Breaking News: Shaq Retires
Shaquille O'Neal (photo. Chenoa Maxwell)
As a social media pioneer in his own right, Shaquille O’Neal has broken another barrier today, this time becoming the first NBA player to announce his retirement on Twitter – via video no less. Using the hashtag #ShaqRetires, O’Neal simply titled his video, “Shaq ooout.” Watch it here:
CLICK HERE TO WATCH SHAQ’S RETIREMENT MESSAGE
We’ll be sure to have much more info and coverage…
What’s your favorite Shaq memory?
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June 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Sean Sweeney says:
Wow. Surprised it was so low-key…
June 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Ian says:
he played 3 extra seasons he shouldnt have.
June 1st, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Ian — Why shouldn’t he have played? He made money, he contributed, he got to do what he loves to do. Just because you’re not a superstar doesn’t mean you should quit. If that was the case, 80% of the League should retire.
June 1st, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Ian says:
austin he do shit the last 2 seasons other than make money. 80 percent of the league isnt one of the 15 greatest players ever. he retired playing like shit like ewing or hakeem he coulda gone out like the admiral or kareem.
June 1st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Nyeme says:
Does he take shots at any of the C’s on the way out?
June 1st, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Ian says:
sorry didnt do shit
June 1st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Austin Burton says:
Who cares how he went out? Just because you were great in your prime doesn’t mean you have to quit as soon as you’re no longer great. The only people who care about “legacy” are fans and media. And honestly, most of that post-prime stuff is forgotten in the long run anyway. When I think of Patrick Ewing, I think of him on the Knicks. The Sonics/Magic tenure is barely a blip on the radar. If you think of Shaq and only remember the Cavs/Celtics run, that just means you have a short memory.
June 1st, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Nyeme says:
Shaq will be remembered for breaking the court’s whole suspension system; the drop step power dunk; scoring anytime he wanted; not getting along with every G he ever played with…oh and funny interviews where he took shots at everyone, but the press loved him so…
June 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
NYK says:
i would rather leave the league loved and at least made an attempt to play a meaningful playoff game at the end of career like shaq than to leave the nba hated and barely made an attempt to contribute like iverson and marbury.
June 1st, 2011 at 3:55 pm
NYK says:
also kobe can sleep easy now, he will always have at least one more ring than shaq
June 1st, 2011 at 4:05 pm
JH says:
One of the most dominant big men in the game. He’ll be missed.
The biggest shame is that he’ll likely end up in law enforcement now.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:05 pm
BRUCE says:
Kobe is celebrating tonight!
June 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Nathaniel Parks says:
I have a lot of memories of Shaq. He broke TWO backboards in his rookie year (actually, it was ONE. He practically lowered the back support system in Phoenix and he took it down in New Jersey), clashed with Kobe and enjoyed that great championship run in LA. He called out the “Sacramento Queens.” And i can’t 4get some of the nicknames he (and the public gave himself.
Shaq, The Diesel, Shaq Fu, The Big Daddy, Superman, The Big Agave, The Big Aristotle, The Big Cactus, The Big Shaqtus, The Big Galactus, Wilt Chamberneezy, The Big Baryshnikov, The Real Deal, Dr. Shaq (after earning his MBA), The Big Shamrock, The Big Leprechaun, Shaqovic, and more recently, The Big Conductor.
And he made rap albums, movies, and had a video game named after him. Had deals with Pepsi, Reebok, and others in his lifetime. Wrote a book. Became a cop and got paid $1 a year! Rapped on stage and dissed Kobe. Couldn’t shoot free throws, but still found a way to score 28,596 points! He’s the main reason why the NBA had to change some of the rules because he took up so much space in the paint!
June 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
BRUCE says:
Now the question is — Should his jersey hang from the Lakers rafter?
