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Who are your favorite All-Time Sports Stars?
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Hello fellow forum members (although it seems that only 1 or 2 actually explore this sector of "Casinomeister" lore on rare occasion)!
I'd love to know who are your favorite sport stars? Past or present. Dead or alive. Good guy and evil 'A'-hole. Also, why do you like them? They don't have to be good either. Heck, take Manon Rheaum for all I care, or even a Bob Uecker.
So to kick-things-off...
My "Top-10" favorite Sports Stars
1.A
Michael Jordan
Quotes:
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
"My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength."
"I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."
Perfect blend of offense and defense. A TV superstar. He could knock-off "Seinfeld" for top spot in the "Nielson Ratings", and that's when "Seinfeld" was at it's peak!It's impossible for any of today's superstars to outdo Jordan. Impossible. He made himself. LeBron's story is not as compelling, it's fed-to-us by Stern and the media. Jordan's fire is/was unmatched. His gift was playing basketball, even if he loves gold and baseball more. GOD touched him and made him the perfect basketball specimen. He gave Jordan:
- Determination/Will/Killer Instincts/Competitiveness (with a switch left "ON")
- Speed
- Strength
- Vision/Mind/Spirit
- Grace and Explosion
He's as close to being Superman (sorry SHAQ) as we're ever going to see.
1.AA
Barry Lamar Bonds
Quotes:
"And all it takes is to shun one reporter because maybe you have to go home or have some other responsibility or whatever. That can spark a fire throughout the rest of the season."
"I'm not afraid to be lonely at the top."
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen."
I should expect death threats after putting Bonds here...
When the world hates something, I need to know... why? When the world overrates something, I become suspicious and need to find out... why?
Barry Bonds is probably a jerk, but I don't really care. There are tons of jerks in the world. TONS!!! I can be a jerk at times, and some of the people I love dearly can be as well. We accept them though, because we know them on another level. The world - despite reality TV - will never really know what goes on with Bonds. All we know is that he's a BIG FAT jerk who's been turned into America's #1 villain, probably equal to terrorist leaders, Darth Vader when he went sour, rogue countries leaders, maybe he's ahead of them... I no longer know.
In all likelihood, the man took steroids. So to many, his numbers mean absolutely nothing. Fine. He's a big fat *.
But I say, you can sweep it under a rug because it's ugly to you, but it is what it is. Forgetting about all the allegations, setting aside the countless jerk memoirs, Bonds is still the greatest baseball player of his generation.
You may hate him, you may be sick of him, but his at-bats are still more exciting than anything you're going to see in your lifetime. Ryan Howard's close, Pujols is close, Frank Thomas was once close, ditto McGwire, yet they never really were ever close.
Bonds was always ahead of the pack. He could (and at times still can) play the whole game. If he had a weak throwing arm, he more than made up for it with smarts, a quick-release, great position, and unmatched reads. Left-Fielders don't win Gold Gloves. Bonds has won 8 of them.
The press had a quiet rule, to never allow any player to win more than 3 MVPs, no matter how great they may have been. Mantle, Berra, Musial, Foxx, DiMaggio, Campanella, and Schmidt had won 3 each. For the most part, they're darlings of the media. The media and the fans of baseball loved them. The media and the fans for the most part, generally dislike/hate Bonds. He won 7 MVPs, and many feel that he should have won in '91 and again in '00.
There are presently 6 members of the 300/300 club. Mays, Bobby Bonds (father), Dawson, Barry, Steve Finley and Reggie Sanders (both new). There's only one member of the 400/400 club... Barry Bonds. There's only one member of the 500/500 club... Barry Bonds. Bonds was a great base-stealer, having converted close to 79% of his opportunities. He still gets the odd one now, on bad legs, and he very rarely gets caught.
