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 Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:52 pm
Here's a gallery called Honorin' Mark Messier  Oilers' 3rd-round pick (48th overall) in 1979 NHL Draft, Mark Messier brought size, skill, fire, edge n' leadership to a buddin' dynasty. strappin' "Moose" quickly stood out in a supremely talented cast that included future Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri n' Grant Fuhr.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:54 pm
A 50-goal scorer in his 3rd season (1981-82), Messier became league's finest 2-way player n' a playoff standout. He earned Conn Smythe Trophy after scorin' 26 points in 19 postseason games as Oilers dethroned 4-time defendin' champion New York Islanders in 1984 Stanley Cup finals.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:56 pm
Messier was at his best again in 1984-85 postseason, scorin' 25 points in 18 games as Oilers' awe-inspirin' offense produced a Cup repeat by beating Philadelphia Flyers, owners of league's best regular-season record, in 5 games.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:59 pm
In 1987-88, Messier topped 100 points for 4th time in 6 seasons as Oilers captured their 4th Cup in 5 seasons by sweepin' Boston. It proved to be a triumphant swan song for Moose n' his buddy Wayne Gretzky.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:01 pm
Followin' stunnin' trade of Gretzky to L.A. Kings on Aug. 9, 1988, Messier assumed captaincy of Oilers. Eager to prove he could sustain team's excellence, he scored 33 goals n' 94 points, but Oilers fell in 1st round of playoffs -- to Gretzky's Kings, who rallied from a 3-games-to-1 deficit.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:03 pm
Playin' with renewed drive, Messier had his best season 1989-90, scorin' 129 points, 2nd only to Gretzky, n' winnin' Hart Trophy. In playoffs, Mess established his legend for clutch when he scored 2 goals n' 2 assists in Game 4 of Campbell Conference final in Chicago, rallyin' Oilers from a 2-games-to-1 hole n' into Stanley Cup finals against favored Boston.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:06 pm
Battlin' Cam Neely's bruisin' Bruins, Messier's gritty Oilers turned tables on their foes in 5 games, bringin' home Edmonton's 5th Cup n' securin' Messier's place as game's most inspirational leader.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:08 pm
In his 12th, n' final, season in Edmonton, Messier produced only 12 goals n' 64 points -- his lowest output since his rookie season -- but old magic was there in playoffs. Oilers knocked off Calgary in a tough 7-game 1st round series n' battled their way all way to conference final before fallin' to North Stars.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:10 pm
In October 1991, Messier was dealt to New York Rangers as cash-strapped Oilers continued to divest themselves of their dynasty stars. Mess returned to Edmonton on Jan. 25, 1992, scorin' game-winner in Rangers' 3-1 victory n' earnin' a standin' ovation. His legend would be further burnished when he led Rangers to Stanley Cup in 1994, endin' their 54-year drought.
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Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:12 pm
Messier retired in summer of 2005, with 6 Cups, 2 Harts, a Smythe Trophy, 15 All-Star Game appearances, n' 694 goals. (His 1,887 points rank 2nd all-time), but most of all, he was widely recognized as personification of intensity n' leadership, no more so than in Edmonton.
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:53 am
Postcards from Camp....Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida Tigers pitchers knew they would get a full dose of this early in spring: infield practice. Kenny Rogers takes a ground ball as reliever Joel Zumaya looks on at Tigers' spring facility in Lakeland, Fla.
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:57 am
Closer Todd Jones keeps fans happy.
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:03 am
Manager Jim Leyland n' his coaches watch their pitchers, includin' prospect Jair Jurrjens (at left).
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:04 am
More infield practice for Tigers pitchers.
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:05 am
Right fielder Ryan Raburn, left, high-fives teammate Mike Hessman after his 2nd innin' solo-home run against Mets at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in major-league exhibition opener for both clubs.
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