The announcement that Marty St. Louis has retired prompted a predictable media response, especially in this market. The consensus: Marty was a great player and a special person and without him there is no Stanley Cup in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 23-year history. The little guy who played big. The eponymous “Louie, Louie” catalyst at so many home games. Absolutely.
And yet.
I stop short of those–and Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times is most prominent–who want to retire his number and even erect a statue in his honor outside Amalie Arena.
If he had retired two years ago, no problem. Frankly, he would deserve a statue even more than Dave Andrychuk. But you don’t totally dismiss how he left the Lightning. He petulantly and selfishly orchestrated his own departure, disingenuously scapegoated general manager Steve Yzerman and walked out on everybody. There’s leaving–as at the end of a contract–and there’s walking out on your teammates, fans and franchise with the playoffs looming.
Thanks for the great efforts and being the heart and soul of the Lightning for more than a decade, Marty. But you should have retired when you were at the top of your game–and character. You were recognized and honored with an appropriate tribute video last November. You’re a unique, special part of Lightning history. But no statue. Not even close.