How well-known are these all-time great sports figures?

[Snapolit1]

I've been to probably about 75 basketball games in my life, and consider myself a casual fan since Dr. J led the Nets to a few championships at the old Nassau Coliseum. First time I ever heard of George Mikan was on this board when one of his cards sold for a huge number. I posted at the time that I had never heard of this dude and the responses ranges from incredulity to "you can't be serious!?"

Many of these people are known today for reasons completely unrelated to their sports accomplishments. No doubt my wife knows Joe DiMaggio from Mr. Coffee, not what he did for the Yankees. Shoeless Joe from Field of Dreams, etc.

[packs]

I don't even think Joe Jackson is really that well known at all. The general public might know about a world series being thrown but I'd be surprised if the average person could tell you what year it happened or what team threw it.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Many of these people are known today for reasons completely unrelated to their sports accomplishments. No doubt my wife knows Joe DiMaggio from Mr. Coffee, not what he did for the Yankees. Shoeless Joe from Field of Dreams, etc.

I know that DiMaggio's name recognition is bolstered today among living fans by the Mr. Coffee ads. I also wonder how many people today know him for being married to Marilyn Monroe.

[packs]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I know that DiMaggio's name recognition is bolstered today among living fans by the Mr. Coffee ads. I also wonder how many people today know him for being married to Marilyn Monroe.

I would say almost no one. If you know who DiMaggio is I would think your point of reference is the Yankees or baseball or one of the songs he's featured in (Joltin' Joe/ Mrs. Robinson). I would think Monroe as your only point of reference is pretty rare.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I know that DiMaggio's name recognition is bolstered today among living fans by the Mr. Coffee ads. I also wonder how many people today know him for being married to Marilyn Monroe.

He was also the face on ads for a bank in New York City in the 1980's. I recall seeing it, but was from out of town so the bank name does not come to mind.

[oldjudge]

These 99% recognition figures are crazy. I think the likely number for Ruth and Robinson nationwide are under 90%. There are over 1% of the people in this country who wouldn't recognize their own name.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

These 99% recognition figures are crazy. I think the likely number for Ruth and Robinson nationwide are under 90%. There are over 1% of the people in this country who wouldn't recognize their own name.

I would only recognize my name if it were printed in reverse on a name badge pinned to my shirt and I was looking in a mirror.

nairB (I tried checking with a mirror, and I still don't have a clue know who I am)

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

These 99% recognition figures are crazy. I think the likely number for Ruth and Robinson nationwide are under 90%. There are over 1% of the people in this country who wouldn't recognize their own name.

I'm sure that is true. Probably 90% of Americans know who Donald Trump is, but surely it's less than 99%. For starters, I have both a son (2) and a grandmother (89) who don't know who he is.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I'm sure that is true. Probably 90% of Americans know who Donald Trump is, but surely it's less than 99%. For starters, I have both a son (2) and a grandmother (89) who don't know who he is.

Count them as lucky

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Count them as lucky

via GIPHY

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Count them as lucky

A political joke!!!! Pure hilarity!!!!! Are you a professional comedian?? You must be! How did you come up with that amazingly insightful and oh so intelligent quip all on your own???

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

These 99% recognition figures are crazy. I think the likely number for Ruth and Robinson nationwide are under 90%.

This.

I agree, I think some of these numbers are way too high. 99% is 297,000,000 people out of 300,000,000 knowing these names...sorry, but even our beloved Ruth & Robinson wouldn't achieve that percentage.