The guys over at the NYRangersCast were having an argument over whether or not Gravy deserves to have his number retired. I could go into why I think he should have it, but why should I when Leetch3 from the ECSF message boards did the job for me.
Retiring a players jersey is about what a player meant to the franchise and organization NOT about hall of fame statistics. Somethings can’t be measured in goals and assists and Adam Graves was the heart and soul of this organization for a decade (and likely would have played longer if he didn’t get traded). He was just as important to this organization as Leetch, Messier and Richter. And very few players have ever meant more to the fans or the city…on Leetch night, Messier night and Richter night, the same thing was said about all 3 guys that they are what it means to be a Ranger and for the next 100 years when when people talk about what a Ranger should look like they will point to them. Love all 3 of those guys but BULL. no player symbolized being a Ranger and what you should want a player and PERSON to be like then Adam Graves…
But if you need to have statistics…how bout the fact that he is 3rd all time in rangers history with 280 goals behind only Gilbert and Ratelle, ahead of Messier, Bathgate, Hadfield, Leetch, Esposito, etc. 10th all time in points…9th all time in games played…8th all time in penalty minutes…10th in playoff games played…3rd in playoff goals, 10th in playoff points…1 2nd team all star selection, 1 all star game, King Clancy trophy, Bill Masterton trophy, 2-time Rangers’ mvp…4 Players’ Player Awards…1 ‘Crum Bum’ Award, 1 Frank Boucher trophy, 5 time Steven McDonald extra-effort award…7-time Rangers fan club Ceil Saidel Memorial Award (first 7 years it was given out)…1 Rangers Good Guy Award…and of course 1 Stanley cup
As far as comparing him to a guy like Greschner…this is not a one or the other situation. The issue should not be that Graves is going up instead of Greschner, the ISSUE should be the fact that Greschner isn’t going up WITH Graves. The fact that the organization has dropped the ball countless times in the past and failed to honor players that deserved it doesn’t justify further failures to honor the past.
Like I said, couldn’t have said it better myself.