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2020 Greatest of All Time Sports Draft-Zow wins, Judges still suck (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
Mister CIA
Footballguy
Clearly the judge is unfamiliar with the story about a tortoise and a hare. 10,000 years from now, the world will still know who Sancho Panza is.
Mister CIA
Footballguy
Dungeon Master
Footballguy
I'm about 2/3 of the way through best infielder.
Do we need any judges to step in for baseball or basketball? I can take 'em.
Do we need any judges to step in for baseball or basketball? I can take 'em.
Zegras11
Footballguy
otb_lifer
Footballguy
Jockeys - Part Four
we're turning for home ... time to get busy with the stick -
"11/12 Cold Exacta" tier:
Pat Day - 11 pts.
will be placed here for his excellence at the Breeders Cup prior to the 2 day expansion era ... Day bagged a then record 12 crowns back when it was a 1 day affair with only 7 or 8 races - topped with 4 BC Classic pelts, including the inaugural edition aboard Wild Again.
toss in 9 TC race victories, highlighted by 5 Preakness wins - also excelled up in Canada, winning the Triple Crown there in '91.
moved his tack to Kentucky, and dominated at Churchill and Keeneland - 15 riding titles at the Twin Spires, 22 at hallowed Keeneland - 250 Stakes wins between the 2, and remains the leader in wins and earnings at each track.
retired as the all-time leader in earnings, and 4th in wins.
signature win was aboard 17-1 shot Lil E. Tee in the '92 Derby ... Euro Horse of the Year Arazi was the overwhelming favorite, and the Derby was viewed as the stamp for his coronation (especially after A.P. Indy scratched) - Day expertly rated behind the highly touted invader as the great Arazi made his move home - Day had plenty of horse left, and blew by the field to spring the upset ... his Derby win couldn't have been any more sweet - they all but coronated Arazi.
other notable mounts such as Unbridled, Cat Thief, Awesome Again, Seeking the Gold, Azeri.
can't go any higher given his lack of Derby wins, and for the questionable Preakness ride on Easy Goer ... 10 second place finishes in TC races - he ranks below the rest here due to those dings ... but this was as consistent a big money winner as the game ever saw, and his excellence at the early Breeder's Cup meets cannot be overlooked - it compensates greatly.
Lester Piggot - 12 pts.
"The Long Fellow"
greatest jock in Euro history - won any/everywhere he raced, took down the Ascot Gold Cup a ridiculous 11 times, and the famed Epsom Derby on 9 occaisions - the resumé of major Euro victories is staggering.
at 5'8" he was abnormally tall for a jock, and he had to adapt his saddle style to better facilitate his rides ... this was widely imitated across the globe, as even the smaller riders would follow suit with Piggot's tall in the irons practice.
had career long struggles to keep his weight down ... a temperamental cat who knew how to get busy on a horse when necessitated, had such a desire to be the best - one of the greatest competitors any sport ever saw.
most notable mount was the legendary Nijinsky, whom Piggot would guide to the first British Triple Crown in 35 years.
was nicked for tax evasion, served a year in prison ... came outta retirement in 1990, and won the BC Mile only 10 days later aboard Royal Academy - that there is some serious jock cred - keep wanting to slide him up a notch, or two ... but the four cats above are awfully tough to move out.
we're turning for home ... time to get busy with the stick -
"11/12 Cold Exacta" tier:
Pat Day - 11 pts.
will be placed here for his excellence at the Breeders Cup prior to the 2 day expansion era ... Day bagged a then record 12 crowns back when it was a 1 day affair with only 7 or 8 races - topped with 4 BC Classic pelts, including the inaugural edition aboard Wild Again.
toss in 9 TC race victories, highlighted by 5 Preakness wins - also excelled up in Canada, winning the Triple Crown there in '91.
moved his tack to Kentucky, and dominated at Churchill and Keeneland - 15 riding titles at the Twin Spires, 22 at hallowed Keeneland - 250 Stakes wins between the 2, and remains the leader in wins and earnings at each track.
retired as the all-time leader in earnings, and 4th in wins.
signature win was aboard 17-1 shot Lil E. Tee in the '92 Derby ... Euro Horse of the Year Arazi was the overwhelming favorite, and the Derby was viewed as the stamp for his coronation (especially after A.P. Indy scratched) - Day expertly rated behind the highly touted invader as the great Arazi made his move home - Day had plenty of horse left, and blew by the field to spring the upset ... his Derby win couldn't have been any more sweet - they all but coronated Arazi.
other notable mounts such as Unbridled, Cat Thief, Awesome Again, Seeking the Gold, Azeri.
can't go any higher given his lack of Derby wins, and for the questionable Preakness ride on Easy Goer ... 10 second place finishes in TC races - he ranks below the rest here due to those dings ... but this was as consistent a big money winner as the game ever saw, and his excellence at the early Breeder's Cup meets cannot be overlooked - it compensates greatly.
