After 39 years in The Association as a referee, Dick Bavetta has made every possible call, except one: out sick. On Wednesday, Bavetta went to work for the 2,633rd time without an absence, surpassing the consecutive games streak set by white peoples' patron saint of strong work ethic, Cal Ripken Jr. As a septuagenarian, he's more than a veteran; he's a Bavettaran.
Bavetta's officiating resume includes 270 playoff games, 3 All-Star affairs and the 1992 Olympics (that gig had to be his "dream" job). By now, he's traveled even more than the players he's policed. Despite overseeing 12-15 tilts per month, he doesn't wear down because he wears five layers of socks. When a fan shouts at him "you stink" they're probably right.
Whistleblowers of any kind are seldom celebrated, but Bavetta should be. He never saw the worth in ducking an assignment, even if it was Kevin Duckworth. After his next game wraps up, players should carry him off the court - that way they'll carry something other than the ball for a change (it's the least they can do after he allowed it for the previous 48 minutes).
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