June 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
the truth says:
So ian, you wouldn’t take a few mil to play a few more years? Who gives a fuck about legacy
June 1st, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Nyeme says:
Who cares about legacy? The did what they did in their prime, over their careers. Most just hang around simply because they love the game, not for money, not for added stats, but for the love of the game, the comraderie and sheer boredom without it. Play until you don’t want to anymore; go out on your terms, not because the league said so
June 1st, 2011 at 4:19 pm
heckler says:
Shaq retired today, but he quit after he got his 4th ring.
we all saw that he lost his passion and desire to be a basketball player. Shaq just wanted to maintain the same lifestyle the past 5yrs.
aint nothing too wrong with it. but aint nothing too right with it either…
June 1st, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Austin Burton says:
I still need Lakers fans to tell me why so many of you are against the idea of retiring Shaq’s number.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Ian says:
Austin
Only fans and media care about legacy?? (How do you know shaq doesn’t care about his??) Ok ill go with it I’m a fan so I care and you are media and a fan so you should care also. Now anything else??? I remember shaq sucking with the cavs after being so dominant I remember ewing sucking with seattle after being a lil bit good in ny. Just like I see jeter now sucking. Now pleaseee tell me how do you know athletes don’t care about there legacy. Goh with that bs.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Ian says:
The truth
Hell no
June 1st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Ian says:
Btw how much did shq make this year? He wanted another ring people (that’s legacy) he coulda made more money on a bad team.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Syk says:
@AB, he should definitely get his number retired. The Laker fans who don’t want his number retired are butthurt females. What Shaq did for the Lakers in the mid 90′s and 2k’s was amazing and should not be forgotten because of a spat with Kobe. The man brought 3 titles to LA and was one of the most dominating forces ever to play the game.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Ian — “Now pleaseee tell me how do you know athletes don’t care about there legacy.”
Because every year in damn near every sport, the fans/media have these debates over who should retire, and every year the athletes in question keep coming back.
* Baseball — Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Cal Ripken Jr.
* Basketball — Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin
* Football — Brett Favre, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders
* Boxing — Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield, Muhammad Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez
* Racing — Mark Martin, Michael Waltrip, Mario Andretti, Bill Elliott
* Wrestling — Triple H, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Undertaker
Do I have to keep going? That’s just a small sample. If these guys cared about their legacy as much as fans/media cared, they would have retired years before they actually did (or will eventually retire). Now of course I’m talking in general terms. Obviously some athletes care a lot about their legacy, and some fans/media don’t care as much about legacy. But in what other profession besides surgery do we encourage people to walk away when they can still do the job at a reasonably high level? If you ask me, it’s selfish on your part to want somebody to quit doing what they want just so your memories remain intact. If you choose to let Shaq’s stints with Cleveland and Boston override what he did with L.A. and Orlando and Phoenix, that’s on you.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:01 pm
UnderBoss says:
Coming from a diehard Laker fan… Dr. Buss and company must retire the Diesel’s number. Shaq lead us to 3 straight chips. He will always be loved by real Laker fans.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:13 pm
The Goods says:
@Austin B.
As a true Laker fan Shaq’s number should for sure be retired in LA. His 99′-2000 season was maybe one of the most dominant in NBA history. I can still remember how vicious the combo of him, Kobe, and Glen Rice was that year on their way to the chip.
Any Laker fan who says they should not retire Shaq’s number is just a punk and has stupid Kobe blinders on. Regardless of how it all fell out, Shaq was the man on those first three chip’ teams and solidified himself as arguably one of the most dominant players in League history.
As for his legacy, Shaq’s size and coordination was simply unbelieveable when he was in his prime. It is scary to say, but had Shaq paid more attention to his conditioning and worked on developing other parts of his offensive game, there is no telling how much better he could have been into his later years.
