[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I agree that his speech was terrific, and it is difficult to gauge a retirement speech, since it is mostly about whatever (in this case) Durkin felt that he wanted to say. It is his career, and he is able to say whatever he wants to address.

The most interesting part of the speech was how he built anticipation for those listening to hear who he meant by the "most important person in his career". It was a neat way to highlight the "horseplayer". Nice touch.

About his final race call: he didn't make it all about him. And clearly, he had fun with it. "Splashtastic" was his last significant word as a race caller. Borne solely out of the circumstance of the sloppy track, not a forced, "signature" call. Again, a nice touch.

About the Winner's Circle ceremony gifts: how on Earth does someone -- or some people -- allow the jockeys -- I think it was the jockeys -- to present him with a glass-encased jockey saddlecloth with "YOUR THE MAN"? "YOUR"??

As for the crowd: excellent "Tommy Durkin" impromptu chant as he descended from the booth and headed towards the Winner's Circle. Nice Yankee Stadium-like touch.

Nice touch on grammatical error..lol