GOAT of GOATs?

[njdunkin1]

Ruth and Jordan are both excellent arguments.

Obviously the talent pool was smaller in Ruth's time, but mechanically the game was much different then, too.

[brett 75]

Ruth was the first person that came to mind as well. We are talking about a player that hasn't been on the diamond in about 80 years and even people that don't follow baseball know the name Babe Ruth . ( will any of the others mentioned be held at this level after that many year?) I'm thinking most of us won't be around to see that outcome but would bet Ruth will still be regarded as a Legend. Not everything has to be about stats to be THE Goat!
Brett

[Peter_Spaeth]

By my definition I would not pick Ruth, because it isn't that long a way down from him to Cobb, Williams, Mays, etc.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Phelps yet, or did I miss it.

[egri]

I’m a bit surprised no one has mentioned Jim Thorpe yet. He could do it all, and overcame a lot of adversity in doing so.

[David W]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

By my definition I would not pick Ruth, because it isn't that long a way down from him to Cobb, Williams, Mays, etc.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Phelps yet, or did I miss it.

Michael Phelps should be considered

[Peter_Spaeth]

Not a huge fan of the sport or the man, but Shaun White sure made a statement.

[Arazi4442]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not a huge fan of the sport or the man, but Shaun White sure made a statement.

There are plenty of people that can be considered if you start throwing in sports with limited popularity and participation. I can think of Alexander Karelin, Lance Armstrong, Tony Hawk and Kelly Slater just off the top of my head. Not to mention Shaun White

Think if an athlete like Allen Iverson or Barry Sanders spent their whole life playing something like squash. No offense against the people who play some of the less popular sports, but I think you need to be in a sport that had at least some worldwide appeal to be in the discussion.