A legend walks away from the game today, sure makes me feel old to see the Diesel go.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Ian says:
Wait so beacause fans and media have the debate athletes don’t care?? How do you know they don’t care??? Who told you??? Don’t give me general speaking bs this is shaq the dude that wants to be known as mde and wanted more titles than kobe. Now high level?? Please the only reason he was in the league this year its because he was shaq he sucked he didn’t belong in the league this year. Jeter is on the same path u think any other dude wouldn’t be benched already? Cleveland and boston happened. You can hold on to orlando and lakers all u want but the last two seasons count. Jordan fans don’t like to count washington but hey guess what it happened.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Ian says:
Also cleve and boston don’t override what he did but comonnn he was ring chasing those 2 seasons.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Kobeeeee says:
Wow. One of my favourite players ever (in my lifetime). He was really worth his money in the magic and lakers years. wonderfully entertaining. As a power athlete that he was – he will be a once in a lifetime talent. I cannot imagine someone having that power style that he has in future. He was really breaking rims and dunking on 7 footers so they fell down.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:53 pm
drew says:
as a real laker fan, im not not much on shaq’s drama and laziness for the most part, but you can deny shaq’s contribution to the 3peat. dr buss will make sure his # is retired.
June 1st, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Big Island says:
Shaq played 18 seasons, 8 with the Lakers, and 10 with another 5 teams. I can see where people want to say Shaq wasn’t a Laker, but then neither was Wilt so take his out. Shaq should have his jersey retired, and the only team that can do it is the Lakers. He was the Lakers for those 8 seasons. Anyone who says Kobe is a damn fool. Dude was a beast, it’s a shame everyone can only talk about Shaq being old and not remember the “OLD SHAQ” who killed people.
June 1st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
sh!tfaced says:
One of the best big men ever to play the game.
If there was one word that could define his legacy during his era, it ‘Unrivaled’.
It was just too bad he didn’t have a ‘Russell’ to his ‘Wilt’. Shaq was so unrivaled, the game became so easy for him that he didn’t dominate as much as we expected him to be. He should’ve won more ‘ships and MVPs.
Shaq was so dominant every NBA big man conveniently just became power forwards during his time.
What he gave to the game, he gave more to the community.
As lousy as your acting is, good luck with the acting career anyways… lol
June 1st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Celts Fan says:
@ian – so he was ring chasing. Woukd it have been better to u had dude signed with the Bucks and wrapped things up on a 20 win squad? Thats ignoring the fact that its his boys JO, ray, paul,, etc. Btw, if Shaqs ring chasing at 39, the fuck is Bron doing at 25? Aint nothing wrong w it. We bitch when guys blatantly go for the $$$, cant do the same when going to a good team. As Shaq said about ten yrs ago about MJ, “39 aint 29 bruh.”
June 1st, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Celts Fan says:
And dudes Lakers # has to be retired. HAS TO. He was the best player on 3 title teams (not taking shots at Kobe here.) Gotta retire that # or take down Wilts like someone else said.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Ian says:
celts
no it would be better if he retired. bron ring chasing?? isnt he the best player?? not the same thing. hell bosh isnt ring chasing cuz hes doing something to win shaq didnt do shit.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Ian says:
Still all I said he played a couple of seasons that he shouldn’t have that’s all.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:05 pm
sh!tfaced says:
@ ian
shaq got kendrick perkins traded. that ain’t shit.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:06 pm
LMNOP says:
One of the best ever…. weather you like him or not, weather you want his jersey hanging from your teams rafters or weather you think he should of retired earlier…. its all irrelevant. Probably one of the top five players of all time, an I’m just glad i got to watch.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:17 pm
RC says:
the best center of all time in my list.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
EN FUEGO says:
Never has been a center with that mix of talent, quickness, strength, explosiveness and humor. The best center or our generation.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:33 pm
JAX says:
The Diesel will always be loved in LA LA…even though he should have stayed and won at LEAST 4 more rings. Should have bitch-slapped Kobe before all the drama. I’ll always have the 3-peat, sunny San Diego @ Seau’s restaurant…and Shaq Fu!!!!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:39 pm
alphafemale says:
Well bout damn time! He’s been stealing money only for what? About the last 3-4 seasons.
