Awesome True Story: The Sultan's Enduring Popularity

[packs]

Great topic. I'm not sure there has been someone like Ruth since Mickey Mantle retired. I'm sure Ichiro has the same status in Japan and probably will forever.

I think Mickey might be the last baseball icon in popular culture. But I wouldn't be surprised if Jeter joined him down the road.

Mariano Rivera deserves immortality but I think he was too quiet a guy for it to stick.

[yanksfan09]

As a Yankee fan, I agree Ruth is and will forever be King! Mantle was that guy for that generation and has huge lasting popularity today. I love Jeter and Mo but don't think in 50 years they will be talked about with Mantle. Mo is the best ever at what he did but he's a specialist. Jeter is the guy for this generation of Yankee fans but was never the kind of dynamic game changing hitter like a Mantle.

I also agree that in today's celebrity dirt/gossip obsessed world, it's hard for any huge celebrity player to come out looking squeaky clean. In that regard, Jeter and Mo handled themselves about as well as can be expected today. Ruth and Mantle's exploits off the field would never fly today with them being regarded as little kids idols!

The closest I can see to a guy in the future approaching some of the heralded greats celebrity status would be Mike Trout. He obviously has the talent and seems like he has a good head on his shoulders and a lot of charisma. However, he will have to get through his whole career without any scandals which is tough to do today. He'll also need to produce and not get hurt for a long time as well...