TalkChicagoSports.com's Top 40 Greatest Chicago Sports Players

[knightni]

The list will continue late tonight.

 

No time today.

[knightni]

15. Stan Mikita

 

(9 of 18 lists - 85 points - highest ranking #9 ControlledChaos, BrianBear)

 

Stanislav "Stan" Mikita (born May 20, 1940) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 1961 he won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Black Hawks.

 

Early life

 

Mikita was born in Sokolče, Slovakia as Stanislav Guoth, but moved to Ontario, Canada, as a young boy to avoid the political troubles in the area due to Communist control. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle who gave him their surname, Mikita.

 

Playing career

 

After three starring junior seasons with the St. Catharines Teepees of the Ontario Hockey Association, Mikita was promoted for good to the parent Chicago Black Hawks in 1959. In his second full season, the Hawks won their third and most recent Stanley Cup, and the young centre led the league in goals in the playoffs with six.

 

The following season was his breakout year as a star, and centring the famed "Scooter Line" (with right wing Ken Wharram and left wingers Ab McDonald and Doug Mohns), became the most-feared centre of the Sixties, and with superstar teammate Bobby Hull, the Black Hawks had the most powerful offense of the decade, generally leading the league in goals scored. Combining skilled defense and a reputation as one of the game's best faceoff men with his innovative curved stick, Mikita led the league in scoring four times in the decade, tying Bobby Hull's single-season scoring mark in 1966–67 with 97 points (a mark broken two years later by former teammate Phil Esposito and currently held by Wayne Gretzky).

 

In his early years, he was among the most-penalized players in the league, but he then decided to play a cleaner game and went on to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanlike conduct twice. Mikita's drastic change in behavior came when he returned from a road trip one night. His wife told him that while their daughter was watching the Black Hawks' last road game on television, she turned and said, "Mommy, why does Daddy spend so much time sitting down?" The camera had just shown Mikita in the penalty box serving a penalty.

 

Retirement

 

His latter years marred by chronic back injuries, Mikita finally retired during the 1980 season. Upon his retirement he had the second-highest career scoring point total of any NHL player, after Gordie Howe, and had played in the seventh most games of any player at the time.

 

Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

 

Awards and accomplishments

 

* Currently 24th all-time in games played, 25th in goals, 16th in assists, and 12th in points.

* Won the Hart Memorial Trophy as most valuable player in 1967 and 1968.

* Won the Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer in 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968.

* Won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1967 and 1968.

* Named to the NHL's First All-Star Team in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

* Named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team in 1965 and 1970.

* Played in NHL All-Star Game in 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

* Won the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1976.

* The only player in NHL history to win the Hart, Art Ross, and Lady Byng trophies in the same season, doing so in consecutive seasons, in 1966–67 and 1967–68.

* Only Alex Delvecchio and Steve Yzerman had a longer career playing for only a single team.

* Was named to Team Canada for the 1972 Summit Series, but only played two games due to injuries.

* Inducted into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

* In 1998, he was ranked number 17 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, making him the highest-ranked player born outside of Canada, although he was trained in Canada.

Notes

 

* His name was used in Wayne's World as the name of a doughnut shop, as a parody reference to the Canadian chain Tim Hortons. A restaurant named "Stan Mikita's" and closely resembling the movie's version was opened in 1994 at the Virginia amusement park Kings Dominion and at Paramounts Carowinds in Charlotte. The Virginia restaurant was later converted into a Happy Days theme.

* Reportedly the first player to ever use a curved blade on his stick and was one of the first practitioners of the slapshot.

* In 1973, Stan teamed up with Chicago business man Irv Tiahnybik to form the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA), to bring together deaf and hard-of hearing hockey players from all over the country.

* Also known as "Stosh"

* Is the main character in the book "My Man Stan" by Tim Wendel.

* His daughter is married to the caddie of golfer David Toms.[1]

 

Regular season 	  	                                                Playoffs
GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM 	+/- 	PP 	SH 	GW 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	PIM
1394 	541 	926 	1467 	1270 	+159 	127 	12 	60 	155 	59 	91 	150 	169

[knightni]

14. Ryne Sandberg

 

(12 of 18 lists - 88 points - highest ranking #10 Texsox)

 

Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18, 1959 in Spokane, Washington), nicknamed "Ryno", is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best second basemen of all time. Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2005; he was formally inducted in ceremonies on July 31, 2005. He is the current manager of the Peoria Chiefs.

 

Sandberg established himself as a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove candidate, making 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and winning 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991. His career .989 fielding percentage is a major league record at second base.

 

Philadelphia Phillies

 

Sandberg was drafted in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He went on to make his major league debut as a shortstop for the Phillies in 1981.

 

However, the Phillies didn't have much room in the lineup for him at the time. The Phillies didn't think he could play shortstop, and he was blocked from second and third base by Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt, respectively. Accordingly, he was traded along with shortstop Larry Bowa to the Cubs for shortstop Ivan DeJesus prior to the 1982 season. The trade, now considered one of the most one-sided deals in baseball history, came about because Bowa had antagonized the Phillies' front office. However, Cubs general manager Dallas Green (a former Phillies manager) wanted a young prospect to go along with the aging Bowa.

 

Years later, Phillies general manager Paul Owens said that he didn't want to trade Sandberg, but Green and the Cubs weren't interested in any of the other prospects he offered. Owens then went back to his scouts, who told him Sandberg wouldn't be any more than a utility infielder. However, Sandberg had hit over .290 in the minors two years in a row.

 

Chicago Cubs

 

The Cubs, who initially wanted Sandberg to play center field, installed him as their third baseman, and he went on to be one of the top-rated rookies of 1982. However, Sandberg was displaced by Chicago's free-agent signing of veteran Ron Cey following the 1982 season, so Sandberg moved to second base, where he became a star.

 

1984

 

After winning a Gold Glove Award in his first season at the new position, Sandberg emerged with a breakout season in 1984, in which he batted .314 with 200 hits, 114 runs, 36 doubles, 19 homers and triples, and 84 RBI. He nearly became only the third player to collect 20 doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in the same season, led the Cubs to the National League's Eastern Division title (their first championship of any kind since 1945), and won National League Most Valuable Player honors.

 

After his great season in which he garnered national attention, he wrote an autobiography "Ryno" with Fred Mitchell.

 

"The Sandberg Game"

 

One game in particular was cited for putting Sandberg (as well as the 1984 Cubs in general) "on the map", a NBC national telecast of a Cubs-Cardinals game on June 23, 1984. The Cubs had been playing well throughout the season's first few months, but as a team unaccustomed to winning, they had not yet become a serious contender in the eyes of most baseball fans.

 

As for Sandberg, he had played two full seasons in the major leagues, and while he had shown himself to be a top-fielding second baseman and fast on the basepaths (over 30 stolen bases both seasons), his .260-ish batting average and single-digit home run production were respectable for his position but not especially noteworthy, and Sandberg was not talked about outside Chicago. The Game of the Week, however, put the sleeper Cubs on the national stage against their regional rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. Both teams were well-established franchises with a strong fan base outside the Chicago and St. Louis area.

 

In the ninth inning, the Cubs trailed 9-8, and faced the premier relief pitcher of the time, Bruce Sutter. Sutter was at the forefront of the emergence of the closer in the late 1970s and early 1980s: a hard-throwing pitcher who typically came in just for the ninth inning and saved around 30 games a season. (Sutter was especially dominant in 1984, saving 45 games.) However, in the ninth inning, Sandberg, not known for his power, slugged a home run to left field against the Cardinals' ace closer. Despite this dramatic act, the Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the tenth. Sandberg came up again in the tenth inning, facing a determined Sutter with one man on base. As Cubs' radio announcer Harry Caray described it:

“ There's a drive, way back! Might be outta here! It is! It is! He did it again! He did it again! The game is tied! The game is tied! Holy Cow! Listen to this crowd, everybody's gone bananas! ”

 

The Cubs went on to win in the 11th inning. The Cardinals' Willie McGee had already been named NBC's player of the game before Ryno's first home run. As NBC play-by-play man Bob Costas (who called the game with Tony Kubek) said when Sandberg hit that second home run, "Do you believe it?!" The game is sometimes called The Sandberg Game. The winning run for the Cubs was driven in by a single off of the bat of Dave Owen.

 

1990

 

In 1990, Sandberg led the National League in home runs – a rarity for a second baseman – with 40. Sandberg was only the third second baseman to hit 40 home runs; Rogers Hornsby and Davey Johnson hit 42, and no American League second baseman has yet reached forty. Sandberg also batted in 100 runs, despite batting second in the order. His batting average did not suffer from his new level of power, as he finished at .306 for the season. Sandberg, Brady Anderson and Barry Bonds are the only players to have both a 40-homer (1990) and 50-steal (1985) season during their careers. Sandberg played a major league-record 123 straight games at second base without an error. This has since been broken by Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers.

 

1992

 

In 1992, Sandberg became the highest paid player in baseball at the time, signing a $28.4 million four year extension worth $7.1 million a season. He earned a spot on the NL All Star roster and an NL Silver Slugger Award at second base with a .304 batting average, 26 home runs, 100 runs, and 87 runs batted in.

 

1994

 

After struggling early in the season, Sandberg retired in 1994. While he had been a historically slow starter throughout his entire career, his 1994 start was slower than normal. In his book, Second To Home, Ryne said,

“ The reason I retired is simple: I lost the desire that got me ready to play on an everyday basis for so many years. Without it, I didn't think I could perform at the same level I had in the past, and I didn't want to play at a level less than what was expected of me by my teammates, coaches, ownership, and most of all, myself. ”

 

He also said in the book that at the time of his retirement, to the best of his knowledge, everything was fine with his marriage and that he wanted to be at home with his kids.

 

1996-1997

 

He came back for the 1996 and 1997 seasons, retiring again with a career batting average of .285, and a record 277 home runs as a second baseman; this record was surpassed in 2004 by Jeff Kent.

 

Post-baseball activities

 

Since retiring, Sandberg has kept a low profile. In 2003, Sandberg accepted his first marketing deal since his retirement, agreeing to be spokesman for a Chicago bank. He also appeared on ESPN Radio 1000 as an analyst during the 2004 baseball season. He currently serves as manager of the Peoria Chiefs and formerly served as a spring training instructor for the Cubs in Mesa, Arizona. He is also a former baseball columnist for Yahoo Sports.

