knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 40. Richard Dent (3 of 18 lists - 14 points - highest ranking #10 - ControlledChaos) Richard Lamar Dent (born December 13, 1960 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American football defensive end who played primarily for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. He was the first defensive lineman to win the award since 1978. Chicago Bears After playing 4 years at Tennessee State University, Dent was drafted in the eighth round by the Bears, with 203rd overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. At 6'5, 265 lbs., Dent was a great pass rusher who beat offensive tackles with his speed. He was part of the core of great players who made the Bears' defenses of the 1980's legendary. Between 1984 and 1985, Dent recorded 34.5 sacks. 1985 season In the 1985 season, Dent and the Bears had one of the most spectacular seasons in NFL history, finishing the season with a 15-1 record and shutting out both their opponents in the playoffs. Dent was a major factor in Chicago's success, leading the NFL with 17 sacks, while recovering 2 fumbles and intercepting 2 passes (1 of which was returned for a touchdown). In the 1985 playoffs, Dent was phenomenal, performing in what was quite possibly the most impressive defensive postseason performance in history. In the wild-card game against the New York Giants, Dent had one of the most dominant playoff performances in history. In the game, he recorded 7 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. In the NFC Championship Game, Dent, along with teamate Wilber Marshall, provided one of the most memorable playoff moments in history. It was late in the 4th quarter and it had just started to snow. Quarterback Dieter Brock dropped back to pass, but Dent got there and sacked him, knocking the ball loose. Marshall picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, a moment that was said to be a perfect end to the Bears' season (at home) and others say that the snow was "Papa Bear" George Halas giving his thumbs-up to the team. And of course, when The Bears went on to crush the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, Dent was selected the game's MVP, as he shared 2 sacks, forced 2 fumbles, and blocked a pass. Dent made a mere $90,000 in base salary for his efforts in 1985.[1] ($173,000 in 2007 dollars)[2] After Chicago Dent would remain with the team until the end of the 1993 season, after the Bears had won just one playoff game since their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 1988 NFC Championship Game, and head coach Mike Ditka had been replaced by Dave Wannstedt. Dent won a Super Bowl ring after spending the 1994 season under contract with the 49ers, though he spent almost the whole year injured. Injuries would continue to hamper Dent after his return to Chicago in 1995. Dent would spend 1996 and 1997 with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles respectively, playing the so-called designated pass rusher for them. Dent retired after the 1997 season. His lifetime statistics included 137.5 sacks and 8 interceptions; he returned these picks for 89 yards and one touchdown. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 56 yards and one touchdown. 124.5 of his sacks came during his first stint with the Bears, from 1983 to 1993. At the time of his retirement, his 137.5 sacks ranked him third in NFL history behind Reggie White and Bruce Smith Dent has been nominated several times for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but to this day he has not been enshrined. However, Dent remains a strong candidate for future enshrinement. In 2005-2008, he was among the top 15 finalists in the selection process. Regardless, Dent was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on February 15, 2008. Career Information Year(s): 1983–1997 NFL Draft: 1983 / Round: 8 / Pick: 203 College: Tennessee State Professional Teams * Chicago Bears (1983-1993) * San Francisco 49ers (1994) * Chicago Bears (1995) * Indianapolis Colts (1996) * Philadelphia Eagles (1997) Career Stats Sacks 137.5 INT 8 Touchdowns 1 Career Highlights and Awards * 4x Pro Bowl selection (1984, 1985, 1990, 1993) * 5x All-Pro selection (1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1993) * Super Bowl XX MVP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 39. Doug Atkins (2 of 18 lists - 15 points - highest ranking #10 MadLithuanian) Douglas Leon Atkins (born May 8, 1930 in Humboldt, Tennessee) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. College career Atkins originally went to the University of Tennessee on a basketball scholarship, but once the football coach saw his combination of size and agility, he was recruited for the grid team. After he earned All-America honors, the Cleveland Browns selected him as their first choice in the 1953 NFL Draft. Atkins also played on the 1951 Tennessee Volunteers football team which won the National Championship. Pro Football career Atkins began his playing career with the Cleveland Browns, but his peak years came with the Chicago Bears during his 17 year career. Atkins' first two seasons were played with the Cleveland Browns before being traded to the Chicago Bears in 1955. In Chicago Atkins quickly became a leader of a devastating defensive unit. With the Bears Atkins made all-NFL team in 1960, 1961, and 1963; along with being a starter in the Pro Bowl in 8 of his last nine years with Chicago. Before the 1967 season Atkins requested a trade, and he was traded to New Orleans with whom he would end his career in 1969. Honors He made it to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His jersey number #91 was retired by the University of Tennessee in 2005. Even though he only played three seasons for the New Orleans Saints, the club retired his #81, one of three numbers retired by the franchise. The others belong to Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor, a long-time rival of Atkins during Taylor's days with the Green Bay Packers who played with the Saints only in 1967, and Archie Manning #8. Career Information Year(s): 1953–1969 NFL Draft: 1953 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11 College: Tennessee Professional Teams * Cleveland Browns (1953-1954) * Chicago Bears (1955-1966) * New Orleans Saints (1967-1969) Career Stats Sacks (Not an official stat until 1984) Games 205 INT 3 Career Highlights and Awards * 8x Pro Bowl selection (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) * 10x All-Pro selection (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968) * 1958 Pro Bowl MVP * NFL 1960s All-Decade Team * New Orleans Saints #81 Retired * Tennessee Volunteers #91 Retired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 38. (tie) Fergie Jenkins (3 of 18 lists - 16 points - highest ranking #13 whitesoxfan99) Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins CM (born December 13, 1943 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada) is a right-handed former pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was a three-time All-Star, winner of the 1971 Cy Young Award, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Jenkins spent most of his career playing for the Chicago Cubs, but also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox. Early years Early in the history of professional baseball in Nicaragua, Jenkins pitched for the baseball team in León, becoming the most prominent pitcher to have started his pitching career there. Later, in 1963, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and signed by Tony Lucadello. Jenkins made his major-league debut as a 21-year old in 1965 as a relief pitcher. He was traded the following year to the Chicago Cubs, along with Adolpho Phillips and John Herrnstein, for pitchers Larry Jackson and Bob Buhl. Jenkins would become one of the best pitchers in the majors. In his first full year as a starter for the Cubs (1967), Jenkins recorded twenty wins while posting a 2.80 ERA and 236 strikeouts. He finished tied for second in the Cy Young Award voting, following Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants. He was also selected for the All-Star Game for the first time that season. The following year his numbers improved; once again he won twenty games, but his ERA dropped to 2.63 and strikeout total increased to 260. In 1968 Jenkins lost five 1~0 games. 1971 season Jenkins had his best season in 1971, playing in the All-Star Game, finishing seventh in MVP voting and winning the National League Cy Young Award, despite the fact that New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver had a higher winning percentage, fewer losses, fewer hits allowed per nine innings, more strikeouts, more strikeouts per nine innings, more shutouts, and a lower earned run average than did Jenkins; it is generally conceded Jenkin's accolades for 1971, which was, arguably, Seaver's best season, were due in recognition of his pitching performance having been overlooked the previous four seasons, in each of which Jenkins won 20 games or more, and struck out more than 200 batters, averaged 305 innings pitched, threw 87 complete games and 16 shutouts. Jenkins was the first Cubs pitcher and the first Canadian ever to win the Cy Young, and he received 17 of 24 first place votes. Jenkins also posted a .478 slugging percentage, hitting six home runs and batting in twenty runs in just 115 at-bats. In the 1971 season, Jenkins started the opening-day game. The Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field. Jenkins pitched the whole game for the Cubs, and Billy Williams hit a home run in the final inning for the victory. On September 1, Jenkins threw another complete game against the Montreal Expos, and had two home runs. The Cubs won the game 5-2. That season, Jenkins completed 30 of 39 starts, and received a decision in 37 of them, finishing with a 24-13 record (.649). He walked only 37 batters versus 263 strikeouts across 325 innings. Statistics Jenkins led the league in wins twice, fewest walks per 9 innings five times, complete games nine times, and home runs allowed seven times. His streak of six straight seasons with 20 or more wins (1967-1972) is the longest streak in the major leagues since Warren Spahn performed the feat between 1956 and 1961. Jenkins, fellow Cub Greg Maddux (with whom he shared the jersey number 31), Curt Schilling, and Pedro Martínez are the only major league pitchers to ever record more than 3,000 strikeouts with fewer than 1,000 walks. Only Robin Roberts allowed more home runs over a career. Jenkins achieved his 3000th strikeout on 1982-05-25 against Garry Templeton. In 1974 Jenkins, then with the Texas Rangers (who had acquired him from the Cubs the previous off-season for two players, one of whom was future four-time batting champion Bill Madlock), became the first baseball player to win the Lou Marsh Trophy, an award given annually to Canada's top athlete (he won a career-high, and still a Rangers franchise record, 25 games). He was also named the Canadian Press male athlete of the year four times between 1967 and 1974. Controversy In late 1980, during a customs search in Toronto, Ontario, Jenkins was found possessing 3.0 grams cocaine, 2.2 grams hashish, and 1.75 grams marijuana. In response, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended him indefinitely. Jenkins missed the rest of the 1980 season, but in an unprecedented action, an independent arbiter reinstated him and he returned to the game, playing until his retirement following the 1983 season. It has been suggested that this incident delayed his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.[3] Honors Ferguson Jenkins was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and in 1991 became the first Canadian ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2004. He was appointed the commissioner of the now-defunct Canadian Baseball League in 2003. Jenkins has been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. On December 17, 1979, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada for being "Canada's best-known major-league baseball player".[4] Governor General Michaëlle Jean officiated at his investiture into the Order, which finally occurred on May 4, 2007: over 27years after he was appointed.[5] Notable Accomplishments * His 250 win was against the Oakland Athletics on May 23, 1980. * The anchor of the 13 Black Aces, a group of African American pitchers with at least twenty wins in one season (although Jenkins is actually not African American, but rather a Black Canadian). * An outstanding all-around athlete, Fergie played basketball as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. * After Jenkins retired from Major League Baseball in 1983, he pitched for two seasons for the London Majors of the Inter-county Major Baseball League operating in southern Ontario, Canada. * Jenkins' career is explained (by Tap drummer Mick Shrimpton) in the extra scenes for the movie This Is Spinal Tap, where a caller to a radio station asks how many shutouts Jenkins acquired during his career. Career statistics Win-Loss record 284-226 Earned run average 3.34 Strikeouts 3,192 Teams * Philadelphia Phillies (1965-1966) * Chicago Cubs (1966-1973, 1982-1983) * Texas Rangers (1974-1975, 1978-1981) * Boston Red Sox (1976-1977) Career highlights and awards * 3x All-Star selection (1967, 1971, 1972) * 1971 NL Cy Young Award * 1971 NL TSN Pitcher of the Year * 1974 AL Comeback Player of the Year Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1991 Vote 75.4% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 38. (tie) Dan Hampton (4 of 18 lists - 16 points - highest ranking #15 Texsox) Daniel Oliver Hampton (born September 19, 1957) is a retired Hall of Fame American football defensive tackle who played twelve seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990 in the National Football League. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Currently hosts pre- and post-game shows for the Bears on WGN Radio in Chicago. High school The son of Robert and Joan Hampton, Dan graduated from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, AR, in 1975. Hampton played football his junior and senior year. He suffered a disabling fall from a tree that kept him out of organized sports from grades 7-10. He participated in band, playing saxophone and five other instruments. Jacksonville High School coach Bill Reed is credited for "rescuing me" from the band.