Lester Piggot - 12 pts.
"The Long Fellow"
greatest jock in Euro history - won any/everywhere he raced, took down the Ascot Gold Cup a ridiculous 11 times, and the famed Epsom Derby on 9 occaisions - the resumé of major Euro victories is staggering.
at 5'8" he was abnormally tall for a jock, and he had to adapt his saddle style to better facilitate his rides ... this was widely imitated across the globe, as even the smaller riders would follow suit with Piggot's tall in the irons practice.
had career long struggles to keep his weight down ... a temperamental cat who knew how to get busy on a horse when necessitated, had such a desire to be the best - one of the greatest competitors any sport ever saw.
most notable mount was the legendary Nijinsky, whom Piggot would guide to the first British Triple Crown in 35 years.
was nicked for tax evasion, served a year in prison ... came outta retirement in 1990, and won the BC Mile only 10 days later aboard Royal Academy - that there is some serious jock cred - keep wanting to slide him up a notch, or two ... but the four cats above are awfully tough to move out.
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Zow
Footballguy
And Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl. Yet I didn't rank him 15th!btw ... not for nuttin', but -
Pancho and Baze are the only jocks on this list without at least one win in either the BC or TC series on their resumé.
ETA: will be in with last 4 by noon.
otb_lifer
Footballguy
Jockeys - Final
"Superfecta"
three tiers for these 4 legendary riders ... a fitting group to finish off the judging
"King of the Spa" tier:
Angel Cordero Jr. - 13 pts.
one of the most celebrated athletes around these ways, Cordero was loved and worshipped by many, not only for his Puerto Rican ancestry, but for booting home tons of winners for just about every horse player i knew of when i was growing up ... if Arcaro was the Joe D of racing, Cordero was the Roberto Clemente - when ya see murals of a jockey it's pretty special - nothing short of mythical status for this cat.
the summer Saratoga meet is the epicenter of New York racing, if not the entire world ... hearing that some 20 years after his retirement he’s still known as ‘The King of Saratoga’ says all you need to know about Angel Cordero Jr. - meets at the Spa draw the best the game has to offer, and he crushed it.
one of the most fiercely competitive riders in the sport’s history, Cordero was a ##### to beat in a $10,000 claimer or a $100,000 stakes. while most of New York’s top riders in his era had bonds with the powerful, established stables, Cordero rode for anyone who could put him on a sharp horse.
when those barns needed a rider for a major stakes, they didn’t hesitate to enlist Cordero, especially at Saratoga.
‘The King’ won a still unrivaled 14 Saratoga riding titles, including 11 straight during a spectacular run from 1976-1986.
won the Kentucky Derby in 1976 with Bold Forbes and 1985 with Spend a Buck and posted two wins in the Preakness, including his controversial 1980 victory with Codex over the filly Genuine Risk, and one in the Belmont.
his excellence at the Spa is a most remarkable achievement - that alone merits him a spot among the greatest ever -
to quote wikkid in his selection:
"The first NASCAR jockey. There've been better horsemen in the saddle, but never a better racer. Horses did stuff they wouldnt do for anyone else for Cordero and they didn't always want to. There's a kind of hate in arrogance, especially the competitive kind. But there was naught but joy in Angel's nerve & verve, a sweet & hot salsa in everything he did"
"The Double Triple" Tier
Eddie Arcaro - 14 pts.
the only jockey here to have won the Triple Crown ... and, for good measure, he did it twice.
this is my selection for this category, and here was my writeup:
Joe Dimaggio of "The Sport of Kings"
still the winner of more stakes races than any jockey in history:
Kentucky Derby (5)
Preakness Stakes (6)
Belmont Stakes (6)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (10)
Juvenile Stakes (7)
National Stallion Stakes (7)
Wood Memorial Stakes (9)
Suburban Handicap (8)
Withers Stakes (6)
Kentucky Oaks (4)
only cat to ever win the Triple Crown twice - aboard all time greats Whirlaway in 1941, and Citation in '48.
tied with Bill Hartack for most Kentucky Derby wins (5), and his 6 wins in both the Preakness and Belmont are still records.
he retired prematurely at age 45 as the (then) career leader in wins and earnings.
nobody won more when it mattered most - clutch and intuitive, a "money" cat if ever there was one.
in the irons on some of the most storied horses of the era, along with a few all timers: Whirlaway, Citation, Ponder, Hoop Jr., Challedon, Kelso, Nashua, Mark-Ye-Well, Hill Prince, Bold Ruler, Sword Dancer, Real Delight.
instrumental in establishing the Jockey's Guild after his retirement, giving the lil' fellas a long overdue leg up.
giving the edge over Cordero due to Eddie's remarkable TC records ... 17 wins in the series is unparalleled.