 

Hall of Fame induction

 

Sandberg delivered what many traditionalist fans considered a stirring speech at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2005.[1] He thanked the writers who voted for him because it meant that he played the game the way he had been taught it should be played. He spoke several times of respect for the game, and chided a subset of current players who, in his opinion, lack that respect. Specifically, he spoke of how the game needs more than home run hitters, citing that turning a double-play and laying down a sacrifice bunt are weapons many of today's greats don't value.

 

Sandberg's number is retired

 

He followed up on his Hall of Fame induction by becoming only the fourth Chicago Cub to have his number retired. On August 28, 2005, Sandberg had his number 23 retired in a ceremony at Wrigley Field, before a Cubs game against the Florida Marlins. His number had already been de facto retired, as no other Cub had been assigned the number since Sandberg's active playing days had ended.

 

Charity foundations

 

Ryne and his wife, Margaret, founded Ryno Kid Care to assist in the lives of children with serious illnesses. The organization provides anything from big brothers to a home-cooked meal. Ryno Kid Care also provides massage therapists and clowns dressed up as doctors and nurses to brighten the children's day.

 

Ryno Kid Care's mission is "dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families, by providing supportive, compassionate and meaningful programming."

 

Other info

 

His nephew, Jared Sandberg, was a third baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

 

His last game at Wrigley Field on September 21, 1997 was also the last game during which Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray would perform "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, as Caray died the following offseason.

 

In high school, Sandberg was recruited to play quarterback at NCAA Division 1 colleges, and eventually signed a letter of intent for Washington State University. However, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and chose to turn professional in baseball.[2]

 

Sandberg also lobbied to be the Cubs' new manager after the 2006 season. General Manager Jim Hendry thought Sandberg wanted to just have dinner when Sandberg called him; unbeknownst to Hendry, it was an interview for the job. Sandberg was a long shot, and the Cubs ended up hiring Lou Piniella, but Hendry hinted at perhaps hiring Sandberg for one of the Cubs' minor league affiliates. This was realized on December 5, 2006, when Sandberg was named manager of the Cubs' Class A affiliate, the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League.

Career statistics

 

Batting average .285

Home runs 282

Hits 2,386

 

Teams

 

* Philadelphia Phillies (1981)

* Chicago Cubs (1982-1994, 1996-1997)

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* 10x All-Star selection (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)

* 9x Gold Glove Award winner (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)

* 7x Silver Slugger Award winner (1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)

* 1984 NL MVP

* 1990 Home Run Derby winner

* Chicago Cubs #23 retired

 

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

 

Elected 2005

Vote 76.2%

[knightni]

13. (tie) Red Grange

 

(8 of 18 lists - 98 points - highest ranking #4 knightni)

 

Harold Edward "Red" Grange (June 13, 1903 – January 28, 1991) was a professional and college American football player. He was a charter member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was named the greatest college football player of all time by ESPN.

 

Early life

 

Grange was born in Forksville, Pennsylvania as the third child of Sadie and Lyle Grange.[1] His father was the foreman of three lumber camps.[1] When he was five, his mother died and his father moved the family to Wheaton, Illinois, where four brothers had settled.[2] When they arrived, Grange’s father worked hard and became the chief of police.[3] At Wheaton High School, he earned 16 varsity letters in four sports (football, baseball, basketball, and track)[3] during each of the four years he attended, notably scoring 75 touchdowns and 532 points for the football team.[3] As a high school junior, Grange scored 36 touchdowns and led Wheaton High School to an undefeated season. In his senior year his team won every game but one, which was lost 39-0 to Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio.[1] It was in this game that Grange was knocked unconscious and remained so for two days, even having difficulty speaking when he awoke. It was the only time he was seriously injured playing football.[1]

 

To help the family earn money he worked a part time job as an ice toter for $37.50 per week,[3] a job which helped him build his core strength (and is the source of the sometimes used nickname "Ice Man", or "the Wheaton Ice Man").[2]

 

College football

 

After graduation Grange enrolled in the University of Illinois, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity.[3] He had initially planned to play only basketball and track but changed his mind once he arrived. In his first collegiate football game, he scored three touchdowns against Nebraska.[3] In seven games as a sophomore he ran for 723 yards and scored twelve touchdowns, leading Illinois to an undefeated season and the 1923 Helms Athletic Foundation national championship.[4]

 

Grange vaulted to national prominence as a result of his performance in the October 18, 1924, game against Michigan. This was the grand opening game for the new Memorial Stadium, built as a memorial to University of Illinois students and alumni that served in World War I.[3] He returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown, and scored three more touchdowns on runs of 67, 56 and 44 yards in the first twelve minutes.[4] This four-touchdown first quarter outburst equaled the number of touchdowns allowed by Michigan in the previous two seasons.[4] After sitting out the second quarter, Grange returned in the second half to run 11 yards for a fifth touchdown and passed 20 yards for a sixth score as Illinois won 39-14 to end Michigan's 20-game unbeaten streak. He totaled an 402 yards - 212 rushing, 64 passing and 126 on kickoff returns.[4]

 

The game inspired Grantland Rice to write the following poetic description:

 

A streak of fire, a breath of flame

Eluding all who reach and clutch;

A gray ghost thrown into the game

That rival hands may never touch;

A rubber bounding, blasting soul

Whose destination is the goal — Red Grange of Illinois!

 

However, it was Chicago sportswriter Warren Brown who nicknamed Grange, "The Galloping Ghost." When questioned in a 1974 interview, "Was it Grantland Rice who dubbed you the Galloping Ghost?" Grange replied, "No, it was Warren Brown, who was a great writer with the Chicago's American in those days."[3]

 

As a college senior, in a 24-2 upset of the University of Pennsylvania, Grange rushed for a career-high 237 yards through deep mud and scored three touchdowns. Laurence Stallings, a famed war correspondent who had co-written What Price Glory? was hired to cover the game for the New York World. After Grange accounted for 363 yards, Stallings said, "This story's too big for me. I can't write it."[4]

 

In his 20-game college career, he ran 388 times for 2,071 yards (5.3 average), caught 14 passes for 253 yards and completed 40-of-82 passes for 575 yards. Of his 31 touchdowns, 16 were from at least 20 yards, with nine from more than 50 yards.[4] He earned All-America recognition three consecutive years, and appeared on the October 5, 1925, cover of Time.[4]

 

His number 77 was retired at the University of Illinois in 1925. It remains one of only two retired numbers in the history of University of Illinois football, the other being the number 50 worn by Dick Butkus.

 

NFL career

 

I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, 'That would be Red Grange.' And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain. And he said, 'About 750, maybe 800 yards.' And I said, 'Well, 800 yards is just okay.' He sat up in his chair and he said, 'Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.'

Chris Berman on ESPN's SportsCentury show[4]

 

He signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears the day after his last college game; player/manager George Halas agreed to a contract for a 19-game barnstorming tour which earned Grange a salary and share of gate receipts that amounted to $100,000, during an era when typical league salaries were less than $100/game.[4] That 67-day tour is credited with legitimizing professional football in the United States. In the 1920s, college football was far more popular than professional football. Fans preferred cheering on a college alma mater than professional paid athletes. Grange is credited with changing that view and bringing professional football into the mainstream.

 

On December 6, 1925, more than 65,000 showed up at the Polo Grounds to watch Grange, helping save the New York Giants' franchise. Grange scored a touchdown on a 35-yard interception return in the Bears' 19-7 victory. Offensively, he ran for 53 yards on 11 carries, caught a 23-yard pass and completed 2-of-3 passes for 32 yards.[4]

 

Grange became involved in a dispute with the Bears and left to form his own league, the American Football League, to challenge the NFL. The league only lasted one season, after which Grange's team, the New York Yankees, was assimilated into the NFL. Grange suffered a serious knee injury against the Bears, which robbed him of some speed and his cutting ability. After sitting out 1928, Grange returned to the Bears, where he was a solid runner and excellent defensive back through the 1934 season.

 

The two highlights of Grange's later NFL years came in consecutive championship games. In the unofficial 1932 championship, Grange caught the game winning touchdown pass from Bronko Nagurski. In the 1933 championship, Grange made a touchdown saving tackle that saved the game and the title for the Bears.

 

Hollywood career

 

Grange's manager C.C. Pyle realized that as the greatest football star of his era, Grange could attract moviegoers as well as sports fans. During his time as a professional football player, Grange starred in two silent films "One Minute to Play" (1926) and "Racing Romeo" (1927). Grange also starred in a 12 part serial series "The Galloping Ghost" in 1931.

 

Later life and legacy

 

Grange retired from professional football in 1934, earning a living in a variety of jobs including motivational speaker and sports announcer. Grange married his wife Margaret, nicknamed Muggs, in 1941 and they were together until his death in 1991. She was a flight attendant, and they met on a plane. The couple had no children.[4]

 

Grange developed Parkinson's disease in his last year of life[4] and died on January 28, 1991 in Lake Wales, Florida.

 

His autobiography, first published in 1953, is The Red Grange Story (1993 paperback edition: ISBN 0-252-06329-5). The book was written "as told to" Ira Morton, a syndicated newspaper columnist from Chicago.

 

His legacy lives on, however. In the 1950s, he visited Abington Senior High School (in Abington, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia). Shortly thereafter, the school adopted his nickname for the mascot in his honor, the Galloping Ghost. Also, Wheaton Warrenville South High School's football field is named in his honor.

 

On January 15, 1978, at Super Bowl XII, Grange became the first person other than the game referee to toss the coin at a Super Bowl.

 

To commemorate college football's 100th anniversary in 1969, the Football Writers Association of America chose an all-time All-America team. Grange was the only unanimous choice.[4] Then in 1999, he was ranked number 80 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In 2008, Grange was also ranked #1 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list.