[2] College Hampton played college football at Arkansas and was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Bears. He was part of a Razorback team that thumped the highly favored Oklahoma Sooners in the 1978 Orange Bowl by a score of 31-6. Several key Razorback players had been suspended for the game by Arkansas Head Coach Lou Holtz which left the team short-handed. The fired up Razorbacks charged from the locker room in a fashion that the media noticed. When asked why the team came out of the locker room in such a hurry the wry Hamption answered, "Coach Holtz said the last eleven out of the locker room will start". As a senior Hampton was All-America and recorded 18 quarterback sacks. He was also named the Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. In addition, that same season, Hampton was named by the Houston Post the SWC Player of the Year[3]. He was a four-year letterman, a three-year starter at Arkansas and a two-time All-Conference selection. He was also a member of the Razorback All-Decade team of the 1970s. In 1991 he was elected to the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and the following year he was voted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. In 1994 Hampton was voted to the All-Century team of the University of Arkansas. Mike Ditka remembers scouting Hampton while a member of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff, "I watched Dan when he came out of Arkansas," Ditka said, "I remember coach [Tom] Landry saying what a great football player he was going to be." [4] NFL Hampton was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 1979 draft and on June 27, 1979, he signed a four-year $470,000 contract with the club that included a $160,000 signing bonus. In 1979 he was voted All-Rookie by the Pro Football Writers Association. The following year he was a Second-team All-Pro selection and was voted to his first Pro Bowl after recording 11-1/2 sacks which lead the Bears. In 1982 he had a trememndous year while playing defensive tackle, recording 9 sacks in the 9-game strike-shortened season. He was also named NFL defensive player of the year by Pro Football Weekly. He played out his option after that season and became a free agent. On July 15, 1983, Hampton signed a deal that made him the Bears' second highest-paid player (behind Walter Payton). Hampton signed three one-year contracts worth about $1 million (including bonuses), an average of about $333,000 per year. "Dan will be the highest paid defensive lineman in the league this year," said Jim Steiner, Hampton's agent. "I'm very happy," said Hampton, "I'm glad to have the contract behind me so I can concentrate on training camp. I'm optimistic about this season and I didn't want to miss any of the fun." [5] Hampton didn't miss out on the fun. He was voted the NFLPA NFC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1984 along with being consensus All-Pro and made his third Pro Bowl. Hampton also tied his own career-best of 11-1/2 sacks in 1984. The Bears' defense was the tops in the league and he was part of 1984 Bear defense that set the NFL record for most sacks in a season, with 72, and is the co-holder of the record for most sacks in a game with 12. The latter occurred against the Detroit Lions on December 16, 1984. Earlier in that season the Bears sacked Minnesota Viking quarterback Archie Manning 11 times, to tie the record for the second-most sacks in a game. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and was a key defensive member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX win against the New England Patriots in 1985. Hampton was a versatile defensive lineman, making All-Pro at both defensive end and defensive tackle. In all, Hampton was 1st or 2nd team All-Pro in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1988. His versatility likely cost him several post-season honors, for example, in 1986 he was an alternate for the Pro Bowl at both defensive end and defensive tackle. His playing both positions likely split the votes of his NFC peers. Hampton was also a 1st alternate for the Pro Bowl in 1988 and graded out as the top defender on the Bears that season, even though Mike Singletary was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.[6] During the middle of the Bears 1985 Super Bowl run, Hampton signed a 4-year contract extension. On November 8, 1985, he signed a four-year deal worth $2.7 million. Hampton became the fifth highest-paid defensive lineman in the NFL when the contract began in 1986 with an estimated salary of $625,000. Hampton was making $325,000 during for the 1985 season. Also in the middle of 1985 Hampton moved from right defensive tackle to left defensive end, allowing William Perry to move into the starting lineup. During his football career Hampton endured 10 knee surgeries (five on each knee) and had two more just after finishing his 12th NFL season in 1990. He is credited by the Chicago Bears as having 82 career sacks. [7] He had a career high of 11-1/2 in both 1980 (as a DE) and 1984 (as DT). After his contract expired after 1989, Hampton signed a 1-year deal for $850,000 to play the 1990 season for the Bears. The final contract was incentive based, if Hampton played he got paid, if an injury forced him to the sidelines we would not. Hampton played 14 games - had he played all 16 he would have earned the full $1 million value of the contract. After the 1990 season Hampton was voted to the NFL All-Decade team of the 1980s. Sports Illustrated 's Paul Zimmerman relates an anecdote that when he picked fellow Bear DT Steve McMichael for his All-Pro team in 1985 he was chided a year later by Buddy Ryan, then the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan told Zimmerman that he was disappointed in him and that he thought Zimmerman knew football. He then pulled out Bears films and showed Zimmerman that "Hampton was the cornerstone to our 46 defense by drawing constant double teams".[8][9] In his 1987 book "Fatso"[11] Hall of Fame defensive tackle Art Donovan called Dan the best defensive lineman in the NFL and "the closest thing to Gino Marchetti I've seen". Hampton's play also caught the eye of John Madden, who named Hampton to his All-Madden team six times and to the 10th Anniversary All-Madden team. [12] During Hampton's tenure in Chicago (1979-90), the Bears defense ranked #1 in the NFL in allowing the fewest rushing yards, the fewest rushing touchdowns, the fewest total yards, the fewest points and inflicted the most sacks[13]. Hampton, who missed 23 games in his career due to severe knee injures, was a positive force on the Bear defense. From 1983-90, in games Hampton missed the Bears only won 33% of the time. In games he played they won 75%. When he was in the lineup the Bears sacked the quarterback 3.6 times a game and only 2.3 times a game without him. When Hampton played the defense gave up an average of 14 points a game and allowed 23 points a game in the games he missed, all seemingly remarkable statistics. [14][15] In 1990 Hampton was the recipient of the George S. Halas Courage Award by the Pro Football Writers Association which is given to the player or coach who "has performed with abandon despite injury". Other winners over the years have been Robert Edwards, Dick Butkus, as well as others. Hampton was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted with Washington Redskins head coach George Allen, Oakland Raiders tight end Dave Casper, Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and Pittsburg Steelers wide receiver John Stallworth. Hampton is a co-host for the syndicated Pro Football Weekly television show which is approaching its 20th season on the air. The show is hosted by a panel, Pro Football Weekly publisher/editor Hub Arkush as well as Chicago sportscaster Pat Boyle, and former Bear Tom Waddle.[16] Notes * Feeling the "Bears Super Bowl Shuffle" was too cocky, Hampton declined involvement. [17] * His fierce style of play earned him the nickname of "Danimal". * Is part of a Miller Lite and Gridiron Greats promotion to raise funds for retired NFL players in need.[18] * Threw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game August, 12, 2005. * Participates in "One for the Kids" Annual golf tournament that raises funds for various charities that support children in the Chicago area. [19] * Named one of the state of Arkansas' Top 50 greatest athletes in the 20th century.[20] * Is a spokesperson for companies such as Chevrolet and Firestone.[21] * Was an NBC color commentator for XFL games in 2001. Career Information Year(s): 1979–1990 NFL Draft: 1979 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 College: Arkansas Professional Teams * Chicago Bears (1979-1990) Career Stats Sacks 82 Games 157 Safeties 1 Career Highlights and Awards * 4x Pro Bowl selection (1980, 1982, 1984, 1985) * 6x All-Pro selection (1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988) * NFL 1980s All-Decade Team * 1982 PFW NFL Defensive Player of the Year * 1984 NFLPA NFC DL of the Year * 1990 George S. Halas Courage Award Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 36. Devin Hester (3 of 18 lists - 17 points - highest ranking #10 BrianBear) Devin Hester (born November 4, 1982) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is an alumnus of the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play on all three teams of American football (offense, defense, special teams). [1] Hester began his professional career with the Bears in 2006, and quickly made an impact as a kick returner. Dubbed the "Windy City Flyer" and "Anytime", Hester holds the league's all-time record for most kicks returned for a touchdown in a season. Early years Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris Hester Sr. in Riviera Beach, Florida. His parents separated when he was a toddler. Before he became a teenager, his mother was severely injured in car accident, while his father died of cancer two years later.[3] His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother, Lenorris Jr., helped Hester escape his depression, and rebuild his life by introducing him to football. He soon returned to his normal life, and began to excel in sports and academics[4] Hester attended Suncoast High School, where he played football as a cornerback, wide receiver, return specialist, and running back. He earned recognition from SuperPrep.com as the top high school prospect in Florida, and Parade, who named Hester onto their All-American team. Hester also participated in the 2002 CaliFlorida Bowl, where he returned a kick for an 80-yard touchdown.[5][6] His success prompted his teammates to nickname him "Sugar Foot".[7] During his youth, Hester enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys. He especially idolized Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. He was also a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson era.[8] Fred Taylor of the University of Florida was Hester's favorite athlete. In addition to football, he also enjoyed playing soccer and following baseball.[8] Collegiate career After completing high school, Hester enrolled into the University of Miami. As a sophomore, he earned national recognition after being named onto the "Walter Camp All-America Team" and “The Sporting News' All-America team”. Hester’s recognition was influenced by his prodigious success as a kick returner. His ability to thrust laterally and breakaway from pursuers made him one of the nation’s most dangerous return specialists.[5] During his freshman year, Hester returned an opening kick for a 97-yard touchdown against the University of Florida. In a game against Duke University in 2005, Hester broke six tackles while returning an 81-yard punt.[9] Ultimately, Hester completed his college career with a total of six touchdowns from kick returns, including one blocked field goal return. He also scored one rushing and receiving touchdown, and recorded five interceptions as a defensive back. Hester became the first football player in Miami Hurricanes' recent history to play as member of the special, offensive, and defensive teams.[5][1] He was known as "Hurricane Hester" by his fans and teammates.[7] During his productive tenure at the University of Miami, Hester befriended Deion Sanders through Ed Reed, one of Sanders’ teammates who was an alumnus of the University of Miami. Sanders counseled, advised, and encouraged Hester. Hester was also known as “Anytime” in college, which is a tribute to Sanders’ nickname, “Prime Time”. He also adopted Sanders’ signature touchdown dance, and showboating maneuvers, which he carried to his future NFL career.[4] Professional career 2006 The Chicago Bears drafted Hester in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft as the fifty-seventh overall selection.[10] Although Hester was drafted as a cornerback, Coach Lovie Smith intended to use him as a return specialist. His rookie season was eventful and record-breaking. In only thirteen weeks as a professional football player, Hester scored six return touchdowns, including a then-record tying 108-yard touchdown from a missed field goal against the New York Giants.[11] He also returned a punt for a clutch 83-yard game-winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals, and two kickoff returns in one game against the St. Louis Rams.[12][13] Following his record-breaking game during week fourteen, opposing teams exercised additional caution when allowing Hester to return kicks.[14][2] During the postseason Hester nearly ran back a punt at a critical moment against the Seattle Seahawks, but it was called back on a blocking penalty. Regardless, the Bears won both NFC playoffs rounds, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI to play the Indianapolis Colts. He started the game on a high note for the Bears by returning the game’s opening kick for a touchdown.[15] The feat was the first touchdown return in an opening kickoff in Super Bowl history.[15] It also marked the quickest lead ever taken by any team.[15] Following the kick, the Colts did not kick the ball directly to Hester, significantly limiting the Bears’ return efforts.[16] Hester's feats in 2006 earned him three NFC Special Teams Player of the week Awards,[17] and a trip to the 2007 Pro Bowl.[18] After the 2006 season ended, he was named as the "NFC’s Player of the Month" for December, and was a finalist in the 2006 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year voting.[19] He was also voted onto the Associated Press’s 2006 All-Pro team with 48 and a half votes, finishing fourth behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Champ Bailey, and Jason Taylor who all received 50 votes.[20] He finished the 2006 season by accumulating three touchdowns for 600 yards on 47 punt returns, and two touchdowns for 528 yards on 20 kick returns, thus making him one of the league’s most productive kick and punt returners.[21][17] Even without taking an offensive snap prior to week fourteen, Hester was the Bears' second leading scorer, behind kicker Robbie Gould.[22] On a negative note, Hester struggled to control the football at times, having games with multiple fumbles on at least two separate occasions.[23][24][2] Many fans speculated that Hester’s speed and prior experience as a wide receiver would earn him a spot on the Bears' offense, similar to teammate Rashied Davis. While Lovie Smith dismissed the speculation, he played Hester as a wide receiver for one play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 17, 2006.[25][26] Hester attributes his talent to his mentor, Deion Sanders, whom Hester claims helped him perfect his return game.[17][8] Sanders, a former cornerback and kick returner, compliments Hester after every productive performance. However, Sanders also berated Hester for taunting another player en route to his second touchdown return against the St. Louis Rams.[27][28] His teammates and coaches have also praised Hester. After the 2006 season, he was voted to receive the team's Brian Piccolo Award, which is given to a player who possesses a good character and work ethic.[29] 2007 Shortly after losing Super Bowl XLI, Hester and special teams coach Dave Toub spent a significant amount of time working on new return strategies and formations.[30] Ultimately, Lovie Smith converted Hester into a wide receiver, in order to increase the amount of opportunities he would receive during a game.[31] Hester, who originally played as a wide receiver at the University of Miami, was initially hesitant about making the switch to offense, as he wished to follow in the footsteps of Deion Sanders.[32] However, the Bears’ coaching staff eventually persuaded Hester to make the transition over the summer. During the 2007 off-season, Hester won the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award.[33] Hester returned his first touchdown of the season, a 73-yard punt return, against the Kansas City Chiefs during week two.[34] He nearly recorded a second touchdown return, but the play was negated by a holding penalty.[34] Hester established himself as a threat on offense, when he caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Brian Griese against the Minnesota Vikings.[35] He also returned a punt for a 89-yard touchdown, though the Bears’ lost the game. In the weeks to come, many opposing special teams began to kick the ball away from Hester, attributing to, according to Mike Pereira, a 132% increase in kickoffs that went out-of-bounds.