You can take any player in the history of baseball, match their stats up against Bonds, even the likes of Ruth, Aaron, Wagner, Mantle, Cobb, Williams, or a Mays, and not one has more all-around balance in every statistical category. If Ruth and Williams had greater OPS numbers (on-base + slugging percentages), Bonds trumps them in speed and defense categories. If Mays was a greater defensive player and likely the greatest defensive player ever, Bonds trumps him at the plate... and not slightly. Even little numbers like grounding into double-plays, base-on-balls (a.k.a. walks) versus strike-outs (a.k.a. K's), secondary averages (walks, hit-by-pitches, sacrifice flies), power-speed, zone-ratings, Bonds comes up with A+'s everywhere. The other greats have the occasional B's or C's, but not Bonds.
Bonds is great alone on his ability to block-things-out. The media may hate that, but it's a gift. Any other player in sports would have retired from their sport at a fraction of the scrutiny that he's gone through. Even if he's guilty on all charges, how in God's name does he get through the day and face the world?
Where people see a flawed character, I take him for who he is. A moody person who's the greatest baseball player I'm ever going to see. For the life of me, I can't see how running with the angry mob yelling obscenities at an individual can somehow purify one's soul. I guess book-burnings never go out of style.
2.Rick Barry
Quote:
People who don't know me have opinions about me. That's the part that's very hurtful. Because how do you form an opinion about somebody if you've never met them or spent any time with them? So it's all based upon hearsay or things that they've read.
One of the greatest shooters in NBA history, perhaps even the greatest. Like another Bay Area "jerk", he's entertaining as hell. Arrogant? Yes. Confident? Absolutely. Sensational? No question.
Rick Barry is an opinionated man, and while some disregarded him for being a know-it-all, he's very knowledgeable. It's unfortunate that he can't be slightly more reserved at times, because he'd make a great teacher if he'd have a little more patience. In the last 50-or-so years, I can't think of 1 single player who got more out of a so-so to win-it-all (Warriors '75). Great determination, fire, and dedication to being the best he could be.
3.Dale Hawerchuk
Here's an esoteric one for all of you (or the 2 or 3 of you who'll maybe someday read this). I happen to think that he may very well be one of the most underrated players in the last 30-odd-years. A great two-way player, who never really got an recognition for playing that type of a game. Loaded with a great offensive skill-set, he was probably the 2nd best player in the NHL in the mid-80s (not that anyone notice), but his career and the team he played for (the now defunct "WINNIPEG JETS") coincided with Gretzky and the great OILERS teams of the '80s. Hawerchuk was caught between the Trottier/Stastny/Dionne era, lumped together with Dennis Savard and Mark Messier, and was still at his peak when Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman were just getting started... all the while Gretzky was playing. All great centers, and I'm forgetting about a bunch of others at that time who were almost as good as all of the players I've just mentioned.
Hawerchuk was basically a 40-goal/100-point player for the better part of his career, and he had accumulated over 1,400 points/500 goals in his career that ended a bit-too-soon because of back-woes (33-years old). A well respected player throughout his career, he was better than people realized at the time, and in the context of his era, he always has been.
4.
John McEnroe
Quote:
"Now I get docked 10 to 20 per cent (of my appearance fee) if I don't yell at some people and break at least one racquet."
The greatest quote and the best interview in the history of sports (with the exceptions of Rickey Henderson and possibly Yogi Berra). He probably had the greatest hands the sport has ever seen. Maybe one of the smartest, in terms of court awareness. And despite his constant arguing with officials, he knew what he was doing when he was getting into it with them. That may have cost him some wins along the way, but he certainly made the game more entertaining. Jimmy Connors didn't hurt either.
Funny that he also spent some time in the "Bay Area"!Unlike Charles Barkley, he speaks his mind AND he has valid points. He's not talking-out-of-his-ass, although some might think so.
5.
Rickey Henderson
Quote:
"Lou Brock was a great base stealer but today I am the greatest."
He's probably playing AA-ball somewhere as I'm writing this. He's 48-years old now, and his legs are probably still better than 95% of the players in baseball today. If he could still hit... (sigh)...
