Here today, forgotten tomorrow

[JustinD]

I think too many are thinking US only. Mikan and Grange were huge, but would someone in Asia had been a fan at the time?

I think Dempsey is a good guess as boxing was a huge world sport. I would toss Bobby Jones in that mix with golf maybe, and due to the Olympic aspect, I would think Thorpe would be more recognizable outside the U.S. and I doubt many would be able to tell you much about him in the general population.

[Snapolit1]

I thought of Dempsey because he was a movie star as well as an athlete. Sort of Muhammad Ali and Arnold Schwarzenegger in one in his day.

[clydepepper]

Jim Creighton?





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[1952boyntoncollector]

There was this guy named Tiger Woods that won like 14 or so Major golf tourneys by the time he was 32 and just faded away and now cant make he cut...he was the best player by far over every golfer and his popularity crossed over the golf world into many other areas and was all over the news.

10 years from now he may be the top answer on this thread.

[Bored5000]

Most of the answers given have been great choices. Some of the first names that popped into my head were Jim Thorpe, Jack Johnson and George Mikan.

In 1950, Thorpe beat Babe Ruth in an AP poll for who was the greatest athlete of the half century. IMO, Ruth is now miles and miles ahead of Thorpe when it comes to familiarity among the general public.

A couple other names that came to mind are Christy Mathewson and Grover Cleveland Alexander. Sure, both of them are iconic names on this board and in the hobby. But I think you would be hard pressed to find many in the general public today who are familiar with either of them.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Most of the answers given have been great choices. Some of the first names that popped into my head were Jim Thorpe, Jack Johnson and George Mikan.

In 1950, Thorpe beat Babe Ruth in an AP poll for who was the greatest athlete of the half century. IMO, Ruth is now miles and miles ahead of Thorpe when it comes to familiarity among the general public.

A couple other names that came to mind are Christy Mathewson and Grover Cleveland Alexander. Sure, both of them are iconic names on this board and in the hobby. But I think you would hard pressed to find many in the general public today who are familiar with either of them.

...or Walter Johnson

[TUM301]

Mark Spitz comes to mind for me.