Keystone, South Dakota. Home to Mt.Rushmore. A beautifully sculptured snapshot of four U.S ex-presidents that influenced the country in a significant way. Each one with their own stamp on American history. There's George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Rooselvelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Now picture this. Picture a Sports version of Mt. Rushmore. Picture:
Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Jack Nicklaus
or
Jackie Robinson, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Thorpe, Muhammed Ali
or
Julius Irving, Jim Brown, Lance Armstrong, Willie Mays
The argument goes on and on. Instead of Mays you can say Gehrig. Or instead of Gretzky you can put Pete Sampras or Rod Larver. Then there is all the omissions you have to make. The four most influential athletes in sports has got to be one of the most difficult debates there is. There is no right answer of course but I have to try anyway. Here are mine.
First, the criteria.
1. Must be an American citizen.
2. The following sports apply: Golf, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Boxing, Tennis, Football, Track & Field, Olympic Athletes, Cycling & Soccer.
3. They (the athlete) of course would have to have had a huge impact on his/her sport.
4. Cannot still be playing today.
El Padrino's Mt. Rushmore, Sports Version
1. Babe Ruth
If your number one on just about everyone's list of the Greatest Baseball Players who ever lived then you Mr Ruth deserve a spot on the Mountain. It's that simple.
2. Jim Thorpe
Check this. Jimbo won Olympic gold Medals in the Penthalon and the Decathalon which means basically he was the best athlete in the universe at the time. He then played professional Baseball and professional Football. He's been voted by sportswriters to be the greatest athlete of the 20th century. He was also widely considered the best football player of his era. He is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of fame.
3. Muhammed Ali
Simply known as "The Greatest" Ali started his boxing career with an Olympic gold Medal in the lightweight division. He then went on to have an extraordinary professional boxing career including hall of fame fights against Joe Frazier and George Foreman. He was and is the face of professional boxing.
4. Jackie Robinson
Nobody in the history of sports changed the game the way Jackie Robinson did. He broke the color barrier in MLB in 1947 while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He's got 6 world titles, 6 All-Star appearances, a member of Baseball's Hall of Fame, and ROY in 1947. Forgetting the player he was it was Jackie's impact on a nation that gets him this spot. First and foremost he was a true American. He was enlisted in the Army and called for duty during WWII. He never made it to Europe because he refused to ride the back of the bus. He was later exonerated and honorably discharged from the Army. Baseball was and is America's pastime. Jackie brought a country together and gave hope to a nation that one day we would all live together peacefully. It happened.
Some glaring omissions that were strongly considered:
Jim Brown: One of the Greatest Football players to set foot on a football field.
Jack Nicklaus: Before Tiger was born this guy was the greatest golfer in the world.
Lance Armstrong: I get it, 7 Tour De France's. But cmon dude, you ride a bike.
Wayne Gretzky: Greatest Hockey player? Probably. Just didn't dominate the right sport.
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up.
11 comments:
I'm gonna do a little twist, because ... well, because I feel like it. I wanted to make this more difficult, so how's about the Mount Rushmore of Philly sports? Here goes:
1. Wilt Chamberlin - NBA rules changed because he was so dominating. Hell, he scored 100 points in a game - not too shabby. Plus, he screwed an estimated 20,000 women - simply amazing.
2. Michael Jack Schmidt - No, he wasn't a beloved player in Philly when he played, but an argument could be made that he was the best third baseman ever (at least in the top 3), AND more importantly, he was an integral part of the only World Series Championship the Phils have ever won.
3. Bobby Clarke - I'm talkin' about Bobby Clarke, the player. He fit the bill for what the city considers a true athlete - he was gritty, gave 100% ever night, and was a heckuva player as well. Brought this city its only two Stanley Cups as a player (however, seems to be stealing cups away from the city as a GM).
4. Chuck Bednarik - Concrete Charlie was an absolute bad-ass on both sides of the football for the Eagles back in the day - heck, he was part of the last NFL championship team the Eagles had in 1960. Plus, he helped Frank Gifford start his retirement early.
Philly style. I like that.
Here's my NY one.
Ruth- Yankee lore, blah, blah, blah
I don't like the Yankees but cmon when the GOAT baseball players plays most of his hall of fame career here you have to bestow upon him thy NY Rushmore.
Mark Messier- I know he was an Oiler first but here me out. first did you see his number retirement ceremony at the Garden? Oh man, what a tearjerker.
Listen he bought the cup to NYC in 1994 when it hadn't been their 54 years prior and performed in the clutch like no other athlete at that time.
Bill Parcells: Two championships the last one many considered his greatest. Overcoming the injuries and beating the AFC powerhouse that was the Bills.
Patrick Ewing: I got a soft spot for the big fella. Despite not bringing home the trophy he resurected a franchise when drafted and had a tremendous career at the mose famous arenea.
michael jordan, al capone, woody woodpecker, fred flintstone.
IAM- you just reminded me that his Rushmore thing can relate to anything and everything.
Movies stars, Comedians, women, beverages, pizza, cereals, video games, BEERS!
This could be like a trillion word post one day. This is great. Im estatic.
Mt. Rushmore of Comedians:
George Carlin, Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy (before he went limp) and Chris Rock.
Following Becka's lead...
Mt. Rushmore of Scientologists with ulterior motives:
Tom Cruise
John Travolta
Kirstie Alley
Leah Remini (yeah, wait and see)
Leah Rimini, oohhh
I wanted to marry her once upon a time.
I like the Mount Rushmore idea for other subjects.
For all sports, I am going with Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Jackie Robinson. Quite simply put, there have not been any more powerful figures in sports than those 4 guys, period! Not even Jim Thorpe or Jim Brown, as great as they were, attained the level those guys attained in their sports.
For Philly sports, I say Mike Schmidt, Julius Erving, Bobby Clarke, and Wilt Chamberlain. This is simply because they are all responsible for championships in this city. If I could add a 5th, Chuck Bednarik would be it.
I'll even do a Boston one since I had my time up there. In Boston, the Mt Rushmore would be Ted Williams, Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell. Tom Brady would probably go up there in place of Russell once he retired.
How about a Mount Rushmore for disgraced sports heroes? I would put OJ Simpson, Barry Bonds, Pete Rose, and the 4th one is up for debate. Denny McLain maybe?
Smokin - I liked that idea with the disgraced sports heroes ha ha.
Smokin: I like that one too.
How bout the 4th disgraced sports person award going to Tonya Harding?
Gretzky wasn't an American, but he still dominated a sport like no else has. Not Montana or Rice, not Wilt, Jordan or Bird, no one. His numbers are staggering.
Still he can't make your list because he's not American.
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