9 of the Best Ever.... Who Do You Have?

[RCFire82]

Out of the T206 game...just having some fun these days with my collecting. I wanted a single binder page with the best GOATs I could think of.
Curious who others might pick for their top nine? And what cards they'd go with to represent their players...?

[rats60]

I only do baseball, so GOATs by position

[Carter08]

To me the big 4 sports have obvious picks. Hockey-Gretzky, Basketball-Jordan, Football-Brady (dammit), Baseball-Ruth.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ruth
Brady
Jordan
Gretzky
Messi
Ali
Djokovic
Nicklaus
Carl Lewis
Phelps

[JimC]

Jim Brown is the best football player.

Peter, Novak is awesome but too many of his majors are Australian Opens for me to put him over Federer or Nadal. Or Perhaps even Borg. I think in their primes Federer and Nadal were better. Close call though. McEnroe agrees with you and it's hard to argue against him on this.

Gretzky is The Great One but maybe in hockey the co-goat is Orr.

[ClementeFanOh]

Interesting post, I'm sure it won't end up in (online only!) bloodshed:

1) Hockey- hard to argue the Great One
2) Baseball- hard to argue Babe
3) Soccer- I love me some Leo. There is real room for debate with Pele and
Maradona though.
4) Boxing- real room for debate. Ali is most popular. Joe Louis (look up the
accomplishments, wow). Marciano?
5) Hoops- I'll never go with Jordan, perhaps the most overhyped athlete in
my lifetime. Great player? Yes. Best ever? No.
6) Pro Football- don't care enough to weigh in. Jim Brown??
7) Golf- It's not Tiger. Jack all the way.
8) Tennis- LOTS of room for debate here, not well versed enough to know.

Let the insults begin

Trent King

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by JimC

Jim Brown is the best football player.

Peter, Novak is awesome but too many of his majors are Australian Opens for me to put him over Federer or Nadal. Or Perhaps even Borg. I think in their primes Federer and Nadal were better. Close call though. McEnroe agrees with you and it's hard to argue against him on this.

Gretzky is The Great One but maybe in hockey the co-goat is Orr.

Same with Nadal and the French. I would not disagree strongly with Federer.

[bnorth]

Hockey-Patrick Roy
Football- Emmit Smith
Baseball-Ted Williams
Boxing-Marvin Hagler
Tennis-Ivan Lendl
Basketball-Magic
Golf-Tiger Woods
Strongman-Zydrunas Savickas
Powerlifting-Ed Coan

[Peter_Spaeth]

We should not omit women.
Taurasi
S. Williams
Ledecky
Biles
Joyner-Kersee
Hamm

[Rhotchkiss]

Beatles
Grateful Dead
Velvet Underground
Bob Marley
Rolling Stones
Phish
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Taylor Swift

[G1911]

Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Wilt Chamberlain
Boxing P4P: It is likely Mayweather, but I really want to pick an old timer.
Football: Brown, Rice or Brady
Hockey: Gretzky
Track: Phillippides

Don't know enough about other sports to have an opinion.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by G1911

Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Wilt Chamberlain
Boxing P4P: It is likely Mayweather, but I really want to pick an old timer.
Football: Brown, Rice or Brady
Hockey: Gretzky
Track: Phillippides

Don't know enough about other sports to have an opinion.

I had Rice too. Brady’s SB in Tampa sealed it for me though.

[refz]

Led Zeppelin were a bunch of posers

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

Baseball: Babe Ruth
Basketball: Wilt Chamberlain
Boxing P4P: It is likely Mayweather, but I really want to pick an old timer.
Football: Brown, Rice or Brady
Hockey: Gretzky
Track: Phillippides

Don't know enough about other sports to have an opinion.

That would be
Pheidippides, no?
Or is there a spelling with "l"s?

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

That would be
Pheidippides, no?
Or is there a spelling with "l"s?

The spelling difference comes from different manuscripts of Herodotus' books spelling it differently in the Greek leading to 2 different versions in translation. I don't know if the archaeologists have found something showing one of the 2 is more likely to be the correct name of this gentleman.

