Dear Mr. Simon:
We once met at a Pacer game, but I’m certain you won’t recall it at all.
After all, you’re an ultra-successful businessman, a legitimate magnate, and I’m just a Jimmy Olsen wannabe and a curmudgeon.
For the record, our impromptu discussion pertained to the new video scoreboard you had installed at Gainbridge Fieldhouse so fans sitting in the upper-level seats could enjoy the game with a better view.
You were congenial and pleased that l mentioned the improvement.
In reality, that’s just one of the great things you’ve done in your stellar tenure as the owner of the Pacers, and we, as citizens, certainly owe you and your late Brother Melvin Simon a tremendous debt of gratitude for being exemplary stewards of the franchise for over four decades.
No leader finds huge success without great people around them, and you certainly have had a vast number of phenomenal individuals helping you maintain the course, and no one has been responsible for more accomplishments than one Joseph Donald Walsh Jr.
Since 1984, his impressive resume as an assistant coach, general manager, CEO and president of basketball operations has allowed him to distinguish himself as arguably the most important individual that has ever been part of your organization, and it’s now time to raise his name to the rafters and join the other incredible people who have taken up residency there.
Donnie Walsh changed the actual trajectory of the franchise, by first drafting Reggie Miller, then hiring Hall of Famer Larry Brown to coach the team and navigating the transition from Market Square Arena to then Conseco Fieldhouse.
He successfully negotiated numerous contracts at market value and brought in numerous free agents who would perform admirably as role players as the Pacers became a constant in the NBA Playoffs with multiple trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and their appearance in the NBA Finals in 2000 against the L.A. Lakers.
Walsh also impacted the post playing career of Larry Bird by serving as a mentor and giving him the opportunity to first coach the team and then serve as an executive.
Most importantly, he accomplished everything in a fashion that exuded class, style and dignity.
He’s respected by everyone that had the opportunity to work with the man that l call “Coach.”
Mr. Simon, l know you hold him in the highest regard, so please honor your great friend by hoisting his name up into the rafters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season and giving him the ovation he so richly deserves. He’s too modest to accept the accolades, so you’ll have to tell him how much it would mean to you for him to join you at center court and enjoy the ceremony amongst his family.
Take this opportunity to proudly stand next to your colleague and honor him in the proper manner.
He deserves it, and something tells me you’ll enjoy it tremendously.
Thanks, and I’ll see you there.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Donnie Walsh should have been in the Basketball Hall of Fame ages ago, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or bridgeshd@aol.com.
I certainly agree with Mr. Bridges.
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