June 1st, 2011 at 9:09 pm
smoove chips says:
@ jax
Amen..cosign like a mofo.Hate the trend that he had of dissing every elite two guard he ended up playing with but that jersey needs to be at the Staples Centre.Y’all ain’t getting another Shaq for a long time. The fun lovin big guy will b missed. Deuces..don’t come back.You’ll make this awkward for the both of us.This is good right here..
June 1st, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Mark says:
Some of you must either have short memories or a lack of historic perspective…Trust me I am not going to think of Shaq as the guy who rode the pine for phoenix, Cavs and Celtics in the past three years I am going to remember him for 4 rings,.582 shooting career, 23.7 PPG career, 28596 points scored (5th most ever), 29.7 points per game in 99/00 , 2732 blocks, and 13099 rebounds….He dominated the league for a solid decade. in other words Hall of fame level player, top 7 centers ever.
Ring chaser perhaps… does any one ever say Karl Malone ring chaser… remember he played with LA at the very end.. No we just know Malone was the mail man when he was a beast in Utah on his way to a career 36928 points. …Sports history just works that way.
June 1st, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Celts Fan says:
@ian – who are u to tell someone to retire? Play as long as u want. You cant go back at 50. He’ll always be remembered for his greatness. And he was playing for the vet min and giving us aquality 10 mpg before father time csught up. Hardly stealing $
June 1st, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Celts Fan says:
Oops, meant @alphafemale on 44
June 1st, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Ian says:
celts fan
did i email him to retire??? wth are you talking about i just said imo he played 2 years he shoulndt have thats it. i can use that same answer for everything you write here cuz its all opinions.
lets say u call dirk soft. who are you to call him soft??
lets say u call kobe overrated.who are you to call him overrated??
everything you post here i can do the “who are you to” crap.
June 1st, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Big Island says:
It sucks for a fan to see a guy no longer play at the level we saw him at. I wished Ewing would’ve retired before he did, but dude wanted to play. Shit, we all should’ve stopped playing a loooong time ago, but we go play. Suddenly you’re the old guy in the gym. It happens to all of us, except nobody gives a damn about us. We just go to a park we wouldn’t have been caught dead at 5 years before. Shaq was the man in the NBA, then not, then we all got sad when he broke down. He could show up at anyplace any of us play at and every single one of us would SCREAM “NEEEEXXXTTT!!!!!” and ask the big fella to run, then smash everyone for the rest of the day.
The only sad thing about his career is that he could’ve been better. Stayed in better shape, worked a couple of moves, hit a higher percentage of his free throws, and he’d be the GOAT, not Mike, not even a question.
June 1st, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Big Hook says:
I was never a Shaq fan, but I have to admit he was the best/most dominate player, post Jordan for a 5-6 year stretch. And yes I’m saying he was better than Duncan and Kobe from ’98-’04. I believe during his prime he was picked by all the GM as the one player you would start a franchise with.
June 1st, 2011 at 11:13 pm
beiber newz says:
beiber newz: ricky rubio welcome to the nba !!!!!!!!!!!
June 1st, 2011 at 11:14 pm
beiber newz says:
by the way..for the man that won 3 championships on the lakers, it’s sad he retires a celtic. just my feeling.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:49 am
UncheckedAggression says:
I hated that Shaq would routinely destroy the Kings but I respected the hell out of him.
Funny, I think some of my favorite memories of Shaq came in the last few years. The All Star game in Phoenix–dancing, then the bounce-pass-between-the-legs-backdoor-cut for a dunk. Damn, that dude could do things you never expect from someone his size.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:52 am
LABaller says:
true laker fan till the death of me and a true shaq fan for life..dude’s number better be retired.. favorite player all time.. my squad better not sleep on doing this either
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:40 am
K Dizzle says:
Will the “Laker Fans” that Austin says don’t want Shaq’s number retired please stand up?
