Top Five Greatest Sportspeople

[Harbourboy]

Simple enough question. Who are your top five greatest sportspeople of all time? I thought the results might be quite interesting given the range of countries and sports covered by people on these Boards. Note, that by "greatest", I am talking about their impact, skills, achievements etc, rather than just being your favourites, although I accept that you will probably be biased towards people you like.

To get the ball rolling, here is my list:

1. Sir Donald Bradman (Cricket): For those of you who are unaware, in cricket, a really good batsman might have an average as high as 50. Sir Don finished his career at 99.94. Despite being an Australian, he was the Man, especially for providing his nation with something to celebrate during the Depression and War years.

2. Pele (Soccer): You know you've made it when everyone knows you by one name.

3. Muhammad Ali (Boxing): I wasn't going to have him on my list, due to my reservations about the sport of boxing, but I can't deny his impact.

4. Michael Jordan (Basketball): Another guy who has become a legend even amongst people (like me) who would not have even bothered to watch basketball if it wasn't for him.

5. Tiger Woods (Golf): Tough call choosing someone who potentially still has so much of his career to go, but the Michael Jordan comments apply to Tiger as well.

Hmm, no rugby players, no New Zealanders, and no women. Maybe I should have made it a top 10 or 20. Also, note that I was going to put Wayne Gretzky in but I figured that might be a bit odd, given that I have only ever watched 2 ice hockey games in my whole life and I never watched him play.

[Barmy Army]

1 - Sir Donald Bradman (cricket) - No introduction needed really. The greatest man ever to pick up a cricket bad. His average was absolutely unbelievable.I'm actualyl pretty pissed off at my England for getting him for a duck in his last ever game, otherwise his average would have been 100+!!!

2 - Bobby Charlton (football) - Astoundingly shocking hair, astouningly brilliant talent. Englands top ever scorer and not even a forward. One of the best footballers ever and one of the finest sportsmen.

3 - Jim Laker (cricket) - Probably the biggest unsung hero in cricket ever! Probably the greatest spinner ever to live and rarely even spoken about. 19 wickets in one test match, no one has come close to that really.

4 - Pele (football) - THE greatest footballer EVER. His goalscoring record was absolutely mind-boggling.

5 - W.G. Grace (cricket) - 54200+ runs and 2800+ wickets. BRING IT OOOON! 'The Doc' was a legend in every sense of the word.

I want to add more, like Gary Linekar and Alan Shearer but have to limit it to 5!

[kuemper]

It's time for one of the girls to speak out. You may be surprised at my choices.

#1 Billie Jean King - She's won so many titles and matches in tennis, but the best was her defeating Bobby Riggs in the infamous Battle of the Sexes in 1973.

#2 Nadia Comaneci - I can just remember watching this little girl break down when she saw her gymnastic score was a 1.0. To the joy of the fans, it was made clear she achieved a 10, but the scorecard wasn't wide enough for three digits! Nadia is the reason I continue to keep an eye on gymnastics.

#3 Roger Bannister - The first man to break the four minute mile - twice! He did this while continuing his medical studies and even managed a knighthood for his efforts.

#4 Bruce Jenner - This one is a bit pride as he did most of his Olympic training while going to college in Iowa. Still, incredible to compete successfully in 10 different events.

#5 Joseph Jacques Plante - He was the foundation for how hockey goalies stand and protect their net. Oh yeah, and he originated the fiberglass hockey mask worn by goalies today.

[Shell]

#1 Martin O'Neill - Ex-Celtic manager who quit to look after his wife who has cancer. Good looking, excellent manager and kind hearted too - what else do you need?
#2 Jose Mourinho - Current Chelsea manager - you have to laugh at his antics on and off the pitch, and his general I don't care what anyone thinks attitude
#3 Rafa Benitez - Current Liverpool manager. He's very cheeky
#4 Matt Dawson - Rugby Union player for Wasps and England. I tried to think of a valid reason but if I'm honest it's just because I fancy him
#5 Neil Lennon - Celtic captain and excellent footballer. I also like his hair


Honourable Mentions
Steven Gerrard - went off him as he has a bimbo girlfriend
Frank Lampard - who the hell calls their kid Luna

[Pac man]

Michael jordan
Mohammed Ali
Babe Ruth
Lance Armstrong
Diego Armando Maradona

* About my last choice: Pele was probably individually the better player, but Brazil would have won those worldcup titles without him just as easily, he just completed the team, Maradona on the other hand WAS the team.