"Here's To The Winners" tier:
Laffit Pincay Jr. - 15 pts
Bill Shoemaker - 16 pts.
the greatest money riders of all-time, Laffit broke Shoe's records, but i'm giving the edge to Bill for the greater success in the TC series (11-4) .. man, did Shoe pilot some amazing horses - Swaps, Round Table, Northern Dancer, Buckpasser, Ferdinand, Cicada, Damascus, Gallant Man, Sword Dancer, Forego, Jaipur, John Henry, Spectacular Bid, Gamely, Silky Sullivan - also won the big 'Cap (Santa Anita) a ridiculous 11 times, won 8 Hollywood Gold Cups, 8 Del Mar Handicaps, 6 Del Mar Futuritys.
Pincay was also pretty damn lethal out West - won the Hollywood Gold Cup nine times, the Big 'Cap seven times and the Del Mar Futurity four times.
he also bagged seven Breeders’ Cup wins, as trainers turned to him to ride famed horses such as Affirmed, John Henry, Conquistador Cielo, Sham, John Henry, Bayakoa and Cougar II.
can't argue these two at the top - they set a standard of excellence in the profession that still resonates in the present day ...
nod to Shoe as the GOAT, as far as this draft is concerned ... Pincay a very worthy runner-up.
FINAL POINTS TALLY:
1 - Sancho
2- Baze
3 - Castellano
4 - Murphy
5 - Delahoussaye
6 - Desormeaux
7 - Detorri
8 - Stevens
9 - McCarron
10 - Bailey
11 - Day
12 - Piggot
13 - Cordero
14 - Arcaro
15 - Pincay
16 - Shoemaker
"Superfecta"
three tiers for these 4 legendary riders ... a fitting group to finish off the judging
"King of the Spa" tier:
Angel Cordero Jr. - 13 pts.
one of the most celebrated athletes around these ways, Cordero was loved and worshipped by many, not only for his Puerto Rican ancestry, but for booting home tons of winners for just about every horse player i knew of when i was growing up ... if Arcaro was the Joe D of racing, Cordero was the Roberto Clemente - when ya see murals of a jockey it's pretty special - nothing short of mythical status for this cat.
the summer Saratoga meet is the epicenter of New York racing, if not the entire world ... hearing that some 20 years after his retirement he’s still known as ‘The King of Saratoga’ says all you need to know about Angel Cordero Jr. - meets at the Spa draw the best the game has to offer, and he crushed it.
one of the most fiercely competitive riders in the sport’s history, Cordero was a ##### to beat in a $10,000 claimer or a $100,000 stakes. while most of New York’s top riders in his era had bonds with the powerful, established stables, Cordero rode for anyone who could put him on a sharp horse.
when those barns needed a rider for a major stakes, they didn’t hesitate to enlist Cordero, especially at Saratoga.
‘The King’ won a still unrivaled 14 Saratoga riding titles, including 11 straight during a spectacular run from 1976-1986.
won the Kentucky Derby in 1976 with Bold Forbes and 1985 with Spend a Buck and posted two wins in the Preakness, including his controversial 1980 victory with Codex over the filly Genuine Risk, and one in the Belmont.
his excellence at the Spa is a most remarkable achievement - that alone merits him a spot among the greatest ever -
to quote wikkid in his selection:
"The first NASCAR jockey. There've been better horsemen in the saddle, but never a better racer. Horses did stuff they wouldnt do for anyone else for Cordero and they didn't always want to. There's a kind of hate in arrogance, especially the competitive kind. But there was naught but joy in Angel's nerve & verve, a sweet & hot salsa in everything he did"
"The Double Triple" Tier
Eddie Arcaro - 14 pts.
the only jockey here to have won the Triple Crown ... and, for good measure, he did it twice.
this is my selection for this category, and here was my writeup:
Joe Dimaggio of "The Sport of Kings"
still the winner of more stakes races than any jockey in history:
Kentucky Derby (5)
Preakness Stakes (6)
Belmont Stakes (6)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (10)
Juvenile Stakes (7)
National Stallion Stakes (7)
Wood Memorial Stakes (9)
Suburban Handicap (8)
Withers Stakes (6)
Kentucky Oaks (4)
only cat to ever win the Triple Crown twice - aboard all time greats Whirlaway in 1941, and Citation in '48.