I don’t know any, but Austin says so…
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:55 am
UncheckedAggression says:
K Dizzle–I’m glad to see you feel that way, but I seem to remember some Laker fans arguing against it on Dime in the past. I’m no Laker fan but I definitely think his jersey should be retired there.
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:38 am
JAY says:
AB: “If you think of Shaq and only remember the Cavs/Celtics run, that just means you have a short memory.”
^^ Cosign
“bron ring chasing?? isnt he the best player?? not the same thing.”
Ummm. Sorry, Ian. Shaq and Lebron both joining a team to play with friends and they both joined a contender for a chance to win a ring. Other than age, it’s the exact same thing.
“Please the only reason he was in the league this year its because he was shaq he sucked he didn’t belong in the league this year.”
If not for his injury, you’d be singing a different tune. When he played he was more than just a 5th wheel. He played better than JO did.
The hate is strong with you, Ian. I don’t understand what point you are trying to make. Yes he was a shell of his former self, but he contributed. What’s the big deal?
And what do you mean “he played 3 season he shouldn’t have”?? 3 seasons ago he was bitch slapping Chris Bosh in the post and calling him RuPaul.
and if 10 years from now, someone asked you about Shaq’s career, and all you could think about is “Shaq fuckin retied too late. He was a slow overweight bum”… then i honestly feel sorry for you bud. He’s one of the greatest ever.
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
Ian says:
jay
theres no point i just think he played 2 extra seasons and if you are comparing him to JO then u know he had problems. you said id be singing a dif tune if he wasnt injured well he was no “ifs” there.
hate pleaseeeeeeeee i have him in my top 12 list alltime ahead of my fav player ever tell me how thats hating.
wouldnt you prefer jordans run with the wizards never happened?? ewing in seattle?? thats all im sayin here it just looks better not to end like this.
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:25 am
Ian says:
oh and the only dif between shaq and bron is age?? sure man sure keep thinking that.
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:18 pm
dagwaller says:
Ian, I’m with you. But if I was Shaq, I definitely would’ve kept playing.
He cared about his legacy, that’s for sure. Austin, Pat just re-posted an interview ya’ll did with him where he said he didn’t, but then went on to use the L word about 5 times in the next 2 questions, saying he wanted more rings.
Ian, gotta say though, that it was BECAUSE of his legacy, not in spite of it, that he kept playing. He wasn’t going to scrub teams. The Suns, Cavs and Celts were among the top teams in the League when he went to them. Don’t know his salary then, but if it weren’t for his injuries, he would’ve had some more jewelry, possibly.
@ beibernewz – haha your post #50 was the best thing you’ve ever written on here. Didn’t even think about that.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:06 pm
JAY says:
@ian
How are the Shaq joining the Celts and LBJ joining Miami so different? Who cares if LBJ is in his prime and Shaq wasn’t? That’s moot. They both ADMITTEDLY joined teams to put themselves in a good situation to win a ring. That’s what you argued… that Shaq is only getting paid and wanted to win a ring. So? Lebron = same shit.
“wouldnt you prefer jordans run with the wizards never happened??”
No. Because his 50pts in his 40s is more evidence for me to argue against anyone who says Kobe was a better scorer. I’m not like you who wishes ‘this or that’ didn’t happen.
“ewing in seattle??”
Nope. When I think of Ewing, that doesn’t even come up. He’s a Knick. MJ is a Bull. I remember their greatest years, not their worst. That’s how i choose to remember them.
and yes, you are hating. Call it what you like, you’re hating. Having Shaq in your top 12 means nothing. I hate on Lebron but he’s easily in my top 50 already at such a young age. You’re not only criticizing, you’re basically calling the dude worthless for the last 3 years. Basketabll fans around the world who appreciated his game are reminiscing about the crazy shit he did and the memorable moments he had in the league… you’re on here saying, “dude didn’t do shit for 3 years”. THAT’s hating. Lemme scroll up and see if you posted anything in praise of Shaq…….. nope. You’re in denial.
