The Top 10 Best Athlete's Evah!

[Guest Astro]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...laroundathletes

 

By Jeff Merron

Page 2

 

The best athletes of all time -- it's been done, but we're doing it again. These guys were simply built for sport, guys who did -- or could have -- succeeded in just about any sport they chose.

 

 

10. Lou Gehrig

The Iron Horse was 6 feet and 200 pounds of pure muscle -- in columnist Jim Murray's words, "a symbol of indestructibility -- a Gibraltar in cleats." Gehrig was strong and tough enough to play fullback and linebacker at Columbia in the early 1920s, and his sheer durability, exemplified by his consecutive games streak, is unquestionable.

 

Gehrig's ability to simply pound the ball is well known, but some little-discussed aspects of his game are telling. He had good speed -- in fact, he had 163 career triples (he led the AL in 1926 with 20 three-baggers).

 

 

Oh, we forgot to mention -- Lou could also pitch. He was Columbia's ace, going 6-3 his sophomore season before signing with the Yankees. In a game against Williams College he struck out 17 batters. The week before, in a winning effort against CCNY, he struck out 11 in seven innings while going 4-for-4 at the plate with four runs, a double and a stolen base.

 

 

9. Gordie Howe

Howe could do it all on the ice -- skate, shoot, pass, fight and score. And he could do it for much of his life, having entered the NHL in 1946 as an 18-year-old rookie and not retiring until 1980, as a 52-year-old icon (and one of the top scorers on the Whalers).

 

 

Among Howe's accomplishments upon retirement: most lifetime goals (1,071), most lifetime assists (1,518), most All-Star appearances (29) and most MVP awards (7).

 

 

If you think those hockey skills aren't transferable, consider this: Howe often took batting practice with the Tigers, and was so good that Al Kaline thought if he had put his effort into the American pastime, he would have been great at it.

 

 

8. Michael Jordan

We've seen so much of Jordan on the basketball court -- he was super-quick, probably high-jumped six feet without even trying, long-jumped 20 or so feet despite pausing to slam home dunks, could see things nobody else could ... an incredible defender ... etc., etc. Which is why he remains the greatest basketball player of all time.

 

 

 

People will remember Michael Jordan's high-flying dunks forever.

But don't forget what he did in baseball -- after not playing since high school, he spent a season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons and hit .202 with 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 127 games. Some people mocked him for this performance -- MJ couldn't hack it even in the minors, they said -- but putting up those mediocre numbers is pretty impressive for a 31-year-old Southern League rookie. And, proof of what he could simply will himself to do. Last, and maybe least, there's MJ's golf game. As far as we can tell, he's got between a four and seven handicap, can drive the ball a mile, and is a formidable opponent against good amateur golfers.

 

 

7. Jackie Robinson

Robinson, who, as you know, would eventually settle on baseball as his career sport, was the first UCLA athlete ever to letter in four sports. As a Bruin, Robinson was an All-American running back, a point guard who twice led the Pac-10 in scoring, and the 1940 NCAA champion in the long jump, flying 25' 6 1/2".

 

 

And in baseball, he could do it all -- hit for power, hit for average, steal bases with the best of them and stretch doubles into triples. We could say more about Jackie's strength, speed, stamina and extraordinary character, but geez, you know it already. If you don't, that's a shame.

 

 

THE FIVE GREATEST FEMALE ATHLETES

1. Babe Didrikson

2. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

3. Serena Williams

4. Marion Jones

5. Martina Navratilova

 

6. Rafer Johnson

Johnson won the silver medal, despite an injured knee, in the 1956 Olympic decathlon. Four years later, he won the the gold medal in Rome, in a thrilling finish against his friend and training partner C.K. Yang. Back in 1960, the Olympic gold in the decathlon really meant you were the world's greatest athlete. And Yang, a former world record holder, was incredibly tough competition.

 

 

But we need more to bolster Rafer's case for this list. He ran for nine yards a carry in high school, which earned him a football scholarship offer from UCLA. This he turned down, because his eyes were already on the decathlon, in which he set a world record as a college freshman.

 

 

While a prep, he also excelled in basketball, and even though his eyes were clearly on the track and field prize, he did play hoops for UCLA -- under John Wooden.

 

 

5. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt's hoops bona fides are so well known that we'll skip them, except to note that in addition to all of his scoring marks, he remains the only center to lead the NBA in assists. But on to his other athletic exploits (yeah, yeah, we could mention his 20K as proof of his athleticism, but this is a family site).

