Mario Lemieux vs. Wayne Gretzky, Six Reasons Why "66" is Greater than "99"

3. "66" Saves the Pens, Gretzky's Coyotes Watch the Playoffs From Their Couches

So what have these guys done since hanging up the skates for the final time? Well, let's see...

Lemieux has secured the Penguins a new arena in Pittsburgh, complete with a 30-year lease. He has had a hand in developing the game's newest star, Sidney Crosby, and he's even acted as Sid's landlord during his first three years in Pittsburgh.

Under the ownership of Lemieux, the Penguins have reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

Big Wayne, on the other hand, has checked wife Janet into Gambler's Anonymous, and has failed to lead the Coyotes, as owner or head coach, to a 40-win season, or the playoffs in three attempts. Things may be starting to look up for the Coyotes, but if I were a bettin' man—nah, that's just too easy.

2. You Wanna Talk Stats? Here Are Your Stats

Despite playing in 572 fewer games than Gretzky, Lemieux holds the record for the highest career points-per-game average (2.005) and the highest career goals-per-game average (.823). While the title of "greatest" player is debatable, the title of "most productive" player is not.

Per-game averages, in my opinion tell the true tale of a players' greatness. These stats tell the true tale—when Mario was on the ice, he was the best. How can all those people who frequently point out statistics as a way to determine the greatest individual player in a certain sport ignore these stats?

1. Gretzky Beats Bruins to win Fourth Stanley Cup, Mario Beats Cancer

You'd be hard pressed to find one person today who hasn't known someone that has been diagnosed with some form of cancer. You've all heard the horror stories of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

My grandfather battled cancer for five years before passing away at the age of 70. You all know what it does to a person's spirit, their family, and their friends. So, when you hear stories of men and women who have won the battle against cancer, you can't help but be filled with admiration.

On January 12, 1993, Mario Lemieux announced that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a rare, but treatable form of cancer. The city of Pittsburgh, and the entire hockey world were shaken by the news. A player at the pinnacle of his young career must now face the reality that he may never play hockey again.

Mario underwent radiation treatments and remained off of the ice for over a month. Surprisingly, the king of comebacks would strike once again.

On the day of his final radiation treatment, Lemieux boarded a plane to Philadelphia where he took the ice with his teammates against the Philadelphia Flyers. Mario scored a goal and added an assist in the game, and received a standing ovation from Flyer fans after the game. Coming from the fan-base that once boo'd Santa Clause, that is quite an accomplishment.

The Penguins won an NHL record 17 consecutive games after Lemieux's return, enabling them to win the President's Trophy for the first time in their history.

Despite playing in just 60 games that season, Mario beat out Pat LaFontaine by 12 points to win the fourth scoring title of his career.

So, whether you think that Gretzky's statistical advantage outweighs Mario's more productive numbers, or that Mario's raw talent, speed, and size made him the most dominant player in NHL history, there really is no "right" way of measuring the greatness of an athlete.

Penguins' fans can only admire Mario's courage, boast of his dedication to the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh, marvel at a career that earned him the title "Le Magnifique", and stubbornly believe that 66 is indeed greater than 99.

Posted in full at: Experiencing the Evolution

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