 

Career Information

 

Year(s): 1925–1934

College: Illinois

 

Professional Teams

 

* Chicago Bears (1925)

* New York Yankees (1926-1927)

* Chicago Bears (1929-1934)

 

Career Stats

 

Rushing yards 569

Receiving yards 288

Touchdowns 32

 

Career Highlights and Awards

 

* NFL 1920s All-Decade Team

* Chicago Bears #77 retired

* University of Illinois #77 retired

 

Pro Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame

[knightni]

13. (tie) Brian Urlacher

 

(11 of 18 lists - 98 points - highest ranking #5 ControlledChaos)

 

Brian Keith Urlacher (pronounced /UR lack er/) (born May 25, 1978 in Pasco, Washington) is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Urlacher, an alumnus of the University of New Mexico, is a six-time[1] Pro Bowl player and has established himself as one of the NFL's most productive linebackers. He is regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2005, becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to win both awards.[2]

Early life

 

Brian Urlacher was born to Brad and Lavoyda Urlacher in Pasco, Washington. The family broke apart in the late 1980s, and Lavoyda gained custody of Urlacher and his siblings.[3] Lavoyda then moved the family to Lovington, New Mexico, where she was eager to give the family a new start. While his mother worked several jobs to keep the family afloat, Urlacher spent his free time exercising. Over time, Urlacher developed a sincere interest in American football. Urlacher combined his brute force, agility, and speed to lead the Lovington High School Wild Cats to a 14-0 season. [2]

 

College career

Although Urlacher was partial to attending Texas Tech University, his dreams were cut short after the university did not offer him a much needed scholarship. The only two Division I schools that expressed genuine interest in him were the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State. He ultimately chose to attend the University of New Mexico.[3] Urlacher did not get a lot of playing time as a freshman in 1996, as head coach Dennis Franchione's rebuilding plan for the team relied heavily on upperclassmen.[3] He played more as a sophomore when the University of New Mexico finished with a 9-4 and captured the Western Athletic Conference Mountain division title, but eventually lost 41-13 to Colorado State University in the WAC Championship Game. Despite the loss, the Lobos were invited to the Insight.com Bowl, where they lost to the University of Arizona 20-14.[4]

 

Following the 1997 season, Franchione left the university to coach for Texas Christian University. Rocky Long, an alumnus of the university and former defensive coordinator for UCLA, helped Urlacher achieve national recognition. Under Long’s tutelage, Urlacher became a “Lobo-Back,” a cross between a linebacker and safety, and garnered much success in Long's 3-3-5 defense scheme.[5][6] He recorded 422 tackles, the third most in the school’s history, three interceptions, eleven forced fumbles and sacks. He was also the team’s return specialist and clutch wide receiver, catching seven passes for six touchdowns.[2] Urlacher also earned several honors during his collegiate career, named an All-American by Sports Network, Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America, and the Associated Press. Entering the 2000 NFL Draft, Urlacher was considered one of the nation's most talented college prospects.[7]

Urlacher sets a weight lifting record at the University of New Mexico

Urlacher sets a weight lifting record at the University of New Mexico

 

Professional career

 

On the rise

 

During the 2000 NFL Draft, Urlacher was selected by the Chicago Bears with the ninth pick in the first round. Early in the season, Urlacher briefly lost his starting position to Rosevelt Colvin.[8] However, an injury to Barry Minter forced Urlacher to fill in as the team’s starting middle linebacker. After a productive performance against the New York Giants, he became an instant hit, recording over 15 tackles in each of his next two games. Not even a minor injury could prevent Urlacher from claiming the 2000 NFL Rookie of the Year Award, along with an invite to his first Pro Bowl. Over the next two years, Urlacher distinguished himself as one of the league's most productive linebackers by recording 313 tackles, fourteen sacks and five interceptions.[9]

 

Under the leadership of new coach Dick Jauron, the Bears surprised many with their performance during the 2001 NFL season. Urlacher helped lead the Bears to three come from behind victories, and two shut-outs. During week fifteen of the 2001 season, a fake field goal allowed Bears' punter Brad Maynard to throw a game winning touchdown pass to Urlacher, giving the Bears the National Football Conference's number two playoff seed.[10] Despite their extremely productive defense, the Bears lost the divisional playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, the Bears’ 2001 winning season would soon be overshadowed by three years of mediocrity. Prior to the 2004 NFL season, the Bears’ organization fired coach Dick Jauron, and then hired Lovie Smith. After starting the season on the lower rungs of the NFC North, Urlacher suffered several injuries, which sidelined him for a majority of the season.[11]

 

Monster of the Midway

 

Despite starting the 2005 NFL season on a disastrous note, the Bears rebound by winning eight straight games, and eventually clinching a playoff berth against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. Urlacher played a crucial role in the Bears' playoff berth; he recorded at least ten tackles in six consecutive games, while leading the team with 121 tackles. Additionally, his leadership and seasoned judgment allowed the Bears' defense to allow the fewest points in the league.[12] By the time the season ended, Urlacher and the Bears had boasted the best defense in the entire NFL. Before the regular season’s end, Urlacher was awarded with the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, and an invitation to the Pro Bowl. Urlacher, who ranked among the league's top defensive tiers, received more votes than any other defensive player in the NFL.[13] The following week, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Bears with a score of 29-21 in the divisional playoffs.

 

The Bears started the 2006 season by winning nine out of eleven games. Urlacher had a prodigious performance against the Arizona Cardinals during a week six Monday Night Football game. After trailing the Cardinals by twenty points, Urlacher helped the Bears engineer a late comeback, by stripping the ball from Edgerrin James, which led to a pivotal Bears’ recovery and touchdown. The Bears went on to win, 24-23, while Urlacher recorded eighteen total tackles (ten solo).[14] Later, he went on to overcome a serious sprained toe injury to lead the Bears to a 38-20 victory over the New York Giants, and made an interception in the end-zone the following week to solidify a shutout against the New York Jets.[15] Urlacher and the Bears concluded the season with a 13-3 record, and the NFC’s top playoff seed. Urlacher was selected as the NFC’s starting middle linebacker in the 2007 Pro Bowl, and was named onto the Associated Press’s "2006 All-Pro Team".[16][17] He also finished fourth in the 2007 NFL Defensive Player Award.[18]

 

Urlacher finished the season with three interceptions and 141 total tackles, which led the National Football Conference and earned Urlacher a selection to his fifth Pro Bowl. He played a pivotal defensive role in the Bears’ post-season victories over the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. Ultimately, the Bears won the NFC Championship, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 29-17, at Super Bowl XLI.[19] Urlacher opted to defer his Pro Bowl trip due to the earlier toe injury he sustained.[20] The Bears were unable to replicate their success in the following season, and finished last in the NFC North. In the middle of the season, Urlacher admitted that he had been suffering from an arthritic back, but later claimed the ailment was not serious. [21] Nevertheless, he finished the season on a high note, registering five interceptions, five sacks, one fumble recovery, one hundred and twenty-three tackles, and a defensive touchdown. [22] Following the season’s conclusion, Urlacher received minor neck surgery to treat his arthritic back.[23]

 

Reputation

 

Following his successful rookie season, Urlacher was able to gain popularity with the fans. Undoubtedly, he is still one of the most popular current Chicago Bears players. Bears fans consider Urlacher to be one of the "Monsters of the Midway", a "Valhalla" of Bears’ icons including Dick Butkus, Bill George, and “Samurai” Mike Singletary. On a national level, Urlacher’s jersey sales have rivaled those of other NFL icons, such as Michael Vick and Brett Favre.[24] Football fans across the nation have also voted Urlacher into six Pro Bowls.[1] Urlacher's teammates and coaches have also praised his character and athletic ability. In 2007, former teammate Tank Johnson called upon Urlacher to testify during one of his court hearings.[25]

 

Some skeptics and critics, however, consider Urlacher overrated. Urlacher’s injury woes in 2004 caused Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti to name him the NFL’s most overrated player.[26] Even after recovering from his injury, and winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2005 season, a 2006 Sports Illustrated poll of 361 NFL players named Urlacher to be the second most overrated player in the league, behind Terrell Owens.[27] Urlacher was unfazed by the poll’s results. During an interview, he said, "Just watch the film. I don’t know what people are saying, but I’m not too worried about it anymore. All I can do is go out there and play hard and try and help my team win, and that’s what I’m going to keep doing."[28]

 

Personal life

 

Although Urlacher may appear to be intimidating, his teammates often criticize him for not being “mean” enough.[29] In 2002, he appeared on Wheel of Fortune, and won over $47,000 for charity. Urlacher, along with other Chicago Bears players, have sold autographed sports memorabilia to help fund the Special Olympics. Furthermore, Urlacher has been involved with charity work since his days at the University of New Mexico, where he volunteered numerous hours for the Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House.

 

Urlacher currently lives with his two children, Pamela and Riley, with visitation rights with his son Kennedy.[30] His younger brother, Casey, lived with him before beginning a career in the Arena Football League. Urlacher was married to Laurie, but they later divorced. While married to Laurie, the couple had their two daughters, Pamela and Riley.

 

In June 2005, Urlacher filed suit to establish paternity of another child, Kennedy. Genetic testing was completed and proved that he is Kennedy's father. Kennedy's mother, Tyna Robertson was already well-known to the media, having made unsuccessful claims of sexual assault against famed dancer Michael Flatley and a doctor from Naperville, Illinois.[31] In October of 2006, Robertson refused to drive Kennedy to Urlacher’s house in Lake Bluff, Illinois and he took her to court to resolve the dispute. Ultimately, the judge decided it would be best for both Kennedy and his parents if they met at a halfway point between their residences for exchanges.[32]

 

Urlacher is also a prosperous businessman. He is the owner of an auto dealership in New Mexico, and has appeared in several commercials for McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, Nike, Campbell's Chunky soup and Glacéau. Nike also aired special commercials about Urlacher's high school career containing clips and commentary of plays he made. However, Urlacher later stated that he feels "uncomfortable" appearing in commercials.[33] He was also the cover athlete and spokesperson for Sega Sports' NFL 2K3. During media day before Super Bowl XLI Urlacher wore a hat promoting Glacéau vitamin water, a non-NFL approved sponsor, for which he was fined $100,000.[34]

 

Outside football, Urlacher is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, and was once invited to sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the Seventh-inning stretch, as part of the organization's tradition. He also enjoys watching professional wrestling, and wrestled in a pay-per-view event. The Bears organization discovered this and forced him to stop.[35] He also enjoys golfing in his spare time, and during an episode of AT&T’s Home Turf, Urlacher revealed a room in his mansion containing a plethora of golf paraphernalia. When home, Urlacher revealed that he also enjoys watching the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and HBO’s Entourage. Urlacher enjoys listening to a wide variety of music, including hip-hop, rap, rock, and country music.[36]

 

College:

 

New Mexico

 

NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9

 

Teams:

 

* Chicago Bears (2000-present)

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* 6x Pro Bowl selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)

* 4x All-Pro selection (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)

* 2000 Male Athlete of the Year (UNM)

* 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

* 2001 Football Digest Defensive POY

* 2005 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year

* Defensive Player-of-the-Week (4)

* Special Teams Player of the Week

* NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Month (10/2000)

* Brian Piccolo Award (2007)

* Led the NFL in fumble return yards in 2001

* Most tackles in a season (UNM)

* Most tackles in a season (Bears)

 

 

[knightni]

11. Carlton Fisk

 

(14 of 18 lists - 99 points - highest ranking #7 Texsox)

 

Carlton Ernest Fisk (born December 26, 1947 in Bellows Falls, Vermont) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for 24 years with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

 

Although born in Vermont, Fisk is quick to point out that he is actually from Charlestown, New Hampshire, just across the Connecticut River from Bellows Falls, Vermont. This being the case, Fisk graduated from Charlestown High School, playing baseball for the American Legion team in Bellows Falls. At the University of New Hampshire, Fisk started for the basketball team, while also playing baseball.