[36] Rod Marinelli, the head coach of the Detroit Lions placed a strong emphasis on kicking the ball away from Hester, stating “kick the ball into Lake Michigan and make sure it (sinks) to the bottom.”[37] Before the Bears’ week twelve match-up against the Denver Broncos, Todd Sauerbrun infamously stated that he would kick the ball to Hester.[38] Hester, who had not returned a kick for a touchdown in almost a month, responded by returning a punt and kick-off for touchdowns.[39] Keith Olbermann, a commentator for NBC Sunday Night Football, awarded Sauerbrun with the dubious “Worst Person in the NFL Award” for kicking the ball to Hester, and failing to tackle him.[40] The two touchdowns gave Hester the most kick returns for touchdowns in the Bears’ franchise history. Hester concluded the season with 64-yard punt return for a touchdown and 55-yard touchdown reception against the New Orleans Saints.[41] He was even given the opportunity to throw a pass on a variation of a wide receiver reverse, but he was sacked while motioning to Bernard Berrian.[42] Hester finished the season with six kicks returned for touchdowns, which set a League record.[43] He finished the season ranking fourth on the League’s all-time combined kick return list, behind Brian Mitchell (13), Eric Metcalf (12), and Dante Hall (12).[44] Additionally, he amassed 299 yards on twenty receptions as a receiver, though he was often used as a decoy.[45] His play on offense received mix commentary. While the Bears’ coaching staff believed Hester showed enough progress to become one of the teams top receivers in 2008, Hester was prone to making small errors, including running routes incorrectly or dropping catches.[46][47] He drew a fifteen-yard face-mask penalty whilst attempting to fend off a would-be tackler in a game against the Saints, and received a $5,000 dollar fine.[48] Nevertheless, Hester concluded the season with four Player of the Week Awards, giving him a franchise high seven total in his career, and an invitation to the 2008 Pro Bowl.[49] Personal life Hester is in a relationship with Tamara James, a women's basketball player he met at the University of Miami. James currently plays professionally for the Washington Mystics. In an interview with the Black Sports Network in 2005, Hester revealed that he was engaged to James, but the couple had not yet set a date for their marriage ceremony.[50] A later article by the Chicago Tribune confirmed that he had proposed to James on June 6, 2005 at a Miami Heat basketball game.[4] Hester’s family resides in Florida and was struck by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Hester has assisted his family financially in helping them rebuild their home.[51] His brother Lenorris Jr., resides with Hester during the regular season in their Chicago area home. Being raised in a Christian household, Hester brings a Bible to every game he plays.[52] Hester’s successful rookie year drew him much publicity and popularity. Ever since his record-breaking performance against the Rams, Hester has been offered marketing opportunities from Nike, soft drink, and cell phone companies.[53] There has also been a surge in the demand for Hester’s jerseys within the Chicagoland sporting stores.[54] Also, Hester was invited to throw the ceremonial opening pitch and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game at the Chicago Cubs' 2007 home opener.[55] Along with teammates Rex Grossman and Tommie Harris, Hester appeared on the February 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids. His reputation has also been bolstered by EA Sports' Madden NFL 08, where Hester's perfect 100 speed rating made him the fastest player in the game's history.[56] Hester also appeared in a promotional video for the game.[57] NFL records League * Most touchdowns returns in a season - (6) (2006, 2007) * Most touchdowns kick and punt returns in a season - (6) (2007) * Most touchdown returns as a rookie (6) - (2006) * Most touchdown returns in one game (2)** - Against St. Louis on December 11, 2006 and Denver Broncos on November 25, 2007 Franchise * Most regular season kick and punt returns (11) * Most kickoff return yards in a game (225 yards) - Against St. Louis on December 11, 2006 * Most punt return yards in a game (152 yards) - Against Arizona on October 16, 2006 * Most punt return yards in a season (651 yards) - 2007 season * Longest play (108 yards)* - Against New York Giants on November 12, 2006 *Shared with Nathan Vasher **Shared with six others Career history College: Miami (Fla.) NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 2 / Pick: 57 Teams: * Chicago Bears (2006-present) Career highlights and awards * Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2007) * 2x All-Pro selection (2006, 2007) * NFC Player of the Month (12/06) * NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (x7) * Brian Piccolo Award (2006) * ESPY Breakthrough Player of the Year (2007) * Led the NFL in non-offensive touchdowns in 2006 * Led the NFL in kick return touchdowns in 2006 with Justin Miller * Led the NFL in punt return touchdowns in 2006 with Pacman Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 35. (tie) Steve Carlton (2 of 18 lists - 18 points - highest ranking #11 knightni) Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1988, who retired as one of the most successful pitchers to ever play the game, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. He was affectionately known to Philadelphia fans as "Lefty." He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Carlton has the second-most lifetime strikeouts of any left-handed pitcher (4th overall), and the second-most lifetime wins of any left-handed pitcher (11th overall). He was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards in a career. He held the lifetime strikeout record several times between 1982 and 1984, before his contemporary Nolan Ryan passed him. One of his most remarkable records was accounting for nearly half (46%) of his team's wins, when he won 27 games for the last-place (59-97) 1972 Phillies. He is still the last National League pitcher to win 25 or more games in one season[1], as well as the last pitcher from any team to throw more than 300 innings in a season.[2] St. Louis Cardinals Carlton debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals as a 20-year-old in 1965 and by 1967 was a regular in the Cardinals rotation. An imposing (6'4"/1.93 m) man with a hard fastball and slider, Carlton was soon known as an intimidating and dominant pitcher. Carlton enjoyed immediate success in St. Louis, posting winning records and reaching the World Series in 1967 and 1968. On September 15, 1969, Carlton struck out 19 New York Mets, while losing to the Mets, 4-3, setting the all-time modern-day record at that time for strikeouts in a nine-inning game. That season, he finished with a 17-11 record with a 2.17 ERA, second lowest in the NL, and 210 strikeouts. A contract dispute with the Cardinals made Carlton a no-show at spring training in 1970. He proceeded to go 10-19 with a 3.73 ERA, leading the NL in losses. He rebounded in 1971 by becoming a 20-game winner for the first time, going 20-9 with a 3.56 ERA. Philadelphia Phillies Following a salary dispute, Carlton was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies before the 1972 season for pitcher Rick Wise. Carlton's first season with the Phillies was among the greatest a pitcher ever had. He led the league in wins (27), complete games (30), strikeouts (310), and ERA (1.97), despite playing for a team whose final record was 59-97. His 1972 performance earned him the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year. His having won 46% of his team's victories is a record in modern major league history. Carlton attributed his success to his grueling training regime, which included Eastern martial arts techniques, the most famous of which was twisting his fist to the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket of rice. He was perhaps the most physically fit baseball player of his time. Carlton's relationship with the media Carlton slumped in 1973, losing 20 games. The media's open questioning of his unusual training techniques led to an acrimonious relationship between them and Carlton, and he severed all ties with the media, refusing to answer press questions for the rest of his career with the Phillies. This reached a point where, in 1981, while the Mexican rookie Fernando Valenzuela was achieving stardom with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a reporter remarked, "The two best pitchers in the National League don't speak English: Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Carlton." More success Carlton continued to enjoy many years of success with the Phillies, winning the Cy Young Award in 1972, 1977, 1980, and 1982, and pitching the Phillies to the best string of post-season appearances in club history. Carlton was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards, a mark later matched by Greg Maddux, and exceeded by Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. His Cy Young Award in 1972 was by unanimous vote, and he finished fifth in balloting for the National League MVP. Gradually the Phillies improved their team, and won the National League East three consecutive times from 1976-78. In 1980, Carlton helped the Phillies win their only World Series, personally winning the final game. Carlton won a Gold Glove Award for his fielding in 1981, and helped the Phillies to another pennant in 1983 losing to the Baltimore Orioles in five games. Nolan Ryan Over a three year period between 1982-1984, Carlton was involved in an interesting pitching duel with Nolan Ryan, then of the Houston Astros, in which they often traded places at the top of the all-time strikeout list. At the start of the 1982 season, the 55-year-old mark of the great Walter Johnson still stood at 3,509 strikeouts, but now there were 3 pitchers who would start the season within 100 strikeouts of Johnson: Nolan Ryan 3,494, Gaylord Perry, 3,452, and Carlton 3,434. Ryan would be the first to surpass Johnson on April 22, 1983 against the Montreal Expos. However a stint on the disabled list shortly after setting the record, combined with a spectacular season by Carlton, allowed him to make up ground rather quickly and on June 7, 1983, Carlton passed Ryan as the all time strikeout king with 3,526 to Ryan's 3,524. There would be a total of 14-lead changes and one tie that season, often after each of their respective starts, before the season ended with Carlton leading 3,709-3,677. Gaylord Perry, aging and in his final season, was never a factor, although he did eventually pass Johnson to finish his career with 3,534 strikeouts, behind Ryan, Carlton, and Tom Seaver (3,640 strikeouts). There would be five more lead changes and a tie in 1984 before Carlton ran out of gas. His last ever lead in the all-time strikeout race was after his start on September 4 1984 when he struck out four Cubs to lead Ryan by three (3,857-3,854). Although the season ended with a mere two-strikeout lead for Ryan (3,874-3,872), Carlton had an injury-riddled season in 1985 and an even worse season in 1986 before being released by the Phillies just 18 strikeouts short of 4,000. Carlton claims he never competed for the strikeout record with Ryan, would rather be remembered for the 329 games he won and his four Cy Young awards (Ryan won none) than the number of players he struck out, and claims Ryan's former teammate, Tom Seaver, was a better pitcher than Ryan, and "not just a thrower."[citation needed] Post-Phillies Giants, White Sox, Indians He caught on with the San Francisco Giants, but pitched ineffectively save for seven shutout innings in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he also hit a 3-run homer for his only win as a Giant. He would hang around just long enough to collect his 4,000th strikeout (against Eric Davis) before retiring. His retirement was brief: he almost immediately signed with the Chicago White Sox for the remainder of the 1986 season. He was surprisingly effective, going 4-3 with a respectable 3.69 ERA, but was not offered a contract for 1987. He caught on with the lowly Cleveland Indians, where his most notable achievement was teaming up with Phil Niekro in a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium (his first and only pitching appearance at "The House that Ruth Built") where they became the first teammates and 300-game winners to appear in the same game. Both were ineffective in a 10-6 Yankee victory. Minnesota Twins He was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he was yet again ineffective. However the Twins would go on to a surprising win in the 1987 World Series, albeit without Carlton on the postseason roster, to earn him a third World Series ring and a trip to the White House to meet President Reagan along with his teammates. Interestingly, when Carlton was photographed with his teammates at the White House, newspapers listed each member of the team with the notable exception of Carlton. Instead, Carlton was listed as an "unidentified Secret Service agent." The Twins brought him back in 1988 but he lasted only a month before the Twins released him. Retirement He attempted to find work in 1989 but found no takers. The closest thing to an offer was the New York Yankees offering him the use of their facilities for training purposes but no spot on the spring training team. Nolan Ryan would pitch until 1993 and would extend his strikeout lead over Carlton to almost 1,600 before retiring. Legacy A ten-time All-Star, Carlton led the league in many pitching categories. He struck out 4,136 batters in his career, setting a record for a left-handed pitcher (since surpassed by Randy Johnson), and holds many other records for both left-handed and Phillies pitchers. His 329 career wins are the eleventh most in baseball history, behind Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, and Warren Spahn among pitchers of the live-ball era (post-1920). Carlton picked 144 runners off base, by far the most in Major League Baseball since pickoff records began being collected in 1957. Jerry Koosman is second with 82.[3] He never threw a no hitter, but pitched six one-hitters. Carlton was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994 with 96% of the vote, one of the highest percentages ever . The Phillies retired his number 32, and honored him with a statue outside Citizens Bank Park. In 1999, he ranked number 30 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Despite his career-long rivalry with Ryan, Carlton maintains his greatest rival was Tom Seaver. Carlton appeared in an episode of Married... with Children, playing himself in an episode where former athletes humiliate Al Bundy while filming a shoe commercial. In the episode, Bud asks him for an autograph and he is shown writing with his right hand. Career statistics Win-Loss record 329-244 Earned run average 3.22 Strikeouts 4,136 Teams * St. Louis Cardinals (1965-1971) * Philadelphia Phillies (1972-1986) * San Francisco Giants (1986) * Chicago White Sox (1986) * Cleveland Indians (1987) * Minnesota Twins (1987-1988) Career highlights and awards * 10x All-Star selection (1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982) * 3x World Series champion (1967, 1980, 1987) * 4x NL Cy Young Award winner (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982) * Gold Glove Award winner (1981) * 4x NL TSN Pitcher of the Year (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982) * Philadelphia Phillies #32 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1994 Vote 95.8% (first ballot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 35. (tie) Jim Thorpe (1 of 18 lists - 18 points - highest ranking #3 knightni) Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk) from Oklahoma: Wa-Tho-Huk) (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953[1]) was an American athlete. Considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, played American football collegiately and professionally, and also played professional baseball and basketball. He subsequently lost his Olympic titles when it was found he was paid for playing two seasons of minor league baseball before competing in the games (thus violating the amateur status rules). Thorpe was of mixed Native American and white ancestry. He was raised as a Sac and Fox, and named Wa-Tho-Huk, roughly translated as "Bright Path". He struggled with racism throughout much of his life and his accomplishments were publicized with headlines describing him as a "Redskin" and "Indian athlete". He also played on several All-American Indian teams throughout his career and barnstormed as a professional basketball player with a team composed entirely of Native Americans. Thorpe was named the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century by the Associated Press (AP) in 1950, and ranked third on the AP list of athletes of the century in 1999. After his professional sports career ended, Thorpe lived in abject poverty. He worked several odd jobs, struggled with alcoholism, and lived out the last years of his life in failing health. In 1983, thirty years after his death, his medals were restored. Early life Information about Thorpe's birth, full name, and ethnic background varies widely.