[Felinoid]

1. Reggie White (American football): The best athlete and man to ever live. His nickname was the Minister of Defense because not only did he play defensive end for the Packers (and Eagles), he was a very devout man and was even ordained a minister by his church. May he rest in peace.

2. Brett Favre (American football): Combined with #1, he got the Packers to the Super Bowl (twice!) for the first time in thirty years. Many years later, he's still the best there is, and his legacy will live forever.

More as they come to me.

[grillen]

Bjorn Borg(tennis)
Babe Ruth(baseball)
Pele
Jesse Owens(track, he owned Hitler and his racism)
Fatality or Heaton(e-sports) lol

[Morgoroth]

I'm going to only pick sports I know something about, so no cricket champions on my list.

1 Ayrton Senna. Formula One driver, the best I've ever seen in my opinion. Sure Schumacher might have more records and sure Fangio may have driven all his championships in a time when it was common for several drivers to die in a season but the passion, quickness and the never give up attitude by Senna made him special, and his death on the race track made him ever the greater of a legend.

2. Pete Sampras. Arguably the most gifted player ever to wield a tennis racquette(sp?). His coolness and skill made him great on court and outside it. He packed up his carear nicely by winning the last tournament he played in, which happened to be a grand slam. Federer is a potential player to catch him, but he still has a long way to go though.

3. I could not live with myself if I'd not pick a Finn here so I'll pick Paavo Nurmi, a long distance runner who held several records in his time. He probably still has a few minor records but the bigger ones have allready been beaten. A great symbol of Finnish atheltics.

4. Pele. Others have introduced him well enough so I probably won't need to do that. Simply the best man to kick a ball, ever.

5. Wayne Grezky. When Canadians start finding this thread this man will probably be on the top of their list. An truly great ice hockey player and easily the best ever in NHL. The guy has so many amazing records that no one can even come close to that it makes you wonder.

[NonSequitur]

I'm sure that people won't be surprised at how partisan my choices are. After all, I'm an Australian.

#1 - Sir Donald Bradman (cricket)

For much the same reasons as HB and BA have listed. Quite simply, Bradman was incomparable; a peerless batsman, a true gentlemen, and an inspirational figure. Plus he's an Australian.

#2 - Muhammad Ali (boxing)

Ali wasn't just a great boxer, he was another inspirational figure; a man who transcended his sport to become more than a man. He talked the talk and walked the walk. So many quotes, so many achievements.

#3 - Heather McKay (squash)

I'm sure a few people will be saying "Who?" For them, here is a link:

http://www.squashpics.com/pastplayers/heather_mckay.htm

Put simply, anyone whose career spans 15 years, and who loses only two professional matches in all that time, is in a class of their own.

#4 - Gary Ablett (Australian Rules football)

Again, another "Who?" for most (and anyone outside Australia). Ablett's nickname was "God" - one which he has asked not to be used, as a born-again Christian - and he was absolutely incredible on the field. He didn't have size or power as a full-forward, but he was tough as nails, skilled beyond belief, and could turn a match around in a matter of minutes. One of the greatest AFL players in history.

#5 - Pele (soccer)

One word. 'Nuff said. While I agree with Pacman's sentiments about Maradona, Pele was such a phenomenal player (and less mired in controversy than Diego) that he made the cut here.

[Harbourboy]

Some really interesting choices so far, the most dubious (in my opinion) being Matt Dawson (!) But everyone is entitled to their opinion!

[Register]

Barmy Army, why do you consider Pele before Charlton?

[Felinoid]

@HB:
Well, Shell already admitted:

I tried to think of a valid reason but if I'm honest it's just because I fancy him

There's also the question of whether cycling (Lance Armstrong) or track (Jesse Owens) are actually "sports", per se, but these guys are most definitely athletes, and are very good at what they do. How about changing the title to "Top Five Greatest Athletes" so we can include these great achievers?

[olimikrig]

Preben Elkjær
(Soccer) A guy who can smoke 20 cigarettes a day, and still play soccer at top level wil forever hold my respect

Pele
(soccer, again) For reasons mentioned by others, and because we almost share the same name

Miguel Indurain
(Cykling) One of the greatest people to ever have ridden a bike... He's the one who first gave me the interrest in cykling sports.

