The tributes continued to flow freely and powerfully, just as one of his famed yorkers, as legendary West Indies fast bowler Joel “Big Bird” Garner continues to bask, after being conferred with the Order of the Freedom of Barbados, the nation’s highest award, during the 2025 Independence and Republic celebrations late last year.
The honour, awarded for “distinguished and extraordinary service in sports,” recognises a career where Garner’s towering 6’8” frame cast a long shadow over batters worldwide, and his gentle giant persona cemented him as a pillar of the all-conquering West Indies teams of the 1970s and 80s.
Former captain and fellow knight, Sir Clive Lloyd, led the chorus of praise for his cricketing brethren.
“He was a great team person,” Lloyd stated. “He added something different; he got the ball to rise disconcertingly from just short of a good length, and he bowled one of the best yorkers I know. The minute the tail end was in, he would remove them. He was a great fellow to have in our team.”
The sentiment of camaraderie and profound respect was echoed by fast bowling great and former teammate, Ambassador Courtney Walsh, who addressed his “soulmate” directly.
“Big Bird, my good friend, man. From teammate to roommate. Someone I’ve always admired and looked up to as a young man. Thanks to all that you have passed on to me. Truly well-deserved award. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.”
Fellow “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” member Andy Roberts provided acute technical insight into what made Garner, who joined the quartet after Roberts, Michael Holding, and the injured Colin Croft had begun their reign of terror, so uniquely formidable.
“He made the most integral and important part of that unit,” Roberts said. “He used his great height far better than any other fast bowler the world has produced from that height.”
Roberts highlighted Garner’s most feared weapon. “He had a great yorker. He didn’t need to bowl bouncers because once he released that ball from that height, it was basically a more important weapon than what I could do. His height alone did everything.” (CMC)
