Happy Birthday, Gordie Howe.....turns 80 today

Mr. Hockey.

I know this was mentioned on the hockey thread but given that he's one of the greatest athletes in ANY sport, it deserves its own thread

Not only was he one of the top players in three different eras, he may have been the toughest hockey player ever.

Nice piece by David Amber on ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=amber_david&id=3321891

On Feb. 1, 1959, in a game against the Rangers, Howe cemented his place as one of the game's top pugilists after he was sucker-punched by enforcer Lou Fontinato. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with a notorious mean streak, Fontinato was considered the league's toughest player. Not on this night. With a series of punches, Howe broke Fontinato's nose, bloodied his face and left him crumpled on the ice.

Gordie never got into too many fights because no one would take him on.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

Saw some of the highlight's of the Red Wings' Birthday ceremony for him before the game against the Predators.

Looked like it was really nicely done, definitely a good evening to be at the Joe.

 

Great anecdote about the Howe-Fontinato fight. After the game, the then-Rangers PR guy complained to the reporters about their stories on the fight. The Rangers writers had focused on the fact that Howe decimated Fontinato. The PR guy said, "Why isn't anyone talking about the body blows Fontinato landed?"

 

That was the figurative end for Leapin' Louie.

After Howe beat the crap out of him, his reputation was in ruins.

 

Happy birthday to the greatest non-Canadien in history.

 

Happy B-day Mr.Howe......

his new hat trick is the early bird special, Wheel of Fortune and metamucil.

 

He could still kick your ass for that.

 

Did any minor-league team sign him up to play a shift?

 

Yes he could.....on skates too. He gets one of his paws on me.......

 

Back in the day there were some who claimed Gordie could have played professional baseball.