[2] What is known is that he was born in Indian Territory, but no birth certificate has been found. Thorpe's birth is generally considered to have taken place on May 28, 1888[1] near the town of Prague, Oklahoma.[3] Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe is the name on his christening (baptismal) certificate. His parents were of mixed descent. His father, Hiram Thorpe, had an Irish father and a Sac and Fox Indian mother, while his mother, Charlotte Vieux, had a French father and a Native American mother. Thorpe was raised as a Sac and Fox, and his native name was Wa-Tho-Huk, translated as "A path lighted by a great flash of lightning" or more simply "Bright Path".[2] As was the custom for Sac and Fox, Thorpe was named for something occurring around the time of his birth, in this case the sunlight brightening the path to the cabin where he was born. Thorpe's mother was Catholic and raised the children in the faith, which Thorpe later observed throughout his adult life.[4] Together with his twin brother, Charlie, Thorpe went to school in Stroud, Oklahoma at the Sac and Fox Indian Agency School. Charlie died of pneumonia when he was nine years old.[5] Charlie had helped Jim through school. Thorpe did not handle his brother's death very well and ran away from school on several occasions. Hiram Thorpe then sent him to what is now known as Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, so that he would not run away again.[6] When his mother died of childbirth complications two years later,[7] Thorpe fell into a depression. After several arguments with his father, he ran away from home to work on a horse ranch.[6] In 1904, Thorpe returned to his father and decided to join Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was coached by Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, one of the most influential coaches in early American football history.[8] Later that year, Hiram Thorpe died from gangrene poisoning after a hunting accident.[7] Thorpe once again dropped out of school. He resumed farm work for a few years and then returned to Carlisle, where his athletic career commenced.[6] Amateur career College career Thorpe reportedly began his athletic career at Carlisle in 1907 when he walked past the track and beat the school's high jumpers with an impromptu 5-ft 9-in jump while still wearing plain clothes. [9] His earliest recorded track and field results are indeed from 1907. But track and field were certainly not the only events in which Thorpe engaged at Carlisle—he also participated in football, baseball, lacrosse and even ballroom dancing, winning the 1912 inter-collegiate ballroom dancing championship.[10] Reportedly, Pop Warner was hesitant to allow Thorpe, his star track and field athlete, to compete in a physical game such as football.[11] Thorpe however, convinced Warner to let him run some plays against the school's defense; Warner assumed he would be tackled easily and give up the idea of playing football.[11] Thorpe "ran around past and through them not once, but twice."[11] He then walked over to Warner and said "[n]obody is going to tackle Jim," while flipping him the ball.[11] He gained nationwide attention for the first time in 1911.[12] As a running back, defensive back, placekicker, and punter for his school's football team, Thorpe scored all of his team's points—four field goals and a touchdown—in an 18-15 upset of Harvard.[11] His team finished the season 11–1. The following year, he led Carlisle to the national collegiate championship, scoring 25 touchdowns and 198 points.[8] Carlisle's 1912 record included a 27-6 victory over Army.[3] In that game, Thorpe scored a 92-yard touchdown that was nullified by a penalty incurred by a teammate; Thorpe then scored a 97-yard touchdown on the next play.[13] During that game, future President Dwight Eisenhower injured his knee while trying to tackle Thorpe. Eisenhower recalled of Thorpe in a 1961 speech, "Here and there, there are some people who are supremely endowed. My memory goes back to Jim Thorpe. He never practiced in his life, and he could do anything better than any other football player I ever saw."[8] Thorpe was given All-American honors in both 1911 and 1912.[3] Football was—-and would remain—-Thorpe's favorite sport,[14] and he competed only sporadically in track and field. Nevertheless, track and field would become the sport in which Thorpe would gain the most fame. Olympic career For the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, two new multi-event disciplines were on the program, the pentathlon and the decathlon. A pentathlon based on the ancient Greek event had been organized at the 1906 Summer Olympics, but the 1912 edition would consist of the long jump, the javelin throw, 200-meter dash, the discus throw and the 1500-meter run. The decathlon was an entirely new event in athletics, although it had been competed in American track meets since the 1880s and a version had been featured on the program of the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. However, the events of the new decathlon were slightly different from the U.S. version. Both events seemed a fit for Thorpe, who was so versatile that he alone had formed Carlisle's team in several track meets.[3] He could run the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds flat, the 220 in 21.8 seconds, the 440 in 51.8 seconds, the 880 in 1:57, the mile in 4:35, the 120-yard high hurdles in 15 seconds, and the 220-yard low hurdles in 24 seconds.[3] He could long jump 23 ft 6 in and high-jump 6 ft 5 in.[3] He could pole vault 11 feet, put the shot 47 ft 9 in, throw the javelin 163 feet, and throw the discus 136 feet.[3] Thorpe entered the U.S. Olympic trials for both the pentathlon and the decathlon. He easily won the awards, winning three events, and was named to the pentathlon team, which also included future International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Avery Brundage. There were only a few candidates for the decathlon team, and the trials were cancelled. Thorpe would contest his first—-and, as it turned out, only-—decathlon in the Olympics. Thorpe's Olympic record 8,413 points would stand for nearly two decades.[9] Thorpe's competition schedule for the Olympics was crowded. Along with the decathlon and pentathlon, he also entered the long-jump and high-jump competitions. The first event scheduled was the pentathlon. Thorpe was the class of the field, winning four events. He placed only third in the javelin, an event he had not competed in before 1912. Although the competition was primarily decided on place points, points were also calculated for the marks achieved in the events. The same day he won the pentathlon gold, Thorpe qualified for the high-jump final. In that final, he placed fourth and took seventh place in the long jump. Thorpe's final event was the decathlon, where tough competition from local favorite Hugo Wieslander was expected. Thorpe, however, also easily defeated Wieslander, finishing nearly 700 points ahead of him. He placed in the top four of all ten events. Overall, Thorpe won eight of the two competitions' 15 individual events.[8] As was the custom of the day, the medals were presented to the athletes during the closing ceremonies of the games. Along with the two gold medals, Thorpe also received two challenge prizes, which were donated by King Gustav V of Sweden for the decathlon and Czar Nicholas II of Russia for the pentathlon. Legend has it that, when awarding Thorpe his prize, King Gustav said, "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world," to which Thorpe replied, "Thanks, King."[15] (See Sportsperson.) Thorpe's successes had not gone unnoticed at home, and he was honored with a ticker-tape parade on Broadway.[15] He later remembered: "I heard people yelling my name, and I couldn't realize how one fellow could have so many friends."[15] Apart from his track and field appearance, Thorpe also played in one of two exhibition baseball matches held at the 1912 Olympics, which featured two teams made up of U.S. track and field athletes. It was not Thorpe's first try at baseball, as would soon become known to the rest of the world. Professional career Declared a professional In 1913, strict rules regarding amateurism were in force for athletes participating in the Olympics. Athletes who received money prizes for competitions, who were sports teachers, or who had previously competed against professionals, were not considered amateurs and were not allowed to compete in the Olympics. In late January 1913, U.S. newspapers published stories announcing that Thorpe had played professional baseball. It is not entirely certain which newspaper first published the story; the earliest article found is from the Providence Times, but the Worcester Telegram is usually mentioned as the first.[15] Thorpe had indeed played professional baseball in the Eastern Carolina League for Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in 1909 and 1910, receiving meager pay; reportedly as little as $2 a game and as much as $35 a week.[16] College players, in fact, regularly spent summers playing professionally, but most, as opposed to Thorpe, used aliases.[8] Although the public did not seem to care much about Thorpe's past,[17] the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), and especially its secretary James E. Sullivan, took the case very seriously.[18] Thorpe wrote a letter to Sullivan, in which he admitted playing professional baseball:[15] “ ...I hope I will be partly excused by the fact that I was simply an Indian schoolboy and did not know all about such things. In fact, I did not know that I was doing wrong, because I was doing what I knew several other college men had done, except that they did not use their own names.... ” His letter did not help. The AAU decided to retroactively withdraw Thorpe's amateur status and asked the IOC to do the same. Later that year, the IOC unanimously decided to strip Thorpe of his Olympic titles, medals and awards and declared him a professional. While Thorpe had played for money, his disqualification was not within the rules in place at the time. In the rulebook for the 1912 Olympics, it was stated that any protests had to be made within 30 days from the closing ceremonies of the games.[13] The first newspaper reports didn't appear until January 1913, about six months after the Stockholm Games had concluded.[13] However, AAU and IOC officials were apparently ignorant of this rule or chose to ignore it. There also is some evidence that Thorpe's amateur status had already been questioned long before the Olympics but that this had been (deliberately) ignored by the AAU until they were confronted with it in 1913. The only positive side to this affair for Thorpe was that, as soon as the news got out that he had been declared a professional, offers came in from professional clubs.[19] Declared a rare free agent in the era of the reserve clause, Jim Thorpe had his pick of teams for which to play.[20] He turned down a starting position with the Saint Louis Browns to be a reserve with the New York Giants. One of the immediate benefits of joining the team came that October, when the Giants joined the Chicago White Sox for a world tour.[21] Barnstorming across the United States and then around the world, Thorpe was the unquestioned star of the world tour.[22] Everywhere the teams went, Thorpe brought them publicity and increased the tour's box office receipts. Among the highlights were meetings with the Pope and the last khedive of Egypt and playing before 20,000 in London with King George V in attendance. While in Rome, Thorpe was filmed wrestling with another baseball player on the floor of the Coliseum. Unfortunately, every inch of the film has been lost to time. Baseball, football, and basketball Thorpe signed with the New York Giants baseball club in 1913 and played sporadically with them as an outfielder for three seasons. After playing in the minors with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1916[23], he returned to the Giants in 1917 but was sold to the Cincinnati Reds early in the season. In the "double no-hitter" between Fred Toney of the Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs, Thorpe drove in the winning run in the 10th inning.[24] Late in the season, he was sold back to the Giants. Again, he played sporadically for the Giants in 1918 and was traded to the Boston Braves on May 21, 1919, for Pat Ragan. In his career, he amassed 91 runs scored, 82 runs batted in and a .252 batting average over 289 games.[25] He continued to play baseball with teams in the minor leagues until 1922. But Thorpe had not abandoned football either. Back in 1915, Thorpe had signed with the Canton Bulldogs. They paid him $250 a game, a tremendous wage at the time.[26] Before Thorpe's signing, Canton was averaging 1,200 fans a game; 8,000 showed up for his debut against Massillon.[26] The team won titles in 1916, 1917, and 1919. Thorpe reportedly ended the 1919 championship game by kicking a wind-assisted 95–yard punt from his team's own 5-yard line, effectively putting the game out of reach.[26] In 1920, the Bulldogs were one of 14 teams to form the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which would become the National Football League (NFL) two years later. Thorpe was nominally the APFA's first president; however, he spent most of the year playing for Canton and a year later was replaced by Joseph Carr.[27] He continued to play for Canton, coaching the team as well. Between 1921 and 1923, Thorpe played for the LaRue, Ohio, (Marion County, Ohio) Oorang Indians, an all-Native American team. Although the team went 3–6 in 1922,[28] and 1–10 in 1923,[29] Thorpe played well and was selected to the Green Bay Press-Gazette's first All-NFL team in 1923 (the Press-Gazette's team would later be formalized by the NFL as the league's official All-NFL team in 1931).[30] Thorpe never played on an NFL championship team. He retired from pro football at the age of 41,[5] having played 52 NFL games for six teams from 1920 to 1928. Thorpe continued to be active in sports. By 1926 he was the primary draw for the "World Famous Indians" in LaRue, which sponsored traveling football, baseball, and basketball teams. A ticket discovered in an old book recently brought to light his career in basketball. "Jim Thorpe and His World-Famous Indians" barnstormed for at least two years (1927–28) in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Marion, Ohio. Although pictures of Thorpe in his WFI basketball uniform were printed on postcards and published in newspapers, this period of his life was not well documented, and until 2005 most of Thorpe's biographers were unaware of his basketball career.