A Crowded Field

To understand the depth of quality athletes in this country, all you have to look at is the fact that Steve Nash has found himself a bridesmaid in the Lou Marsh Trophy voting the last two years.

That's no shot at Nash. He's a dazzling athlete and sportsman. It's more of a comment on the extraordinary qualities of speed-skater Cindy Klassen, last year's Lou Marsh winner, and Sidney Crosby, this year's winner. To be seen as superior to the fabulous Nash in any year is a startling achievement.

Crosby won Canadian athlete-of-the-year honors, but only after a spirited discussion between many of Canada's most experienced sports media types and our esteemed chairperson, former Olympic rowing star Silken Laumann, a discussion that included heavy arguments in favour of Nash and alpine skiing star Erik Guay, among others.

It really was a terrific discussion to be part of, one which most avid sports fans would enjoy. The Fan 590's Bob McCown made a passionate argument in favour of Nash, while Scott Russell of the CBC explained with equal passion the achievements of Guay as part of our revitalized national ski program. The Star's Mary Ormsby, a former collegiate volleyball star and a dedicated hockey mom, made a convincing case for Crosby.

I went in planning to vote for Crosby, but found myself swayed heavily by those passionate pleas on behalf of others. It's not easy to compare team athletes with individual athletes, or those who bring down multi-million dollar salaries with those who still hold the status of amateur.

Curiously, in a hockey country, it's probably hardest for a hockey player to win, if only because Canada has so many talented players that its difficult to demonstrate that one has risen that significantly above all his fellow countrymen in the field.

Indeed, neither Martin Brodeur nor Scott Niedermayer, two of the most decorated and successful Canadian hockey players in history, has ever come close to winning the Lou Marsh. Vinny Lecavalier, to some the best player in the game right now, didn't get much of a mention this year.

For Crosby to become the first hockey player to win since '93, then, is an extraordinary achievement. He won, I think, because he has risen above his sport and above his team to become an ambassador for hockey and, really, the NHL's franchise player.

Where would the NHL be, exactly, in the post-lockout era without Crosby? Where would the Pittsburgh Penguins be? Kansas City?

In the end, I voted Crosby first, Guay second and Nash third, but in truth, I would have been more than satisfied had any of the three won. I kind of liked L.A. Dodgers catcher Russell Martin too, and he didn't even make it to the final round of balloting.

But feel free to disagree. Passionately. And don't be afraid to marvel at the quality of athletes in our country.

Comments

[costin]

What about Daniel Nestor, who had one of his finest years on tour in 2007?
- finished 3rd in the world in tennis doubles after the Bryan twins
- won Roland Garros and the Tennis Masters Cup Doubles
Where does he rank in your athlete-of-the-year list?

[Shane]

As with any award based on qualitative opinion and/or voting, there is bound to be ample debate. I'm not suprised it wasn't an easy decision - it speaks of the current wealth of Canadian athletic talent. I'm sure McCown was pretty convincing, but I'd have to agree with your vote on this one Damien.
Although Nash is an amazing athlete, team player, and role model, Crosby is all of these and more. In a country where some of the best hockey players in the world are born and bred, Crosby stands out among the crowd. Way out.
He has, so far, as the "Next One", met the enormous expectations that come with that label and has handled the pressure, well. He is a leader at 20 years old. He is a huge role model. His importance to the NHL, as you said, especially post lockout, is massive.
Quite simply, he transends.
That is why he deserves the award his constant comparison, Mr. Gretzky, won a record four times.

[Brett Vancise]

Get ready for Crosby to win this award for many years to come. As he rises above the sport more and more, It is difficult for other athletes to compete in a country where hockey is in the forefront.

[chris]

Wrong, wrong, wrong decision!!!

Sidney Crosby may be a fine hockey player who will someday rise to the pantheons occupied by Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux. But the year he's had, no matter how good it was, does not make him worthy of the Lou Marsh Award. Yes he won the Hart, the Art Ross, and the Pearson. So did Martin St. Louis in 2004. And he helped lead Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup title that year, while Crosby's Penguins failed to make it out of the first round. St. Louis wasn't even taken seriously that year.

Steve Nash was once again the dominant player in the National Basketball Association who had his best season statistically while leading the Phoenix Suns with his usual artistic flair. The only reason he didn't win his third league MVP award was that the voters (convinced by the league's head office?) were reluctant to give someone like Nash the award a third straight year when others, like Michael Jordan, have never done so. It would seem only signature players in the NBA would be deserving of such an achievement. And Nash, as good as he's been, is not a signature player in the eyes of the NBA.

Basketball is a much more deeper sport than hockey with participation second only to soccer thoughout the entire world. The fact that the native of Victoria , B.C. continues to dominate in such a deep pool should have been something the voters should have realised. Instead, it goes to an athlete who might one day win the award more than once but won it due to all the hockey crazed hype that this country is known for too well.

[Rick Grace]

To me it seems the idea of ignoring hockey players in favor of baseball or basketball shows that the voters of this nothing award put being good at baseball or basketball ahead of hockey.

And of course being good at baseball or basketball or tiddlywinks, when it happens in the United States, is worth even more points to these esteemed voters.

Which is why a guy like Steve Nash or Mike Weir win this thing multiple times, while Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy or Jerome Igninla, the equals or superior of guys like Nash in their sport, never get a sniff.

Me thinks though if Roy or Broduer acheived what they did in basketball or baseball or the NFL, they would rename the Lou Marsh trophy after them. But since they're only "hockey players", its who cares? Which is why this award means absolutely squat to most CAnadians outside of the media.