 

Professional career

 

Boston Red Sox

 

Drafted by the Red Sox in 1967, Fisk played a few games for Boston in 1969 and 1971 but broke out for the Red Sox in his first full season in 1972. Fisk won the AL Gold Glove at Catcher and the AL Rookie of the Year awards that year. He played with the Red Sox until 1980, and with the White Sox from 1981-1993.

 

In 1972, he led the American League with 9 triples (tied with Joe Rudi of the Oakland Athletics). He is the last catcher to lead the league in this statistical category.

 

In Fisk's long career, he caught 2,226 games, more than any other catcher in history. He was an 11-time All-Star and hit 376 career home runs.

 

1975 World Series

 

The defining moment of Fisk's illustrious career came in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series at Fenway Park. He was facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Pat Darcy and hit a pitch down the left field line that appeared to be heading into foul territory. The enduring image of Fisk jumping and waving the ball fair as he made his way to first base is considered by many to be one of baseball's greatest moments (it is referred to in the Gus Van Sant movie Good Will Hunting). The ball struck the foul pole, giving the Red Sox a 7-6 win and forcing a seventh and deciding game of the fall classic. The next day, the Reds won the first of two back-to-back World Series championships.

 

The image of him waving the ball fair changed the way baseball was televised. During this time, cameramen covering baseball were instructed to follow the flight of the ball. In a 1999 interview, NBC cameraman Lou Gerard admitted that the classic shot was not due to his own skills as a cameraman, but rather because he had been distracted by a nearby rat. Unable to follow the ball, he kept the camera on Fisk instead.[1] This play was perhaps the most important catalyst in getting camera operators to focus most of their attention on the players themselves,[2] and resulted in many future memorable World Series moments involving, among others, Kirk Gibson (1988), Joe Carter (1993) and Edgar Rentería (1997). Boston musician and radio DJ for WBCN, Robby Roadsteamer has Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair tattooed on his forearm.

 

Chicago White Sox

 

Fisk was signed by the White Sox as a free agent on March 18, 1981. At that time, his old number 27 was held on the White Sox by pitcher Ken Kravec. Fisk flip-flopped his old number and thus wore the unusual baseball number of 72 on his jersey. Although Kravec was traded just 10 days later, Fisk retained the number 72 throughout his career with the White Sox.

 

After joining the White Sox, he helped the team win its first American League Western Division Title in 1983. His .289 batting average, 26 home runs, and 86 RBI, as well as his leadership on the young team helped him to finish third in the MVP voting (behind Cal Ripken, Jr. and Eddie Murray). After injuries reduced his playing time in 1984, he began a new training program which he would use for the rest of his career. In 1985, he came back to hit a career best 37 home runs and 107 RBI. Fisk often credited the training program to extending his career.

 

Records and honors

 

Fisk is 2nd all-time in home runs hit after the age of 40 with 72. A single in the 1991 All-Star Game made him the oldest player to collect a hit in the history of All-Star competition. Fisk was also the final active position player who played in the 1960s.

 

Fisk was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 choosing the Boston Red Sox cap for his plaque, although he played for more seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

 

Fisk was known to fans by two endearing nicknames. While "Pudge" is a common name given to catchers (a nickname shared, for example, by catcher Iván Rodríguez), he is also known as "The Commander" for his ability to take control on the field.

 

Fisk is also one of a small minority of baseball players who are embraced by the fans of two teams. The Chicago White Sox retired his uniform number 72 on September 14, 1997. The Boston Red Sox retired his uniform number 27 on September 4, 2000. He is one of eight people to have their uniform number retired by at least two teams.

 

In 1999, he was selected as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

 

Notable feuds

 

Aside from his historic home runs and his strong work ethic, Fisk was universally revered for his love and respect of the game itself. In one memorable incident, pro-football and pro-baseball player Deion Sanders hit a pop fly, and refused to run to first base, suspecting that the ball would be easily caught. Fisk yelled at Sanders to run the ball out and told Sanders during his next at-bat, "If you don't play it [the game] right, I'm going to kick your ass right here."

 

Fisk is also known for his longstanding feud with New York Yankees counterpart Thurman Munson. One particular incident that typified their feud, and the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry in general, occurred on August 1, 1973 at Fenway Park. With the score tied at 2-2 in the top of the 9th, Munson attempted to score on Gene Michael's missed bunt attempt. Munson barreled into Fisk, triggering a 10-minute bench-clearing brawl in which both catchers were ejected. The feud ended in 1979, after Munson's tragic death in a plane crash. Years later, Fisk related that he found out about Munson's death from a fan at a Red Sox autograph session while the team was visiting the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium.

 

In another incident that typified the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, Fisk was also involved in an altercation with Lou Piniella during a May 2, 1976 game at Yankee Stadium. In the sixth inning of this game, Piniella barreled into Fisk trying to score on an Otto Velez single. Fisk and Piniella shoved each other at home plate, triggering another bench-clearing brawl. After the fight apparently died down and order appeared to be restored, Fisk's pitcher, Bill Lee, and Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles began exchanging words and punches, igniting the brawl all over again. Lee suffered a separated left shoulder in the altercation and missed a great part of the season.

 

Dedications

 

The Fisk Pole

 

On June 13, 2005, the Red Sox honored Fisk and the 12th-inning home run that won Game 6 of the 1975 World Series by naming the left field foul pole where it landed the "Fisk Pole". In a pregame ceremony from the Monster Seats, Fisk was cheered by the Fenway Park crowd while the shot was replayed to the strains of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. The Red Sox scheduled the ceremony to coincide with an interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds, who made their first trip back to Fenway Park since the '75 Series. Thirty years later, the video of Fisk trying to wave the ball fair remains one of the game's enduring images. Game 6 is often considered one of the best games ever played in Major League history. Fenway's right field foul pole, which is just 302 feet from the plate, is named Pesky's Pole, for light-hitting former Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky. Mel Parnell named the pole after Pesky in 1948 when he won a game with a home run just inside the right field pole. On the field, Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his former batterymate Luis Tiant.

 

Rings

 

After the June 13 ceremony in Boston, Fisk received an honorary World Series ring from the Red Sox commemorating their 2004 World Series victory. On Saturday, August 12, 2006, the Chicago White Sox presented Fisk with another ring, this one in honor of the White Sox' 2005 championship.

 

The statue

 

The Chicago White Sox unveiled a life-sized bronze statue of Carlton Fisk on August 7, 2005. The statue is located inside U.S. Cellular Field on the main concourse in left field. It joined similar statues depicting Charles Comiskey and Minnie Minoso and eventually Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Billy Pierce, and Harold Baines.

Career statistics

 

Batting average .269

Home runs 376

Runs batted in 1,330

Teams

 

* Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971-1980)

* Chicago White Sox (1981-1993)

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* 11x All-Star selection (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1991)

* Gold Glove Award winner (1972)

* 3x Silver Slugger Award winner (1981, 1985, 1988)

* 1972 AL Rookie of the Year

* Boston Red Sox #27 retired

* Chicago White Sox #72 retired

 

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Elected 2000

Vote 79.6%

 

 

[knightni]

More tomorrow!

[shipps]

Well their has to be atleast 2 that will be on 18 out 18 lists.

[Milkman delivers]

Well their has to be atleast 2 that will be on 18 out 18 lists.

 

I can think of four: Jordan, Thomas, Banks, and Payton. It also wouldn't surprise me to see Pippen on all of the lists, but he's more likely to be around 16.

[shipps]

I can think of four: Jordan, Thomas, Banks, and Payton. It also wouldn't surprise me to see Pippen on all of the lists, but he's more likely to be around 16.

I bet Banks wont and I imagine their could be a Thomas hater and leave him off their list out of spite.

[Milkman delivers]

I bet Banks wont and I imagine their could be a Thomas hater and leave him off their list out of spite.

 

Out of 18 people that voted on a White Sox message board? That'd be pretty outrageous, and the person who did that should be kicked off the site. I mean that in all seriousness.

 

And Banks should be on everyone's list, also. You can't name 20 better athletes in Chicago history, period.

[BigEdWalsh]

There were plenty of Pippen haters, even among so-called hardcore Bulls fans.

[shipps]

Out of 18 people that voted on a White Sox message board? That'd be pretty outrageous, and the person who did that should be kicked off the site. I mean that in all seriousness.

 

And Banks should be on everyone's list, also. You can't name 20 better athletes in Chicago history, period.

Dont get me wrong,I dont think it is something that should happen but knowing this board it will probably happen.And as for Banks,considering Maddux was ranked like 16th mostly because he was a Cub I could see Banks getting lost especially with the younger voters.Remember Iam just talking about 18 out of 18 lists not where/if they are ranked.

[knightni]

This voting was open to all TalkChicagoSports boards. TalkBears, TalkBulls, TalkBhawks, TalkCubs and Soxtalk.

[Milkman delivers]

Dont get me wrong,I dont think it is something that should happen but knowing this board it will probably happen.And as for Banks,considering Maddux was ranked like 16th mostly because he was a Cub I could see Banks getting lost especially with the younger voters.Remember Iam just talking about 18 out of 18 lists not where/if they are ranked.

 

Oh, I understand. But, I still think Banks should, and will, be on all 18 lists. Maddux wasn't a lifer on the Cubs, and most don't remember him best as a Cub. Banks, on the other hand, was and is remembered as a Cub. If a young voter doesn't know who Banks is, no matter how young, they're just a f***ing idiot and shouldn't have their list counted anyway. No offense to anyone.