My favorite all-time Henderson moment has to be the day he declared himself being the greatest, when he surpassed Lou Brock as the All-Time career stolen-base leader. He stated, "but today... I am the greatest... eatest... eatest... est... est...". Brock was sitting in the stands that day, when Henderson made that wonderful speech. Rickey is also famous for referring to himself as "Rickey". He's often cited as the first athlete to have constantly done so, although I'm not so sure about that one. Dave Parker springs to mind, or a bunch of those "We-Are-Family" Pirates of the '70s!
Although not often considered to be a great hitter, he was. He was a tremendous hitter, with the gift of getting on-base any way he could, and using his smarts on the bags.
6.Steve Yzerman
Well, he just retired this past off-season, even though the guy still looks like he's in his 20s. He's got those Brad Pitt genes I guess.
Probably similar to Dale Hawerchuk in many ways, underrated throughout the earlier part of his career, but played much longer than Hawerchuk so his career numbers are more productive. Fine two way player who always seemed to be this close to being traded.
He learned how to become a great two-way player, especially when Federov came along in '90. Awesome 1-2 punch down the middle throughout the '90s, similar to Sakic/Forsberg. A great leader-by-example, he was very dedicated to the game, and very loyal to the team that drafted him. I don't think you could want anything more from your team leader/franchise player.
7.Chipper Jones/Frank Thomas/Roberto Alomar/Jeff Kent
I have to get them on this list.
They're all about the same to me.
Jones for being a Southern-type of guy, hitting as great as he usually does, putting together a HOF career... albeit without being a MONSTER name. He did win an MVP though, and he surely deserved it. He does everything well, except defensively. Although it's rumored that he's played much better at 3rd the past two seasons, than he had his first go-around there years ago. A solid quote, candid, very respectful to the game and one of the many faces of a great BRAVES dynasty. Andrew Jones may finish his career with more HRs, but Chipper is the more dangerous hitter. The "Hooters" debacle certainly hurt him for a time there...
Frank Thomas always seems physically finished, but he keeps storming back. He's certainly having a terrific season. Thomas wasn't the greatest player of the '90s, that title goes to Bonds, but he was on par with Bonds as a hitter back then. Well, Thomas was certainly the best AL hitter of the '90s, beating out Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Edgar Martinez, Juan Gonzalez, and Ken Griffey Jr.
I always had him pegged as the guy who would one day break Hank Aaron's mark of 755. Well, he hasn't quite reached 500 yet, and although he'll reach that early next year, anything approaching 700 is probably out of the question now. Regardless, he's been a monster at the plate whenever he's completely healthy, and it looks like he's got a lot of life left in him. He's a HOFer, and would have been even had he retired back in '01.
Robert Alomar was a 5-tool player. Speed, power, fielding, arm, glove, smarts, whatever tool was needed he had it. It's unfortunate that his carrer took a MONSTER nose dive back in '02 after going to the METS, because at the end of the '01 campaign, there was no question that he was going to reach 3,000 hits. The question was could he make a legitimate run at 4,000. I know that THAT seems outrageous now, but if you look at him stats up to that point - and he was still coming off a peak-performance season - and you factor that in with his then age (only 33 at the time), it wasn't out of the question. Regardless, he was big on those BLUE JAY clubs, ditto the Orioles, and again with Cleveland where he really should have been the MVP in '99; if not in '01. Great glove, and though he's sometimes considered to be overrated, I really don't think that can be true.
Jeff Kent was actually a teammate of Alomar's for a brief stint back with the BLUE JAYS. A solid fielder - not spectacular... but better than fans suggest - he has really turned-up his game over the past 10-years, still going strong. Back then, already at the age of 28, who could have predicted that Jeff Kent would become the All-Time leader in HF for a 2nd baseman. If he can muster enough power and health to stay in the game for aonther couple of years (productive ones), I think he could be an eventual HOFer. Remember, he does own an MVP award (2000), and he looks like Glenn Davis!
