Who would you pay big $ to see ?

[Touch'EmAll]

OK. Throw the stat book out the window. Just for pure visual entertainment.

Simply, who would you pay big money to see play in their prime? (could be any sport any time)

My list for starters:

1. Ali (Cassius Clay)
2. Bo Jackson when played football for the Raiders
3. Satchell Paige
4. Nolan Ryan
5. Sandy Koufax

For me, forget the hitters, to see Koufax or Ryan do their thing, for 9 innings, in their prime, ahhh, awesome!

And a boxing match with Ali, maybe vs. Frazier, maybe vs. Foreman ???

And Bo Jackson was the most electrifying player I have ever seen on a football field.

ps - I did see Ryan many times as kid - feel incredibly lucky!

[albrshbr]

For me, I've got 3. First would be a game with both Satchell Paige and Josh Gibson playing. Were they really as good as the rumors say? Second would be pretty much any prof. baseball game in lets say the 1870's. Just to see what the game was like back then with all the different rules. Third would be a 1950's/60's hockey game with Gordie Howe getting his hat trick (goal, assist, and a fight).

[D. Bergin]

#1. The Welterweight version of Sugar Ray Robinson. I don't think there has been a more electrifying boxer/puncher ever.

#2. Wayne Gretzky. Saw him play in person once when I was very young and the Oilers came to Hartford. I don't think I was quite old enough to really appreciate it at the time.

[Griffins]

1 Jackie Robinson
2. Dizzy Dean
3. '27 Yankees
4. Satchel Paige
5. Jim Brown
6. Gerry Lopez
7.Magic Johnson

[ChrisH]

1. Walter Johnson
2. Satchel Paige
3. Lou Gehrig
4. 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers

[Kawika]

Would have loved to have seen Joe Wood throw smoke, Red Grange gallop, Rocket Richard skate, Joe Louis punch and Jim Thorpe do anything.

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/baseball/holygrailcards/large/TSN%20Wood.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/baseball/goudeysportkings/large/04%20Grange.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/othersports/193334wwgicekings/large/DMcD755.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/othersports/miscnonbaseballnonsports/huge/JoeLouis.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/baseball/goudeysportkings/large/06%20Thorpe.JPG

[Mikehealer]

Pretty easy one for me. I would love to see Ben Hogan striping 5-irons.

[Ease]

Pretty easy one for me. I would love to see Ben Hogan striping 5-irons.
+1, Bobby Jones whipping a hickory-shafted club also..

[dstraate]

Would have loved to see Cobb/Rose and other hustle type players. Closest I ever got was watching Lenny Dykstra. Not close enough I'm afraid.

I think it would have been great to see Dr. J early on. I also would have liked to see Mikan dropping 40 on some 6'5" schmuck.

In football, It would have been O.J. I bet that would be interesting.

[steve B]

Pitchers-
Paige
Wood, Johnson, - really any of the greats from that era.

In person rather than on TV
Tiant
Ryan
Marichal

In their prime-
Feller. I saw him pitch a HR derby in 74 or 75 and he had more pop than the minor leaguers in either game of the double header.

Hitters-
I saw a bunch of the late 70's AL guys, and a few since.

Gibson
Mantle
Ruth
Gehrig
Cobb
Williams

Kingman for a full season in Fenway- Never happened for even a few weeks:(

I havent attended much for other sports, seeing any of the all time greats would be great. Especially Merckx and Pele.

Non sports.

Hendrix - pretty much any part of his career
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Beatles
Stones
Those 4 only in their prime. I know I can still see the stones, but they should have gracefully moved into a retirement home 20 years ago. Missed the Who by just a little in 1981, a deal for tickets never came together.

Annie Oakley
PT Barnum

Plus a whole bunch of people I'd like to see in action as an observer or just meet for an hour or so. Historical figres like Ghengis Kahn, Patton, Alexander, Gandhi....

Steve B

[FUBAR]

#2. Wayne Gretzky. Saw him play in person once when I was very young and the Oilers came to Hartford. I don't think I was quite old enough to really appreciate it at the time.