[Milkman delivers]

I think the point I'm trying to make is that this thread is not like the funniest movie thread. The idea of funny can be pretty vague and a lot of people have different views on what is funny. But, there should be about 5 sports players in Chicago history that are, without question, on everyone's list.

[knightni]

10. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson

 

(10 of 18 lists - 118 points - highest ranking #4 farmteam, BigEdWalsh)

 

Joseph Jefferson Jackson (July 16, 1888 – December 5, 1951), nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century. He is remembered for his performance on the field and for his association with the Black Sox Scandal, when members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the World Series. As a result of Jackson's association with the scandal, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Major League Baseball's first commissioner, banned Jackson from playing after the 1920 season.[1]

 

Jackson played for three different Major League teams during his twelve-year career. He spent 1908-09 as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics; 1910 through the first part of the 1915 with the Cleveland Naps/Indians;[2] and the remainder of the 1915 season through 1920 with the Chicago White Sox.

 

Jackson, who played left field for most of his career, currently has the third highest career batting average. With his career having been cut short, the usual decline of a batter's hitting skills toward the end of a career did not have a chance to occur. In 1911, Jackson hit for a .408 average. That average is still the sixth highest single-season total since 1901, which marked the beginning of the modern era for the sport. His average that year set the record for highest batting average in a single season by a rookie.[3] Babe Ruth claimed that he modeled his hitting technique after Jackson's.[4]

 

Jackson still holds the White Sox franchise records for triples in a season and career batting average.[5] In 1999, he ranked Number 35 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.

 

Jackson ranks 33rd on the all-time list for non-pitchers according to the win shares formula developed by Bill James.

 

Early life

 

Joe Jackson was born in Pickens County, South Carolina. As a young child, Jackson worked in a textile mill in nearby Brandon Mill. Jackson's job prevented him from devoting any significant time to formal education.[6] His lack of a formal education would be an issue throughout Jackson's life. It would even become a factor during the Black Sox Scandal and has even affected the value of his collectibles. Because Jackson was uneducated, he often had his wife sign his signature. Consequently, any thing autographed by Jackson himself brings a premium when sold.[7] In 1900, at the age of 13, Jackson started to play for the Brandon Mill baseball team.[8]

 

Jackson gets a nickname

 

According to Jackson, he got his nickname during a game against the Brandon Mill team. Jackson suffered from a blister on his foot from a new pair of cleats. They hurt so much that he had to take his shoes off before an at bat. Once Jackson was on base, a fan started yelling inappropriate and vulgar comments at him. One of the things Jackson was called was a "Shoeless son of a gun." The name stuck with him throughout the remainder of his life.[9]

 

Professional career

 

Early professional career

 

1908 was an eventful year for Joe Jackson. Jackson began his professional baseball career when he joined the Greenville Spinners of the Carolina Association. He married Katie Wynn and eventually signed with Connie Mack to play Major League baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics.[9] For the first two-years of his career, Jackson had some trouble adjusting to life with the Athletics. Consequently, he spent a portion of that time in the minor leagues. Between 1908 and 1909, Jackson appeared in ten games.[10] For much of the 1909 season, Jackson played 118 games for the South Atlantic League team in Savannah, Georgia. He batted .358 for the year. so they calle him shoeless joe jackson

 

Major League career

 

The Athletics finally gave up on Jackson in 1910 and traded him to the Cleveland Naps. After spending time with the New Orleans Pelicans of the Southern Association, he was called up to play on the big league team. He appeared in 20 games for the Naps that year and hit .387. In 1911, Jackson's first full-season, he set a number of rookie records. His .408 batting average that season is a record that still stands. The following season, Jackson batted .395 and led the American League in triples. The next year Jackson led the league with 197 hits and .551 slugging average.

 

In August of 1915 Jackson was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Two-years later, Jackson and the White Sox won the World Series. During the series, Jackson batted .307 as the White Sox defeated the New York Giants.

 

In 1919, Jackson batted .351 during the regular season and .375 with perfect fielding in the World Series. The heavily favored White Sox lost the series to the Cincinnati Reds though. During the next year, Jackson batted .385 and was leading the American league in triples when he was suspended, along with seven other members of the White Sox, after allegations surfaced that the team had thrown the previous World Series.

 

Black Sox scandal

 

Main article: Black Sox Scandal

 

After the White Sox unexpectedly lost the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, eight players, including Jackson, were accused of throwing the Series to the Reds. In September 1920, a grand jury was convened to investigate.

 

During the Series, he had 12 hits and a .375 batting average--in both cases, the most for either team. He committed no errors, and even threw out a runner at the plate.[11] However, he batted far worse in the five games that the White Sox lost, totalling only one RBI, from a home run in game 8. The Cincinnati Reds also hit an unusually high number of triples to left field during the series, far exceeding the amount that Jackson—generally considered a strong defensive player—normally allowed.[2]

 

In testimony before the grand jury, Jackson admitted under oath that he agreed to participate in the fix. He also admitted to complaining to other conspirators that he had not received his full $20,000 share. In 1921, a Chicago jury acquitted the eight players of wrongdoing. However, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the newly appointed Commissioner of Baseball, banned all eight players, claiming that baseball's need to clean up its image took precedence over legal judgements. As a result, Jackson never played major league baseball after the 1920 season.

 

Aftermath

 

In 1922, Jackson returned to Savannah and opened a dry cleaning business. During the remaining twenty years of his baseball career, Jackson played and managed with a number of teams, most of which are located in Georgia and South Carolina.[8].

 

In 1933, the Jacksons moved back to Greenville, South Carolina. After first opening a barbecue restaurant, Jackson and his wife opened "Joe Jackson's Liquor Store," which they operated until his death. One of the better known stories of Jackson's post-major league life took place at his liquor store. Ty Cobb and sportswriter Grantland Rice entered the store to shop. After Cobb finished his purchase, he asked Jackson: "Don't you know me, Joe?" Jackson replied: "Sure, I know you, Ty, but I wasn't sure you wanted to speak to me. A lot of them don't."[12]

 

As he aged, Joe Jackson began to suffer from heart trouble. In 1951, at the age of 63, Jackson died of a heart attack.[8] He is buried at nearby Woodlawn Memorial Park.

 

To this day, his name remains on the Major League Baseball Ineligible list. Jackson cannot be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame unless his name is removed from that list. However, he spent most of the last 30 years of his life protesting his innocence.

 

In recent years, evidence has come to light that casts doubt on Jackson's role in the fix. For instance, Jackson initially refused to take a payment of $5,000, only to have Lefty Williams toss it on the floor of his hotel room. Jackson then tried to tell White Sox owner Charles Comiskey about the fix, but Comiskey refused to meet with him. Also, before Jackson's grand jury testimony, team attorney Alfred Austrian coached Jackson's testimony in a manner that would be considered highly unethical even by the standards of the time, and would probably be considered criminal by today's standards. For instance, Austrian got Jackson to admit a role in the fix by pouring a large amount of whiskey down Jackson's throat. He also got the illiterate Jackson to sign a waiver of immunity. Years later, the other seven players implicated in the scandal confirmed that Jackson was never at any of the meetings. Williams, for example, said that they only mentioned Jackson's name to give their plot more credibility.[11]

 

 

Career statistics

G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG
1,332 	4,981 	1,772 	307 	168 	54 	873 	785 	519 	158 	.356 	.423 	.517

 

Teams

 

* Philadelphia Athletics (1908-1909)

* Cleveland Naps/Indians (1910-1915)

* Chicago White Sox (1915-1920)

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* World Series champion (1917)

* 3rd highest career batting average with .356

[knightni]

9. Mike Singletary

 

(16 of 18 lists - 154 points - highest ranking #4 balta1701)

 

Michael Singletary (born October 9, 1958 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football linebacker who played his entire career for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League, after starring in college at Baylor University, whose team is also known as the Bears. While with the Bears, Singletary was known as "The Heart of the Defense" for the Monsters of the Midway in the mid-1980s. His nickname is Samurai Mike. Singletary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

 

Singletary is currently the linebackers and assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers and was overseeing the progress of college linebackers at the 2007 Senior Bowl.

College career

 

Singletary was the only college junior to be selected to the All-Southwest Conference Team of the 1970s, Singletary earned All-America honors in both junior and senior years at Baylor, where he averaged 15 tackles per game and established a team record with 232 tackles in 1978, including 34 in a game against the University of Houston. Singletary's senior season of 1980, Baylor won 10 games for the only time in school history.

 

Professional career

 

At 6'0, 230 lbs, Singletary became a starter in the Bears lineup in the seventh game of his rookie season (1981). In a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, his third as a starter, Singletary put on a remarkable defensive performance recording 10 tackles and forcing a fumble. A nearly unanimous all-rookie selection, Singletary went on to start 172 games for the Bears during his 12-year career, which is the second most in club history.

 

An intense player, Mike finished as the Bears' first or second leading tackler each of his last 11 seasons. He amassed an impressive 1,488 career tackles, 885 of which were solo efforts. A constant force on defense, he missed playing just two games, both in 1986. He also recorded 7 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries.

 

In a game against the Denver Broncos in 1990 he had a personal-best performance when he recorded 10 solo tackles and 10 assists. Selected to play in a team record 10 Pro Bowls, Singletary was All-Pro eight times, and All-NFC every year from 1983 to 1991.

 

He earned the nickname "Samurai Mike" during his professional career in recognition of the intimidating focus and intensity he displayed on the field. He was also known as "the Minister of Defense," as he is also an ordained minister. (For the same reason, the nickname would later be given to Reggie White.)

 

He led the Bears to a magnificent 15-1 season in 1985. That season, he recorded 109 solo tackles (52 assists), 3 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 10 defended passes. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and led a defense that was ranked 1st overall (1st against the rush; 3rd against the pass).

