La Russa can learn from Tyson comeback
Fighter’s return includes reputation rebuild
As prefight hype goes, nothing beats the publicity video of the Tyson family eating a cake made in the likeness of Roy Jones Jr.’s head during their Thanksgiving dinner.
If you missed it while enjoying your own holiday meal, it features a tuxedo-clad Mike Tyson trying to pass off the cake as a “turkey” to his skeptical kids before proclaiming “I like ears” as he begins cutting into Jones’s head with a large carving knife.
After his son Milan tells Tyson the cake is delicious, “Iron Mike” replies: “I thought itwould be. Mmm, hmm, real good. Tastes so much better than Evander’s (ear).”
The video ends with Milan serving the remainder of Jones’s head to the family dog, Mars, who of course has his own Instagram account.
Itwas a perfect blend of humor and hype for Tyson’s comeback fight against Jones, scheduled to take place Saturday night on pay-perview.
Who would’ve thought Tyson one day would be able to make light of the ear-biting
incident, one of the most outrageous moments of the 1990s. But 23 years after being disqualified from his epic heavyweight title fight against EvanderHolyfield, Tyson has shown just howmuch theworld has changed for him and all of us.
After Tyson’s boxing license temporarilywas rescinded because of the incident, in which he severed the Holyfield’s right ear, a remorseful Tyson said he thought hewould be banned from boxing for life, adding he felt “disgust, disdain and humiliation” whenwatching a replay.
“I’m not a stable person,” he said. “I’m pretty sporadic and spontaneous. I think change is necessary and I can tell you this (psychological help) thing isworking. I knowI have a problem. There’s no doubt about that.”
Most thought Tyson’s careerwas over, that hewould be considered a pariah for the rest of his life for acting like a cannibal in the ring. My friend and former Tribune colleague, Bernie Lincicome, knew otherwise.
“This is a great career move for everyone, Tyson most of all,” Lincicome wrote in 1997. “He had become a slug and a dullard and an uninteresting fighter. Suddenly, he is the most fascinating individual on the planet.”
Tysonwas able to fight again, naturally, butwas knocked out by Lennox Lewis in his next biggest bout in 2002 and announced his retirement after quitting in the seventh round of a 2005 fight againstKevinMcBride. Tyson’s reputation as the “baddest man on the planet” had come to an inglorious end, andwe figuredwe had seen the last of him.
But after an unexpected and hilarious cameo in the hit comedy “The Hangover,” Tyson soon began the next chapter in his career. His comedic side emerged, and he suddenlywas embraced again. Last summerwe saw Tyson “knocking out” a shark during Discovery Channel’s “SharkWeek.”
Fewathletes have undergone a career renaissance like Tyson, and nowthat he’s back in the ring the idea of Tyson-Holyfield III doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.
If enough fans shell out $49.99 to watch Tyson, 54, fight the 51-year-old Jones, surely hewould get even more interest for the finale of awould-be trilogy that last featured Tyson chewing off a piece ofHolyfield’s ear.
Iwon’t be among those spending that kind of money towatch two overthe-hill boxers, but I definitelywould attend a gathering in 2021 if it’s safe enough and someone elsewanted to pay for it. You only live once.
Like most people, I enjoy a good comeback story, even the ones that fail, such as Brett Favre with the Minnesota Vikings or Michael Jordan with theWashingtonWizards.
There’s something inherently fascinating aboutwatching sports figures try to stop time and retain the mental and physical skills that made them great.
Comeback attempts seemingly have been part of the sportsworld forever. There’s no doubt Goliathwould’ve attempted one back in the day had David not cut off his head after defeating him with a stone.
David-Goliath IIwould’ve been a must-see matchup.
In 2020, we’ve seen Rob Gronkowski’s return to the NFL after signing a two-year, $50 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, followed by Antonio Brown’s return, also with the Bucs, who basically cater to any and all of TomBrady’s whims. Both “Gronk” and Brown are at least young enough to attempt comebacks while their bodies are in shape, and even if they don’twork out it only increasesmy enjoyment ofwatching Brady trying to outduel Father Time.
Here in Chicago, the White Sox in October announced the comeback of Tony La Russa, 76, who hasn’t managed since retiring from the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2011 season. Like all great comeback stories, there are those rooting for La Russa to succeed and many others upset at the decision, believing the Sox are taking an unnecessary risk that a geezer will ruin the chemistry of a young, fun-loving team.
No matter what happens, La Russa’s comeback no doubt will grab the attention of the baseballworld next spring, something the Sox have missed since Ozzie Guillen’s departure.
La Russa could learn a lesson from the once-reviled and now-revived Tyson, whowas able to poke fun at his image as a bad guy to change his reputation.
A few funny Sox promos on Twitter or a cameo appearance in a hit comedy would help La Russa win the support of skeptical Sox fans.
Iwould not recommend eating a cake shaped like a smashed carwith “I’m aHall of Famer, brother” written in red icing, but most anything else is fair game.
The answer to La Russa’s problem is simple: Be like (Iron) Mike.