I happen to grow up in Edmonton and have seen him / Oilers play many a times, probably at least 100 live. Seen the Oilers win 3 cups live in person! You always knew at the time, it was something special! Even seen Wayne when he was a King and also a Ranger. For me, Grant Fuhr was just as impressive.

[FUBAR]

Dave OJ is definitely one of the best at slashing and dashing!

[alanu]

To see in person:

Walter Johnson
Johnny Rodgers (okay, I'm from Nebraska, saw him 2X live when I was little)
Roberto Clemente
Nolan Ryan
Dick Butkus
Gale Sayers
Lou Gehrig & Babe Ruth
and the other Babe, Babe Didrickson

[ChiefBenderForever]

I saw it on tv but to see the greatest sporting event in the history of the world live would be at the top of the list, the 1980 USA/USSR Hockey game !

[dstraate]

Dave OJ is definitely one of the best at slashing and dashing!

Amen on the slash and dash. I hear he was a real killer:D

[D. Bergin]

I happen to grow up in Edmonton and have seen him / Oilers play many a times, probably at least 100 live. Seen the Oilers win 3 cups live in person! You always knew at the time, it was something special! Even seen Wayne when he was a King and also a Ranger. For me, Grant Fuhr was just as impressive.


The Oilers teams of the early to mid 80's were just insanely good. Not only that, but they were easily the most entertaining team in history.

Unbelievable offensive talent, even without Gretzky.

[nebboy]

Overall's 10 Ks pitching performance for 1908 Cubs in final 5th game of the Worlds Series.

[KNH]

In no particular order.

Clemente
Ashburn
M.Jordan
Dr.J.

[Touch'EmAll]

Nice to hear the opinions.

Finally a vote for M.Jordan - no votes yet for Wilt, thought there would be.

My wife said she wants a "all event" pass for all of Michael Phelps' Olympics performances in Bejing Olympics - excellent choice!

[sox1903wschamp]

One more time to see #4/Orr skate circles around the opponent. Seems like a faraway dream now.

[tothrk]

Watching Secretariat absolutely destroy the field at Belmont would have been nice to see.

[Mikehealer]

Watching Secretariat absolutely destroy the field at Belmont would have been nice to see.

Nice one, or watching Spectacular Bid in any of his half dozen or so track record setting performances.

[Vol]

Watching Secretariat absolutely destroy the field at Belmont would have been nice to see.

Absolutely agree.
Would have loved to seen Barbaro win at the Derby as well.

Ty Cobb batting against Walter Johnson! That would be something else..


Music, definitely would have wanted to be in Memphis in 54-55...Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny Cash.. The ultimate would have been Buddy Holly or Robert Johnson.

[thescooper]

cassius clay
dennis law
oj simpson

[novakjr]

1)Ten Cent Beer Night at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. First off, I loved Muni as a kid, and would love to go back and see just one more game there...Second, well of course, the ten cent beer. Third, Just sit up and out of the way, and watch the mayhem ensue.

Anyways.
2)Seeing Jordan at a game in Chicago would've been cool.

3)Of course Satchel(hell, any of the old great negro league games).

4)Someone else mentioned some 19th century baseball games. Personally, I wanna see a game before gloves, and when "soaking" was legal.
****I'd like to see soaking legalized for one modern game. Just imagine the play-by-play...Maybe have Uecker call the game...

5)Some else mentioned music and Robert Johnson....We have a winner!!!!

[rsn1661]

Gordie Howe, Nolan Ryan, Jordan and Jimi Hendrix. Let's throw in Pele as well.

[clydepepper]

I'd pay to see my dog Buddy win Westminster!!!


...and Eddie Gaedel laying down a perfect bunt against a shift and he makes it to first by a toe!