 

 

If you couldn't tell Chamberlain was strong, fast and agile from his basketball playing, you could look to his track and field performances. As a prep, he set Pennsylvania state records in the shot put and the 110-meter hurdles, and his scholarship to Kansas was for both basketball and track. He earned the track portion by winning three straight Big Eight high jump titles.

 

 

 

Wilt Chamberlain put up some hoops stats that nobody could dream of duplicating today.

After he retired from basketball, the Dipper transformed himself into a world-class volleyball player. For fun, he ran marathons. He also turned down offers to play pro football and box professionally.

 

 

4. Bo Jackson

An MLB and NFL all-star -- are you kidding? Could climb tall walls and summit with spectacular catches and could win the Heisman at his "hobby" sport.

 

To be more precise: in eight major-league seasons, Bo hit .250 with 141 HRs and 415 RBI, and was so good that he returned after surgery, and playing with a prosthetic hip, hit 29 homers in his final two seasons. In four part-time NFL seasons with the Raiders, he played only 38 games but ran for 2,782 yards, an average of 5.4 yards per carry.

 

 

Bo's best baseball season came in 1989, when he hit .256 with 32 homers, 105 RBI and 26 stolen bases. He was named MVP of the All-Star game, and five months later, after he rushed for 950 yards in just 11 games for the Raiders, was named to the Pro Bowl team.

 

 

3. Dave Winfield

Winfield could do it all on the baseball field -- hit for power, run (three times he finished in the top eight in triples, and in four seasons he stole more than 20 bases), and field, winning the Gold Glove seven times. Winfield, who played for the University of Minnesota, was the Gophers' best hitter and pitcher, not a shabby achievement considering Minnesota made it to the semis of the 1973 College World Series. After 22 major-league seasons -- he never played in the minors -- Winfield was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility.

 

 

But there's more. He was also good enough to play pro basketball, drafted by both the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Stars after starring as a power forward on Minnesota's Big Ten championship team. And he was such a great athlete that even though he never played a single down in college, the Vikings selected him in the 1973 draft. No other athlete has ever been drafted in all three pro sports.

2. Jim Thorpe

After the 1912 Olympics, in which Thorpe won the decathlon and pentathlon, King Gustav V of Sweden called him "the greatest athlete in the world." True.

 

 

 

Thorpe could do it all in track and field, and he was the best football player of his era, leading the Carlisle Indian School team to the 1912 national college championship and the Canton Bulldogs to three unofficial pro titles between 1916 and 1919. Thorpe was an awesome runner, a tenacious tackler, and drop-kicked 50-yard field goals with ease. Thorpe also played baseball, putting in six major-league seasons with the Giants, Reds and Braves and hitting a career .252.

 

 

In 1950 Thorpe was named the best athlete of the first half of the 20th century.

 

 

 

Jim Brown was one of the greatest running backs ever, and tops our all-around athlete list.

1. Jim Brown

Brown was one of the greatest NFL running backs of all time, an All-American lacrosse player who was one of the finest ever, averaged 38 points per game in high school basketball and lettered in hoops at Syracuse, finished fifth in the 1956 national decathlon championship, was offered a minor-league deal by the Yankees, and could have been a pro boxer after he retired.

 

 

Also receiving votes:

 

 

Jerry Rice

Bob Gibson

Kirk Gibson

Charlie Ward

Deion Sanders

Bob Mathias

Danny Ainge

John Elway

Eric Heiden

[RepoMan 0]

Shouldn't this be called the greatest North American athletes of all time?

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Where's Donovan McNabb?...

[Guest Astro]

Where's Donovan McNabb?...

McNabb's only had 3-4 good years in Philly at the most. he has to establish himself further I guess.

 

William Perry excelled at Football and Basketball in HS and College, and Spent 8 years in the NFL, and has dabbled in Boxing and Wrestling. So there's lots of people who could qualify. (Not saying he was one of the best ever BTW, just citing an example)

[nl5xsk1 0]

Oh how dirty the ESPN knees must get from constantly be kneeling in front of MJ. The man was a great basketball player, but was not even a good baseball player (no matter how they try to spin it in the article, he barely hit above the Mendoza Line and looked like a fish out of water when he was out there). And it's not like his golf game is going to win him a spot on the PGA tour.

 

Bottom line: he was a great basketball player, but wasn't worthy of a top ten spot on the all time atheletes list. And how does Jesse Owens not even earn an honorable mention?!?

[Slayer 0]

Oh how dirty the ESPN knees must get from constantly be kneeling in front of MJ. The man was a great basketball player, but was not even a good baseball player (no matter how they try to spin it in the article, he barely hit above the Mendoza Line and looked like a fish out of water when he was out there).