[31] Later life and death In 1913, Thorpe married Iva Miller,[3] whom he had met at Carlisle. They had four children: Jim Jr. (who died at age 2), Gale, Charlotte and Grace.[3] Grace died in 2008.[32] Thorpe was a chronic alcoholic in his later years.[33] Miller filed for divorce from Thorpe in 1925, claiming desertion.[34] In 1926, Thorpe married Freeda V. Kirkpatrick, who was born September 19, 1905, and died March 2, 2007, in Yakima, Washington. She was working for the manager of the baseball team on which he was playing at the time.[35] They had four sons: Carl, William, Richard and John.[3] William, Richard and John "Jack" survived their mother, who had divorced their father in 1941 after 15 years of marriage. After the end of his athletic career, Thorpe struggled to support his family. He found it difficult to work outside sports and never kept a job for an extended period of time. During the Great Depression in particular, Thorpe held various jobs, among others as an extra in several movies, usually playing an Indian chief in Westerns. But he also worked as a construction worker, a bouncer, a security guard, and a ditch digger, and he briefly joined the United States Merchant Marine in 1945.[36][37] By the 1950s, Thorpe had no money left, and when he was hospitalized for lip cancer in 1950, he was admitted as a charity case.[38] At a press conference announcing the procedure, Thorpe's wife wept and pleaded for help, saying: "[W]e're broke.... Jim has nothing but his name and his memories. He has spent money on his own people and has given it away. He has often been exploited."[38] In early 1953, Thorpe suffered his third heart attack while eating dinner with his third wife, Patricia Askew, in his trailer home in Lomita, California. Artificial respiration briefly revived him, and he was able to speak to those around him but lost consciousness shortly afterward and died on March 28.[3] Racism Thorpe's accomplishments occurred during a period of racism and racial inequality in the United States. It has been often suggested that his medals were stripped because of his ethnicity,[39] and although this has never been proven, public outcry at the time largely reflected this view.[40] He also won his gold medals before Native Americans were recognized as citizens; American Indians were granted dual citizenship in 1924, and it was not until the passing of a 1954 Civil Rights Bill, one year after Thorpe's death, that Native Americans were granted the right to vote.[41] While at Carlisle in particular, Thorpe's ethnicity was openly used as a marketing tool. For many, he embodied the racial stereotype of Native Americans as fierce savage warriors.[42] A photograph of Thorpe and the 1911 football team emphasized the purposeful racial split between the competing athletes. The inscription on the football reads, "1911, Indians 18, Harvard 15."[43] Additionally, the school often categorized sporting competitions as conflicts pitting Indians against whites. Newspaper headings such as “Indians Scalp Army 27-6” or “Jim Thorpe on Rampage” characterized the Indian-ness of Carlisle's football team.[42] His first appearance in The New York Times ran with the headline "Indian Thorpe in Olympiad.; Redskin from Carlisle Will Strive for Place on American Team";[12] his accomplishments were described in a similar racial context by other newspapers and sportswriters throughout his life.[44] Legacy When Thorpe's third wife, Patricia, heard that the small Pennsylvania town of Mauch Chunk was desperately seeking to attract business, she struck a deal with the town. Mauch Chunk bought Thorpe's remains, erected a monument to him, and renamed the town in his honor (see Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania), despite the fact that Thorpe had never set foot in the city.[45] Thorpe's monument, featuring the quote from Gustav V, can still be found there.[7] Thorpe also received great acclaim from the press. In 1950, an Associated Press poll of nearly 400 sportswriters and broadcasters voted Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.[46] In 1999, the Associated Press placed him third on their list of athletes of the century, behind Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan,[47] and ESPN ranked him seventh on their list of North American athletes of the century.[48] In addition, on May 27, 1999 the United States House of Representatives passed resolution 198 designating Thorpe as "America's athlete of the century".[49] Thorpe was named the "greatest American football player" of the first half of the century by the Associated Press in 1950,[50] and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. He is often said to be the first player inducted, although the first person inducted was Chicago Bears founder, owner, coach and player George Halas. He is memorialized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame rotunda with the larger-than-life Jim Thorpe statue as well as being a member of the college football, U.S. Olympic, and national track and field halls of fame.[8] In 1986 an award was established in his name by the Jim Thorpe Association. The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded annually to the best defensive back in college football. Thorpe was memorialized in the film Jim Thorpe--All-American (1951) starring Burt Lancaster and directed by Casablanca's Michael Curtiz. Although Thorpe was listed as a consultant in the credits, he did not earn any money for the movie, as he had already sold the film rights to MGM in 1931 (for $1,500).[51] The movie—titled Man of Bronze when released in the UK—-included archival footage of the 1912 and 1932 Olympics as well as a banquet in which Thorpe was honored. Thorpe was seen in some long shots in the film. Reinstated Olympic awards Over the years, several attempts were made to reinstate Thorpe's Olympic titles.[52] US Olympic officials, such as former teammate Avery Brundage, rebuked several attempts, with Brundage once saying, "Ignorance is no excuse."[53] Most persistent was that of Robert Wheeler and Florence Ridlon. They succeeded in having the AAU and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) overturn their decisions and restore Thorpe's amateur status prior to 1913.[54] In 1982, they established the Jim Thorpe Foundation and managed to get support from the US Congress. Armed with this support and evidence from 1912 showing Thorpe's disqualification had occurred outside of the 30-day limit, they finally got attention from the IOC, which had not made any attempts to reinstate Thorpe. In October 1982, the IOC Executive Committee approved Thorpe's reinstatement.[16] In an unusual ruling, however, they declared that Thorpe was now co-champion with Bie and Wieslander, even though both athletes had always said they considered Thorpe to be the only champion. In a ceremony on January 18, 1983, two of Thorpe's children, Gale and Bill, were presented with commemorative medals;[16] the original medals had both ended up in museums but were stolen and are still missing.[55] Career Information Year(s): 1920–1928 College: Carlisle Indian Professional Teams * Canton Bulldogs (1915–1917, 1919–1920, 1926) * Cleveland Tigers (1921) * Oorang Indians (1922–1923) * Rock Island Independents (1924–1925) * New York Giants (1925) * Chicago Cardinals (1928) Career Stats Games 52 Rushing TD 6 Passing TD 4 Career Highlights and Awards * All-Pro selection (1923) * NFL 1920s All-Decade Team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 35. (tie) Lou Brock (2 of 18 lists - 18 points - highest ranking #9 knightni) Louis Clark "Lou" Brock (born June 18, 1939, El Dorado, Arkansas) is an American former player in Major League Baseball. Brock was a left fielder who played his career with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. He batted and threw left-handed. He is currently a special instructor coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Early life Brock was born in El Dorado, Arkansas and played college baseball at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He signed with the Cubs as an amateur free agent and broke into the Majors in 1961. Brock for Broglio Brock was blessed with great speed and baserunning instincts, but the young right fielder failed to impress the Cubs management. In 1964 after losing patience with his development, the Cubs gave up on Brock and made him part of a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The June 15 deadline deal for pitcher Ernie Broglio saw Brock, Jack Spring and Paul Toth head to St. Louis for Broglio, Bobby Shantz, and Doug Clemens. Cardinals general manager Bing Devine, specifically sought Brock at the insistence of Cardinals' manager Johnny Keane to increase team speed and solidify the Cardinals' lineup, struggling after the retirement of left fielder Stan Musial in 1963. At the time, many thought the deal would benefit the Cubs. After the trade was announced, a writer for The Sporting News wrote that the Cubs had "picked the Cardinals' pocket" with this trade. After Brock was traded to the Cardinals, his career turned around significantly. He moved to left field and batted .348 and stole 38 bases for the Cardinals in the remainder of the 1964 season. The Cardinals would win the 1964 World Series helped in part by Brock's bat. Meanwhile, Ernie Broglio won only seven games for the Chicago Cubs and retired from baseball after the 1966 season. To this day, the Brock for Broglio trade is considered by Cubs' fans to be the worst in franchise history. During his career, Brock helped the Cardinals to National League pennants in 1964, 1967, and 1968 and to World Series championships in 1964 and 1967, defeating the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, respectively. The Cardinals suffered one World Series loss during Brock's tenure. That was in 1968 against the Detroit Tigers - the Tigers rallied from down three games to one behind the excellent pitching of Mickey Lolich. Facts and Stats In 1967, Brock became the first player to steal 50 bases and hit 20 home runs in the same season. His supreme talent for basestealing perhaps overshadowed his fine hitting, as he collected 3,023 hits in his career. He was also not particularly known as a power hitter, but he did display significant "pop" from time to time. In David Halberstam's book, "October 1964", the author states that manager Johnny Keane asked Brock to forgo the power game in favor of the speed game. However, Brock got some licks in, here and there. In his rookie season (1962), Brock became one of three players to hit a home run into the center-field bleachers at the old Polo Grounds in New York since its 1923 reconstruction. His blast came against Al Jackson in the second game of a June 17 doubleheader against the New York Mets and would be followed by Hank Aaron's shot the very next day. Joe Adcock was the first to hit a ball over that wall, in 1953. Babe Ruth had reached the old bleachers (a comparable distance) before the reconstruction. In 1967, Brock hit 5 home runs in the first 4 games of the season, becoming the first player to do so. Brock remained best known for base-stealing and starting Cardinals rallies. He was said to have disdained Maury Wills' method of base-stealing, instead shortening his leads and going hard into second base, thus inflicting punishment on opposing players rather than himself by having to dive back into first base frequently. He was also an early student of game films. He used an 8mm movie camera from the dugout to film opposing pitchers and study their windups and pickoff moves to detect weaknesses he could exploit. In a unique (if incidental) accomplishment, Brock was the first player ever to bat in a major league regular season game in Canada. He led off the April 14, 1969 game against the Montreal Expos at Jarry Park by lining out to second baseman Gary Sutherland. The Expos' pitcher, Larry Jaster, was a teammate of Brock's just the year before, and had been selected in the expansion draft by the Expos after the 1968 season. His best batting average was in 1964, when he batted .315, one of eight years he batted over .300, he was a 6-time National League All-Star, he led the league in runs two times (1967 and 1971),led the league in doubles (46 in 1968), and led the league in triples (14 in 1968). Brock held the record for career stolen bases (938) until it was broken by Rickey Henderson. In 1974 he stole a major-league record 118 bases (breaking Maury Wills' record of 104 in 1962; Brock's single-season record was also later broken by Henderson). Brock led the National League in stolen bases eight times between 1966 and 1974 (former teammate Bobby Tolan led the league in steals in 1970). Overall, Brock batted .293 in 19 seasons, amassing a total of 3023 hits. Awards, honors and life after baseball Brock was named the 1967 National League Babe Ruth award, the 1974 Major League Player of the Year, the 1975 Roberto Clemente Award, the 1977 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, and the 1979 Hutch Award. Brock was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. His number 20 was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1999, he ranked Number 58 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. After retiring from baseball, Brock prospered as a businessman, especially as a florist in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Lou Brock is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Brock still regularly appears at Cardinals games. When he steps onto the field he is always greeted by a loud, low-pitched cheer of "Loooouuuuuuuuuuuu". This may sound like "Boooo" to those unfamiliar with the team, and the town's love for Lou Brock. Brock also lent his name to a unique rainhat, shaped like a miniature umbrella and to be worn at games during showers in lieu of retreating to the concourse. The product was called the "Brockabrella". There is no indication whether its name was in any way influenced by Brock's contemporary, utility man John Boccabella. Brock and his wife are both ordained ministers serving at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in St. Louis.[1] Brock's speed was referenced in the song Check the Rhime by the pioneering "jazz rap" hip-hop ensemble A Tribe Called Quest On December 5, 2006 he was recognized for his accomplishments on and off of the field when he received the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Brock is the father of former USC Trojan and NFL player Lou Brock Jr. Even though his stolen base record has been surpassed, the National League honors each stolen base leader with the Lou Brock award. Career statistics Batting average .293 Hits 3,023 Stolen bases 938 Teams * Chicago Cubs (1961-1964) * St. Louis Cardinals (1964-1979) Career highlights and awards * 6x All-Star selection (1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979) * 2x World Series champion (1964, 1967) * 1967 Babe Ruth Award * 1975 Roberto Clemente Award * 1977 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award * 1979 NL Comeback Player of the Year * 1979 Hutch Award * St. Louis Cardinals #20 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1985 Vote 79.75% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 32. (tie) Billy Williams (3 of 18 lists - 20 points - highest ranking #14 whitesoxfan99, Texsox) Billy Leo Williams (born June 15, 1938) is a former outfielder in professional baseball. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. A highly competitive player on talented Chicago Cubs teams that never reached the post-season, he finally realized his dream of playing in the post-season late in his career with the Oakland Athletics. Like his teammates Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, and Ron Santo, he never played in a World Series. Williams was born in Whistler, Alabama. He started his career in 1959, joining a Cubs team that would feature stars like Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, and Ron Santo by the early 1960s. Williams was selected as the Rookie of the Year in 1961. Williams also set a National League record for consecutive games played with 1,117 between 1962-1971 (eclipsed by Steve Garvey 1975-1983 with 1,207). Cleo James replaced him in the lineup at the end of his streak. From 1961 to 1973, Williams annually hit at least twenty home runs and was responsible for eighty-four or more RBIs. Williams enjoyed his finest season in 1972 at age 34, when he paced the league in batting average with a .333 mark, also posting a .606 slugging percentage while collecting 37 home runs and 122 runs batted in. He finished behind Johnny Bench in the MVP selection. 1972 was his last great season in the league. After the 1974 season, he was traded to the American League's Oakland Athletics for second baseman Manny Trillo and two pitchers. Williams helped lead Oakland to the 1975 American League West championship as a designated hitter, hitting 23 homers with 81 RBI. He retired a year later. After accumulating a lifetime .290 BA with 426 homers and 1475 RBI, Billy Williams was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and on 13 August of that same year had his number 26 retired at Wrigley Field. Following his departure from the Cubs, the number had been reassigned to other players from time to time, most notably Larry Biittner, although Williams reclaimed it during several intervals of coaching with the Cubs after his playing days had ended. In 1999, he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Career statistics Batting average .290 Home runs 426 Hits 2,711 Teams * Chicago Cubs (1959-1974) * Oakland Athletics (1975-1976) Career highlights and awards * 6x All-Star selection (1962, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1973 * 1961 NL Rookie of the Year * Chicago Cubs #26 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1987 Vote 85.71% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 32. (tie) Sid Luckman (4 of 18 lists - 20 points - highest ranking #13 BigEdWalsh) Sidney Luckman, known as Sid, (November 21, 1916 – July 5, 1998) was an American quarterback for the Chicago Bears American Football franchise of the National Football League from 1939 to 1950. During his time with the team he led them to four Championships. He was instrumental in his team's record-setting win of 73–0 over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL title game. Sportscaster Jimmy Cannon once said in reference to Luckman's years at Columbia, "You had to be there to realize how great Sid was." Early life Luckman was born in Brooklyn to Jewish German immigrants. He played both baseball and football for Erasmus Hall High School[2] and Columbia University. At Columbia, he completed 180 of 376 passes for 2,413 yards and 20 touchdowns—impressive numbers for that era. He finished third in the 1938 Heisman Trophy voting, losing to Davey O'Brien and Marshall Goldberg. Chicago Bears The Draft Chicago Bears owner and coach George Halas set out to restructure the offensive side of the game of football. Both at the college and pro levels, offenses were a drab scrum of running the ball with only occasional passes. In what was then the predominant single-wing formation, the quarterback was primarily a blocking back and rarely touched the ball. Most passing was done by the tailback, and then usually only on third down with long yardage to go. Halas and his coaches (primarily Clark Shaughnessy) invented a rather complex scheme building on the traditional T-formation, but needed the right quarterback to run it properly. Hearing of Sid Luckman's exploits as a single-wing tailback at Columbia University, Halas believed Luckman had the ability to become an effective T-formation quarterback, and traveled to New York to watch him play. Halas convinced the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft Luckman second overall and then trade him to the Bears. At first, he had little interest in pro football. Intrigued by the challenge of a new offense and Halas' $5000 salary offer, Luckman mastered an offense that revolutionized football, and became the basis of most modern professional offenses. Only Sammy Baugh, playing for the Washington Redskins, had the passing skills to match Luckman. Eventually, Luckman tutored college coaches across the Big Ten, Notre Dame and West Point in the intricacies of the passing game. The T-formation In only his second season with the Bears, Luckman took over the offense and led the Bears to the title game against Sammy Baugh and the Redskins. The Redskins had beaten the Bears 7–3 during the regular season. Using the "man-in-motion" innovation to great advantage, the Bears destroyed the Redskins 73–0. Luckman passed only six times, with four completions and 102 yards in the rout. This win was the beginning of over six years of Bear dominance of the NFL. From 1940–1946 the Bears played in five NFL championship games, winning four, and posted a 54–17–3 regular season record. In 1942, the Bears posted a perfect 11–0 record and outscored their opponents 376–84 (they lost the championship game to Baugh and Redskins). Luckman was central to the Chicago success. Perfecting Halas' complex offensive scheme of fakes, men in motion, and quick hitting runs, Luckman added the dimension of accurate downfield throwing. Numbers and Accomplishments During his career, Luckman completed 51.8% of his passes for 14,686 yards and 137 touchdowns with 134 interceptions. He averaged 8.4 yards per attempt, second all-time only to Otto Graham (8.6). His career touchdown rate—the percentage of his pass attempts that resulted in touchdowns—of 7.9% is easily the best in history. In 1943, Luckman's finest season, he completed 110 of 202 passes for 2194 yards and 28 touchdowns. His 13.9% touchdown rate is the best ever in a single-season, while his 10.9 yards per attempt is second all-time. During one game that year, Luckman threw for 443 yards and seven touchdowns, still tied for the most passing TDs in one game; it was also the first 400-yard passing game in NFL history. Luckman led the NFL in average gain (yards per attempt) an NFL record seven times, including a record five consecutive years from 1939–43, and led the NFL in passing yards three times. Luckman was a five-time All-NFL selection, won the MVP in 1943, and led the "Monsters of the Midway" to championships in 1940, 1941, 1943, and 1946. Despite the fact that his career ended in 1950, Luckman still owns most major Bears' passing records, including career yards and touchdowns. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. Halls of Fame He was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.[3] Luckman is also a member of the Columbia University Football Hall of Fame. Career Information Year(s): 1939–1950 NFL Draft: 1939 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2 College: Columbia Professional Teams * Chicago Bears (1939–1950) Career Stats TD-INT 137–132 Yards 14,686 QB Rating 75.0 Career Highlights and Awards * 1943 Joe F. Carr MVP * Most touchdown passes in a game (7) * Three-time league leader in touchdown passes * NFL 1940s All-Decade Team * Chicago Bears #42 retired * Third in Heisman voting (1938) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 30. (tie) Luke Appling (4 of 18 lists - 23 points - highest ranking #12 BigEdWalsh) Lucius Benjamin Appling (April 2, 1907 – January 3, 1991) was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox (1930-1950). Appling was born in High Point, North Carolina. He attended Oglethorpe College, but left during his sophomore year when he was signed by the Southern League Atlanta Crackers in 1930. He was a good hitter in his first year, but committed 42 errors in 104 games. The Chicago Cubs showed some interest at first, but decided not to sign him, and the White Sox ended up purchasing him from the Crackers for $20,000. He seemed a poor pickup initially, as his hitting fell off and his fielding failed to improve, but in 1933 he stopped trying to be a power hitter and had his first of nine straight .300 seasons. With the Chicago White Sox Appling was a good leadoff hitter who topped the .400 mark in OBP eight times (1933-1934, 1937, 1940, 1943, 1947) and drew over 100 walks three times (1935, 1939, 1949), though he often batted third due to a lack of offensive talent on the White Sox. Indeed, this lack of talent insured that Appling never had a chance to play in a World Series. His best season was 1936, when he batted .388, knocked in 124 runs (his only 100-RBI season), scored 111 times, recorded 204 hits, and had a team-record 27-game hitting streak. His .388 average was good for the first batting title ever won by a shortstop (in the American League) and was the highest batting average recorded by a shortstop in the 20th century. Appling won another batting title in 1943 with a .328 average and also led the league in OBP that year (.419). Appling was selected to seven All-Star teams (1936, 1939-1941, 1943, 1946-47). Appling was famous among his teammates for complaining day in and day out about minor ailments such as a sore back, a weak shoulder, or shin splints. While much of this complaining was probably for show, it earned him the moniker "Old Aches and Pains." He did suffer one serious injury: a broken leg that cost him much of the 1938 season. Appling was well known for his ability to foul off pitches, leading to the story that he once fouled off 10 pitches in a row on purpose when ownership refused to give some baseballs to autograph because they were too expensive; he was supposedly never refused a ball again. Appling remained a solid contributor into his forties, but ownership was dedicated to a youth movement and he retired after the 1950 season. At his retirement, Appling was the all-time leader for most games played and for double plays by a major league shortstop, and the all-time leader for putouts and assists by an American League shortstop. These records were later broken by Luis Aparicio, who also spent the majority of his career with the White Sox. He made 643 errors, and has the worst fielding percentage since 1910 of players with at least 1900 games. As coach and manager Appling was a successful minor league manager after his playing days were over, winning pennants with Memphis in the Southern Association and Indianapolis of the American Association and being named minor league manager of the year in 1952; but his only chance to manage at the major league level was as a late-season replacement for Alvin Dark as manager of the Kansas City Athletics in 1967, leaving his major league managerial record at 10-30. He was a major league coach for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Athletics and White Sox during the 1960s and early 1970s, and worked as a batting instructor for the Atlanta Braves in the 1980s. On July 19, 1982, Appling played in an old-timers' game at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. Appling, then 75 years old, hit a 250-foot home run off Warren Spahn. Spahn applauded him as he rounded the bases. Appling was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. In 1981, Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In 1999, he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He died in Cumming, Georgia at age of 83. Career statistics Batting average .310 Hits 2,749 Runs batted in 1,116 Teams As Player * Chicago White Sox (1930-1950) As Manager * Kansas City Athletics (1967) Career highlights and awards * 7x All-Star selection (1936, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1947) * Led AL in batting average in 1936 and 1943 * Chicago White Sox #4 retired Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1964 Vote 84.0% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Awesome knight, thanks for putting all of these together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Thanks! I feel goofy picking Carlton and Thorpe now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 QUOTE (knightni @ May 19, 2008 -> 08:57 PM) Thanks! I feel goofy picking Carlton and Thorpe now. I forgot about Thorpe, I didnt forget about Bo Jackson though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 (edited) QUOTE (knightni @ May 19, 2008 -> 09:57 PM) Thanks! I feel goofy picking Carlton and Thorpe now. you shouldnt...while i never got around to making a list i certainly would have included thorpe....if this was strictly a greatest athletes to ever be associated with chicago....thorpe would be #1 or 2, right up there with jordan.... Edited May 20, 2008 by daa84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 I felt the Chicago ties were much too thin for a couple of those guys. But I understood they would fall within the guidelines, and have no quarrels with someone picking them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 QUOTE (Texsox @ May 19, 2008 -> 11:26 PM) I felt the Chicago ties were much too thin for a couple of those guys. But I understood they would fall within the guidelines, and have no quarrels with someone picking them. Picking up Carlton was a Hawk Harrelson GM decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 QUOTE (knightni @ May 19, 2008 -> 08:57 PM) Thanks! I feel goofy picking Carlton and Thorpe now. Under the guidelines you stipulated...they're fine. I personally just kinda went with peeps that you associate with Chicago a little more... Great job putting it together though man. Really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 30. (tie) Bo Jackson (3 of 18 lists - 23 points - highest ranking #10 Felix) Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson (born November 30, 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama) is an American athlete and a former multi-sport professional. Jackson played at the highest level of sports in the United States in both American football and baseball. In football, Jackson played running back for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League. In baseball, Jackson played left field and designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and the California Angels of the American League in Major League Baseball. Although a hip injury severely impaired his professional career, Jackson was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major sports.[1] Before his professional career, he earned the 1985 Heisman Trophy, the prize annually awarded to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States. In 1989 and 1990, Jackson's name became known beyond just sports fans through the "Bo Knows" advertising campaign, a series of advertisements by Nike promoting a cross-training athletic shoe named for Jackson. Early life Jackson, the eighth of ten children, was named after Vince Edwards, his mother's favorite actor. His family described him as a "wild boar", which was eventually shortened to "Bo". Bo was nick-named "Wild Boar" for a reason, as he would constantly get into trouble. His mother and siblings, when she had to punish him, would have to run him down. After much experience evading his family in such chases, he began to get very good at shaking off tackles. Jackson was also a smart adolescent as he knew the best way to win a fight was to stay out of one altogether. Fights would threaten, but as he got good at throwing rocks, he was able to hit cleanly any belligerent classmate from long distances. This uncanny throwing ability translated smoothly to baseball. Jackson attended McAdory High School, where he rushed for 1,175 yards as a running back in his senior-year football season. That year, Jackson also hit twenty home runs in twenty-five games for McAdory's baseball team. College (1982–1985) In June 1982, Jackson was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the MLB draft, but he instead chose to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship.[2] He was recruited by head coach Pat Dye and then Auburn assistant coach Bobby Wallace. At Auburn, he proved to be a tremendous athlete in both baseball and football. College baseball Jackson batted .401 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI in 1985. In a 1985 baseball game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, Jackson led Auburn to victory with a 4-for-5 performance, with three home runs and a double. Jackson launched his last home run that day into a brand new light standard. Jackson was declared ineligible to play in the 1986 baseball season after taking a flight to Florida to undergo a physical examination for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. College football During his time playing for the Auburn Tigers football team, he ran for 4,303 career yards,[2] which was the fourth best performance in SEC history behind Herschel Walker of Georgia. With 4,303 rushing yards on 650 rushing attempts,Jackson finished his career with an average of 6.6 yards per carry, which set the SEC record (minimum 400 rushes). In 1982, Jackson's freshman year, Auburn played Boston College in the Tangerine Bowl, where Jackson made a one-handed grab of an option pitch that quarterback Randy Campbell lobbed over the head of a defender. In 1983, as a sophomore, Jackson rushed for 1,213 yards on 158 carries, for an average of 7.7 yards per carry, which was the 2nd best single-season average in SEC history (min. 100 rushes). In the 1983 Auburn-Alabama game, Jackson rushed for 256 yards on 20 rushes (12.8 yards per carry), which at the time was the sixth-most rushing yards gained in a game in SEC history and the 2nd best yard-per-rush average in a game (min. 20 attempts) in SEC history. Auburn finished the season with the Sugar Bowl, where Jackson was named Most Valuable Player. In 1984, Jackson's junior year, he earned Most Valuable Player honors at Liberty Bowl.[3] In 1985, Jackson rushed for 1,786 yards, which was the second best single-season performance in SEC history behind Herschel Walker's 1,891 rushing yards for the University of Georgia in 1981. That year, he averaged 6.4 yards per rush, which at the time was the best single-season average in SEC history. For his performance in 1985, Jackson was awarded the Heisman Trophy.[2] Jackson's football number 34 was officially retired at Auburn in a halftime ceremony on October 31, 1992. His is one of only three numbers retired at Auburn, the others being 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan's number 7, and Sullivan's teammate and favorite receiver, Terry Beasley (88). In 2007, Jackson was ranked #8 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list. College track and field Jackson qualified for the 60-yard dash in his freshman and sophomore years. He considered joining the USA Olympic team, but sprinting would not gain him the financial security of the MLB or NFL, nor would he have sufficient time to train, given his other commitments. Professional career Baseball Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first pick of the 1986 NFL Draft, but he opted to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals, the defending World Series champions, instead. He spent most of the season with the Memphis Chicks in the minor leagues before being called up for regular duty in 1987, where he had 22 home runs, 53 RBIs and 10 stolen bases as an outfielder for the Royals. He began to show his true potential in 1989, when he was voted to start for the American League All-Star team, and was named the game's MVP for his play on both offense and defense. His great plays in the game included a monstrous home run off Rick Reuschel of the San Francisco Giants which landed an estimated 448 feet from home plate - in his first All-Star at-bat. He also beat out an infield hit that resulted in the game-winning RBI. In addition to this, he had a stolen base, making him one of only two players in All-Star Game history to hit a home run and steal a base in the same game (the other is Willie Mays). Legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully (calling the game for NBC-TV) was moved to comment, "And look at that one! Bo Jackson says hello!" In 1990, he raised his batting average, but the uncertainty of his two sport loyalties may have swayed Royals management to not utilize him as much as he could have been. On June 5, 1989, Jackson ran down a long line-drive deep to left field on a hit-and-run play against the Seattle Mariners. With speedy Harold Reynolds running from first base on the play, Scott Bradley's hit would have been deep enough to score him against most outfielders. But Jackson, from the warning track, turned flat footed and fired a strike to catcher Bob Boone, who tagged the sliding Reynolds out. Jackson's throw reached Boone on the fly. Interviewed for the "Bo Jackson" episode of ESPN Classic's SportsCentury, Reynolds admitted that he thought there was no way anyone would throw him out on such a deep drive into the gap in left-center, and was shocked to see his teammate telling him to slide as he rounded third base. On July 11, 1990 against the Baltimore Orioles, Jackson performed his famous "wall run", when he caught a ball approximately 2-3 strides away from the wall. As he caught the ball at full tilt, Jackson looked up and noticed the wall and began to run up the wall, one leg reaching higher as he ascended. He ran along the wall almost parallel to the ground, and came down with the catch, to avoid impact and the risk of injury from the fence. After a poor at bat he was known to snap the bat over his knee, or with his helmet on, over his head. Before Jackson finished his career in California he spent two years playing for the Chicago White Sox, mostly as a Designated Hitter, as his hip injury hampered his ability to play the outfield. It was with the White Sox that he made his only post-season appearance in the 1993 American League Championship Series, which Chicago lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games. While with the Sox, Jackson promised his mom that once he returned from his hip replacement surgery that he would hit a home run for her. Before he could return, his mother died. In his first at bat after surgery he hit a home run to right field. The ball was caught by a 16 year old boy, Greg Ourednik, from Crown Point, IN. Ourednik returned the ball to Jackson during the game. Jackson had the ball engraved in his mother's tombstone. In his eight baseball seasons, Jackson had a career batting average of .250, hit 141 home runs and had 415 RBIs, with a slugging average of .474. His best year was 1989, with his effort earning him all-star status. In '89 Bo ranked fourth in the league in both homers and RBI with 32/105. Football Jackson was drafted first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Jackson wanted to be a professional baseball player, so he rejected the Buccaneers' five-year offer. Since he did not sign with a team by the 1987 draft, the rights to him were forfeited by Tampa Bay and his name was thrown back into the draft. The Oakland Raiders selected Jackson in the 7th round with the 183rd overall pick.[4] Raiders owner Al Davis supported Jackson and his baseball career and got Jackson to sign a contract by offering him a salary that was comparable to a full-time starting running back but allowing Jackson to only play part-time until the baseball season was done. Joining the Raiders midway through the 1987 season, Jackson rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries in just seven games. Over the next three seasons, Bo Jackson would rush for 2,228 more yards and 12 touchdowns: a remarkable achievement, in light of the fact that he was a "second string" player behind Raiders legend Marcus Allen. Jackson turned in a 221-yard rushing performance on Monday Night Football in 1987 against the Seattle Seahawks. During this game, he ran over Seahawks star linebacker Brian Bosworth, who had insulted Jackson and promised in a media event before the game to contain Jackson. He also made a 91-yard run to the outside, untouched down the sideline. He continued sprinting until finally slowing down as he passed through the entrance to the field tunnel to the dressing rooms with teammates soon following. In his four seasons in the NFL, Jackson rushed for 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns with an average yards per carry of 5.4. He also caught 40 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson's 221 yards on November 30, 1987, just 29 days after his first NFL carry, is still a Monday Night Football record. Injury and comeback On January 13, 1991, during a Raiders playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson suffered a serious hip injury which ended his football career and seriously threatened his baseball career. After Bo Jackson was tackled and lying in pain on the ground, he popped his hip back into place. In an interview on Untold, George Brett who attended the game said he asked the trainer what had happened to Bo. The trainer replied "Bo says he felt his hip come out of the socket, so he popped it back in, but that's just impossible, no one's that strong." Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, it was discovered that Jackson had avascular necrosis, as a result of decreased blood supply to the head of his left femur. This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring that the hip be replaced. Jackson missed the entire 1992 baseball season. When he announced soon after his surgery that he would play baseball again, many thought that goal to be unrealistic, especially at the Major League level. Before returning to his true professional sports, Bo tried his luck in basketball. Being a natural athlete Bo played briefly for a semi-pro basketball team in L.A. Bo quickly retired. Jackson was able to return to the Chicago White Sox in 1993, and at his first at-bat, against the New York Yankees, he homered on his first swing. The next day Nike ran a full-page ad in USA Today; it simply read "Bo Knew." He would hit 16 home runs and 45 RBIs that season; but while his power remained, he no longer possessed his blazing speed. During his time with the White Sox, Jackson had no stolen bases. For the 1994 season, he was signed as a free agent by the California Angels for one final season, where he hit another 13 home runs in 201 at bats, before retiring. Popularity "Bo Knows... " Jackson became a popular figure for his athleticism in multiple sports through the late 1980s and early 1990s. He endorsed Nike and was involved in a popular ad campaign called "Bo Knows" which envisioned Jackson attempting to take up a litany of other sports, including tennis, golf, luge, auto racing, and even playing blues music with Bo Diddley, who scolded Jackson by telling him "You don't know diddley!"[5] (In a later version of the spot, Jackson is shown playing the guitar expertly, after which an impressed Diddley says, "Bo...you do know Diddley, don't you?") Another clip, envisioning Jackson playing ice hockey, was followed by Wayne Gretzky shaking his head in disbelief and dismissing the effort with a quick "No." (In his autobiography, Gretzky says his negative rejoinder came in frustration after mutiple takes of him saying "Bo knows hockey!" that the director didn't like. He also said the bits showing Bo playing hockey were actually filmed on a wooden floor, with Jackson in stocking feet.) T shirts sold by Nike capitalizing on their successful ad campaign had a list of Jackson's sports - both real and imagined - with hockey crossed out. In a later spot, Jackson sees all the hoopla surrounding him and says, "I have rehab to do! I don't have time for this!", after which boxer George Foreman says, "But I do!" and steps in to finish the commercial, now re-dubbed "George Knows." Jackson also poked fun at the ad campaign during a guest appearance on a first season episode of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. In the scene, he played basketball with Clark, portrayed by Dean Cain. Bo clearly is the better athlete, until Clark uses his flying abilities to catch the ball. Bo replies, "Bo don't know that!" Bo also made an appearance during in an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with Will Smith where he asks Will, as "his close personal friend", some advice on what to cook for a party saying "an' when it comes to cooking, Bo don't know diddley". Video games Jackson's legend was further cemented by his digital counterpart, affectionately known as "Tecmo Bo", in the video game Tecmo Super Bowl for the Nintendo Entertainment System. "Tecmo Bo" is one of the best running backs -- and arguably the most lethal athlete -- in video game history.[6] Players using "Tecmo Bo" have been able to rush for 800-900 yards per game and run all over the field on one play and run out the time of a whole quarter without being tackled. In retirement, his legend is intertwined with what many 25-35 year-olds recall as the second golden age of home video gaming. Jackson has commented that fans will often come up to him and regale him with stories not of his actual football feats, but rather memorable Tecmo Bowl plays.[7] Bo also had his own video game for the original Game Boy portable gaming system, Bo Jackson's Hit and Run. The game featured both baseball and football, but had no pro licenses for either sport and could not use any team or players' names. Released around the same time was Bo Jackson Baseball for the Nintendo NES system and IBM compatible computers. The game was heavily criticized by game reviewers and obtained poor sales results. Bo Jackson had also made an appearance in the recent video game NFL Street 2 released in 2004 as the half back in the Gridiron Legends team. Unlocked by performing a wall move on a hotspot on the sportsplex field, he is available in the pickup pool for pickup games where you pick 7 players from the NFL. When playing the street event "open field showdown", if you had not made an extremely fast character already in own the city mode or NFL challenge, he will always be picked by the computer. If you completed NFL challenge, you can choose him to be on your team or any other Gridiron legend once you complete the mode. ProStars Following on the heels of this widespread fame, Jackson appeared in ProStars, an NBC Saturday morning cartoon. The show featured Bo, Wayne Gretzky, and Michael Jordan fighting crime and helping children (although none of the athletes featured actually provided their voices). Apparel In 2007, Nike released a set of Nike Dunk shoes honoring Bo Jackson.[8] The set featured three colorways based on previously released Nike shoes: the "Bo Knows" Trainer I, Trainer 91, and Medicine Ball Trainer III.[9] Life after sports In 1993, Jackson was honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award. In 1995, he completed his bachelor of science degree at Auburn to fulfill the promise he made to his mother.