Don't hate the player, hate the...

Across all professional sports, contract negotiations, player-coach relationships, retirement, and player-player conflicts result in athletes changing their uniforms. The popularity of the player is positively correlated with the outrage of the old team and the excitement of the new team. Switching teams is not, by any means, a new sensation. Usually, a trade makes a small wave within the organization that ripples out into the public for a week at the most. When great players are traded, however, it is a different story. Over the course of five weeks, we are taking a look at five significant cases. The first was Brett Favre, the second was Wayne Gretzky, the third was Patrick Ewing, and the fourth is Michael Jordan. The fifth, and final, is Junior Seau.

San Diego Chargers: 1990-2002

Miami Dolphins: 2003-2005

New England Patriots: 2006-present

Junior Seau joined the Chargers in 1990 fresh out of USC, and he became an instant fan favorite, earning the nickname “Tasmanian Devil.” Seau played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls, becoming a star of the franchise. Then Seau requested to be released so that he could sign a deal as a free agent and ultimately increase the size of his paycheck. Seau was traded to the Miami Dolphins for the 2003 season with aspirations of winning a Super Bowl ring. He played well but could not carry the team to a championship. Injuries in 2004 and 2005 caused Seau to end both seasons prematurely. This ultimately resulted in his release from the Dolphins in 2006, after which he retired.

But Seau was not done playing football. Four days after his retirement Seau signed with the New England Patriots, but a broken arm ended his season early. He stayed on for the 2007 season, but retired again at its conclusion. Most thought this was the end of Seau’s spectacular career. Then, during the 2008 season, injuries plagued the Patriots’ linebackers, and coach Bill Belicheck asked Seau to return to the team. He signed on for the last four games of the season, making it clear that he probably would not have done so if he had previously won a Super Bowl, which is the only thing missing from an otherwise impressive career. The undefeated Patriots entered the Super Bowl with over $111 million in free agents, but were unable to beat the New York Giants.

Seau “retired” again after this stint with the Patriots, but then in October he announced that he would be returning to the field for the 2009 season in hope of finally winning a Super Bowl ring. This season, Seau has played in two games (he did not play this Sunday, 11/8), without any particularly memorable occurrences. 2009 marks his 20^th year in the NFL. The Patriots are 6 and 2, and are in first place in the AFC East. It remains to be seen as to whether Seau will finally procure the Super Bowl ring that seems to evade him and that he so desperately desires.

Don't hate the player, hate the...

Across all professional sports, contract negotiations, player-coach relationships, retirement, and player-player conflicts result in athletes changing their uniforms. The popularity of the player is positively correlated with the outrage of the old team and the excitement of the new team. Switching teams is not, by any means, a new sensation. Usually, a trade makes a small wave within the organization that ripples out into the public for a week at the most. When great players are traded, however, it is a different story. Over the course of five weeks, we are taking a look at five significant cases. The first was Brett Favre and the second was Wayne Gretzky. The third is Patrick Ewing.

New York Knicks: 1985-2000
Seattle Supersonics: 2000-2001
Orlando Magic: 2001-2002

The New York Knickerbockers drafted Patrick Ewing with the first pick of the NBA draft in 1985. Named Rookie of the Year despite injuries, it was the start of what Pat O’Brien coined the “Ewing era.” Though he put up stunning stats and came understatedly close, Ewing was unable to lead the Knicks to an NBA Championship. Still, the success the team saw is nearly unparalleled, especially when compared to the weak performances of more recent years. Whether the Knicks were the division leaders or a Cinderella team, they made the playoffs in 13 out of 15 seasons with Ewing. He made the All-Star team 11 times. He became a hero in New York City, and number 33 jerseys filled Madison Square Garden to see the star center in action.

After 15 seasons as the team leader, Ewing left the Knicks in 2000, traded to the Seattle Supersonics for the final year of his contract. He wanted a high salary, but his age and deteriorating body were failing. Unable to agree on a contract extension, MSG Chairman James Dolan signed off on the deal that Ewing’s agent, David Falk, later described as “a mutual decision, and a mutual mistake.”

Ewing spent one season in Seattle and another with the Orlando Magic, retiring in 2002. He was relatively unsuccessful with both teams. Similarly, the Knicks have endured little success and many losing seasons since his departure. It is hard to tell who is to blame: Knicks management for refusing to spend more, or Ewing for refusing to accept less. Dolan was described as selfish for trying to bring down the team’s salary cap; Ewing was described as immature for believing that he could still perform at the same level that he did when he entered the NBA. Regardless, the truth remains—Patrick Ewing was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and instead of trying to come to an agreement, the Knicks traded him away.

Next Week: Michael Jordan

Don't hate the player, hate the...

Across all professional sports, contract negotiations, player-coach relationships, retirement, and player-player conflicts result in athletes changing their uniforms. The popularity of the player is positively correlated with the outrage of the old team and the excitement of the new team. Switching teams is not, by any means, a new sensation. Usually, a trade makes a small wave within the organization that ripples out into the public for a week at the most. When great players are traded, however, it is a different story. Over the course of five weeks, we are taking a look at five significant cases. The first was Brett Favre. The second is Wayne Gretzky.

Wayne Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships during his tenure in Canada. He was more than a household name—he was a household legend. This changed when, just five days after his final championship victory with Edmonton, Gretzky found out that owner Peter Pocklington was trying to trade him. Appalled that Pocklington lacked the decency to call Gretzky and tell him that he was considering a trade, Gretzky called the Oilers to officially request a trade, as required by his contract. This cut Pocklington off from any possible attempts to discontinue trying to trade Gretzky. Soon after, Gretzky signed with the Los Angeles Kings in what came to be known as “The Trade.” Canadians were outraged; New Democratic Party House leader went so far as to demand that the government block the trade. He was unsuccessful.

Controversy swirled around the reasons for the trade. Gretzky was called greedy, because he received more money from the Kings. His wife was called selfish, as some claimed that she encouraged the move to further her acting career. Others blamed the Oilers’ ownership, specifically Pocklington, who was rumored to need the money due to struggling business ventures. No matter the true reasons, Gretzky rejuvenated the Kings’ franchise and made hockey popular in Los Angeles.

Gretzky moved from LA to spend part of the 1996 season with the St. Louis Blues, then signed a contract with the New York Rangers, where he completed a stunningly successful career. The face of the Oilers franchise for ten years, Gretzky went on to legitimize the NHL and his popularity greatly contributed to the league’s expansion. The Oilers sacrificed the Great One and, consequently lost their opportunity to remain a dynasty.

Next Week: Patrick Ewing