ROOTIN’ FOR THE OLD GUY
THE SPORTS WORLD LOVES a sappy old-timer success story. Always has. Maybe it’s because we project the love of our parents onto grey-haired athletes. Or maybe, if we’re the ones with the greying hair, we live out a vicarious fantasy watching someone who’s supposed to be long retired competing for a championship trophy. Jack Nicklaus made everyone warm and fuzzy winning the 1986 Masters at 46, and Tiger Woods’ rollercoaster of transgressions and redemptions hit a peak in 2019 when he won it at 43. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer won 16 games in 2008 and soft-tossed his way to a World Series ring at 45. Hockey treated us to the incomparable Gordie Howe playing games in his 50s, but, if we’re talking iconic old-guy winner imagery, Ray Bourque’s Stanley Cup…