Test debuted in the WWF in 1998 and within a year found himself in a major storyline as the love interest, and later the fiancee, of Stephanie McMahon. Once that ran its course, Test and Albert (Matt Bloom) became a tag team called T&A managed by a sultry newcomer named Trish Stratus. Over the years, Martin would hold the WWF tag-team, European, Hardcore and Intercontinental titles, but despite looking outstanding in spurts would flame out and never took that final step to be recognized as one the company's elite.
Martin's role as one-half of T&A was gaining steam by the time I started with the WWF in 2000. I didn't know him as well as some of the other wrestlers, but recall a conversation backstage at Madison Square Garden while he was getting a massage. The day before the Rangers were clobbered 6-1 by the Detroit Red Wings in the same building. A lot of the wrestlers, namely Chris Jericho, Edge and Christian, were huge hockey fans.
Christian and I were having an extended conversation about the NHL and the Rangers' woes within ear shot of Martin. Although he was the recipient of deep soft tissue manipulation courtesy of an attractive young lady, Martin turned his head to the left and looked over his shoulder towards me with a smile, and softly said, "Those Rangers have big problems, don't they?"
A simple story, for sure, but one that's resonated since yesterday afternoon. I didn't know Andrew Martin well, nor did I speak with him after that day, but he was a small part of my life and one who I'll never forget. It's a damn shame that after Martin will be honored and remembered with respect and dignity, the "show" will go on without anyone reflecting that the system continues to be broken. Alas, nobody will do something about it, and that's sad and a damn shame.
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The Rangers have concluded a 4-1 win over the Flyers as I write this, a nice bounce-back win from yesterday's loss in Philadelphia and are now in a three-way tie for fifth place (80 points) in the Eastern Conference with Montreal and Pittsburgh. I hated the firing of Tom Renney, but this has been a much different team under John Tortorella. Scoring has been up, ditto accountability and a stronger sense of urgency. This week features a showdown Tuesday night in Montreal and another critical game at MSG Saturday night against Buffalo (three points out of eighth place as of this writing). In a race this tight all you concern yourself with is winning and everything else will take care of itself.
Two other reasons behind the Rangers' turnaround: Nik Antropov and Sean Avery. Antropov is 3-2-5 in six games since being acquired from the Maple Leafs. Avery scored twice today and is 4-1-5 in his six games while showing the fire and passion missing from this team for much of the winter. It's amazing how much of a difference Avery is to the Rangers and only the Rangers.
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The Yankees are three weeks from Opening Day April 6 in Baltimore. I've been tracking the team daily on the YES Blog and my colleague, Joe Auriemma will be in Tampa from March 18-28 with exclusive insight and videos leading up to Grand Opening of the new Yankee Stadium on April 3. My first chance to see the building will be the week of the 30th when I pick up my season credential. From there it's a Yankees workout on April 2 and the unveiling the next night. I'll be keeping both a written and pictorial diary, and well as the latest team news and notes, on the YES Blog. That's when the fun starts!
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