I usually use the L's because I grew up with Plutarch as one of the 'prides of my youth and in my later days a comfort of my fate' as Boethius would say, and I recall that is the one he used.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Carter08

I had Rice too. Brady’s SB in Tampa sealed it for me though.

Even offense only, I find it much more difficult to compare positions in football than in baseball. I would like to pick one of the pioneers of the game, a Baugh or a Hutson, but it is difficult to conclude Brown isn't the greatest RB, Rice the greatest WR, and Brady the greatest QB. I don't like the contemporary protect-the-QB-offense-ruleset but it is difficult to deny that in context he has dominated QB like nobody else. I'll collect Otto Graham and Bobby Layne and Y.A. Tittle but I don't think I can say they have any claim to being better. What an incredible career Brady has had.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Beatles
Grateful Dead
Velvet Underground
Bob Marley
Rolling Stones
Phish
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Taylor Swift

Mercyful Fate
Venom
Metallica
Exodus
Slayer
The Angels
AC/DC
Patsy Kline
Motorhead

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

The spelling difference comes from different manuscripts of Herodotus' books spelling it differently in the Greek leading to 2 different versions in translation. I don't know if the archaeologists have found something showing one of the 2 is more likely to be the correct name of this gentleman.

I usually use the L's because I grew up with Plutarch as one of the 'prides of my youth and in my later days a comfort of my fate' as Boethius would say, and I recall that is the one he used.

Interesting, I have always seen the "d" version. Anyhow, if not apocryphal, what a great moment and what a thrill it must be to run the Athens Marathon. I ran three (not Athens) when I was young and I remember thinking to myself at much earlier points on the course, why couldn't he have died here?

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Gordie Howe-he was called Mr. Hockey for a reason.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Interesting, I have always seen the "d" version. Anyhow, if not apocryphal, what a great moment and what a thrill it must be to run the Athens Marathon. I ran three (not Athens) when I was young and I remember thinking to myself at much earlier points on the course, why couldn't he have died here?

The tale as we tell it is, sadly, provably an apocryphal later invention. He is in Herodotus, but despite what is usually said the story Herodotus actually tells is much less 'perfected'. I am going off memory, but in the original Herodotian version he is a professional runner who runs to Sparta from Athens in a day or two. On the way, he believes Pan spoke to him and chastised the Athenians for not paying him tribute despite all his help in the war. The runner gives a rousing plea to Sparta when he reaches the city, who are moved by his patriotism, but their religious law don't let them send out their forces until the moon is full, too late. Phillippides/Pheidippides returns to Athens in quick time again to deliver the news of the Spartan forces timeline, and after the war the marathon is established as an annual event in honor of Pan, righting the perceived wrong to the God. Obviously he did not really talk to a God, but all the human events are more believable. The version we know today comes from Lucian centuries later, after the tale has been told and retold and crafted into a perfect story. The Greeks themselves when they were an independent people never believed the tale told today.

Mid-marathon seems to be about the only time it is appropriate to wish whatever-his-name-was had hurried on up and died a little bit sooner

He may not be the greatest track athlete, but I am only half joking in putting him. Even 2,500 years later the primary form the running sport takes in our culture is in testament to his achievement, great speed, and his patriotism. Not many athletes of any kind can match his 'impact' element.

[skil55voy]

Baseball - Mays and Griffey Jr (tie)
Basketball - Maravich (So good no one else could play with him)
Football - Alworth
Hockey - Bossy
Golf - Snead and Woods (Most wins)
Boxing - Louis
Tennis - Laver
Track - Jim Ryun

[Touch'EmAll]

For football, Brady is a fine choice. But I will go with my guy, Joe Montana.