[Andrew Barrie]

There is a strong case against Nash winning, which would be the number of appearances his Pheonix Suns have in the Finals: 0. A great player, who's team is brilliant to watch most nights and dominates the regular season, but can't quite carry the team to the promised land.

That said, I don't understand how Crosby can win. I started slow and finished HOT capturing both the Art Ross and Hart Memorial trophies, and with a slow start this year, could still do the same, but he has not acheived enough yet. If he fulfills his potential, there will be other years where he deserves this award, but its not this year.

Look at Lecavalier, Maurice "Rocket" Richard award winner last year, threating for the Art Ross this year, and has his name on the Stanley Cup. Oh, and lets not forget his MVP for the 2004 World Cup.

I would't give this award to Lecavalier, but I'd give it to him before I'd give it to Crosby.

Crosby, unless he fizzles, will have other opportunities. This year, it should have gone to someone more deserving.

[Marijan Kalman]

Adam Van Koeverden, Adam Van Koeverden, Adam Van Koeverden,Adam Van Koeverden,
Do you people on voting committee even know who he is.

He is best individual athlete in this country.THE BEST.

Individual sport, not some joke like NHL or else.

But as usual, for next ten years media in this country is going to write about some hockey player and not about our best athelets.

Adam Van Koeverden,Adam Van Koeverden

BEST ATHLETE IN THIS COUNTRY.

[Matt]

While I certainly don't want to diminish the achievements of Erik Guay, or any amateur athlete who participates in a niche sport, but I think we may have lost our collective minds here.

Basketball is one of the top two most popular sports in the world played by tens of millions of people around the globe. Steve Nash is one of the top 5 players in the world. Some would agrgue he is the best, as evidenced by his two MVP awards.

Should the sport in which an athlete excels be taken into consideration?

Even hockey is a relative niche sport, and while I certainly can't argue with the choice of Sydney Crosby as hockey is one of the roman columns of our society, not too many people south of the mason dixon line or the equator are aware of who he is.

My point is that we Canadians are so nice and politically correct that we feel an Erik Guay or a Cindy Klassen are as worthy of our attention as a Steve Nash. I believe it makes us look provincial and out of touch when we bestow this award, or almost bestow this award, on athletes from fringe sports that we've barely heard of.

[Jonathan]

Shame on you and the rest of the voters, Damien. Is this an athlete of the year award or ambassador. This kind of rationale is why I and a lot of people couldn't care less about these media decided upon awards - political rather than substantive decisioning.

[C. Liu]

I think this was the right decision. Don't just look at Crosby's dominance of the NHL. Look at his contribution to hockey and promoting the sport. He's only 20 and he's already the face of Canada's national sport. I am looking forward to seeing him in 2010. Go Sid!

[Bill]

How about swimmer Brent Hayden who nabbed a gold medal (equal first) at the World Championships in March in the 100m freestyle?

He was barely in the conversation ... crikey, what does the national swim program need to do to get some respect? Swimming is not a niche sport (like track and field it has top rated athletes from all over the world) and the 100m freestyle is its blue-ribbon event.

The complete list of Canadian swimmers since WWII who have won an Olympic or World Gold in swimming is: Victor Davis, Alex Baumann, Graham Smith, Anne Ottenbrite, Mark Tewksbury - all (deservedly) in the Canadian Sports Hall Fame.

To not bring Hayden's accomplishment into the conversation is an unfortunate oversight.

(Ed. Note. Hayden was a candidate, but did not make it to the final five)

[Billie Bob]

Let's get something straight right now. Crosby is no Gretzky, and he never will compare. He is more like a Tier II high energy player.

One big aspect of Gretzky's records that most people can't understand is this. This is a clear statement on how great this guy was, not only as a hockey player but an athlete for all athletes in the world to be compared against. Here's something truly amazing.

If Wayne Gretzky never scored a single goal during his entire NHL career, he would still be the ALL TIME leading points leader in the HISTORY of the NHL! Sit and take a minute to think about that. More that Howe, Mess, Orr, Hull, Mario, Richard, etc., more, more more.

Now, take any athlete in any sport in any country and remove one of his most vital stats and see if the same holds true.

I am proud that Gretzky is a Canadian.

[Phort Simpson]

This is Canada so i'll put my arguments nicely. I think the voters were influenced by the age of the competitors...and i think it's fair. While steve nash had a more impressive year in the nba(his stats are incredible and getting better) and many athletes were extremely successful, russell martin aside, none of them were even close to crosby's age. What's more, he had had a pretty decent season the year before(too much extended quality for a pan flash), and the hype surrounding crosby is, very arguably, the most extreme ever faced by an athlete in canada. all personal feelings about gretzky aside now folks, the mediums for paying attention have changed. if the medium is the message than crosby is canadian sports internet. his search totals rock any other canadian's on all the major search's (sports related, pam anderson still holds top otherwise)

anyway, this is all important, but when you factor that he's not yet even old enough to drink in the states and that he's always seemed gracious and deserving of the adulation...

IN CONCLUSION - because we know that it will be hard for The Kid to ever touch the Great One's records (92 goals???) no matter what he does compared to the rest of hockey will be as significant as he ages. If you consider past winners of the Lou Marsh, their careers haven't normally been as illustrious as a specific season was internationally incredible. Crosby's going to be good, but doing what he's done so far might be his biggest accomplishment...the time for recognition is now. good work voters