Vern Gagne Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 discovery.com top5choices.com The special is in May. So it's still quite a few months away. Don't know how long, people are allowed to vote though. My Top 5 Washington Lincoln Franklin Jefferson Edison
Jingus Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Top 100 Americans... what, like Ever? That's tough. How do you decide whether Mark Twain or FDR was the greater man? (That's just one example, I'm sure there are thousands of others.)
Henry Spencer Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 George Washington Abraham Lincoln Martin Luther King Jr. Thomas Edison Henry David Thoreau
Justice Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 100? Jesus, that's an insane list. I don't think I can do it, to be honest: how can you really judge achievements in completely different areas against each other?
Vern Gagne Posted January 15, 2005 Author Report Posted January 15, 2005 Top 100 Americans... what, like Ever? That's tough. How do you decide whether Mark Twain or FDR was the greater man? (That's just one example, I'm sure there are thousands of others.) Anyone who was a US citizen is eligible. So someone like Einstein might be eligible, not sure if he ever became a citizen.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 I'm curious to see what sports figures rate on that list. I'm guessing Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, and Jesse Owens will land on that list. I'd love to see John L. Sullivan figure in as well.
Vern Gagne Posted January 15, 2005 Author Report Posted January 15, 2005 Good question. Also what about someone like Ty Cobb. He was a bigoted racist prick off the field, but before Babe Ruth he was the biggest name in MLB.
Ted the Poster Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Didn't Cobb allegedly kill a man?
Spaceman Spiff Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 Didn't Cobb allegedly kill a man? No, no. You're thinking New Jack. It's a common mix up.
Kahran Ramsus Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 For sports figures I would think Jackie Robinson would be a lock for that list.
CanadianChris Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 For sports figures I would think Jackie Robinson would be a lock for that list. Definitely...and if he's on the list, Branch Rickey deserves to be as well.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 I've never read anything stating Cobb killed a man. Cobb's mother killed his father (according to the trial she mistaked him for a prowler), so maybe there's a mixup there. In any case, Cobb had little impact on the world outside of baseball. Jackie Robinson definately would have a shot at the list, but I can't see Branch Rickey there.
Guest Failed Mascot Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 What about Ted Williams? Great baseball player and war hero.
Kahran Ramsus Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 I've never read anything stating Cobb killed a man. Cobb's mother killed his father (according to the trial she mistaked him for a prowler), so maybe there's a mixup there. In any case, Cobb had little impact on the world outside of baseball. Jackie Robinson definately would have a shot at the list, but I can't see Branch Rickey there. Cobb apparently claimed on his deathbed that he pistol-whipped a mugger to death. I don't think its ever been proven. With his personality it could have very well been BS.
tommytomlin Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 I'm disappointed nobody has mentioned Hulk Hogan.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 What about Ted Williams? Great baseball player and war hero. Williams' accomplishments are undeniable, but what did he do to transend baseball? Very little, in my view. Certainly nothing that would rate him among the Ben Franklins and Mark Twains of our nation. Cobb apparently claimed on his deathbed that he pistol-whipped a mugger to death. I don't think its ever been proven. With his personality it could have very well been BS. Its possible, but I have never come across anything to comfirm that story.
Kahran Ramsus Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 Yeah, it could have happened, assuming the whole thing isn't just an urban legend. I'm just saying that I don't recall there being any evidence whatsoever aside from Cobb's word.
Guest Failed Mascot Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 What about Ted Williams? Great baseball player and war hero. Williams' accomplishments are undeniable, but what did he do to transend baseball? Very little, in my view. Certainly nothing that would rate him among the Ben Franklins and Mark Twains of our nation. Um...Greatest Hitter to ever live
Big Ol' Smitty Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 Easy. I think we all know the answer to this question. And it starts with an M and ends with an Atlock.
Vyce Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 I'm disappointed nobody has mentioned Hulk Hogan. If it makes you feel any better, he's number 83 on my list.
Your Paragon of Virtue Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 What about Ted Williams? Great baseball player and war hero. Williams' accomplishments are undeniable, but what did he do to transend baseball? Very little, in my view. Certainly nothing that would rate him among the Ben Franklins and Mark Twains of our nation. Um...Greatest Hitter to ever live How many presidents do you guys think will be on the list? I think they're gonna go with a set number, like 12.
The Amazing Rando Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 Lincoln'll get this thing, I venture. Or Ben Franklin.
Vern Gagne Posted January 16, 2005 Author Report Posted January 16, 2005 Probably around that number. Depends on it's just the standard fare. Like Washington, Lincoln..or if they go a little deeper and include Polk, whose considered by most historians to be a Top 10 president.
Vern Gagne Posted January 16, 2005 Author Report Posted January 16, 2005 I've already heard who's number 1.
Guest Failed Mascot Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 I expect Ted Williams to be in the bottom 30. I mean the guy gave up 3 1/2 years of his prime to serve in the air force. He didn't just sit back and wash the planes either. He was flying in and doing missions.
DerangedHermit Posted January 16, 2005 Report Posted January 16, 2005 And it starts with an M and ends with an Atlock. Me, Deranged Hermit, who is not an Atlock?
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