Words. Out. Of. Mouth.

[Ripper 0]

Where's Donovan McNabb?...

McNabb's only had 3-4 good years in Philly at the most. he has to establish himself further I guess.

 

William Perry excelled at Football and Basketball in HS and College, and Spent 8 years in the NFL, and has dabbled in Boxing and Wrestling. So there's lots of people who could qualify. (Not saying he was one of the best ever BTW, just citing an example)

WHOOSH~!

 

 

ESPN can still kiss my ass acting like Jordan is hands down the greatest to ever play the game. They kiss it with their tounges out.

[Guest MikeSC]

Oh how dirty the ESPN knees must get from constantly be kneeling in front of MJ.  The man was a great basketball player, but was not even a good baseball player (no matter how they try to spin it in the article, he barely hit above the Mendoza Line and looked like a fish out of water when he was out there).  And it's not like his golf game is going to win him a spot on the PGA tour.

 

Bottom line: he was a great basketball player, but wasn't worthy of a top ten spot on the all time atheletes list.  And how does Jesse Owens not even earn an honorable mention?!?

Geez, if being good in other sports makes you a legend, then Danny Ainge and Tom Glavine are better than Jordan.

ESPN can still kiss my ass acting like Jordan is hands down the greatest to ever play the game. They kiss it with their tounges out.

Indeed. MJ had the league pass rules to AID him and his style of play.

-=Mike

[Ripper 0]

Oh how dirty the ESPN knees must get from constantly be kneeling in front of MJ.  The man was a great basketball player, but was not even a good baseball player (no matter how they try to spin it in the article, he barely hit above the Mendoza Line and looked like a fish out of water when he was out there).  And it's not like his golf game is going to win him a spot on the PGA tour.

 

Bottom line: he was a great basketball player, but wasn't worthy of a top ten spot on the all time atheletes list.  And how does Jesse Owens not even earn an honorable mention?!?

Geez, if being good in other sports makes you a legend, then Danny Ainge and Tom Glavine are better than Jordan.

ESPN can still kiss my ass acting like Jordan is hands down the greatest to ever play the game. They kiss it with their tounges out.

Indeed. MJ had the league pass rules to AID him and his style of play.

-=Mike

goddamned right.

 

The league passed rules to hinder guys like Kareem and Wilt. And I still think they were better.

[Damaramu 0]

Oh Jordan was a good basketball player and probably one of the most popular ever to play. You guys are acting like he was the worst player in history and got undeserved attention.

[Guest Redhawk]

I would have had Jackie Robinson higher up. From what I've read, people who saw him play said baseball was his WORST sport, yet he was an MVP / Rookie of the Year / Batting champ / Hall of Famer. He could have gone pro in football or basketball, and was an NCAA champion long jumper.

[Guest MikeSC]

Oh Jordan was a good basketball player and probably one of the most popular ever to play. You guys are acting like he was the worst player in history and got undeserved attention.

Nobody is saying Jordan isn't a great player.

 

Wilt was simply a much better one.

-=Mike

[nl5xsk1 0]

Oh Jordan was a good basketball player and probably one of the most popular ever to play. You guys are acting like he was the worst player in history and got undeserved attention.

Being a good basketball player doesn't make you one of the best athletes ever.

 

Being one of the most popular players doesn't make you one of the best athletes ever.

 

Being great at one sport, decent at another, and below average at a third doesn't make you one of the best athletes ever.

 

This list is supposed to be the top 10 athletes ever, and Jordan has no right being on that list.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Where's Donovan McNabb?...

McNabb's only had 3-4 good years in Philly at the most. he has to establish himself further I guess.

WHOOSH~!

Sir Ripper, I hereby designate you and your baby-momma-bangin'-self my offical "Whoosh" Knight...

 

[Ripper 0]

Where's Donovan McNabb?...

McNabb's only had 3-4 good years in Philly at the most. he has to establish himself further I guess.

WHOOSH~!

Sir Ripper, I hereby designate you and your baby-momma-bangin'-self my offical "Whoosh" Knight...

 

 

I am shocked you actually found a pic of a black guy getting knighted...weird.

 

 

Jordan is the greatest basketball player of the 1990s.

 

I don't think he could fuck with Magic in the 80's.

 

Over all, I would put Magic, Wilt, Kareem, then tie Jordan with Oscar Robinson for number 4.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Ripper, where's the Bird and Russell love? Or "Pistol" Pete?

[Guest Redhawk]

Over all, I would put Magic, Wilt, Kareem, then tie Jordan with Oscar Robinson for number 4.

 

Top 5: Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

um, I mean, Larry Bird.