tied with Bill Hartack for most Kentucky Derby wins (5), and his 6 wins in both the Preakness and Belmont are still records.
he retired prematurely at age 45 as the (then) career leader in wins and earnings.
nobody won more when it mattered most - clutch and intuitive, a "money" cat if ever there was one.
in the irons on some of the most storied horses of the era, along with a few all timers: Whirlaway, Citation, Ponder, Hoop Jr., Challedon, Kelso, Nashua, Mark-Ye-Well, Hill Prince, Bold Ruler, Sword Dancer, Real Delight.
instrumental in establishing the Jockey's Guild after his retirement, giving the lil' fellas a long overdue leg up.
giving the edge over Cordero due to Eddie's remarkable TC records ... 17 wins in the series is unparalleled.
"Here's To The Winners" tier:
Laffit Pincay Jr. - 15 pts
Bill Shoemaker - 16 pts.
the greatest money riders of all-time, Laffit broke Shoe's records, but i'm giving the edge to Bill for the greater success in the TC series (11-4) .. man, did Shoe pilot some amazing horses - Swaps, Round Table, Northern Dancer, Buckpasser, Ferdinand, Cicada, Damascus, Gallant Man, Sword Dancer, Forego, Jaipur, John Henry, Spectacular Bid, Gamely, Silky Sullivan - also won the big 'Cap (Santa Anita) a ridiculous 11 times, won 8 Hollywood Gold Cups, 8 Del Mar Handicaps, 6 Del Mar Futuritys.
Pincay was also pretty damn lethal out West - won the Hollywood Gold Cup nine times, the Big 'Cap seven times and the Del Mar Futurity four times.
he also bagged seven Breeders’ Cup wins, as trainers turned to him to ride famed horses such as Affirmed, John Henry, Conquistador Cielo, Sham, John Henry, Bayakoa and Cougar II.
can't argue these two at the top - they set a standard of excellence in the profession that still resonates in the present day ...
nod to Shoe as the GOAT, as far as this draft is concerned ... Pincay a very worthy runner-up.
FINAL POINTS TALLY:
1 - Sancho
2- Baze
3 - Castellano
4 - Murphy
5 - Delahoussaye
6 - Desormeaux
7 - Detorri
8 - Stevens
9 - McCarron
10 - Bailey
11 - Day
12 - Piggot
13 - Cordero
14 - Arcaro
15 - Pincay
16 - Shoemaker
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
excellent ratings and restraint in not horning Arcaro in there, even though i wouldnt have objected to that call one li'l bit. it really is a 1-1a - if i had a race to win, it's the immaculate Pincay, if it's to make a horse a winner, Shoe never left a mount without good words on what happened and what next. fine list -
otb_lifer
Footballguy
was tough splitting the top 4 as such ... as much as i believe Eddie gets the shaft as time goes by, it's hard to go against the 1a-1b ... very tough.
and Cordero just freakin' owned his territory. these top 4 are pretty special.
had Smiff and Stevie been selected it woulda really gummed #### up - dunno how a contemporary rider like Smiff, who just won a Triple Crown, gets left off here ... let alone Cauthen -
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Zegras11
Footballguy
Standings After otb_lifer's rankings of men's Jockey's-
1 --Gally--314--3--0--2=5
2 --tuffnutt--308--3--1--4=8
3 --DougB--306--4--2--1=7
4 --Ilov80s--304--2--4--1=7
5 --AAABatteries--302--3--1--4=8
6 --otb_lifer--293--0--2--2=4 (bronze)
7 --Getzlaf15--289--1--4--2=7 (silver)
8 --Zow--287--3--2--3=8
9 --jwb--280--2--4--1=7
10 -Long Ball Larry--280--2--2--3=7 (gold)
11 -joffer--274--3--3--1=7
12 -timschochet--270--1--2--3=6
13 -Jagov--254--2--3--0=5
14 -higgins--254--1--1--2=4
15 -wikkidpissah--245--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--227--2--2--0=4
1 --Gally--314--3--0--2=5
2 --tuffnutt--308--3--1--4=8
3 --DougB--306--4--2--1=7
4 --Ilov80s--304--2--4--1=7
5 --AAABatteries--302--3--1--4=8
6 --otb_lifer--293--0--2--2=4 (bronze)
7 --Getzlaf15--289--1--4--2=7 (silver)
8 --Zow--287--3--2--3=8
9 --jwb--280--2--4--1=7
10 -Long Ball Larry--280--2--2--3=7 (gold)
11 -joffer--274--3--3--1=7
12 -timschochet--270--1--2--3=6
13 -Jagov--254--2--3--0=5
14 -higgins--254--1--1--2=4
15 -wikkidpissah--245--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--227--2--2--0=4
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
SWIMMING JUDGING CONTINUED...
