Today (Monday, Jan. 26th) is Wayne Gretzky’s birthday…ever hear the story of Wayne wanting to play for the Tigers?
Wayne Gretzky Loved Tigers Baseball
Back in 2017 Wayne Gretzky appeared on the Dan Patrick show when he started talking about playing other sports besides hockey. The conversation quickly turned to his love of baseball – and towards the end of the conversation he talks in detail about his love of the Detroit Tigers. Wayne Gretzky wanted to play shortstop for the Detroit Tigers.
Wait. What? Here’s what he said: “My favorite sport, believe it or not, was baseball.” Asked whether, talent notwithstanding, he would’ve chosen to be a baseball player or a hockey player, he didn’t hesitate: “I would’ve taken baseball all day long. I would’ve loved to have been the shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. I grew up such a big Tiger fan, Ernie Harwell and listening to Tiger games.”
Gretzky Wanted to Join The Detroit Red Wings
As we try to process the vision of Gretzky wearing the old english D for the Tigers – what about joining the Red Wings? In the ESPN 30 for 30, Gretzky talked about Edmonton letting him choose a team for the trade…and it was down to two: Los Angeles and Detroit (his wife wanted him to come here BTW). Can you imagine him on the ice wearing the 99?
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1981: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the New York Rangers during an NHL Hockey game circa 1981 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Gretzky’s playing career went from 1978-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Jim O’Brien is the Host of “Big Jim’s House” Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim’s relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.
Jim O’Brien
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