[starvenger 0]

Shouldn't this be called the greatest North American athletes of all time?

Lionel "Big Train" Conacher isn't on there, so, no.

[Guest webmasterofwrestlegame]

Someone tell ESPN a world exists east of New York and West of LA...

[Ripper 0]

Ripper, where's the Bird and Russell love? Or "Pistol" Pete?

They are there...I just think that Wilt, Johnson, Jabbar, ROBERTSON(smartass ) and Jordan were better.

 

Pistol Pete had a realtively short career, although he was great, and while I still think that Russel is probably the best defesive player EVER to step on the court, I wouldn't call him the greatest all around player.

[Guest NCJ]

Ask Magic or Larry Bird who was the best that they had ever seen. Every time I have seen them asked they always say Jordan and Larry, or Jordan and Magic. Chamberlin was above Jordan on this list, but Jordan was a much better all around player than he was. I mean damn six titles are more than anyone not on the classic Celtics teams. 5 mvp's, as many scoring titles as Wilt, and a career average equal to Wilt, and a career shooting percentage of almost .500 from a two guard makes him alot worse than Chamberlin? Yes they did change the rules, but that was because he did stuff like turn a free throw attempt into a dunk(if you don't believe me check NBA.com under history) by jumping form the line with the ball. I will always say that Chamberlin was the most dominant player ever, but if you put him in a game with todays players he wouldn't look nearly as good. The guy was only listed at 7-1 275. If you even give him 7-2 300, Shaq would still eat him alive in the post. Hakem would have left him in the dust, and Duncan would just go bank on him all day long. If you put Jordan in any era he is still one of the best if not the best there.

[NoCalMike 0]

If Deion is considered, then I really think Darrell Green should get a look or two. Darrell Green was basically the Deion Sanders of football before Deion came around. Darrell just didn't have a big mouth or a ME attitude to go with it. Also, he was ALMOST lured away from football in the 80's to run in the olympics. Yes, he was that fast in his prime.

[Guest Redhawk]

Bob Hayes won an Olympic gold medal in the 100-meters and was an All-Pro level receiver with the Cowboys. He should get some love as well.

[Ripper 0]

Ask Magic or Larry Bird who was the best that they had ever seen. Every time I have seen them asked they always say Jordan and Larry, or Jordan and Magic. Chamberlin was above Jordan on this list, but Jordan was a much better all around player than he was. I mean damn six titles are more than anyone not on the classic Celtics teams. 5 mvp's, as many scoring titles as Wilt, and a career average equal to Wilt, and a career shooting percentage of almost .500 from a two guard makes him alot worse than Chamberlin? Yes they did change the rules, but that was because he did stuff like turn a free throw attempt into a dunk(if you don't believe me check NBA.com under history) by jumping form the line with the ball. I will always say that Chamberlin was the most dominant player ever, but if you put him in a game with todays players he wouldn't look nearly as good. The guy was only listed at 7-1 275. If you even give him 7-2 300, Shaq would still eat him alive in the post. Hakem would have left him in the dust, and Duncan would just go bank on him all day long. If you put Jordan in any era he is still one of the best if not the best there.

Okay, how about Kareem? 6 NBA titles, 5 MVPs, Just as many scoring titles, 2nd alltime in Blocks, and rebounds, First all time scoring?

 

Magic got 5 championships against great competition. Not to cheapen the Bulls six, but the last 3, there was just no competition in the league really. The league was historically bad in terms of scoring. So much so they moved the freakin 3 point line to bring in more excitement. There was no Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, 87-90 Phoenix suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sampson/Olajawhan(yeah I know..SP) Rockets or no 76's to contend with for those last 3. Take away some great teams the Lakers could have realistically won 8-9 championships in that decade instead of the 5.

 

Wilt Chamberlin was a incredibly dominant rebounder and led the league in assist one year and was in the top 5 for a few other years. FROM THE CENTER POSITION.

 

Oscar Robinson put 30 11 and 15 for a season.

 

I don't see how calling anyone the top 5 of all time is a insult to them. Hell, top 10 all time is still a great compliment.

 

If it was a all time starting 5, Jordan is your two guard. The guy was a great player. One of the greatest. I am just not calling him THE greatest of alltime, because honestly, I don't think he is/was.

[Ripper 0]

If Deion is considered, then I really think Darrell Green should get a look or two. Darrell Green was basically the Deion Sanders of football before Deion came around. Darrell just didn't have a big mouth or a ME attitude to go with it. Also, he was ALMOST lured away from football in the 80's to run in the olympics. Yes, he was that fast in his prime.

