OT(ish): The Mount Rushmore of Sports...

[nmrt]

I am then perhaps a different generation. Armstrong inspired me to bike. In his TdF days, I would be glued to the TV. And then go out and try to bike like him. Had not heard about Lemond. But did not care enough to find out his history at that time.

Even though I do not hold Armstrong as my hero, I still cannot take away the fact that I got into biking because of him.

So, Armstrong in on Rushmore, my Rushmore.

Originally Posted by makoti

Yeah, LeMond over him for sure. First American & all that. Made cycling cool for a while in the US

[ntb1001]

Originally Posted by nmrt

I am then perhaps a different generation. Armstrong inspired me to bike. In his TdF days, I would be glued to the TV. And then go out and try to bike like him. Had not heard about Lemond. But did not care enough to find out his history at that time.



Even though I do not hold Armstrong as my hero, I still cannot take away the fact that I got into biking because of him.



So, Armstrong in on Rushmore, my Rushmore.

I agree with Armstrong over Lemond as well.

Lemond made huge impact for his time, he broke the mold of European cycling traditions in many ways...big contracts, women soigner’s, different training, new equipment like pedals & tri bars.
He also was a bit of a prima-donna, and a whiner at times.
Lemond benefited the sport with his presence, but he was still just a cyclist.
Armstrong had a world wide impact that no cyclist ever had before, or since. All his own issues aside, it will take some time before someone is known on a world wide level from cycling again.



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[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by Onion

what about Kareem over Wilt? they banned dunking in college because of kareem so he just invented another unstoppable shot. i know this is not a list of of the greatest, but the idea that TR is on rushmore already makes the rushmore thing kinda off. should definitely be FDR if we were doing it over.

according to wiki "Between October 4, 1927, and October 31, 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers[22] sculpted the colossal 60-foot-high (18 m) carvings of United States Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 130 years of American history. These presidents were selected by Borglum because of their role in preserving the Republic and expanding its territory."

preserving and expanding the game--I gotta go:

Russell
Kareem
Jordan
LeBron (though I am tempted to put Dirk on there for being 1) the first truly great international player and expanding the reach of the league and 2) redefining what it meant to be a big man in the league. his shooting ability as a 7 footer really changed the game into the pace and space style we have now)

My NBA mountain, based solely on how they changed the game:

• The NBA widened the key because of Wilt
  
• The NCAA junked the dunk because of Kareem
  
• Dr. J brought the aerial wing game to the NBA (although Elgin Baylor preceded him but not as well or as much in the media spotlight)
• Magic changed the nature who brings up the ball and of the transition game … forever

[yinzerniner]

NA Major Pro:
MLB: Ruth, Aaron, Koufax, Robinson
NFL: Unitas, Brady, LT, Brown
NBA: Russel, Wilt, Jordan, Lebron
NHL: Orr, Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux

Futbol/Soccer: Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Messi

4 Wheel Motorsports: Andretti, Petty, Senna, Schumacher

Golf: Nicklaus, Jones, Woods, Hogan

Track & Field: Owens, Lewis, Bolt, Nurmi

Boxing: Ali, Louis, both Sugar Rays

Tennis: Federer, Laver, Sampras, Nadal (Djokovic is very, very close)

All time greatest US? Thorpe, Ruth, Brown, Ali

NOTE: this is only for the male-only sports leagues. If females were included Didriksen, Joyner-Kersee, Vonn, Serena, Biles would all have claims to be on the Mount of their respective sports.

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by yinzerniner

4 Wheel Motorsports: Andretti, Petty, Senna, Schumacher

So many choices, particularly in F1. Hard to argue with Schumacher, Fangio, Clark, Prost, Stewart, even Hamilton … but to look at the list a little wider I'd go with:

• Senna: Even the greatest F1 drivers thought he was the greatest
• Sebastian Loeb: Best rally driver … maybe the best driver, period, ever. F1 was afraid of letting him race
• Tom Kristensen: Greatest LeMans/Enduro driver
• Mario: All he did was win at everything he did (the same could be said of Gurney)

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

My NBA mountain, based solely on how they changed the game:

• The NBA widened the key because of Wilt
  
• The NCAA junked the dunk because of Kareem
  
• Dr. J brought the aerial wing game to the NBA (although Elgin Baylor preceded him but not as well or as much in the media spotlight)
• Magic changed the nature who brings up the ball and of the transition game … forever

Dr. J is tricky. He was the direct link between Baylor and MJ. But Baylor did it first and MJ's ascendancy coincided with the globalization of the league. So, hard for me to give him a spot in stone.