 

Throughout the 1985 playoffs, Singletary provided stellar efforts in all 3 games. In the divisional game against the New York Giants at home, Singletary provided a fumble recovery early in the 1st quarter and a sack of quarterback Phil Simms on 3rd down early in the 3rd quarter. The Bears went on to win 21-0. In the NFC Championship Game vs. the Los Angeles Rams, Singletary and the Bears dominated again. Mike Ditka said that the day before the game, he was talking to the offense while Singletary was in the next room giving the defense a motivational speech. While it started out quiet, within minutes, Samurai Mike was screaming at the top of his lungs and the defensive players were throwing chairs and knocking over tables. The next day come game time, the Bears shut down NFL legend Eric Dickerson. Singletary posted 12 tackles, a batted pass, and a forced fumble in the game. He also provided one of the finest moments of his career and of the Bears' 1985 season in that game. It was 3rd and 1 towards the end of the 1st quarter, and quarterback Dieter Brock handed the ball to Dickerson. Dickerson headed towards a seemingly open hole over the left guard, but as Dickerson approached the hole, Singletary slammed it shut. Dickerson was stood straight up and thrown back for a loss, while the rest of the Bears dog-piled on top. Mike got up and started barking like mad (carrying on the "Junk-Yard Dog" theme the defense held all season), while "Dickerson didn't know where he was at," claimed fellow linebacker Wilber Marshall. The final score was 24-0. The Bears would eventually go to win Super Bowl XX by beating the New England Patriots 46-10. In the game, Singletary broke up a pass that would have gone for a touchdown, delivered a jarring hit to New England running back Craig James, and tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries.

 

Singletary was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 1985 and 1988. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, he was ranked number 56 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

 

Coaching career

 

In 2002, per ESPN, a group of Alumni at Baylor University promoted Singletary for the school's open head coaching position, holding a conference call (which included Mike Ditka and Dave McGinnis) with the university administration. The position ultimately went to Guy Morriss. Singletary at the time had no head or assistant coaching experience and the university president later stated that they wanted to hire a coach with prior “head coaching experience.”

 

In 2003, Singletary became linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens (pairing Singletary with Ray Lewis). Following the 2004 season, the San Francisco 49ers hired Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to be their head coach, and Singletary left the Ravens with Nolan to be San Francisco's assistant head coach and linebackers coach.

 

In 2007, Singletary interviewed for the head coaching job of the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, but was ultimately passed over. He remains a head coaching prospect. With Morriss leaving Baylor after the 2007 season, Singletary appeared to be the leading candidate for his replacement, and expressed interest in the job.[1] On November 19, 2007, Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw flew to San Francisco to interview Singletary.[2] However, Singletary decided against taking the position.[3]

 

Personal life

 

In addition to his coaching duties for the 49ers, Singletary is a motivational speaker and has authored three books; Singletary One on One, Calling the Shots, and Daddy’s Home at Last.

 

Singletary and his wife, Kim, have seven children. His son Matt has joined Baylor's roster in 2007 as a freshman defensive end.

 

Career Information

 

Year(s): 1981–1992

NFL Draft: 1981 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38

College: Baylor

 

Professional Teams

 

As Player

 

* Chicago Bears (1981-1992)

 

As Coach

 

* Baltimore Ravens (2003-2004)

* San Francisco 49ers (2005-present)

 

Career Stats

 

Tackles 1,488

Sacks 19

Interceptions 7

 

 

Career Highlights and Awards

 

* 10x Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)

* 9x All-Pro selection (1983-1991)

* Super Bowl champion (XX)

* NFL 1980s All-Decade Team

* 2x AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1988, 1985)

* 3x UPI NFC Player of the Year (1988, 1985, 1984)

 

Pro Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame

[shipps]

See what I mean Milkman?Shoeless Joe should have been on everyones list but was only on 10.So we shall see what happens,I suspect you will be pissed at the voters.

[knightni]

8. Scottie Pippen

 

(15 of 18 lists - 180 points - highest ranking #3 Drunkbomber)

 

When most people think about the Chicago Bulls of the 1990's the first thing that comes to mind is Michael Jordan. However, there was another catalyst for those championship teams that sometimes doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Scottie Pippen is widely considered one of the greatest all around players in NBA history. Even in the shadow of the great Michael Jordan he still was a member of the NBA's 50 greatest players team.

 

Pippen made his fame in the NBA by having an overall ability that was unmatched in terms of durability. Three times he was named to the All-NBA first team, including two selections to the All-NBA second team and two time All-NBA third team. He made 10 All-NBA defensive teams including eight times on the first team and two on the second. He also made seven all-star teams and even won the MVP in 1994. Lets not forget his two Olympic Gold Medals including being a member of the most highly regarded U.S. Olympic Dream Team.

 

Most basketball fans know about the six championships the Bulls won in the 90's with Michael Jordan but some casual fans might not know about the success he had in his time with the Bulls during Jordan's retirement. 1994 was by far Pippens greatest season as a pro. Losing a leader and a teammate like Jordan would make a lot of critics think the Bulls would be in rebuilding which wasn't the case at all. The Scottie Pippen led Bulls finished the season with 55 wins, only two less then the previous championship season. Pippen led the Bulls in scoring, assists and the entire NBA in steals. He averaged 22 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.9 steals. He sot 49.1% from the field including 32% from long range. He finished third in MVP voting, was voted to the All-NBA first team and was the MVP of the All-star game that year. The Bulls ended up losing to the Knicks in the play-offs on controversial call on the Knicks Hubert Davis.

 

Halfway through the next season, MJ returned and the Bulls dynasty was handed back to Michael Jordan which resulted in three more championships. However, fans should always remember what Scottie Pippen meant to the Bulls and even the NBA.

 

Scottie Maurice Pippen (born September 25, 1965) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is most remembered for leading the Chicago Bulls, together with Michael Jordan, to six championships.

Early life

 

Scottie Pippen was born in Hamburg, Arkansas, attending college at the University of Central Arkansas. At the start of his college career, the then 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Pippen was a walk-on for the NAIA school and depended on his stipend for being the team manager and his summer job as a welder to fund his education.[1] In those four years, however, Pippen grew to a height of 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). He eventually reached 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)[2]) and improved enough by his senior year to be considered a viable NBA prospect.

NBA career

 

Early career

 

Pippen's performance in the pre-draft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament also improved his draft stock dramatically. He was selected fifth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics and traded immediately to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice. The trade is regarded as a steal by the Bulls as Pippen would go on to be named one of the Top 50 NBA players of all time.

 

Pippen immediately became part of Chicago's young forward tandem with 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) power forward Horace Grant, though both came off the bench to back up Brad Sellers and Charles Oakley, respectively, during their rookie seasons. Pippen claimed the starting small forward position during the 1988 playoffs with his stellar play, helping the Michael Jordan-led Bulls reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in over a decade.

 

The Bulls' first three-peat

 

Pippen continued to improve, helping the Bulls to the Conference Finals the following year as well as 1990, when he earned his first NBA All-Star Game berth. However, in the Conference Finals versus the Detroit Pistons, Pippen would suffer severe migraines during the deciding seventh game which would greatly affect his performance. In 1991, he continued to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with. Pippen emerged as the Bulls' primary defensive stopper and an offensive threat. He helped lead the Bulls to six NBA championships (1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1997–98). Pippen was selected as one of the NBA's Fifty Greatest Players when the league was celebrating its fiftieth season in 1996.

 

Pippen became known for stellar defense in addition to his consistent scoring, earning 10 NBA All-Defensive Team nods, including 8 on the first team. In 1992, he was named to the original Dream Team which competed in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Pippen without Jordan

 

Michael Jordan unexpectedly retired before the 1994 season, and in his absence Pippen finally emerged from Jordan's shadow and performed like one of the best players in the league. That year, he earned All-Star Game MVP honors and had perhaps his best season, leading the Bulls in scoring, assists, and the entire league in steals, averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.9 steals, 0.9 three-pointers, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 49.1% from the field and a career-best 32% from the three-point line. For his efforts, he earned the first of three straight All-NBA First Team nods, and finished third in the MVP voting. The Bulls finished the season with 55 wins, only two less than their previous championship year with Jordan still on the team.

 

However, perhaps the most infamous episode of Pippen's career came in the post-season of Pippen's first year without Jordan. In the 1994 NBA Playoffs, the Eastern Conference semifinals pitted the Bulls against their bitter rivals, the New York Knicks, whom the Bulls had dispatched en route to a championship in each of the previous three seasons. On May 13, 1994, down 2-0 in the series and tied 102-102 in Game Three, Bulls coach Phil Jackson needed a big play from his team to have any hope of advancing to the next round of the playoffs. With 1.8 seconds left and the score tied, Jackson designed the last play for rookie Toni Kukoč, with Pippen relegated to simply inbounding the basketball. Pippen, who had been the Bulls' leader all season long in Jordan's absence, was so angered by Jackson's decision to not let him take the potential game-winner that he refused to leave the bench and re-enter the game when the timeout was over.

 

Although Kukoč did eventually hit the game-winner, a 23-foot fadeaway jumper, there was little celebrating to be done by the Bulls, as television cameras caught an unsmiling Phil Jackson storming out of the arena. "Scottie asked out of the play," Jackson would tell reporters moments later in the post-game interview room. Those seeking further answers found Pippen in the locker room after the game, looking shell-shocked and disoriented; when asked to confirm Jackson's statement, Pippen could only respond with "Yeah, pretty much ... We exchanged words, and I just took a seat."

 

Teammate Steve Kerr elaborated when recently asked to recall the event: "I was shocked," he said. "The only way to describe it was total disbelief. Here was a guy who had done so much for our team, who had been our leader all year long. He was, and still is, one of the greatest teammates I've ever had. But on that day, I think all the pressure and frustration of our season caught up with him, and he snapped." Pippen later apologized to his teammates after the incident.

 

The Bulls went on to lose the 1994 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks in seven games. A second controversy occurred in the series at the end of game 5 when Pippen was called for a debatable foul on the Knicks' Hubert Davis in the waning seconds of the game, which allowed the Knicks to win game 5.

 

Trade rumors involving Pippen escalated during the 1994 offseason. Jerry Krause, the Bulls' General Manager (and a man who did not get along with Pippen at all), was reported to be looking to ship Pippen off to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for all-star forward Shawn Kemp, moving Toni Kukoč into Pippen's position as starting small forward with Kemp filling in the vacant starting power forward position in place of Horace Grant, a free agent who left the Bulls for the up-and-coming Orlando Magic during the off-season. However, the trade was never made and those rumors were put to rest once it was announced that Michael Jordan would be returning to the Bulls late in the 1994-95 season. Chicago certainly needed Jordan's presence as much as ever, because the Pippen-led Bulls did not fare nearly as well in 1994-95 as they had the season before -- in fact, for the first time in years they were in danger of missing the playoffs (though much of this may be attributed to a lack of interior defense and rebounding due to Grant's departure). The Bulls were just 34-31 prior to Jordan's return for the final 17 games, and MJ led them to a 13-4 record to close the regular season. Still, Pippen finished the 1994-95 season leading the Bulls in every major statistical category: assists, rebounds, points, steals, and blocks; Pippen is one of only five players in NBA history to accomplish this feat.