@AB “Boxing — Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield, Muhammad Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez”
Don’t compare the “should be retired” discussion between boxers and other athletes. In that sport, you’re talking life altering head injuries. Ali, for example can barely even speak. You can hear and see the effects in Holyfield’s voice and facial expressions that the brain damage is catching up to him. and Roy… well did you see his last fight?? I understand that he needs the paycheque but he got his bell rung worse than Ricky Hatton got done by Pacquiao. It’s concerning that Roy still wants to get into the ring. Money, at this point is his only motivator, and he’s getting into the ring vs hungry young up-n-comers who are looking for the one golden name on their KO list. One or two more fights, and he’ll be done… and by “done” I’m talking more than just being finished with boxing.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:13 pm
JAY says:
“…and if you are comparing him to JO then u know he had problems. ”
Actually no. Shaq played just fine when he was in the lineup. You said “he sucked he didn’t belong in the league this year”. You don’t even bring up health. You just plainly said Shaq sucked. To say THAT is crazy.
…and you still think you aren’t hating. Lol. If that’s not hating, then I don’t know what hating is.
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:28 pm
beiber newz says:
lol @ #58
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Ian says:
jay
calling him top 12 isnt a praise?
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Austin Burton says:
I should clarify. I think athletes care about being the best, which you could say means they care about their legacy. But I think it’s WAY more important to athletes what they think about themselves and what their peers think. I don’t think they care nearly as much what the media and fans will say about their legacy.
I’m sure Jason Kidd wants to be considered the best point guard of all-time. So does John Wall. So does Anthony Carter, even if that’s not realistic. That’s just how elite athletes are wired. But it will mean a lot more to them for 200 of their peers to say, “That guy was one of the best” than for 20,000 writers to say “That guy was one of the best.”
@JAY — To be fair, Roy lasted until the final round, and he actually rocked his opponent (can’t remember the guy’s name right now) just a few seconds before he got KO’d. Is he the Roy of his prime? Obviously not. But he’s also not one of the worst fighters in his division or anything. He’s still a decent to good fighter, just not great anymore, and not what we remember. Now I agree that in boxing it’s a little different because you’re talking about life-threatening injuries, but those same tragedies can happen to 21-year-old fighters. It’s a dangerous game. As long as the boxing commission/doctors allow somebody to fight, we can’t sit here and tell them not to just because we think they’re too old.
It sucks what happened to Ali and it sucks that Holyfield can barely be understood when he talks. But they’re grown men and they did what they wanted to do. We don’t have any business telling them to retire just because we want to remember the good times, just like we don’t have any business telling an 18-year-old that he can’t play in the NBA because we don’t think he’s ready. Our society is a bunch of wannabe parents.
June 3rd, 2011 at 11:05 am
JAY says:
“It sucks what happened to Ali and it sucks that Holyfield can barely be understood when he talks. But they’re grown men and they did what they wanted to do. We don’t have any business telling them to retire just because we want to remember the good times,”
AB, I don’t think, for boxers at least, their fans are calling for retirement to “remember the good times”. Their fans are concerned for their health. They want to see them grow old and still be able to make public appearances and be able to act, walk, talk normal.
June 3rd, 2011 at 11:09 am
JAY says:
@ian
“calling him top 12 isnt a praise?”
Sure it is. How many times up above did you say that? Only ONCE when I called you out on hating on the big guy. You probably aren’t a hater, I don’t know that…. but the shit you were spewing above was more than just criticism. Seriously, you called Shaq worthless… and said he didn’t belong in the league. Come on dude.
June 6th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
dlight says:
Shaq is and always be a Laker, memo to self I can I screw the Celtics? hmm I know sign with them and pull out injury #113, #114, #115 …. DURING THEIR RUN…AINGE LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON THAT ALMOST COST HIM HIS PAYCHECK. Don’t sleep with the enemy!