Where he might be alone: NBA players retired for at least fifteen years that can still dunk. Dr. J still looks trim and regal.

[Elefantino]

And while we're at it, shouldn't cycling be:

• Merckx
  
• Merckx
  
• Merckx
• Vos

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Vague sense of deja vu here. Flash dinged me before for neglecting Kareem on another thread. You're right. But on the "apologies" list. Not on Rushmore.

Still going with Armstrong over LeMond. For better or worse, far more of an impact.

Maybe he goes on the monument with Dillinger, Whitey Bolger, Nixon and Enron kids.

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

Maybe he goes on the monument with Dillinger, Whitey Bolger, Nixon and Enron kids.

Dillinger and Whitey? A little harsh.

Nixon I could see. I'd add Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

Dillinger and Whitey? A little harsh.

Nixon I could see. I'd add Charles Ponzi and Bernie Madoff.

I was racking my brain to think of criminals and those were the ones I came up with.

[XXtwindad]

After watching Steph take over in crunch time, some friends and I were discussing where he ranked among Bay Area legends (excluding high school/college)

My take is that Steph would be # 1 (AKA George Washington). First to be carved.

I think the Say Hey Kid gets the nod as Lincoln. No titles but widely considered the greatest ball player ever.

Joe Montana is Teddy Roosevelt. Architect of one of the greatest football dynasties ever and undefeated in the Super Bowl.

Jefferson is where it really gets tough. With apologies to local legend Rickey and Ronnie Lott, it's a toss up between Bonds and Jerry Rice. Bonds might be the greatest hitter of all time, save for Williams and Cobb. (With an asterisk, but whatever). However: no titles.

Rice is the greatest wide receiver the game has ever seen. Three titles.
Edge: Rice.

Other cities:

Los Angeles

In order: Magic, Koufax, Kareem, Jerry West.

Boston: Russell, Brady, Bird, and Ted Williams.

New York: Ruth. Jackie Robinson. Gehrig. DiMaggio.

Just a fun rainy day game.

Edit: Cgolvin just pointed out an egregious error. Or several of them. I’m keeping Magic, because he changed the game. As did Jackie. Kobe is out, replaced by Kareem. Now, it gets really tough. Koufax, arguable the greatest pitcher of all time. Or “The Logo:” Jerry West. Wow. This is tough. I’m sticking with Sandy. Two World Series MVPs to one for West.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Los Angeles

In order: Jackie Robinson, Magic, Koufax, Kareem.

Jackie never played in Los Angeles. I'm not sure I can make the case for him being on the local Mt. Rushmore over Jerry West or Elgin Baylor, but Maury Wills changed the game when he was playing. You don't get Lou Brock or Rickie without Maury.

If there's a Mt. Rushmore in St. Louis I know that Stan Musial and Bob Gibson are on it.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

Jackie never played in Los Angeles. I'm not sure I can make the case for him being on the local Mt. Rushmore over Jerry West or Elgin Baylor, but Maury Wills changed the game when he was playing. You don't get Lou Brock or Rickie without Maury.

If there's a Mt. Rushmore in St. Louis I know that Stan Musial and Bob Gibson are on it.

Oops! Egg all over my face! Embarrassing!

OK. So, having been duly fact checked by cgolvin again (I’m going to start calling this golvinized), some changes to be made. Jerry West is now on Mt Rushmore in LA. Apologies to Elgin Baylor and Kobe. Jackie is now on Mt Rushmore in NY. Apologies to Berra, Mantle, and Jeter.

[kiwisimon]

Originally Posted by xxtwindad

cycling:

1) coppi
2) anquetil
3) merckx
4) a̶r̶m̶s̶t̶r̶o̶n̶g̶ lemond

fify

[Spaghetti Legs]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Oops! Egg all over my face! Embarrassing!

OK. So, having been duly fact checked by cgolvin again (I’m going to start calling this golvinized), some changes to be made. Jerry West is now on Mt Rushmore in LA. Apologies to Elgin Baylor and Kobe. Jackie is now on Mt Rushmore in NY. Apologies to Berra, Mantle, and Jeter.

Well Jackie played at UCLA, baseball and football, and he does have a statue in front of the Rose Bowl.

I’d like to hear the argument for Eckersley; the success as both a starter and closer? If I were looking for a pitcher (and not counting Ruth), it would be hard to pick one but I might go with Nolan Ryan or maybe Bob Gibson - I think MLB lowered the mound because of him. I’m sure one of those older pitchers was the first use a curve ball - maybe Mathewson?