9 of the Best Ever.... Who Do You Have?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

The spelling difference comes from different manuscripts of Herodotus' books spelling it differently in the Greek leading to 2 different versions in translation. I don't know if the archaeologists have found something showing one of the 2 is more likely to be the correct name of this gentleman.

I usually use the L's because I grew up with Plutarch as one of the 'prides of my youth and in my later days a comfort of my fate' as Boethius would say, and I recall that is the one he used.

Interesting, I have always seen the "d" version. Anyhow, if not apocryphal, what a great moment and what a thrill it must be to run the Athens Marathon. I ran three (not Athens) when I was young and I remember thinking to myself at much earlier points on the course, why couldn't he have died here?

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Gordie Howe-he was called Mr. Hockey for a reason.

[skil55voy]

Baseball - Mays and Griffey Jr (tie)
Basketball - Maravich (So good no one else could play with him)
Football - Alworth
Hockey - Bossy
Golf - Snead and Woods (Most wins)
Boxing - Louis
Tennis - Laver
Track - Jim Ryun

[Touch'EmAll]

For football, Brady is a fine choice. But I will go with my guy, Joe Montana.

Others to consider, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Michael Phelps, Messi. Of course Babe Ruth, Jordan, Gretzky.

[darwinbulldog]

I have dozens of others in my collection (field hockey, table tennis, sled dog racing...) as this is one of my collecting foci, but if we're limiting it to 9 sports, how about these 9 all-time greats?

Babe Ruth
Tom Brady
Wilt Chamberlain
Wayne Gretzky
Lionel Messi
Novak Djokovic
Sugar Ray Robinson
Don Bradman
Michael Phelps

[Beercan collector]

Paul Rodgers
Steve Perry
Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler
Chris Cornell
young Robert Plant
Ann Wilson
John Lennon
Bon Scott
(Sorry Freddie , sorry Mick , sorry mumbling fellow from The Doors)

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

Paul Rodgers
Steve Perry
Paul McCartney
Steven Tyler
Chris Cornell
young Robert Plant
Ann Wilson
John Lennon
Bon Scott

No Aretha? No Freddie?

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by jakebeckleyoldeagleeye

Gordie Howe-he was called Mr. Hockey for a reason.

Thank you....Saw some Orr votes... (Not that I don't love Wayne....but any others receiving votes...nope)

Also...Felt like Messi had some "assistance" in his last year....regardless still going with Pele all the way

[Shankweather]

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Interesting, I have always seen the "d" version. Anyhow, if not apocryphal, what a great moment and what a thrill it must be to run the Athens Marathon. I ran three (not Athens) when I was young and I remember thinking to myself at much earlier points on the course, why couldn't he have died here?

The tale as we tell it is, sadly, provably an apocryphal later invention. He is in Herodotus, but despite what is usually said the story Herodotus actually tells is much less 'perfected'. I am going off memory, but in the original Herodotian version he is a professional runner who runs to Sparta from Athens in a day or two. On the way, he believes Pan spoke to him and chastised the Athenians for not paying him tribute despite all his help in the war. The runner gives a rousing plea to Sparta when he reaches the city, who are moved by his patriotism, but their religious law don't let them send out their forces until the moon is full, too late. Phillippides/Pheidippides returns to Athens in quick time again to deliver the news of the Spartan forces timeline, and after the war the marathon is established as an annual event in honor of Pan, righting the perceived wrong to the God. Obviously he did not really talk to a God, but all the human events are more believable. The version we know today comes from Lucian centuries later, after the tale has been told and retold and crafted into a perfect story. The Greeks themselves when they were an independent people never believed the tale told today.

Mid-marathon seems to be about the only time it is appropriate to wish whatever-his-name-was had hurried on up and died a little bit sooner

He may not be the greatest track athlete, but I am only half joking in putting him. Even 2,500 years later the primary form the running sport takes in our culture is in testament to his achievement, great speed, and his patriotism. Not many athletes of any kind can match his 'impact' element.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

The tale as we tell it is, sadly, provably an apocryphal later invention. He is in Herodotus, but despite what is usually said the story Herodotus actually tells is much less 'perfected'. I am going off memory, but in the original Herodotian version he is a professional runner who runs to Sparta from Athens in a day or two. On the way, he believes Pan spoke to him and chastised the Athenians for not paying him tribute despite all his help in the war. The runner gives a rousing plea to Sparta when he reaches the city, who are moved by his patriotism, but their religious law don't let them send out their forces until the moon is full, too late. Phillippides/Pheidippides returns to Athens in quick time again to deliver the news of the Spartan forces timeline, and after the war the marathon is established as an annual event in honor of Pan, righting the perceived wrong to the God. Obviously he did not really talk to a God, but all the human events are more believable. The version we know today comes from Lucian centuries later, after the tale has been told and retold and crafted into a perfect story. The Greeks themselves when they were an independent people never believed the tale told today.

Mid-marathon seems to be about the only time it is appropriate to wish whatever-his-name-was had hurried on up and died a little bit sooner

He may not be the greatest track athlete, but I am only half joking in putting him. Even 2,500 years later the primary form the running sport takes in our culture is in testament to his achievement, great speed, and his patriotism. Not many athletes of any kind can match his 'impact' element.

The great thing about distance road racing is that, unless I am missing something, it's the only sport in the world where a completely mediocre schlump can participate in the very same event as the best in the world. I will never forget after the NYC marathon chatting briefly with Frank Shorter (who had finished second and was disgusted with himself LOL). Unique.