These next 3 guys were extremely hard to parse, especially the next 2, who are what I would call super specialists.
9 - 8 points
ALEKSANDR POPOV
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 47
Team Olympic medals = 12
Number of events with World records Score= 4
Total time holding each world record Score = 7
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 28
Major Pros
Greatest Freestyle Sprinter ever
6th-best Olympic score
Long career
Major Cons
No swimmer of the year awards
Just 1 stroke
Generally considered the greatest freestyle sprint swimmer of all time, Popov was dominant in his events at the European Championships and the Olympics all throughout the 90s and held his 2 world records for 6 and 8 years, respectively. Never the world swimmer of the year, perhaps because of the specialization and/or because he didn't seem to compete as much as others in the World games, focusing more on the the European Championships, with a more limited field. Could have easily jumped up with a slightly more well-rounded resume.
8 - 9 points
AARON PEIRSOL
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 44
Team Olympic medals = 10
Number of events with World records Score= 4
Total time holding each world record Score = 11.5
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 50
Major Pros
Best Backstroker ever
Still holds 2 world records which were set 12 and 11 years ago
7th-best Olympic score
4th-best non-Olympic score
Major Cons
No swimmer of the year awards
Just 1 stroke
Basically take Popov's write-up and just replace "freestyle sprinter" with "backstroker" and "1990s" with "2000s". The key differentiators for Peirsol are that he swam and won much more in the World Championships and that he actually won a few relay medals at the World Championships swimming Freestyle. It's very close, though.
7 - 10 points
JOHNNY WEISSMULLER
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0 (pre-dates award)
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 30
Team Olympic medals = 10
Number of events with World Records set = 8
Total time holding each World Record = 15
Gold medals in other Competitions = 0 (pre-dates other competitions)
Major Pros
Solid World Record performance (and set 67 records if including incremental improvements)
Solid Olympic performance
Supposedly never lost a race
Selected by AP as greatest swimmer of the 1st half the 20th century
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Pre-dates much of the Swimming Competition and Awards circuit (would probably have picked up 45-60 points if these were around)
Competition hard to gauge
Weissmuller is probably hurt most by the era in which he swam, as his notoriety and seeming dominance would have likely garnered him multiple awards and world championship medals during the 20s. As with Duke, I have some skepticism about his competition and this claim that he never lost a race, but he definitely held world records for a long time and was able to do it at multiple types of distance even if just in 1 stroke.
6 - 11 points
MATT BIONDI
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 30
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 38
Team Olympic medals = 30
Number of events with World records set = 4
Total time holding each world record = 5
Gold medals in other Competitions = 31
Major Pros
5th-highest score(T) among all of the swimmers selected
3rd-best overall olympic performance
1 of only 6 to win multiple swimmer of the year awards
Medaled in 2 different strokes (though much stronger in freestyle)
Major Cons
3rd-fewest years in career
Very little accomplished in terms of world records
Biondi had an awesome career and was a dominant force during his time. His awards and butterfly medals put him just ahead of the 3 guys behind him. I had him in the top 5 at one point and he might have been able to stay there if he were stronger in butterfly. It ended up becoming more of a differentiator for him as opposed to a major factor. Also if he had had a longer career. Really impressive resume, though.
These next 3 guys were extremely hard to parse, especially the next 2, who are what I would call super specialists.
9 - 8 points
ALEKSANDR POPOV
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 47
Team Olympic medals = 12
Number of events with World records Score= 4
Total time holding each world record Score = 7
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 28
Major Pros
Greatest Freestyle Sprinter ever
6th-best Olympic score
Long career
Major Cons
No swimmer of the year awards
Just 1 stroke
Generally considered the greatest freestyle sprint swimmer of all time, Popov was dominant in his events at the European Championships and the Olympics all throughout the 90s and held his 2 world records for 6 and 8 years, respectively. Never the world swimmer of the year, perhaps because of the specialization and/or because he didn't seem to compete as much as others in the World games, focusing more on the the European Championships, with a more limited field. Could have easily jumped up with a slightly more well-rounded resume.
8 - 9 points
AARON PEIRSOL
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 44
Team Olympic medals = 10
Number of events with World records Score= 4
Total time holding each world record Score = 11.5
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 50
Major Pros
Best Backstroker ever
Still holds 2 world records which were set 12 and 11 years ago
7th-best Olympic score
4th-best non-Olympic score
Major Cons
No swimmer of the year awards
Just 1 stroke
Basically take Popov's write-up and just replace "freestyle sprinter" with "backstroker" and "1990s" with "2000s". The key differentiators for Peirsol are that he swam and won much more in the World Championships and that he actually won a few relay medals at the World Championships swimming Freestyle. It's very close, though.
