In last week's Ladder Challenge it was Curt Schilling earning 51% of the vote to edge Harry Agganis and advance up the Ladder. This week it is Red Sox captain Jason Varitek (#70) taking on Bruins sniper Rick Middleton (#64) in an attempt to move up. Despite Nifty's scoring prowess (he is 4th all-time leading scorer), the Sox would not have won in '04 or '07 if not for the man behind the plate. For that Tek gets my vote this week. Who has your support in this week's Ladder Challenge?
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7 comments:
RICK MIDDLETON
Currently Ranked: 64
Challenge Record: 0-1-0
Beat: Nobody
Lost: Jo Jo White
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*"Nifty" played 12 seasons for the Bruins (1976-88).
*Played in 3 Stanley Cup Finals.
*Was 3-time All Star.
*In 881 Games with Boston he scored 402 goals and 496 assists for 898 points.
*Twice had 100+ points.
*Is among franchise leaders in Games Played (6th), Goals (3rd), Assists (6th), Points (4th), Power Play Goals (5th) and Game-Winning Goals (5th).
*He is the Bruins all-time leader in Short-Handed Goals.
*In 1982 he had 51 goals, led the league in shooting percentage and won the Lady Byng Trophy for Sportsmanship.
*In 1983 he set the NHL record for most points in a playoff series (19), which still stands.
*Scored 10+ goals in all 12 seasons; 20+ goals ten times; 30+ goals eight times; 40+ goals five times; and 50+ goals once.
JASON VARITEK
Currently Ranked: 70
Challenge Record: 1-0-0
Beat: Carlton Fisk
Lost: Nobody
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*Has played entire 13-year career (1997-present) with Red Sox.
*Helped Sox win 2 World Series titles (2004, 2007).
*Career stats: .263 BA, 161 HR and 654 RBI.
*Franchise all-time leader in game caught.
*Only player in MLB to catch 4 no hitters.
*Two-time A.L. All Star selection.
*Won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards for A.L. catchers in 2005.
*Red Sox team captain since 2005.
I don't doubt that Nifty was a better player (the reason I voted for him in his last challenge) but Tek has titles and is the current leader of the team I love the most...that is too tough to overlook.
Sorry Nifty, I'm voting Tek in this one.
gotta go with nifty. 30+ goals 8 times? you are talking about a guy that could be in the hall of fame. tek isnt on that level to me. his resume is impressive but not as impressive (yet)
Nifty is one of the most underrated players in Boston, and one of the most underrated guys in the NHL ever. He gets my vote easily.
Some other Nifty stats that DK "conveniently" left out.
•+/- is +180 (top 100 all time)
•Goals created #68 all time
•56th all time in game winning goals (right behind Neely and Bourque)
•63rd all time in points per game right between Maurice Richard and Ray Bourque.
•Top 100 in assists all time
•56th all time in goals
Nifty has a way better nickname and he didn't wear a mask like Tek. The only thing that knocks him down for me is the hair plugs.
that picture of middleton is hilarious by the way. i dont think ive ever seen him that young
agreed joe the hairplugs hurt but he still got my vote too
Final score: 8-8 with Middleton winning in a 2-1 tie-breaker to remain at #64.
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