There are plenty of cameras pointed at everything else.
-
-

[cool-vintage]

Baseball:
Jake Beckley
Satchel Paige
Roger Bresnahan
Rogers Hornsby
Walter Johnson
Ty Cobb
Cap Anson

Hockey:
George Hainsworth
Maurice Richard
"Newsy" Lalonde
Georges Vezina
Eddie Shore
Howie Mornez
Tiny Thompson

[billyb]

Geez,
Many of you wished to see certain stars, that I did see play. I must be getting old. I got to see Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson and OJ. The best was Barry. He did it with an offensive line that blocked like girl scouts. Barry was worth the big $$$$ to see.
I got to see Nolan and Whitey, Mantle and Williams. Rose and the Big Red Machine. Mays and Aaron and Koffax. To me, Nolan gets the nod.
And in Hockey, Gordie was a pure joy to watch.
And to see Chamberlain score 100 points again.

But I sure wish I could have seen Ruth's magical personality on or off the field, and Nap LaJoie whistle a liner past the third baseman's ear, then drop down a bunt for a single. That is where I would spend the real big bucks, just to watch and enjoy.

[packs]

I'd pay millions of dollars to watch my hero Donnie Baseball play in just one World Series game.

[rats60]

Wagner vs Cobb 1909 World Series
Ruth and Gehrig 1927 World Series
Mathewson vs Athletics 1905 World Series
Williams vs DiMaggio during 1941 season
Walter Johnson July 1, 1920 throwing no hitter.
Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.

[bbcard1]

The Young Thundering Herd's win over Xavier. I had friends at that game.

[Jayworld]

In no particular order.

Clemente
Ashburn
M.Jordan
Dr.J.

Kary: I got to see Julius Erving play in 1981 in Dallas..Sixers vs. Mavericks game, place was about 2/3 full. We were sitting lower level in old Reunion Arena, on the corner, and the Mavs had the ball on the other end of the court. Aguire was trying to post up low on the block and dribbling down his man with his back to the hoop, and Dr. J picked his pocket and started dribbling towards us. I'll never forget how the whole arena started to stand in slow motion as Dr. J took off from the side of the lane closest to us, did a double-clutch, and slammed it home behind the back style and landed on the other side of the lane. The arena went nuts, and this was a MAVERICKS home game. Wonderful memory.

My list, in no particular order:
1. Babe Ruth
2. Ty Cobb
3. Walter Johnson
4. Bob Feller
5. Ted Williams
6. Randy Jones (my favorite Padres player of all time)
7. Not sure if entertainment is wanted in the OP question, but Nat King Cole, too, without a doubt....

[Bocabirdman]

Kary: I got to see Julius Erving play in 1981 in Dallas..Sixers vs. Mavericks game, place was about 2/3 full. We were sitting lower level in old Reunion Arena, on the corner, and the Mavs had the ball on the other end of the court. Aguire was trying to post up low on the block and dribbling down his man with his back to the hoop, and Dr. J picked his pocket and started dribbling towards us. I'll never forget how the whole arena started to stand in slow motion as Dr. J took off from the side of the lane closest to us, did a double-clutch, and slammed it home behind the back style and landed on the other side of the lane. The arena went nuts, and this was a MAVERICKS home game. Wonderful memory.

My list, in no particular order:
1. Babe Ruth
2. Ty Cobb
3. Walter Johnson
4. Bob Feller
5. Ted Williams
6. Randy Jones (my favorite Padres player of all time)
7. Not sure if entertainment is wanted in the OP question, but Nat King Cole, too, without a doubt....

I got to see Dr. J's very first NBA game at the Garden in Boston. I was acutely stoned and quite frankly bored with the game for the first three Quarters. I was mesmerized by the Parquet floor and the maze of catwalks high above the floor. The game flowed, uneventful. The Doctor had, like, 10 points after three. He seemed to be "phoning it in" as his team was up by nearly 20 points. I was enjoying my buzz and pouring A 28 oz. Schaefer Beer on top of it when quietly Julius intercepted a pass and baseball passed it to a streaking teammate for a layup. I turned my attentions to Dr. J and figured I would watch, I mean really watch this gifted man. His stride was easy, his pace was deceptive. He got the ball 5 feet past the top of the key. He palmed the ball a la Connie Hawkins and faked a pass or three before dribbling behind his ball and gliding to the hoop. A foot or so past the free throw line, he exploded above everyone. Two defenders jumped to try and disrupt the Doctor's momentum. Julius just hovered for a tick and waited for the mortals to crash back to earth, then, the same way a sprinter has another gear, he seemingly continued to soar higher. It is seared into my mind these 30-some years later. The actual dunk was anti-climatic, almost like he was ashamed how easy it was. But Lord, that leap was gorgeous and effortless. My buzz and I drained the last of the Schaefer suds and stood and screamed.....

