Mia Hamm to retire tonite. Former coach says:

[rasputin1952]

"She laid to rest the insult, 'You play like a girl'" Anson Dorrane

Story at NYT's Sports:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/08/sports/soccer/08hamm.html?oref=login&th

[Bluzmann57]

1. Her hubby just signed for $8 million with the Cubs

so it's doubtful they need the money. For those who don't know, her husband is Nomar Garciaparra, shortstop now with the Chicago Cubs. Mia Hamm has had a great career and good luck to her in the future.

[BuddhaGirl]

2. Congrats to Mia and the Women's Team!!

I had the pleasure of seeing them in a semifinal match against Brazil Palo Alto in the '99 World Cup.

What a game!! They will indeed be missed :-)

[rasputin1952]

3. The Women's Soccer Team and The Women's Sofball Team...

definately showed the rest of the world that women can play with the big guys, any time; and with more dignity and class that many would have ever believed. Congrat's to them all!!!!!

[Ravenseye]

4. With the big guys? Uh no.

Mia Hamm is an incredible athlete but I don't think she would last long if she played with a men's side. There aren't many sports where women can outdo the men, but they do exist. Most sports though it would simply be unfair to play women with the men. It doesn't mean women's sports can't be better either.

I love women's tennis, but hate men's tennis. Why? The men all serve so hard and fast that there are rarely any good volleys which is what I find interesting to watch. The women's game is better, in my opinion, because they don't have the upper body strength men do, which makes the game more interesting.

Soccer, Football, Baseball, Softball, Golf, Basketball...you name it. The fact that men are bigger and stronger than women will pretty much always make it impossible for a woman to play most of these sports with the men.

Mia Hamm = Great Athlete
Women's Soccer = Great Sport
Men's Sports != Women's Sports

[rasputin1952]

5. Generally speaking, I certainly agree...but I think women bring a grace...

and dignity to sports that is sorely lacking. There are great male athletes of course....but there are great women athletes as well. I would not expect a woman to take on the Defensive line of a pro football team, but I'm sure there are a few that could. But there is no way I can picture now, in many male dominatred sports, what I remember as a kid. Team spirit, commeraderaie, and a selfless work towards the excellence of the team. Today, it is all about 'ME', and I find that not very conducive to sports in general.

What Hamm did, was show that women could compete on a level previous not seen that often in thew past. She, and her team mates reminded us all, what we should really aspire to, grace in winning, and grace in defeat. She was one of the first, but certainly not the last woman to show us we could aspire to be better.

I am a male of great age, and I remember many who have paved the way before her. I am glad to have seen the latest move forward...:)

[Runcible Spoon]

6. I think equestrian events ar e the only Olympic events where women and men

compete on the same field. Correct me if this is wrong...being an equestrian, I can proudly brag that take men to task every time we compete!