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The Happy Warrior Meets the Obsessive Competitor The Happy Warrior Meets the Obsessive Competitor
(35 minutes later)
Is anyone having more fun these days than LeBron James? As he demolishes his opposition nightly, the N.B.A.'s resident megastar has bearhugged a fan who drained a halfcourt shot, elevated the pregame dunk line into an art form and joined his Miami Heat teammates in putting together their own version of a Harlem Shake video. (James is the shirtless one wearing the crown.)Is anyone having more fun these days than LeBron James? As he demolishes his opposition nightly, the N.B.A.'s resident megastar has bearhugged a fan who drained a halfcourt shot, elevated the pregame dunk line into an art form and joined his Miami Heat teammates in putting together their own version of a Harlem Shake video. (James is the shirtless one wearing the crown.)
Coach Bill Parcells in 2006. The Mets' Gary Carter in 1986.
Once, when he saw a Jets player throwing up from exhaustion at practice, he said, “Throw up on your own time.”
When a Cowboys running back had a long overdue long run in one game, Parcells bellowed in a packed locker room, “Ooh, did you call your mama to tell her you got by four or five players all by yourself?”
In Dallas, he refused to call the famously arrogant wide receiver Terrell Owens by his given name, instead referring to him as “the player” or “this player” when talking about him to reporters in his trademark gravelly growl.
Even when talking about family, the ever-miserable Parcells barely mustered a smile. Upon the birth of his third grandchild, he grumbled to a reporter as he frowned, “It’s another girl,” as if frustrated that he, despite his omnipotence, could not will the birth of a grandson.
When speaking with reporters, he often prefaced his comments with, “I’m not trying to be a jerk.”
But many players over the years didn’t think he was ever trying to be a jerk. They just thought it came naturally. — JULIET MACUR
Gary Carter
The Anti-Met to the RescueThe Anti-Met to the Rescue
The 1986 Mets are revered as a rowdy band of rogues, playing hard on the field and living harder off it. But when they faced elimination in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series — bottom of the 10th inning, two outs, bases empty, down two runs — their nicest guy saved them.The 1986 Mets are revered as a rowdy band of rogues, playing hard on the field and living harder off it. But when they faced elimination in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series — bottom of the 10th inning, two outs, bases empty, down two runs — their nicest guy saved them.
Gary Carter was the anti-Met, the one who never quite fit with the others. Stable family life, deeply religious, permanent smile. He talked a lot, and if it came off as self-promotion, he was really just being himself. Carter liked people, and he liked himself. He also trusted himself — or, perhaps more accurately, he trusted that his faith would allow him to meet the moment, and live peacefully with the outcome.Gary Carter was the anti-Met, the one who never quite fit with the others. Stable family life, deeply religious, permanent smile. He talked a lot, and if it came off as self-promotion, he was really just being himself. Carter liked people, and he liked himself. He also trusted himself — or, perhaps more accurately, he trusted that his faith would allow him to meet the moment, and live peacefully with the outcome.
When hope seemed lost for the Mets in Game 6, some teammates slumped on the bench or retreated to the clubhouse, disgusted at the thought of the Boston Red Sox celebrating on the Shea Stadium turf. Carter had a job to do, and on his way to the batter’s box, he prayed. Then he lined a single to left.When hope seemed lost for the Mets in Game 6, some teammates slumped on the bench or retreated to the clubhouse, disgusted at the thought of the Boston Red Sox celebrating on the Shea Stadium turf. Carter had a job to do, and on his way to the batter’s box, he prayed. Then he lined a single to left.
Two more hits brought him home, and Carter clapped vigorously as he crossed the plate. A wild pitch tied it, Bill Buckner’s famous error won it, and the Mets lived for another day. The next game ended with Carter squeezing strike three in his catcher’s mitt and rushing to the mound in joy. — TYLER KEPNERTwo more hits brought him home, and Carter clapped vigorously as he crossed the plate. A wild pitch tied it, Bill Buckner’s famous error won it, and the Mets lived for another day. The next game ended with Carter squeezing strike three in his catcher’s mitt and rushing to the mound in joy. — TYLER KEPNER