The Don Dies

» Gwenda - It's hard to believe he is gone but

I remember reading about his painful loneliness since the death of his beloved wife. I cannot help but feel the 'Don' has gone home! Great tribute to a great Australian!

All the best!
Wendy

-- posted by Gwenda

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» Floyd79 - Joanna,

Joanna,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article on the greatest sportsman who has ever lived. However, I would be concerned if Bradman truly was an "ordinary Australian". There is, unfortunately, convincing evidence that Sir Donald Bradman was not only a huge egotist but also a man who was prejudiced against Catholics. Of course, any such shortcomings pale into insignificance when we consider just how avaricious an old sot was W.G.Grace. Nevertheless, I think it is important that we judge the man as well as the cricketer. As a cricketer, Sir Bradman was head and shoulders above anyone who has ever played the game; that is not to be disputed. But do you really want to see him as the epitome of the average Australian? Would I want Paul Gascoigne, talented as he was, to act as a barometer of Englishness?

-- posted by Floyd79

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» Hedwig - Re: Joanna,

In response to message posted by Floyd79:

Hi, Floyd

I am glad you enjoyed the article about Sir Donald Bradman.

It is really hard to say what is the epitome of the average Australian, to different people it means different things. For many sports heroes are just that, while to others it is the struggling farmers, while others look elsewhere.

I'll be the first to admit that I am not the greatest expert on things to do with cricket, that's why I choose to write mainly about Sir Don's wife and family.

Yes, I know he had his shortcomings and was a man with the thinking of his times, such as the prejudice against Catholics. He had the prejudices that were common to those that grew up when he did. Prejudices are wrong but ordinary human beings have faults. In his long life he probably outgrew this prejudice.

To many people he was a hero, but I agree he was not without his flaws and faults.

By the way, who is Paul Gascoigne?

Joanna

-- posted by Hedwig

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