern about the Thunder is team chemistry. I can also assume that Presti wanted a defensive (interior) man, but if there is no one out there that he liked then there is no need in wasting a No. 3 pick. It was evident who Presti didn’t want. I am sure that you know better than I do the bottom line for success in any team sport is chemistry.”
I would say talent trumps chemistry, but when you’re talking about these kinds of ballplayers, the talent often is very close. The character, not so much.
Shannon: “Safe pick. That is how James Harden is constantly described. I disagree. If one is saying that Harden is safe because of a ‘known’ ceiling and floor, I guess I can agree with that to some degree. But Rubio was the safe pick. Safe from second guessing. Safe from criticism. Take Ricky, and everyone would say ‘you had to take him’, ‘we were lucky he feel to three’, or ‘it was a two-player second tier.’ Sam followed his gut — or maybe foresaw the signing carnival to ensue with Rubio — and took the player he wanted, against conventional wisdom. That is not safe. I say it is daring, and exactly the kind of decision making I want from a GM.”
I don’t know what more Rubio has to do to make every Thunder fan glad he’s not their pick. No shown interesting in signing with Minnesota. No summer league. No nothing. If Sam Presti had drafted Rubio, and he was doing to OKC what he’s doing to Minnesota, everyone would be up in arms.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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tramel’s a douche