Feb. 28, 1965 - Bob Pettit, the player most responsible for making pro basketball a success in St. Louis, announced today he is retiring from the Hawks. The NBA star said at a press conference that he will quit at the end of the season.
Pettit said there were two big reasons for his decision:
— He has a job in a bank in Baton Rouge, La., and wants to get back there and learn the business.
— In the past 11 years, he set certain standards as to the way Bob Pettit should play. He feels he could play another year and well but that he would be below his standards, and fans would not be pleased.
Ben Kerner, owner of the Hawks, followed Pettit in saying a few words at the press conference, but he broke down halfway through. Mike Aubuchon, the club’s attorney, had to finish.
Kerner said that the records Bob is leaving behind do not convey Pettit the man, his humility, his conscientiousness, and great desire to excel. These will serve as symbols for other Hawks to follow.
He thought Pettit’s greatest achievement with the Hawks was not in the 1957-58 season, when they won the NBA championship, but in the 1961-62 season, when the team had a very poor year. Bob never let up his great work in that hopeless cause and gave the team a semblance of respectability, he said. At this point, Kerner could not continue, and Aubuchon finished the statement.
The 32-year-old star forward may already have played his final game for St. Louis fans. Pettit has been sidelined for two weeks because of a knee injury and must wait until an examination later this week to learn if he can return to action this season.
“I hope to be able to play in a few games before the regular season ends on March 21 and then help the Hawks in the playoffs,” Pettit said. “But there is no way to know until the cast is taken off my leg.”Pettit played his rookie season with the Hawks when they were based in Milwaukee and was voted rookie of the year. When owner Ben Kerner moved the club to St. Louis for the 1955-56 season, the 6-9 Pettit became an immediate fan favorite.
He averaged 25.7 points in his first season in St. Louis, and his average never feel below 24.6 until the current campaign. Of equal importance was his rebounding. Bob was always among the league leaders in this department.
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