7 - 10 points
JOHNNY WEISSMULLER
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 0 (pre-dates award)
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 30
Team Olympic medals = 10
Number of events with World Records set = 8
Total time holding each World Record = 15
Gold medals in other Competitions = 0 (pre-dates other competitions)
Major Pros
Solid World Record performance (and set 67 records if including incremental improvements)
Solid Olympic performance
Supposedly never lost a race
Selected by AP as greatest swimmer of the 1st half the 20th century
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Pre-dates much of the Swimming Competition and Awards circuit (would probably have picked up 45-60 points if these were around)
Competition hard to gauge
Weissmuller is probably hurt most by the era in which he swam, as his notoriety and seeming dominance would have likely garnered him multiple awards and world championship medals during the 20s. As with Duke, I have some skepticism about his competition and this claim that he never lost a race, but he definitely held world records for a long time and was able to do it at multiple types of distance even if just in 1 stroke.
6 - 11 points
MATT BIONDI
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 30
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 38
Team Olympic medals = 30
Number of events with World records set = 4
Total time holding each world record = 5
Gold medals in other Competitions = 31
Major Pros
5th-highest score(T) among all of the swimmers selected
3rd-best overall olympic performance
1 of only 6 to win multiple swimmer of the year awards
Medaled in 2 different strokes (though much stronger in freestyle)
Major Cons
3rd-fewest years in career
Very little accomplished in terms of world records
Biondi had an awesome career and was a dominant force during his time. His awards and butterfly medals put him just ahead of the 3 guys behind him. I had him in the top 5 at one point and he might have been able to stay there if he were stronger in butterfly. It ended up becoming more of a differentiator for him as opposed to a major factor. Also if he had had a longer career. Really impressive resume, though.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
what woulda gummed me up more is if older jocks from the heyday of the sport like Longden & Hartack had been thrown into the mix. 12 of the 16 picks have an era in common. did a good job sifting thru that - not more than a quibble on any ranking
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
@Getzlaf15
I have been realizing that my swimming methodology would probably translate well to the men's track and field rankings, so I might as well take that if it is still open.
I have been realizing that my swimming methodology would probably translate well to the men's track and field rankings, so I might as well take that if it is still open.
Zegras11
Footballguy
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
Top 4 went in drafting order with #8 leapfrogging to 5th and 6th pick finishing 6th. Good job by the drafters.
ETA: when I get some time I will compare categories and see which was drafted the best compared to the actual ranking.
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Zegras11
Footballguy
Here's what I have for the Judging List left
Major League Baseball
2. Greatest baseball player Tolstoy Bobby Layne
5. Greatest infielder Dungeon Master. @Dungeon Master
9. Greatest baseball moment or game hagmania. @hagmania
NBA
10. Greatest team Jayrod @Jayrod
15. Greatest NBA moment or game hagmania
NFL
17. Greatest running back jwb
19. Greatest Tight End Getzlaf
22. Greatest linebacker @otb_lifer
23. Greatest secondary player @wikkidpissah
25. Greatest Team jwb
26. Greatest NFL moment or game hagmania
27. Greatest Super Bowl Getzlaf
College Football
28. Greatest offensive player Getzlaf
30. Greatest coach @otb_lifer
31. Greatest team Getzlaf
NHL
35. Greatest offensive player Getz
37. Greatest goalie Getz
38. Greatest team Getz
Other sports (men’s)
42. Greatest MMA fighter- all weight classes EYLive. @EYLive
43. Greatest soccer player (non goalie) Ramsay Hunt Experience. @Ramsay Hunt Experience
47. Greatest track and field athlete Bobby Layne
49. Greatest soccer team Ramsay Hunt Experience
50. Greatest soccer goalie Ramsay Hunt Experience
Women’s sports
53. Greatest basketball player - OPEN
56. Greatest gymnast Jagov
And:
60. All around greatest athlete of all time Zow
Major League Baseball
2. Greatest baseball player Tolstoy Bobby Layne
5. Greatest infielder Dungeon Master. @Dungeon Master
9. Greatest baseball moment or game hagmania. @hagmania
NBA
10. Greatest team Jayrod @Jayrod
15. Greatest NBA moment or game hagmania
NFL
17. Greatest running back jwb
19. Greatest Tight End Getzlaf
22. Greatest linebacker @otb_lifer
23. Greatest secondary player @wikkidpissah
25. Greatest Team jwb
26. Greatest NFL moment or game hagmania
27. Greatest Super Bowl Getzlaf
College Football
28. Greatest offensive player Getzlaf
30. Greatest coach @otb_lifer
31. Greatest team Getzlaf
NHL
35. Greatest offensive player Getz
37. Greatest goalie Getz
38. Greatest team Getz
Other sports (men’s)
42. Greatest MMA fighter- all weight classes EYLive. @EYLive
43. Greatest soccer player (non goalie) Ramsay Hunt Experience. @Ramsay Hunt Experience
47. Greatest track and field athlete Bobby Layne
49. Greatest soccer team Ramsay Hunt Experience
50. Greatest soccer goalie Ramsay Hunt Experience
Women’s sports
53. Greatest basketball player - OPEN
56. Greatest gymnast Jagov
And:
60. All around greatest athlete of all time Zow
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
SWIMMING JUDGING FINSHING...