8.
Dominik Hasek
He was the most dominant hockey player throughout the '90s in the NHL. Jagr, Forsberg, Sakic, Lemieux, Federov, Chelios, Lidstrom, Brodeur, Roy, and a host of others were all spectacular, and were all pretty close at different times, but Hasek was the only reason Buffalo had a decent team. I can think of at least 10 other NHL netminders throughout the game's history who've had longer more productive careers. But he REALLY peaked in the mid/late '90s. I've never seen a greater goalie, as I had with Hasek at that time. I would imagine that Ken Dryden at his peak was similar. I would assume that Grant Fuhr at his accrobatic best was just as good (ignoring his career GAA). I know that Roy and Brodeur were great for a long time, and either one can claim the top stop as the greatest goaltender who's ever lived. I would think that Terry Sawchuk is RIGHT there as well, and may still be the considered the greatest. Brodeur will certainly own most records by the time he's done, and he's still only 34, and he should be going for many more years to come (scary thought).
Regardless of all of that, Hasek is the by far the greatest I've ever seen with my own eyes, and the most exciting. The only goalies that have been as exciting would have been Fuhr at his peak, Mike Vernon in spurts, Andy Moog in spurts, Billy Smith without a doubt, Ron Hextall because you never knew what the hell he was going to do next (which is GREAT), and maybe even a soon to be underrated Ed Belfour (who actually may have been the next best goalie throughout the '90s after Hasek). You never know what Hasek will do next, but it'll sure to be entertaining!!!
9.
Andre Agassi
Quote:
"I got a hundred bucks says my baby beats Pete's baby. I just think genetics are in my favour."
In some ways, I love him more than I do McEnroe. Agassi's story is one of the most compelling to me, in all of pro sports. He was an overrated "good-looking" tennis-playing advertisement, that seemed to be no better than what Kournikova would eventually be exposed to becoming. He was certainly on that path, at least a third into his entire career. The 2nd part of his career, we saw his brilliance and desire, although he would go back-and-forth with staying at-the-top of his game. He pushed himself hard for 9 months, and then he'd slack-off for another year. He did that throughout the mid-90s.
But, he showed that he was good enough to be the best in those brief spurts, knocking-off Sampras periodically. And then after the Brook Shields years, he seemed to finally get it. He worked his ass off, completely dedicated himself to the game, and was the most dominant player in the game for the span of at least a couple of years (and right there in the top-3 for a number of years). He managed to win in all 4 Grand Slam events over the years, and he played for a long time. I wondered how many titles he could have won had he had that same fire and dedication throughout his career. Although he's right there in the discussion of the game's greatest players, he could have been the outright winner.
He was the most exciting player in the game in the '90s (men's circuit), andcareer even up unanothertil this year. He made himself into a better man, and the world took notice.
10.
Martina Havratilova
Quote:
"I came to live in a country I love; some people label me a defector. I have loved men and women in my life; I've been labeled "the bisexual defector" in print. Want to know another secret? I'm even ambidextrous. I don't like labels. Just call me Martina."
Many will argue with me on this one, but Martina is the greatest tennis player of All-Time, and I'm even going to go one further and say that she's the greatest male or female tennis player period. She did so much for the game, for eons, and she's still playing in case you hadn't noticed. Maybe the greatest serve and volley player. Maybe the smartest. She was easy to root against, although in retrospect, aside from the name, she never really did anything to provoke such hate. She seemed EVIL, but really... she never was.
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Well, there you have it. I can make a "Top-100/200/500/1,000", but that would eat up a lot of cyberspace! I look forward to reading your replies... that is... if anyone actually reads this post.
Steed
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I think I need to hire an editor, and pronto!
I was a die-hard NHL fan up until the game was slowed-to-a-crawl with all of that abysmal trapping set in place throughout the better part of the past 12 years (minus this past season). Thank you expansion! 
Originally Posted by johnsteed
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