Alan Shearer
(soccer ) Great footballer, I was and is a huge fan of his.

Carl Lewis
(athletic - long jump, 100 and 200 meters) 10 Olympic medals (9 of which are gold), 8 world championship's gold medals, and 1 bronze, from 1983 to 1993.
All this in a carrier which went from 1984 to 1996. Need I say more

[dmc]

This is difficult, given that I find so many sports immensely boring. While I recognize the athletic prowess of many people who play sports I hate, I cannot vote for them. Thus, no football players of any type. No cricket. No golf (not sure it's a sport anyway -- I like to play but watching is tedium incarnate).

So . . .

1. Jordan - his physical skills were only surpassed by his competitive spirit

2. Gretzky - in a league comprised mainly of thugs (even then), he was head and shoulders above everone

3. Wilt Chamberlain - amazing at basketball and track

4. Sampras by a nose over Emerson - I'm not sure that I don't think it should be the other way, given the crappy equipment Emerson used compared to Sampras, but I think, generally, Sampras had more competition.

5. Ali - Just . . . wow . . . and I don't like boxing all that much or he'd be higher up.

[Kitrax]

Hmmm...I can't put them in order, so here are my five:

-Mike Jordan - the Bulls used to kick a$$ when they had Jordan
-Bret Farve - Green Bay rules!
-Lance Armstong - Beat the French on their own turf...'nuff said.
-Wane Gretzky - Hocky was cool back then, and he was the best.
-Anyone on the US Olympic Swimming Team!

Note, if anyone mentions Dale Earnheart, his loser of a son, or any other driver from NASCAR...I will personally beat you with a rather large trout!

[Harbourboy]

Just to clarify, for the purposes of this thread, I certainly do count track and field, cycling, motor racing, and golf as 'sports'.

[Gnarfflinger]

1. Wayne Gretzky. Nobody will ever achieve what he did in the NHL.

2. Muhammed Ali. Simply the Greatest.

3. Bobby Orr (Ice Hockey). He revolutionized the defence position, and was one of three players ever to record 100+ assists in a regular season.

4. Nolan Ryan (Baseball). 7 no hitters, record setting Fastball, Career Strikeout record, Anything else?

5. Royce Gracie (UFC). Won three of the first four Ultimate fighting challenge tournaments, and always against guys bigger than he was. by the time his opponent realized that he was in trouble, Gracie was already having his hand raised by the referee...

[NonSequitur]

5. Royce Gracie (UFC). Won three of the first four Ultimate fighting challenge tournaments, and always against guys bigger than he was. by the time his opponent realized that he was in trouble, Gracie was already having his hand raised by the referee...

Holy crap, how could I have forgotten Royce Gracie? I guess he's much like Heather McKay in that respect - a true legend in their field, but without much exposure or outside recognition.



I remember one of his bouts, against Dan Severn. Severn had a significant size and weight advantage over Gracie (heck, most of his opponents did). 95% of the bout was Severn pounding Gracie, and the commentators were saying that it was only a matter of time.

Then Severn shifted his weight slightly, Gracie whipped around him like an octopus, and Severn tapped. Absolutely amazing stuff - blink and you'll miss it. I can only imagine what Shamrock-Gracie was like.

[Harbourboy]

Royce Gracie? Never heard of him. I'm sure Jaguar could take him.

[Late-Night Thinker]

C'mon people...Chris Berman!

I mean, he was the Swami for goodness sakes!

Listen to these quotes:

"That's why they play the game." (for upsets)
"Back back back back back back ... GONE!" (home runs)
"Rumblin', Bumblin', Stumblin'" (mostly for running backs)
"He could ... go ... all ... the ... way!" (mimicking Howard Cosell)

[The Magpie]