[SAllen2556]

With a heavy Motown bias:

Joe Louis - especially knocking out Max Schmeling

Ty Cobb

Game 6 of the 1935 World Series (Tigers beat the Cubs for their first modern championship)

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig at Tiger Stadium

Mark Fidrych in 1976 (saw him later but he was never the same)

Howe, Abel, and Lindsey (the production line)

And my musical entry: The Who with Keith Moon at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit

[travrosty]

oscar robertson

[Writehooks]

As a sportswriter for 40 years, I was privileged to personally watch Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Howe, Orr, Gretzky and Pele work their magic multiple times. But coming from the Great White North I never had a basketball beat, so it would've been cool to see Dr. J and Pistol Pete up close and personal. Also would've loved to have been there to witness Evel Knievel's attempted jump over the fountain at Caesars Palace and Catfish Hunter's perfect game in Oakland.

[7nohitter]

Louis Mendoza

Macky Sasser

Ken Phelps

Kevin Romine

No particular order

[Bored5000]

I would have liked to have seen Jim Thorpe playing football at Carlisle or competing in the decathalon/pentahalon at the 1912 Olympics. I also would have liked to have seen a young Wilt Chamberlain.

Not sports related and not intended to be morbid, but I would have liked to have seen Lincoln deliver the Gettysburg Address. I am 90 minutes from Gettysburg, and have always been fascinated by the battle there and Lincoln's speech there four months after the battle.

[KNH]

I would also pay to see Ozzie Smith defensively at SS. He was unbelievable.

[EvilKing00]

As im only 40 i got to see players like, jordan, bird, johnson in basketball, gretzky, lemmeux, jager in hockey, manning, rice, taylor inn football and bonds, griffey and now trout.

Id pay to see guys like:

1: ruth
2: mays
3: mantle

[egri]

In no particular order:

The Louis-Schmeling rematch
Ted Williams in 1941 (or '42, '46, '47, '49)
Smokey Joe Wood vs Walter Johnson
Cy Young vs Walter Johnson
Josh Gibson in his prime face off against Bob Feller

[RTK]

Ruth
Gehrig
Cobb
Ted Williams
Joe Jackson
Jackie Robinson in '47


Walter Johnson
Cy Young

The 1908 Cubs

I'd like to have seen a ballgame in each of the New York Parks in the 50's

[clydepepper]

Jim Creighton - in his prime.
Amos Rusie - just to see how fast he really was

[1963Topps Set]

Barry Manilow in the 1960s

Myself as a child.

Buddy Holly 1958

[deucetwins]

Cobb and Ruth against each other.
Young and Johnson pitching.

Hunky Shaw's only major league at-bat.

[mart8081]

Some different ones to those posted above:

Eddie 'The Cannibal' Merckx - in the one day monuments Paris-Roubaix or Tour of Flanders

Diego Maradona - the Napoli years

Sir Donald Bradman - the greatest batsmen of all-time (in any sport and by a very, very long way)

Sir Roger Bannister - breaking the 4 minute mile

Yiannis Kouros - on October 4-5, 1997 - he ran a World Record distance of 303.5km or 188 miles in 24 hours. This is the just astonishing. For those of you that run - the average speed was 7.84 miles or 12.65km per hour (I can currently hold this speed for one hour).

Holds every running world record outdoors from 100-1000 miles!

Here are his other records - http://www.yianniskouros.gr/index.php/en/kourosvictories

Real Madrid - (the greatest club side of all time) with Puskas and Di Stefano

George Mallory and Andrew Irvine - not toally sure how you could watch this one but - did they reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1924, some 28 years before it was officially climbed by Hilary and Tensing?