Others to consider, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Michael Phelps, Messi. Of course Babe Ruth, Jordan, Gretzky.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

The tale as we tell it is, sadly, provably an apocryphal later invention. He is in Herodotus, but despite what is usually said the story Herodotus actually tells is much less 'perfected'. I am going off memory, but in the original Herodotian version he is a professional runner who runs to Sparta from Athens in a day or two. On the way, he believes Pan spoke to him and chastised the Athenians for not paying him tribute despite all his help in the war. The runner gives a rousing plea to Sparta when he reaches the city, who are moved by his patriotism, but their religious law don't let them send out their forces until the moon is full, too late. Phillippides/Pheidippides returns to Athens in quick time again to deliver the news of the Spartan forces timeline, and after the war the marathon is established as an annual event in honor of Pan, righting the perceived wrong to the God. Obviously he did not really talk to a God, but all the human events are more believable. The version we know today comes from Lucian centuries later, after the tale has been told and retold and crafted into a perfect story. The Greeks themselves when they were an independent people never believed the tale told today.

Mid-marathon seems to be about the only time it is appropriate to wish whatever-his-name-was had hurried on up and died a little bit sooner

He may not be the greatest track athlete, but I am only half joking in putting him. Even 2,500 years later the primary form the running sport takes in our culture is in testament to his achievement, great speed, and his patriotism. Not many athletes of any kind can match his 'impact' element.

The great thing about distance road racing is that, unless I am missing something, it's the only sport in the world where a completely mediocre schlump can participate in the very same event as the best in the world. I will never forget after the NYC marathon chatting briefly with Frank Shorter (who had finished second and was disgusted with himself LOL). Unique.

[darwinbulldog]

I have dozens of others in my collection (field hockey, table tennis, sled dog racing...) as this is one of my collecting foci, but if we're limiting it to 9 sports, how about these 9 all-time greats?

Babe Ruth
Tom Brady
Wilt Chamberlain
Wayne Gretzky
Lionel Messi
Novak Djokovic
Sugar Ray Robinson
Don Bradman
Michael Phelps

[JimC]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Beatles
Grateful Dead
Velvet Underground
Bob Marley
Rolling Stones
Phish
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Taylor Swift

All USA version (excluding your four)

Allman Brothers
Government Mule
Hendrix
Widespread Panic
Zappa
Beefheart
White Stripes
Springsteen
Stevie Wonder

[Beercan collector]

Paul Rodgers
Steve Perry
Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler
Chris Cornell
young Robert Plant
Ann Wilson
John Lennon
Bon Scott
(Sorry Freddie , sorry Mick , sorry mumbling fellow from The Doors)

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

Paul Rodgers
Steve Perry
Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler
Chris Cornell
young Robert Plant
Ann Wilson
John Lennon
Bon Scott

No Aretha? No Freddie?

[Beercan collector]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

No Aretha? No Freddie?

I added Freddy to the apologies at the bottom , I completely forgot Aretha , I remember her being on a Divas show .. Everyone else sounded like seven year olds compared to her

[Peter_Spaeth]

Chuck Berry
Buddy Holly
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson
Aretha Franklin
Sam Cooke
Tina Turner
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Roy Orbison

[darwinbulldog]

As we've changed lanes, behold my top 9 musical artists/bands:

Pink Floyd
Radiohead
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
Tori Amos
Tool
The Who
Pearl Jam
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

[ejharrington]

Ruth, Brady, Jordan, Gretzky, Flair, Woods, Ali,

[ejharrington]

KISS
Judas Priest
Rush
Slayer
Cannibal Corpse
Napalm Death
Celtic Frost
Obituary
Iron Maiden

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Beatles
Grateful Dead
Velvet Underground
Bob Marley
Rolling Stones
Phish
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Taylor Swift

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Who
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
The Velvet Underground
Elvis Presley
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen

[Pat R]

I don't have a card of his but the King would be in my top 9 if I was doing a binder page.


[IMG][/IMG]

[darwinbulldog]

They can't all be household names.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Pat R

I don't have a card of his but the King would be in my top 9 if I was doing a binder page.


[IMG][/IMG]

Here's one for you. IMO one of the great non major sports cards in existence.

