Who is the greatest sportsman of the 20th century?

[WarHawk]

Bowling: Earl the pearl Anthony .. dont know if it is a sport elsewhere.. but it is in my state lol

[Drake Tungsten]

I vote for Secretariat. Greatest race horse of all time.

[Zylka]

AAAAAGGGHHHH How can you rate Juan higher than schumi? Sure he was good, but schumi is in the way to smash all of his records

The cars back then were pretty lame to drive. Although you must give the drivers some credit as they had a statistical 1/3rd chance of dying in a full racing year (or something close to that)

All said and done, old f1 drivers were just foul greese monkeys

BLEH!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Easy. Check Fangio's wins to starts ratio. Schumacher comes nowhere near it.

[Zylka]

Hrmmm

[Hobbes]

EDDY MERCKX!! What a cyclist! And that Dutch Sweet-milk dude too. He was good.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Well it is unfair to compare old F1 drivers with recent ones. If nothing else old ones had to be much better to survive, let alone win 5 championships as Fangio did... on those merits he should be the greatest.

I don't think Schumacher would be living after that 200 mph crash few years ago if it was in the 50's...

But currently he is untouchable. (usually there were at least two good drivers at the same time, but not now).

[joseph1944]

Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants.
2nd in total life time home runs.
Played Center Field and is still today listed as one of the greatest Center Fielder of all time.
Of the field a real gentleman, no bad press.

[mactbone]

JIM THORPE

"Boom!" as Madden would say.

I also nominate "Sweetness" (Walter Payton for the uninitiated)

Perhaps the best running back of all time and truly an inspiration.

[Sten Sture]

I have to go with Jesse Owens, the pride of Lawrence County, Alabama.

No one else on the list so far had to overcome his obstacles.

[Stefu]

Matti Nikennen - Ski jumping

Of course, since his glorious career, Matti has been a male stripper, an alcoholic, had several marriages one of which included him taking his wife's surname, beaten his wife(s), came to faith a couple of times, and generally been the Most Useless Finnish Celebrity Ever, bar none, even Janina Frostell is less useless.

He has a website in http://www.mattinykanen.fi/ . In it's own way, it is very, very sad. I dread what could be found under the "Privat!" bar.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Sten Sture
I have to go with Jesse Owens, the pride of Lawrence County, Alabama.

No one else on the list so far had to overcome his obstacles.

You are correct on this, HOWEVER we dont or perhaps wont be aware of each individuals "Unique" set of circumstances.

I am only saying that I once heard a famous person being interviewed, they said someone spotted them, someone they personally had never met, and yet this person spoke like they had been lifelong best-buds. The famous person, whom had been in the "SPOTLIGHT" for nearly 20 years, took a deep breath, introduced themselves and was polite and gave an autograph. The famous person went on to say how for 20 years this fan of hers had followed her career. Her career, but not her personal pitfallls and grind. The famous person stated that they were glad they were so recognizable, almost 15 years after her "peak" of her professional career, but yet not the peak of her "Real-Life".

Made me think, we all know what is printed in books, what we see on the TV or Internet or hear/heard on radio (where i come from, I grew up listening to a.m.). I often wonder if each one of us, given the opportunity to be famous and a "superstar" how would we handle success..or should I say "excess"?..would we ne short-tempered if everywhere we went we had a camera or microphone stuck in our face. I know I could not handle that, I am sure a lot of folks couldnt. Perhaps some of us would be a Darryl Strawberry..potentially a great baseball star..plagued by demons of alchohol and cocaine...or even Mark Chumura..voted Father -of-the year..a great titght end for Green Bay Packers, then caught in a compromising situation in a hottub and later bathroom with a teenager..his own daughters age. How abou the great Los Angelas Radier..Lyle Alyzado-super football star..but hooked on steroids..what kind of message does that send our kids?..the wrong one..I would rather have my son or daughter work a so-called "menial" job is societies eyes..and have the warmth and affection from them for years to come..then to submit to the wiles of a short-lived drug-supported career in the limelight..only to die before their time..

All I am saying, is no one knows what some of these "Greatest" of all times had to endure..only what we read publicly..and chose to believe..!


I do however agree that yours being mentioned is one I had ommitted..and apologeticly now also submit as one of greatest!

Yours

Troll

[Flubber]

Wayne Gretzky-- totally dominated hockey for years, was a class act and married a hot model-- now thats a sportsman

as for things to endure

-he was a small guy and played HOCKEY - 'nuff said . . .
-booed as a kid

[Alexander's Horse]

Guys, we're looking for one/one sportsperson of the century. It should be a sportsperson with world wide acclaim, which I suspect rules out a lot of sports.

Maybe we could then determine a sports villain of the century - a really top class player without a good character.

Nominations in that category could include Bradman, Schumacher, Maradona, McEnroe and the Finnish guy Stefu mentioned

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Guys, we're looking for one/one sportsperson of the century. It should be a sportsperson with world wide acclaim, which I suspect rules out a lot of sports.

Maybe we could then determine a sports villain of the century - a really top class player without a good character.

Nominations in that category could include Bradman, Schumacher, Maradona, McEnroe and the Finnish guy Stefu mentioned

Your post here my friend, but it would be interesting, say to nominate a couple from Internationally recognized sports..(not talking badminton,chess or darts!)..but rather Football.both American and Internationally recognized soccer..as well as Hockey,Basketball and what else is acceptable, then vote in a poll, just a thought, you world AH, I just be a squirrel trying to get a nut!!

Troll