[2] Through the 1990s, Jackson dabbled in acting, having made several television guest appearances first on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 as well as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Married with Children. He later appeared in small roles in the films The Chamber and Fakin' Da Funk. Jackson served as the President of the HealthSouth Sports Medicine Council, part of Birmingham, Alabama based HealthSouth Corporation. He was also spokesman for HealthSouth's "Go For It": Roadshow. Jackson was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game Two of the 2005 World Series. In 2006, Jackson appeared on the Spike TV sports reality show, Pros vs. Joes. In his second appearance, he easily defeated amateur athletes in a home run-hitting contest. When he bunted instead of swinging on his final try for a home run, the announcer stated, "Bo knows taunting." In 2007 Bo came together with John Cangelosi to form Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex, an 88,000 square foot multi-sports dome facility in Lockport, Illinois. He is part-owner and CEO of the facility. To this day he and his family live in Burr Ridge, Illinois Quotes * "Back before I injured my hip, I thought going to the gym was for wimps." * "Being the 8th out of 10 kids, and being the one that stayed in trouble, I sort of became a momma's boy." * "Don't sell yourself short because without that you can't go far in life because after sports the only thing you know is sports and you can't do anything else with that."--Bo on life after sports. * "First of all, I really never imagined myself being a professional athlete." * "I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line."--Bo Jackson on education * "I am a firm believer in if you can't get it the old fashioned way, you don't need it"--Bo Jackson on earning things. * "I guarantee you that's what Jeff Gordon does. He uses everything the fans throw at him to stoke his fire and it drives him to be better at what he does."--Bo Jackson on Jeff Gordon * "I once broke an aluminum bat over my knee in college" joking with reporters staring at him in total belief Career Football Information Year(s): 1987–1990 NFL Draft: 1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 College: Auburn Professional Teams * Los Angeles Raiders (1987-1990) Career Stats Rushing Yards 2,782 Average 5.4 Touchdowns 16 Career Highlights and Awards * Pro Bowl selection (1990) * 1985 Heisman Trophy Career Baseball Statistics Batting average .250 Hits 598 Home runs 141 Teams * Kansas City Royals (1986-1990) * Chicago White Sox (1991, 1993) * California Angels (1994) Career highlights and awards * All-Star selection (1989) * 1989 MLB All-Star Game MVP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 28. (tie) Eddie Collins (3 of 18 lists - 27 points - highest ranking #7 knightni) Edward Trowbridge Collins, Sr. (May 2, 1887 – March 25, 1951), nicknamed "Cocky", was a Major League Baseball player from 1906 to 1930. Under the win shares statistical rating system created by baseball historian and analyst Bill James, Collins was the best second baseman of all time. He is also ninth on the all-time hit list. Biography A native of Millerton, New York, Collins was known for his steady bat and speed. After graduating from Columbia University, he broke into the Majors in 1906 with the Philadelphia Athletics and worked his way to full time play by 1909. That season, he had a .347 batting average and 67 steals. The following year, Collins stole a career-high 81 bases and won his first of four World Series championships. Collins moved to the Chicago White Sox in 1915, where he continued to post top-ten batting and stolen base numbers. He played on the notorious "Black Sox" team that threw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, but was not in on the fix and played honestly. He was the playing manager of the White Sox from August 1924 through the 1926 season, posting a record of 174-160 (.521). He then returned to the Athletics in 1927 and retired after the 1930 season. In 1931-32, he served as a Philadelphia coach and, from 1933 through 1947, as the general manager for the Boston Red Sox. With the BoSox Collins helped rebuild the team, and was instrumental in the signings of Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams. Collins finished his career with 3,315 hits, 744 steals, 1,300 RBI and a .333 batting average. He won the MVP Award in 1914. Collins is considered one of the greatest bunters and leadoff men in baseball history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. In an article in 1976 in Esquire magazine, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Because of space limitations the Irish team, including Collins as second baseman, was omitted. In 1999, he ranked number 24 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Trivia * A set of baseball fields and a recreation park is named after and dedicated to Eddie Collins in Millerton, New York. * Collins often parked a quid of bubble gum on the button of his cap, and chewed it for good luck. One day a mischievous teammate sprinkled pepper on the gum when Collins wasn't looking; a furious Eddie swore he'd maul the prankster if he ever identified him. Career statistics Batting average .333 Hits 3,315 Stolen Bases 744 Teams As Player * Philadelphia Athletics (1906-1914, 1927-1930) * Chicago White Sox (1915-1926) As Manager * Chicago White Sox (1924-1926) Career highlights and awards * 1914 AL MVP * 10th on the all-time hit list with 3,315 * 7th all time for career stolen base list with 744 Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1939 Vote 77.74% (fourth ballot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 NO MJ YET!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 28. (tie) Jim Thome (4 of 18 lists - 27 points - highest ranking #12 Felix) James Howard "Jim" Thome (born August 27, 1970 in Peoria, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox MLB career Cleveland Indians Thome originally played for the Cleveland Indians, joining the team for the first time in 1991 as a third baseman. In 1997, when the Indians traded for Matt Williams, Thome shifted over to first base. At the plate, Thome began to come into his own by 1995, when he hit 25 home runs and 73 runs batted in with a .314 batting average. Thome then hit 38 home runs in 1996 and 40 in 1997. Thome soon became a prolific home run hitter, once hitting a 511-foot (156-meter) shot at Jacobs Field, the longest home run ever recorded at a Cleveland ballpark. He hit 49 home runs with the Indians in 2001, followed by a career-high 52 homers in 2002. He has been nicknamed "The Thomenator" and the "Pride of Peoria". Wildly beloved by Indians fans, a Cleveland Plain Dealer fan poll in 2003 named Thome the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history. Some of Thome's trademarks are his high socks, that he helped make popular again in the mid-'90s, at a time when players wore their pant cuffs down around their ankles, and his batting stance in which he holds the bat out with his right hand and points it at right field before the pitcher comes set. Philadelphia Phillies After the 2002 season, Thome was up for free agency. He pursued a contract with the Chicago Cubs, whom he had followed since childhood, but despite Thome's offer to accept a less competitive contract, the organization declined. Instead, Thome accepted a six-year offer from the Philadelphia Phillies. Thome hit 47 home runs in his first season with the Phillies to finish one behind Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt's single-season team record of 48 in 1980. On June 14, 2004, Thome hit his 400th career home run before a home crowd at the brand new Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, surpassing Al Kaline for 37th on the all-time home run list. He ended the 2004 season with 42 homers, giving him 423 for his career, which placed him 35th on the career list. Injuries caught up with Thome during the first half of the 2005 season, where he hit only .207 with seven home runs and 30 RBI going into the All-Star break. He had season-ending surgery in August. Ryan Howard proved to be a very successful replacement at first base in the 2005 season, leading all National League rookies in home runs and winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. The emergence of Howard made Thome expendable to the Phillies. On November 23, 2005, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox along with $22.0 million. The White Sox sent CF Aaron Rowand and minor league pitching prospects Gio Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood to Philadelphia in return. Chicago White Sox Thome flourished in his first season in Chicago. He became the Chicago White Sox's regular designated hitter in April 2006. That month he set the team record for most home runs in the month of April (10), beating Frank Thomas's record by one. He also set a major league record by scoring in each of the White Sox first 17 games. The modern and AL record for consecutive games with a run scored is 18 held by Red Rolfe (1939) and Kenny Lofton (2000). For the season, Thome hit 42 homers, batted in 109 runs, and hit .288. He also struck out 30.0% of the time, the highest percentage in the American League.[1] As a result of his impressive season, Thome was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year for 2006. On April 15, 2007, Thome was one of three White Sox players (also two coaches) who wore jersey number 42 in recognition of the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League debut in the White Sox vs. Indians game in Cleveland. Thome pinch-hit for Brian Anderson in the ninth inning and hit an infield single. Alex Cintron, also wearing 42, pinch ran for Thome but did not score. The Indians won 2-1. On September 16, 2007 Thome hit his 500th career home run off Los Angeles Angels pitcher Dustin Moseley. The home run was a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, which gave the White Sox a 9-7 victory.[1] Thome became the 23rd major leaguer to reach the milestone and the third in the 2007 season (the others were Frank Thomas and Alex Rodriguez).[1] 25 members of Thome's family and friends were in attendance to witness his milestone, including his father and wife. The game in which Thome hit the home run was also the Jim Thome bobblehead giveaway day at U.S. Cellular Field. Thome rounded the bases pointing upward in homage to his late mother, who passed away from breast cancer in January 2005. Career summary In his career to date (thru Sept. 16, 2007), Thome has a .562 slugging percentage, and a .409 on-base percentage. He is considered one of the most "complete" power hitters of his decade, due to his ability to create extra base hits, maintain a solid batting average for a power hitter (his career batting average is .281), and ability to get on base. Thome has been named Player of the Month three times: July 2001, September 2003 and June 2004. He is one of only six players to be named Player of the Month in each league (Vladimir Guerrero, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Gaylord Perry and Dave Winfield are the others). Jim Thome has the fourth-lowest career AB/HR (at bats per home run) average in major-league history. His 13.68 (about 1 HR every 14 times he comes to bat) is eclipsed only by Mark McGwire (10.61), Babe Ruth (11.76), and Barry Bonds (12.90). Stretching behind Thome, all with averages greater than 14, are such hall-of-famers as Ralph Kiner, Harmon Killebrew, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, and Mike Schmidt, in that order. Baseball and personal life On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Thome was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Off the field, Thome is putting all 10 of his nieces and nephews through college. It was reported on ESPN's SportsCenter that shortly after his nephew, Brandon, was paralyzed in a tragic accident, he asked Jim to hit a home run for him; not only did Thome fulfill the request but he hit two homers in the game. In a 2007 poll of 464 Major League Baseball players, he was voted the 2nd most friendly player in a tie with Mike Sweeney. After hitting a home run, the scoreboard will often display "THOME RUN" to distinguish his home runs from other players' home runs. On September 16, 2007, on "Jim Thome Bobblehead Day" at U.S. Cellular Field, Thome hit his 500th career home run, becoming the 23rd player in baseball history to accomplish the feat. His 500th career home run was a walk off winner, he is the only player to accomplish that feat. Jim Thome currently lives in Hinsdale, Illinois. On November 16, 2007, Thome and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their second child, son Landon. They have a daughter, Lila Grace.[2] During the 2007-2008 off season, Thome and his father drove his 500th home run ball he hit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Selected MLB statistics (through April 28, 2008) Batting average .281 Home runs 513 Runs batted in 1,416 Teams * Cleveland Indians (1991-2002) * Philadelphia Phillies (2003-2005) * Chicago White Sox (2006-present) Highlights and awards * Silver Slugger Award winner (1996) * 5x All-Star selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006) * Led NL in home runs in 2003 * Led AL in bases on balls in 1997, 1999, and 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 26. Hack Wilson (2 of 18 lists - 28 points - highest ranking #6 mr_genius) Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson (April 26, 1900 – November 23, 1948) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1923 to 1934. He is best known for his record-setting 191-RBI season of 1930. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Biography Wilson was a true rags-to-riches story. He grew up in the Pennsylvania steel mill town of Ellwood City. Although only 5'6" tall, he weighed 195 pounds, mostly muscle, and had an 18" neck but only size-6 shoes. One sports writer wrote that he was built along the lines of a beer keg, and not wholly unfamiliar with its contents. During his career, Hack Wilson played for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Wilson eclipsed the 100-RBI mark in 6 seasons. He set the National League single-season record for home runs with 56 in 1930, a record that stood until 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa both surpassed it, with 70 and 66 respectively. Wilson's 1930 season was one of the best ever by a hitter. In addition to hitting 56 home runs, leading the league with 105 walks, and boasting a batting average of .356, he drove in 191 runs, a mark that remains one of the most untouchable MLB records. (For years, record books gave the total as 190, until research in 1999 showed that an RBI credited by an official scorer to Charlie Grimm actually belonged to Wilson.) He recorded that total without hitting a grand slam. In one game, Wilson was at bat and Bill Klem was the plate umpire. A close pitch went by and Klem called, "Strike!" Wilson said, "Strike? Bill, you sure missed that one." Klem answered, "Perhaps I did, Lewis; but if I'd had your bat, I wouldn't have." Although his career was brilliant, it was fairly short. He finished his 12 year career having played 1,348 games with a lifetime batting average of .307, 244 home runs, and 1,063 RBI. His excessive alcoholism led him to a premature death at the age of 48. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Career statistics Batting average .307 Home runs 244 Runs batted in 1063 Teams * New York Giants (1923-1925) * Chicago Cubs (1926-1931) * Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1934) * Philadelphia Phillies (1934) Career highlights and awards * National League pennant: 1924, 1929 * Single-season RBI record holder (191) * National League home run champion: 1926-1928, 1930 * National League RBI champion: 1929, 1930 * 2-time National League base on balls leader * 4 seasons with 30+ home runs * 6 seasons with 100+ RBIs Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1979 Election Method Veteran's Committee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 I missed a guy, he's up by Luckman. More list tomorrow or later tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigEdWalsh Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 QUOTE (knightni @ May 20, 2008 -> 01:34 PM) I missed a guy, he's up by Luckman. Ooooops. Just wanna add my thanks, Sir Knightni. This is great once again. Your efforts are awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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