I had to cogitate on this for a while, so here goes:
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1. The Don (Cricket) - Sir Donald Bradman would have been a very glad man if his average was just .06 more than 99.94! No one else will equal this feat in cricket, ever.
2. Roger Federer (Tennis) - He's still young (24), and the greatest players are already sweating over their records. Sampras was a great player, sure, but no-one can do to a ball on court what Federer does. Undefeated in 24 straight finals, which is testament not only to his talent but his sheer will to win.
3. Ian Botham (Cricket) - Not just for Headingley '81, he was also a legend for Somerset. Just a shame he was always falling out with Peter Roebuck, which limited how long he stayed.
4. Jonah Barrington (Squash) - won the British Open 6 times, his awesome fitness earned him the title "The Bionic Man". Also a really nice bloke.
5. Brian Clough (Football) - Was a promising young striker at Middlesbrough before injury ended his playing career in his twenties. Became Derby manager, and with Peter Taylor elevated an unfashionable club to a powerful force. Then went to Nottingham Forest and did the same job, times 10. They didn't just dominate domestic football, with a 42-match unbeaten run across 2 seasons, he brought Forest success in Europe. They didn't just win the European Cup (the biggest prize in club football) once, though - they retained it, which very few teams have ever done. This gives rise to my favourite stat in football - that Nottingham Forest have won the European Cup more times than Barcelona! Ol' big 'ead - as he used to call himself - was a legend, and you can't ever say that players like Roy Keane or Teddy Sheringham would have been as good as they were (or are!) without Clough's influence. Also, many of his proteges went on to become successful managers in their own right - Martin O'Neill being one who immediately springs to mind. The scale of his influence is betrayed by Forest's descent since his retirement, and recent death: Forest now languish in the 3rd tier of English football.

Well, there are obvious others I omitted, (like Pele or Ali) but they'd already been done. I've written too much anyway, and need some breakfast, so shall shamelessly post & run.

[Sticker]

I'm not a big sports fan, but here goes:

1. Maradona: I remember watching the world championships in '86 and he's been the man ever since. Hands dow. By the way... who's Pele?
2. Alexander Karelin: Greco-Roman wrestling. This guy was undefeated for a decade, or something like that, and half of it without giving up a point.
3. Andre Agassi: Never watch tennis, except when he's playing.
4. Mike Jordan: He was at his peak when I was into Basketball.
5. I have to go with Morgoroth on the last one, Paavo Nurmi (... or maybe Matti Nykänen ).

[Tap Dancing Oyster]

I can only quote people I have seen - the first being a little before my time - but I've seen the videos

Mohammed Ali - quoted as the only person who could have "landed" anywhere on the planet and would have been recognised.
Lance Armstrong - Even without his battle against cancer his acheivements are legendary
Diego Maradonna - Its debatable wether or not he was a better player than Pele. But if I could put one player in my team - it would be him. Probably the greatest football player ever.
Carl Lewis - the finest athelete I have ever seen - especially considering he did it for so long over more than one field.
Michael Schumacher - absolutely indomitable, he may have had the car, for much of his career, but he made good opposition look ordinary. We haven't heard the last from this man.

[Beren]

Wayne Greztky - Nice to know that this ol' Oilers fan can state this objectively. Head and shoulders above anybody who's ever played or will play hockey.

Vladislav Tretiak - I hope you non-Canadians can forgive the fact that I'm more familiar with hockey than other sports. Despite my intensely ferocious patriotism when it comes to hockey, my objective and considered opinion is that Tretiak was the greatest goalie to ever don the pads.

Pele - Gretzky's equivalent for soccer.

Michael Jordan - Nobody ever did more amazing things with a basketball.

Steffi Graff - Whether a man or a woman, I don't think any other tennis player so thoroughly dominated the competition the way she did in her time. Navratilova once commented that her forehand smash was harder than that possessed by most men. Hingis, Seles, Sampras, Lendl, and so on haven't quite been able to demonstrate the same margin.

[Rallymama]

I'm going to go for people whose contributions OFF the playing arena are equalled by their accomplishments thereon.

Babe Diedrichson Zaharis - She did more for the advancement of women in sport than any other individual, simply by making people realize that women could be accomplished athletes without being freaks.

Mia Hamm (representing the whole US Women's Soccer team) - if you want one reason why soccer is so incredibly popular with American kids these days, here she is. These women epitomized the TEAM aspect of soccer, and did it while having lives. And damn, Mia is bloody GORGEOUS to boot.

Lance Armstrong - everyone knows why.

Reggie White - sure, lots of pro athletes give their names and their money to charitable enterprises and say they're helping to improve the community. He gave HIMSELF, and actually DID SO.

5th place is a tie between Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, for all the reasons posted above. They, too, knew how to be stars in a TEAM environment. That's something that's sadly lacking in American pro sports these days.