GOAT of GOATs?

[Rookiemonster]

Ruth didn’t play against a full talent pool.

Brady played at offensive era and cheats.

Jordan was the best basketball player I’ve ever seen.

I don’t watch hockey but Wayne Gretzky’s numbers are ridiculous.

For me football needs a better all time great. I don’t agree that it has to be a QB. I would pick jerry rice or lawerence taylor( very biase with the New York Giants)

Maybe we try GOATs by the decade. But for the sake of this goat of goats I’ll pick the Great one.

An a honorable mention to Benny Friedman.goat of his time

[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.

[stlcardsfan]

Edwin Corley Moses (born August 31, 1955) is an American former track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400 m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 107 consecutive finals (122 consecutive races) and set the world record in the event four times.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by stlcardsfan

Edwin Corley Moses (born August 31, 1955) is an American former track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400 m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 107 consecutive finals (122 consecutive races) and set the world record in the event four times.

That's amazing.

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by stlcardsfan

Edwin Corley Moses (born August 31, 1955) is an American former track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400 m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 107 consecutive finals (122 consecutive races) and set the world record in the event four times.

He would have won another Olympic gold medal in 1980 in Moscow if not for the U..S boycott (courtesy of Jimmy Carter). Edwin Moses was simply unbelievable........a machine.

[joshuanip]

Its too generic but true.

Ruth started as working class, unruly incorrigible kid without direction. His workaholic father sent him to St. Mary's to put a kick in his pants, but what he found was his talent in baseball.

Was a great pitcher for a few years and finally played outfield at the age of 24. Imagine his stats if he played outfield from day 1! But he was that good of a pitcher. Then he was a giant among boys, smashing all the records.

Add to it his love of kids (and women, hot dogs and beer...) and his stories of legend (called shot, drunk homerun, etc.)

His origins story, his play as both a pitcher and a batter, and his lore makes him the GOAT. tell me another athlete that has the whole package like that.