Forty year old John Diaz has announced he will retire at season's end. Diaz -- who is affectionately known as
The Cap'n to Kings fans -- is currently playing in his twenty-first season in the BuzzerBeater leagues; all of which have come as a member of the Philosopher Kings.
Discovered at Malcontent High, Diaz was selected as one of eighteen players for the inception of the Philosopher Kings (formerly known as The Devil's Advocates). Right from the outset he was thrown into a leadership role and asked to help forge the identity of the team. Diaz wasted little time with that as he and back court partner Donovan Turbis led the Advocates to a silver medal in their first full season. That accomplishment helped instill a winning mentality into the franchise and it paved the way for its future successes.
Shooting 17% from the field and averaging a lowly two points, two assists, and two boards per game this season, it's obvious that Diaz' tank is dry. Earlier this season he offered a candid interview detailing his tribulation with growing old:
It's tough, you know? I've still got the fire burning inside of me but my body just won't react the same way it used to. With each passing year I've come to learn that this is a game meant to be played by the youngins'. The worst part for me is that kids these days have no respect for the old-timers and what we accomplished. I'm constantly telling these punks that I used to be the best player in the world and they just laugh in my face and call me senile. It's despicable. Anyway, what was I talkin' about? I don't know, I can't remember, but I will say that my playing days may be nearing their end. I've been a shell of my former self for several years now and I want to walk away from the game with at least a little dignity left in tact.
Never lacking for confidence, Diaz' delusions of grandeur were only matched by the ferocity in which he played the game. Although his playing career may be done, his #8 hanging from the rafters of Utopia Stadium will certainly inspire Kings' players for decades to come.
John plans to retire to his home town of Timmins, Ontario where he'll presumably spend the rest of his days yelling at kids to get off his lawn.