5 - 12 points
GRANT HACKETT
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 15
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 38
Team Olympic medals = 8
Number of events with World records Score= 12
Total time holding each world record Score = 25
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 53
Major Pros
4th-highest(T) score among all of the swimmers selected
Most events with a world record set (6)
Longest total number of years holding world records (50)Long career
Major Cons
Just 1 swimmer of the year award
Just 1 stroke
Just a super-consistent swimmer over many years at many different distances. Set world records in the most individual events of anyone selected and 4 of them lasted for 10 years or more. One of the greatest distance swimmers of all-time. If he didn't overlap with another guy above him on the list, seems like a pretty good chance he gets at least one more Swimmer of the Year award. There's really very little bad to say about him, just didn't quite rise up to the level of the 4 guys ahead of him.
4 - 13 points
IAN THORPE
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 60
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 48
Team Olympic medals = 13
Number of events with World records Score= 10
Total time holding each world record Score = 15
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 46
Major Pros
3rd-highest score among all of the swimmers selected
2nd-most swimmer of the year awards
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Just 1 stroke
I flipped Thorpe and the number 3 swimmer more than anyone else. They are so hard to discern. If Thorpe had had a longer career, I think that he almost definitely would have jumped to 3. He also used the full body suit, which may have given an advantage, though in reading what he could, it seems more likely that it had a negligible effect. Thorpe has a great resume and was remarkable from 2000-2004.
3 - 14 points
MARK SPITZ
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 45
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 51
Team Olympic medals = 25
Number of events with World records set = 10
Total time holding each world record = 14.5
Gold medals in other Competitions = 5
Major Pros
4th-highest score(T) among all of the swimmers selected
3rd-most swimmer of the year awards
2nd-best overall olympic performanceEqually strong in 2 different strokes
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Very little racing outside of Olympics
For decades he was the gold standard in men's swimming. His '72 Olympics is legendary. Since he also had a short career, it was really hard to separate him from Thorpe. What ultimately tips it for me is that Spitz was great in 2 strokes. Spitz also came along at the time that the world competitions were just starting up. He went to college during his prime years and did great there, though I'm sure the competition wasn't amazing. If he swam 30 years later, I assume he would have been racking up medals in the World Championships which would have vaulted him over Thorpe. The stroke versatility and the missed opportunity medals were enough for me to ultimately put him here.
2 - 15 points
RYAN LOCHTE
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 30
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 46
Team Olympic medals = 24
Number of events with World records set = 10
Total time holding each world record = 21
Gold medals in other Competitions = 105
Major Pros
2nd-highest score among all of the swimmers selected
2 swimmer of the year awardsHighest non-olympic scoring
Medaled in 3 different categories, including individual medley
Set world records in 5 different events
Major Con
Some weirdness in personal life, including possible doping
Lochte's resume is really overwhelming. He had the second-highest score in my rankings easily. He did everything you would want and did it in multiple strokes, including the individual medley. The only way that you can knock him down is to suggest that he was doping, but that was way after his prime and unknown if he did it before, so I think that his record is strong enough that it doesn't drop him out this spot.
1 - 16 points
MICHAEL PHELPS
Do I really need to say anything? I didn't even finish entering all of his accomplishments into my formula and he had already almost doubled Lochte's score.
5 - 12 points
GRANT HACKETT
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 15
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 38
Team Olympic medals = 8
Number of events with World records Score= 12
Total time holding each world record Score = 25
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 53
Major Pros
4th-highest(T) score among all of the swimmers selected
Most events with a world record set (6)
Longest total number of years holding world records (50)Long career
Major Cons
Just 1 swimmer of the year award
Just 1 stroke
Just a super-consistent swimmer over many years at many different distances. Set world records in the most individual events of anyone selected and 4 of them lasted for 10 years or more. One of the greatest distance swimmers of all-time. If he didn't overlap with another guy above him on the list, seems like a pretty good chance he gets at least one more Swimmer of the Year award. There's really very little bad to say about him, just didn't quite rise up to the level of the 4 guys ahead of him.