Didn't he run a 4.3 in his final year. He was like 41. That is some sick shit.

[Guest Redhawk]

Okay, how about Kareem?  6 NBA titles, 5 MVPs, Just as many scoring titles, 2nd alltime in Blocks, and rebounds, First all time scoring?

 

I think the reason Kareem isn't often placed very high is because he made everything look so easy and because he was so big. When I bring up Kareem to casual fans, the usual response is something like "All he did was take hook shots all day. If I was 7-2, I could do that and get 20 a game."

 

Magic got 5 championships against great competition. Not to cheapen the Bulls six, but the last 3, there was just no competition in the league really.  The league was historically bad in terms of scoring.  So much so they moved the freakin 3 point line to bring in more excitement.  There was no Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, 87-90 Phoenix suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sampson/Olajawhan(yeah I know..SP) Rockets or no 76's to contend with for those last 3.  Take away some great teams the Lakers could have realistically won 8-9 championships in that decade instead of the 5.

 

Good point, but Magic had WAY better teammates than Michael. The Showtime Lakers were stacked with Worthy, Kareem, B. Scott, Cooper, etc. Jordan had Pippen (who we've all come to learn was probably a bit overrated) and Rodman/Grant and that's about it.

 

Oscar Robinson put 30 11 and 15 for a season.

 

Robertson, man! RO-BERT-SON!!

[Guest NCJ]

I agree with you totally Ripper about Oscar(I have him top three all time), and I do think that Wilt and Kareem were great players(you probably can't get anyone to leave either out of a top seven list, and both would appear in most top five list), but I still stand by the fact that if you are going to be called the greatest basketball player of all time you should be able to be dominant in any era. I am pretty sure Wilt would still be an All-Star and average between 20 and 25 points and 12 to 15 boards, but this best ever talk would not be made. His greatest rival(Bill Russel) was only 6-9. He towered over his competion. As far as Kareem goes I loved Kareem, but honestly he just didn't have the fire to be competitive all the time. When he wanted to he could dominate, but sometimes he just was lazy and only played just good enough. In regards to socring, rebounding, and blocks stats, he was a great player, but those positions are clearly based only on his longevity. While it is incredbile that some one can be that good for that long there were alot of players who were just as good or better at those things as he was. Jordan averaged alot more points than him per season, and if Jordan dosen't retire or break his leg in his third year he is easily ahead of Kareem. I am not trying to take away from Kareem as a player, and I still think he is clearly one of the best of all time, but facts are facts. I didn't mean to make it sound like you were insulting Jordan Ripper, but some here are acting like Jordan should never be mentioned among the greatest athletes ever. All I have to say is this regarding his baseball attempt. You can dismiss it as ESPN trying to put a spin on his numbers if you want, but there are plenty of guys who have played baseball their entire lives, and are in their prime years between 20 and 27, but can't put up Jordan's numbers in the minors. Jordan hadn't played competitive organized baseball since high school, and he still put up decent numbers. Tony Gonzalez is one of the most talented athletes in the NFL, and he couldn't average eight points a game in a semi pro basketball league when he was less than eight years removed from playing D-1 college basketball. Say whatever you want, but I still say a 31 year old man doing that after not playing organized baseball in about 13 years is damn impressive.

[Vern Gagne 0]

If Deion is considered, then I really think Darrell Green should get a look or two. Darrell Green was basically the Deion Sanders of football before Deion came around. Darrell just didn't have a big mouth or a ME attitude to go with it. Also, he was ALMOST lured away from football in the 80's to run in the olympics. Yes, he was that fast in his prime.

I think Deion Sanders is easily a Top 10 athlete of all-time. He was arguably the best CB in NFL history, one of the most demanding positions in any sport. He had sprinters speed, and had a solid MLB career.

[MrRant 0]

Jim Brown?

[NoCalMike 0]

If Deion is considered, then I really think Darrell Green should get a look or two.  Darrell Green was basically the Deion Sanders of football before Deion came around.  Darrell just didn't have a big mouth or a ME attitude to go with it.  Also, he was ALMOST lured away from football in the 80's to run in the olympics.  Yes, he was that fast in his prime.

I think Deion Sanders is easily a Top 10 athlete of all-time. He was arguably the best CB in NFL history, one of the most demanding positions in any sport. He had sprinters speed, and had a solid MLB career.

Here is my beef with calling Deion the best CB ever. I think in his PRIME he definately has to be considered, but when he lost a stop later in his career, he declined FAST. He went from his prime to garbage in a matter of two years. As opposed to someone like Darrell Green or Aneas Williams who even though they lost a step, stayed good at their positions every year.