 

The Bulls' second three-peat

 

With Jordan's return to the NBA, the Bulls once again became the league's dominant team. With a revamped roster that included Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley, the Bulls managed to post the best regular season record in NBA history (72-10) in 1996 en route to winning their fourth title against the Seattle SuperSonics. In the following season, Chicago finished a league-best 69-13 and again won the title, this time defeating the Utah Jazz. Amid speculation that the 1997-98 season would be the last in Chicago for Pippen, Jordan, and Jackson, the Bulls followed up by topping the Jazz again in the Finals in to cap their second three-peat.

 

Later career

 

After playing in Chicago for 11 seasons, his tumultuous relationship with General Manager Jerry Krause came to a head, and as Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson also departed Chicago, the second all-time leader in points, assists, and steals in Bulls franchise history was traded to the Houston Rockets for the lockout-shortened season in 1998–99. Pippen's trade to Houston received a lot of publicity including his only solo cover of Sports Illustrated.[3] While there he teamed with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley to form one of the best front lines in NBA history, but his failure to assume the "franchise" mantle from Olajuwon led to chemistry problems (with Barkley in particular) and eventually his departure.

 

On April 22, 1999, Pippen was detained under suspicion of driving while intoxicated,[4] but the charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

 

Following the disappointing lockout-shortened season in Houston, Pippen was traded in the offseason to the Portland Trail Blazers, whom he helped to the Western Conference finals. But once there, they lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, despite holding a commanding 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of the final game. Pippen played on for several more seasons in Portland, but they never again advanced that far in the playoffs. After the 2002-03 season he signed once more with the Chicago Bulls, but due to injury problems he was only able to suit up for 23 games in 2003-04 and retired shortly after the season.

 

For the most part, Pippen was a near-constant presence in the NBA postseason over the course of his career, reaching the playoffs 16 straight years (11 with Chicago, 1 with Houston, 4 with Portland), and has played in more playoff games than any NBA player except Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Horry.

 

Pippen is considered among the best supporting players in NBA history and is also notable for having been a prototypical "point forward", a term which he popularized (and revitalized) with his ball-handling, passing and court vision—skills traditionally limited to point guards. This was in addition to his rebounding, scoring, and defense, all contributing to his consistent play for over a decade.

 

Retirement

 

After retiring, he spent some time working as a basketball analyst for the Chicago Bulls. Currently, he is a special assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. On December 25, 2005, Pippen debuted as studio analyst for the NBA on ABC. Before this he was a part-time analyst for ESPN.

 

The Chicago Bulls retired Pippen's jersey number on December 9, 2005 in a ceremony. The team played against the Los Angeles Lakers that night, and Pippen was reunited with Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Horace Grant during the ceremony. Pippen's jersey number, 33, joins Jordan's 23, Jerry Sloan's 4, and Bob Love's 10 as the only four numbers retired by the Bulls.

 

Return

 

ESPN reported in February 2007 that Pippen was contemplating a return to the NBA. Having been forced to retire three years prior due to a knee injury, Pippen expressed hope to play for an NBA team for the last two months of the 2006-07 season.[5]

 

Pippen's announcement of a possible return to the NBA came on the heels of a $5 million settlement against him for breach of a contract being upheld, suggesting another reason for Pippen's return.[6] Charles Barkley was one of several commentators that were skeptical of Pippen's return, comparing the chances of that to his own desire of being thin (Barkley has been known to poke fun at his own weight frequently).

 

At the 2007 All-Star game, Pippen temporarily returned to the basketball spotlight as a participant in the Haier Shooting Stars competition. Although his squad was disqualified due to an infraction committed during his two teammates' respective turns, Pippen did make his three point shot and a half court shot. Pippen had announced that the Miami Heat would be his preferred place to play. Other teams that were speculated to have interest in signing him were Cleveland, San Antonio, and the Los Angeles Lakers. In a March 2007 article on ESPN.com, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says he had talked with Pippen, "but it was just preliminary talk about how he's doing, where he's at and how he feels. I would say he kind of talked about the parameters of what he thinks he can do to help." Jackson said.[7] By the end of the season, however, Pippen went unsigned by any team.

 

On December 11, 2007 Pippen's long waited contract with Torpan Pojat of Finnish Korisliiga was finally announced sealing negotiations that had started around May 2006.[8] He played on January 4 against Porvoon Tarmo scoring 12 points and 7 rebounds[9] and played on January 5 against Honka.[10] He scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in that game.

 

On November 27, 2007, it was announced that Pippen will play one game for the Sundsvall Dragons of the Swedish basketball league, against Akropol BBK on January 11, 2008.[11] He scored 21 points in the 102-74 victory for the Sundsvall Dragons.

 

On January 3, 2008, Pippen announced that he would be interested in the vacant coaching position left after the firing of Scott Skiles by Bulls general manager John Paxson. "What's my disadvantage?" Pippen asked. "No NBA coaching experience? [scott] Skiles' record with the Bulls wasn't that great. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to do what you've done your whole life. I've played basketball, run teams and won....They didn't put me at point guard because I could dribble good. They put me there because I could run a team. I wasn't the best dribbler, the best shooter. I wasn't a point guard. But I knew how to run a team."[12]

 

Achievements and records

 

Holds NBA Records for:

 

* Assists by a forward, career (6,135) [13]

* Steals by a forward, career (2,307) [14]

* Steals, Playoffs, career (395) [15]

* Three point field goals made, NBA Finals, game (7, shared with Kenny Smith)

* One of three players in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks, season (1989-90 season)

 

* Michael Jordan performed the feat back-to-back in 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons

* Hakeem Olajuwon in 1988-89 season

 

* Half of only the 10th tandem in NBA history to score 40 points in the same game

 

* Pippen scored 40 points and Michael Jordan scored 44 points against the Indiana Pacers on February 18, 1996

 

* Half of only the 9th tandem in NBA history to record triple doubles in the same game

 

* with Michael Jordan

 

Achievements:

 

* Pippen recorded 17 career triple-doubles in the regular season.

* Led NBA in Steals (232) and Steals Per Game (2.94) in 1994-95 season.

* Chicago Bulls Career Leader in Three-Point Field Goals Made (664), Three-Point Field Goals Attempted (2,031) and Personal Fouls (2,534).

* His 10 NBA All-Defensive honors and 8 NBA All-Defensive First Team honors are each one shy of the NBA record.

 

Personal life

 

Pippen has four children: one girl by an unnamed model and three boys. Scottie Pippen Jr. and Preston Pippen are two of the boys. He is married to Assyrian-American Larsa Younan and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Pippen has reportedly received $289,000 in farm subsidies.[16]

 

Service personnel have singled Pippen out as a relatively poor tipper. A 1997 article in Sports Illustrated named him one of the three biggest "skinflints" in the NBA, along with Kevin Garnett and Shawn Kemp, and noted that restaurant workers at one eatery had given him the nickname "No Tippin' Pippen".[17]

 

On March 13, 2007, Pippen was stopped by Arkansas State Police on Interstate 530 just north of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While ticketing Pippen for speeding the trooper involved detected an odor of marijuana. When questioned Pippen admitted that marijuana was in the center console of the truck cab but claimed that marijuana was not his. Pippen's cousin, Billy Clyde Pippen, was in the truck and told the officer that the marijuana belonged to him. Billy Pippen was taken into custody, transported to the Jefferson County Jail and charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.[18]

 

Pippen is an avid poker player and frequently participated in high-stakes games with teammates Jordan and Ron Harper when the Bulls were on the road.[citation needed]

 

While playing in Chicago, Pippen was arrested in front of P.J.Clarkes, a Rush Street restaurant for having a loaded handgun in his range rover automobile. Charges were later dropped.

 

Career information

Year(s): 1987–2004

NBA Draft: 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5

College: Central Arkansas

 

Professional teams

 

* Chicago Bulls (1987-1998, 2003-2004)

* Houston Rockets (1998-1999)

* Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003)

 

Career stats

Points 18,940

Assists 6,135

Steals 2,307

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* 6x NBA Champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998)

* 3x All-NBA First Team Selection (1994-1996)

* 2x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1992, 1997)

* 2x All-NBA Third Team Selection (1993, 1998)

* 8x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1992-1999)

* 2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team Selection (1991, 2000)

* 7x NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-1997)

* 1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994)

* NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

 

Olympic medal record

Men's Basketball

Gold 1992 Barcelona United States

Gold 1996 Atlanta United States

[knightni]

7. Gale Sayers

 

(15 of 18 lists - 198 points - highest ranking #3 Texsox)

 

Gale Eugene Sayers (b. May 30, 1943, Wichita, Kansas), also known as "The Kansas Comet", was a professional football player in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears. He is the uncle of Chrystina Sayers who is a member of the American pop music group/quartet Girlicious. He currently resides in Wakarusa, Indiana.

 

College career

 

Sayers, raised in Omaha, NE, graduated from Omaha Central High School and was a two-time All-American player at the University of Kansas. During his Jayhawk career, he rushed for 2,675 yards and gained 3,917 all-purpose yards. In 1963, he set an NCAA Division I record with a 99-yard run against his home team in Nebraska. In his senior year, he led the Jayhawks to a 15-14 upset victory over Oklahoma with a 96-yard kickoff return. Sayers is considered by many to have been the greatest open field runner in college football history.

 

Rookie NFL season (1965)

 

Sayers was drafted by the Chicago Bears of the NFL, as well as the AFL' in 1965; the others were defensive end Steve DeLong (who signed with the AFL) and linebacker Dick Butkus. In Sayers' rookie year, he scored an NFL record 22 touchdowns (14 rushing, 6 receiving, and 1 each on punt and kickoff returns). He gained 1,374 yards from scrimmage and had 2,272 all-purpose yards (also a record, later broken by Tim Brown, who played two more games than Sayers). He tied Ernie Nevers' and Dub Jones' record for touchdowns in a single game, with 6 against the San Francisco 49ers on December 12. Sayers averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per rush and 17.5 yards per reception. His return averages were even more impressive, with 14.9 yards per punt return and 31.4 yards per kickoff return. Sayers' rookie season should be ranked among the greatest single seasons by any player in professional football history. He was the unanimous choice for NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Despite his heroics, the Bears finished in third place in the NFL Western Conference (behind the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Colts)

 

Second NFL Season (1966)

 

In his second season, despite being the focus of opposing defenses, Sayers led the league in rushing with 1,231 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with 8 touchdowns. He led the Bears in receiving with 34 catches, 447 yards, and two more scores; he also more than matched his rookie season's kick return numbers, averaging 31.2 yards per return with 2 touchdowns. He set another NFL record with 2,440 all-purpose yards despite the fact the Bears struggled, finishing in fifth place with a 5-7-2 record. Sayers also won the first of three Pro Bowl MVP awards.