[Peter_Spaeth]

A few more miscellaneous GOAT types.

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Chuck Berry
Buddy Holly
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson
Aretha Franklin
Sam Cooke
Tina Turner
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Roy Orbison

Hard to argue with that list. I'd like to find room for Nat King Cole, Dusty Springfield, and Tony Bennett but I don't know who I'd bump.

[G1911]

Another GOAT, and probably my favorite of the random-sport Ginter subject choices.

[Aaron Seefeldt]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Beatles
Grateful Dead
Velvet Underground
Bob Marley
Rolling Stones
Phish
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Taylor Swift

Beatles
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Bob Dylan
U2
Tool
Queens of the Stone Age
Guns N Roses
Pearl Jam

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Aaron Seefeldt

Beatles
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
Bob Dylan
U2
Tool
Queens of the Stone Age
Guns N Roses
Pearl Jam

I think they original Lynyrd Skynyrd would be on a lot of peoples top 10 (9) lists if Ronnie Van Zant and some of the other band members didn't die in the plane crash.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Carter08]

Fleetwood Mac (only with Buckingham), Queen, Nirvana, and Metallica deserve to at least be in the discussion for bands. The Beatles are the clear GOAT for bands. For individual artists, Michael Jackson is the clear GOAT.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Fleetwood Mac (only with Buckingham), Queen, Nirvana, and Metallica deserve to at least be in the discussion for bands. The Beatles are the clear GOAT for bands. For individual artists, Michael Jackson is the clear GOAT.

The Rolling Stones have outlasted the Beatles by what, 54 years? Hmmm ....

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by jingram058

The Rolling Stones have outlasted the Beatles by what, 54 years? Hmmm ....

So you would have to agree that Spahn is a better pitcher than Koufax. I like it.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by jingram058

The Rolling Stones have outlasted the Beatles by what, 54 years? Hmmm ....

And yet The Beatles have more #1 albums, #1 singles and total records sold than The Rolling Stones. The GOAT of solo artists is Elvis Presley. Worldwide Elvis has sold 2.5 billion records. He has more #1 singles and albums than MJ.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Carter08

So you would have to agree that Spahn is a better pitcher than Koufax. I like it.

Spahn in fact was better than Koufax, but The Beatles have about 40 great songs and the Stones about 15. Anyway, the Blind Boys of Alabama have been performing for 85 years, and I don't find them on many top 10 lists.

[Beercan collector]

9 songwriters :
Paul McCartney
Pete Townsend
Tom Petty
John Fogerty
John Lennon
Ronnie Van Zant
Brian Wilson
George Harrison
Bob Seger

9 more :
Merle Haggard
Neil Young
Paul Simon
Willie Nelson
Hank sr
Bob Dylan
Johnny Cash
Alice Cooper
Bon Scott

Ugh this could go on forever :
Neil Peart
Steven Tyler
Bruce Springsteen
Ozzie
Dolly Parton
Randy Newman
Smokey Robinson
Jagger/ Richards
Stevie Wonder

[Rhotchkiss]

Fleetwood Mac is a good call.

I am surprised by so many calls for heavier-metal bands. Who knew that prewar vintage and Slayer went together!

Sorry to take this thread down a music path, but the OP question is very non-specific. I could have said

M&Ms
Kit Kat
Twix
Milky Way (dark)
Nestle crunch
Raisinettes
Special Dark
Caramelo
Junior mints

[Carter08]

Richard Pryor
George Carlin
Lenny Bruce
Bob Newhart
Don Rickles
Eddie Murphy
Dave Chappelle
Steve Martin
Robin Williams

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

And yet The Beatles have more #1 albums, #1 singles and total records sold than The Rolling Stones. The GOAT of solo artists is Elvis Presley. Worldwide Elvis has sold 2.5 billion records. He has more #1 singles and albums than MJ.

If Taylor Swift is not #1 already, I imagine she will be, although in the digital age I'm not sure how they measure these things.