STRANGE PARALLELS BETWEEN LOSS OF VINATIERI AND BOBBY ORR
There are some fun and interesting parallels between the Patriots loss of star kicker Adam Vinitieri and the Bruins' loss of Bobby Orr, thirty years ago.
- Both players wore number 4.
- Orr came from the frigid, northern central region of Ontario. Vinitieri hailed from the frigid, northern central state of South Dakota.
- Orr joined the Bruins in 1966, and left in 1976. Vinitieri joined the Patriots in 1996, and left in 2006.
- Orr's Bruins played in seventeen playoff series. Vinitieri's Patriots played in seventeen playoff games.
- Orr's Bruins ended decades of fan frustration by winning two Stanley Cups. Vinitieri's Patriots ended decades of fan frustration by winning three Vince Lombardi trophies.
- Orr's Bruins won the first of their championships on a game ending goal by Orr against St. Louis, in which he flew through the air. Vinitieri's Patriots won the first of their championships on a game ending field goal by Vinitieri against St. Louis, which sailed through the air. Pictures of both plays are autographed and sold to this day.
- Orr is frequently touted as perhaps the greatest defenseman in NHL history. Vinitieri is frequently touted as perhaps the greatest clutch kicker in NFL history.
- Orr was a handsome, popular local pitchman for area businesses such as BayBanks. Vinitieri was a handsome, popular local pitchman for area businesses such as Papa Gino's.
- Orr left the Bruins to join the Blackhawks, a perennial, star-studded contender that kept making the semi-finals and finals before falling short. Vinitieri has left the Patriots to join the Colts. Enough said.
- And last but not least, both players achieved their greatest glory on the ice and snow.
Let us hope, for Adam Vinitieri's sake, that the parallels end here. Orr was injured immediately after arriving in the Windy City, and he was never the same.
Hey, dude. You make some good points, but there are a couple of flaws.
First of all, you spelled Adam's last name wrong. It's "Vinatieri." V-I-N-A-T-I-E-R-I. This is just as bad as referring to Cal Ripkin. Honest mistake, but let's work to prevent it fron here on out.
Secondly, Bobby Orr was hurt before he left the Bruins. His greatest ever season, in 1974-75 when he was a +128, he did so on one good leg. His knee was practically shot. He went down early the next season, so Harry, giv him credit, traded Espo and Carol Vadnais for Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, and Joe Zanussi. That trade got the Bruins in contention for the next few years. He would have stayed if they took the sweetheart deal they offered him, but Eagleson was a total crook who was in the favor of Black Hawks management (the Wirtz family?).
Finally, those ads Bobby Orr did for BayBank were after he retired as a player. He probably did ads while he was a player, but I don't think BayBank was a recipient.
Just felt you should know these things. Keep on doing what you are doing, but please be mindful of potential deficiencies.
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