 

Third NFL Season (1967)

 

In George Halas' last season as an NFL coach, Sayers again starred on a relatively average Bear team. Sharing more of the rushing duties with other backs, like Brian Piccolo, Sayers gained only 880 yards with a 4.7 average per carry. His receptions were down as well, as the Chicago offense had become somewhat punchless. Only his returns remained spectacular. He had 3 kickoff returns for touchdowns on only 16 returns, averaging 37.7 yards per return. Only rarely returning punts, Sayers still managed to run one back for a score. Chicago finished in second place in the newly organized Central Division with a 7-6-1 record.

 

First and second injuries

 

After the first nine games of 1968, Sayers was again leading the NFL in rushing (he finished with 856 yards and a 6.2 average per carry). However, his season ended prematurely in a game against the San Francisco 49ers when Sayers tore many ligaments in his right knee. He had surgery and rehabilitation, with the help of teammate Brian Piccolo. In the 1969 season he led the league in rushing once again with 1,032 yards, but he lacked the lightning speed he once had, and he averaged only 4.4 yards per carry. The Bears, long past the Halas glory years, finished in last place with a franchise worst 1-13 record.

 

In 1970, Sayers suffered a second knee injury, this time to his left knee. Brian Piccolo also died of cancer that year. During his off time, he took classes at the University of New York to become a stockbroker and became the first black stockbroker in his company's history. After another rehabilitation period, he tried another comeback in 1971, but was not successful. He was encouraged to retire because of his loss of speed. His final game was in the preseason; he was handed the ball three times and fumbled twice.

 

Sayers retired from football in 1971 and began a career as CEO of a computer company. In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and is still the youngest inductee in the Hall's history. In 1994, the Bears retired his number 40 at Soldier Field, along with the number 51 of his teammate, legendary linebacker Dick Butkus. In 1999, despite the brevity of his career, he was ranked #21 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

 

== Career Records are most touchdowns in a rookie season (22 in 1965), most touchdowns in a game (6, tied with Nevers and Jones), highest career kickoff return average (30.56), most kickoff return touchdowns (6, tied with four other players), and most return touchdowns in a game (2, tied with many players).

 

Brian's Song

 

His friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo, and Piccolo's struggle with cancer (embryonal cell carcinoma, a type of cancer, found as a large tumor in his chest cavity which would eventually result in his death), became the subject of the made-for-TV movie Brian's Song. The movie, in which Sayers was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in the 1971 original, and by Mekhi Phifer in the 2001 remake, was adapted from Sayers' own telling of this story in his 1971 autobiography I Am Third.

 

A notable aspect of Sayers' friendship with Piccolo, a white man, and the first film's depiction of their friendship, was its effect on race relations. The first film was made in the wake of racial riots and charges of discrimination across the nation. Sayers and Piccolo were devoted friends and deeply respectful of and affectionate with each other. Piccolo helped Sayers through rehabilitation after injury, and Sayers was by Piccolo's side throughout his illness.

 

Kickoff return touchdown percentage

 

The following table ranks all National Football League kick returners with at least 4 touchdown returns through the 2006 season:

 

Name           TD   Returns     Yards  Average  TD %    Start    End  
Gale Sayers 	6 	91 	2781 	30.56 	6.59% 	1965 	1971
Devin Hester 	4 	63 	1462 	23.21 	6.35% 	2006 	2007
Travis Williams 6 	102 	2801 	27.46 	5.88% 	1967 	1971
Bobby Mitchell 	5 	102 	2690 	26.37 	4.90% 	1958 	1968
Ollie Matson 	6 	143 	3746 	26.20 	4.20% 	1952 	1964

 

Career Information

 

Year(s): 1965–1971

NFL Draft: 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4

College: Kansas

 

Professional Teams

 

* Chicago Bears (1965-1971)

 

Career Stats

 

Rushing Yards 4,956

Average 5.0

Touchdowns 48

 

Career Highlights and Awards

 

* 4x Pro Bowl selection (1965, 1966, 1967, 1969)

* 5x All-Pro selection (1965-1969)

* NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

* NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

* 1965 UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year

* 3x Pro Bowl MVP (1969, 1967, 1966)

* Chicago Bears #40 retired

* 1969 George S. Halas Courage Award

 

Pro Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame

[knightni]

6. Ernie Banks

 

(17 of 18 lists - 216 points - highest ranking #3 farmteam, southsidehawkeye)

 

Ernest "Ernie" Banks (born January 31, 1931 in Dallas, Texas) is an American former Major League baseball player who played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs (1953-1971). Banks is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname is Mr. Cub. He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.

 

High school years

 

Banks was a letterman and standout in football, basketball, and track.

 

Playing career

 

Banks signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1950 and broke into the Major Leagues in 1953 with the Chicago Cubs as their first black player. He played for the Cubs his entire career, starting at shortstop and moving to first base in 1962.

 

Initially Banks' double play partner was Gene Baker, the second black player on the Cubs, and Banks' roommate on road trips. When Steve Bilko would play first base, Cubs' announcer and home-town rooter Bert Wilson would refer to the Banks-Baker-Bilko double play combination as "Bingo to Bango to Bilko". This combination would not last quite as long as "Tinker to Evers to Chance", but Banks would become a Cubs institution.

 

Banks wore number 14 as a Cub, and is the first of only four Cubs players who have had their number retired by the organization. Other players had worn number 14 previously, of course. Earlier in 1953, Paul Schramka had carried that number. It was originally worn by Guy Bush in 1932, the first year the Cubs wore numbers on their jerseys. [info from list in current Cubs' media guide]

 

Banks became well known for his catch phrase of, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", expressing his wish to play a doubleheader every day out of his pure love for the game of baseball, especially in his self-described "friendly confines of Wrigley Field." In 1955, he set the record for grand slams in a single season with five, a record that stood for over twenty years.

 

Banks won the National League Most Valuable Player Award twice, in 1958 and 1959 despite the fact that the Cubs were not pennant contenders during the season. Jimmy Dykes reportedly remarked that, "Without him, the Cubs would finish in Albuquerque!"[1]

 

On September 2, 1965, Banks hit his 400th home run, and five years later, on May 12, 1970 at Chicago's Wrigley Field, hit his 500th home run. Banks finished his career with 512 home runs, and his 277 homers as a shortstop were the most ever at the time of his retirement. (Alex Rodriguez now holds the record for most homers as a shortstop with 345.) Ernie Banks also currently holds the record for most extra base hits by a Cub with 1,009. Banks also holds the teams records for games played (2528), at-bats (9421) and total bases (4706).

 

Coaching career

 

On December 1, 1971, Banks retired as a player, and the Cubs signed him as a coach.

 

On May 8, 1973, Cubs manager Whitey Lockman was ejected in the 11th inning of a game against the San Diego Padres. Coach Ernie Banks filled in as manager for the remainder of the game, which the Cubs won 3-2 in 12 innings. Thus, he was technically, if not officially, MLB's first black manager, predating Frank Robinson's hiring by almost two years.

 

Honors

 

Banks is regarded as one of the most popular baseball players in Chicago sports history. He was a constant promoter of the Cubs and of daytime play at Wrigley Field. His popularity and positive attitude led to the nicknames "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine".

 

On August 22, 1982, his uniform number 14 became the first to be retired by the Cubs. It had already been de facto retired for nearly 9 years, not having been assigned to anyone else following Banks' retirement from the coaching ranks.

 

In 1977, in his first year of eligibility, Banks was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

In 1999, he ranked Number 38 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players, and was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

 

On March 31, 2008, a statue of Banks was unveiled outside Wrigley Field. Upon its unveiling, the base of the statue was revealed to contain a typographical error, reading "Lets play two" rather than the grammatically correct "Let's play two." Two days later Sculptor Lou Cella came down to the ballpark early in the morning and carved the apostrophe.

 

Other

 

During Banks' career, the Cubs were rarely in contention despite his brilliance. They failed to finish in the first division every season until late in his career. Consequently, Banks holds the Major League record of most games played without a postseason appearance (2528). [1]

 

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ernie Banks operated car dealership Ernie Banks Ford on Stony Island Avenue in Chicago.

 

In June of 2006, Crain's Chicago Business reported that Ernie Banks was part of a group looking into buying the Chicago Cubs, in case the Tribune Company decides to sell the club.[2]

 

Ernie Banks established his own charity, the Live Above & Beyond Foundation, to eliminate prejudice, support programs that enhance neighborhoods and relieve discrimination among various age groups and races. In 2008, Banks released a charity wine called Ernie Banks 512 Chardonnay, a nod to his 512 career home runs, with all of his proceeds donated to his foundation.

 

Banks is the great-uncle of Atlanta Hawks point guard Acie Law IV.[2]

 

Years led league by statistical category

 

* Shortstop Major League Leader:

o Fielding Average - 1 time

o Fewest errors - 1 time

* National League Leader:

o Games played - 6 times

o Extra base hits - 4 times

o Home runs - 2 times

o RBIs - 2 times

o Slugging percentage - 1 time

o Total bases - 1 time

o At bats - 1 time

 

Career statistics

 

Batting average .274

Home runs 512

Run batted in 1,636

 

Teams

 

* Chicago Cubs (1953-1971)

 

Career highlights and awards

 

* 11x All-Star selection (1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1969)

* 2x NL MVP (1958, 1959)

* Gold Glove Award winner (1960)

* Chicago Cubs #14 retired

 

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Elected 1977

Vote 83.8% (first ballot)

[Milkman delivers]

I was just about right on with Pippen. And there's only one idiot (unless that person just completely forgot Banks for some reason) that didn't choose Banks at all.

[Felix]

No Carlos Quentin yet?

[knightni]

I was just about right on with Pippen. And there's only one idiot (unless that person just completely forgot Banks for some reason) that didn't choose Banks at all.

 

To be honest, that person only sent me an 11 player list, so he probably just forgot him.