Rename the Cardinals

There has been almost continuous coverage today of Sgt. Pat Tillman's death. Arizonans were justly proud of him when he enlisted. I don't have a lot to say about the coverage. There was probably too much of it. It's more hullabaloo than it seems Sgt. Tillman would've wanted, anyway. It took me a bit of hunting to track down Sgt. Tillman's rank. I find it entirely inappropriate of news agencies to leave off his rank when they mention him. The title is a mark of respect.

I have seen one proposal to rename Squaw Peak after him. Squaw Peak has already been renamed, after another soldier who made that ultimate sacrifice, but I think most Phoenicians refuse to have their mountain renamed. Rename it again, after Tillman, and I'll still call it Squaw Peak.

I saw a better proposal, to name the Cardinals new playing field after Sgt. Tillman. A good idea, but I worry about someday seeing the Nextel Pat Tillman Field.

I'm very happy with my idea, and I'm going to push it. They should rename the Cardinals. The Cardinals are loathed in Arizona. St. Louis's reject Cardinals, named after a bird you never see sitting on a saguaro. With permission of the CO of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the CO of USSOCOM, and the CinC, they should rename the team... the Arizona Rangers.

It would honor Sgt. Tillman and his comrades. It would be an inspiration to the community, and the team. It could heal the serious rift between the Cardinals and the people of Arizona. It would give the team a fresh start in a new home, and make them an Arizona team, rather than a reject from Missouri. With that change, I think the people of Arizona would embrace the team, and the example set by Sgt. Tillman would live a long time in the memory of Arizona and America. Certainly, I would consider actually attending games.

The Arizona Rangers. Black and gold. Rangers lead the way.

I like it.

Comments

[Jay Tea]

If they need a little more reinforcing, let's not forget the current Commander-In-Chief is not only fond of the Army Rangers, he used to own a piece of the Texas Rangers. Sucking up to the C-in-C is a time-honored tradition; remember when some contractor wanted to name the A-12 "Avenger" after the plane President Bush 1 flew in World War II?

Of course, that didn't work out too well...

J.

[Jackalope Pursuivant]

I had thought about the Texas Rangers, but I hadn't thought of the CinC's connection to them when I formulated the plan. Thanks, amigo.

[david]

Wow. This is a very powerful idea--and moving tribute, not just to Tillman, but to his comrades and his cause.

Thank you.