4 - 13 points
IAN THORPE
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 60
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 48
Team Olympic medals = 13
Number of events with World records Score= 10
Total time holding each world record Score = 15
Gold medals in other Competitions Score = 46
Major Pros
3rd-highest score among all of the swimmers selected
2nd-most swimmer of the year awards
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Just 1 stroke
I flipped Thorpe and the number 3 swimmer more than anyone else. They are so hard to discern. If Thorpe had had a longer career, I think that he almost definitely would have jumped to 3. He also used the full body suit, which may have given an advantage, though in reading what he could, it seems more likely that it had a negligible effect. Thorpe has a great resume and was remarkable from 2000-2004.
3 - 14 points
MARK SPITZ
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 45
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 51
Team Olympic medals = 25
Number of events with World records set = 10
Total time holding each world record = 14.5
Gold medals in other Competitions = 5
Major Pros
4th-highest score(T) among all of the swimmers selected
3rd-most swimmer of the year awards
2nd-best overall olympic performanceEqually strong in 2 different strokes
Major Cons
2nd-fewest years in career
Very little racing outside of Olympics
For decades he was the gold standard in men's swimming. His '72 Olympics is legendary. Since he also had a short career, it was really hard to separate him from Thorpe. What ultimately tips it for me is that Spitz was great in 2 strokes. Spitz also came along at the time that the world competitions were just starting up. He went to college during his prime years and did great there, though I'm sure the competition wasn't amazing. If he swam 30 years later, I assume he would have been racking up medals in the World Championships which would have vaulted him over Thorpe. The stroke versatility and the missed opportunity medals were enough for me to ultimately put him here.
2 - 15 points
RYAN LOCHTE
World Swimmer of the Year Score = 30
Individual Olympic Medals Score = 46
Team Olympic medals = 24
Number of events with World records set = 10
Total time holding each world record = 21
Gold medals in other Competitions = 105
Major Pros
2nd-highest score among all of the swimmers selected
2 swimmer of the year awardsHighest non-olympic scoring
Medaled in 3 different categories, including individual medley
Set world records in 5 different events
Major Con
Some weirdness in personal life, including possible doping
Lochte's resume is really overwhelming. He had the second-highest score in my rankings easily. He did everything you would want and did it in multiple strokes, including the individual medley. The only way that you can knock him down is to suggest that he was doping, but that was way after his prime and unknown if he did it before, so I think that his record is strong enough that it doesn't drop him out this spot.
1 - 16 points
MICHAEL PHELPS
Do I really need to say anything? I didn't even finish entering all of his accomplishments into my formula and he had already almost doubled Lochte's score.
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Zegras11
Footballguy
Ok, several of us have tagged @Ramsay Hunt Experience and he has not responded once to them in the past few weeks. My son loves soccer more than anything and has deep knowledge on the history of the players and teams. He's willing to judge the three soccer cats. Let me know if anyone has a problem with this. I'm going to give him all the picks randomly in a spreadsheet.
Zegras11
Footballguy
Standings after Long Ball Larry's rankings of Men's Swimmers -
1 --Gally--329--3--1--2=6 (silver)
2 --DougB--322--5--2--1=8 (gold)
3 --tuffnutt--320--3--1--4=8
4 --AAABatteries--311--3--1--4=8
5 --Ilov80s--310--2--4--1=7
6 --Zow--295--3--2--3=8
7 --otb_lifer--295--0--2--2=4
8 --jwb--294--2--4--2=8 (bronze)
9 --Getzlaf15--292--1--4--2=7
10 -joffer--287--3--3--1=7
11 -Long Ball Larry--284--2--2--3=7
12 -timschochet--275--1--2--3=6
13 -higgins--265--1--1--2=4
14 -Jagov--255--2--3--0=5
15 -wikkidpissah--252--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--237--2--2--0=4
1 --Gally--329--3--1--2=6 (silver)
2 --DougB--322--5--2--1=8 (gold)
3 --tuffnutt--320--3--1--4=8
4 --AAABatteries--311--3--1--4=8
5 --Ilov80s--310--2--4--1=7
6 --Zow--295--3--2--3=8
7 --otb_lifer--295--0--2--2=4
8 --jwb--294--2--4--2=8 (bronze)
9 --Getzlaf15--292--1--4--2=7
10 -joffer--287--3--3--1=7
11 -Long Ball Larry--284--2--2--3=7
12 -timschochet--275--1--2--3=6
13 -higgins--265--1--1--2=4
14 -Jagov--255--2--3--0=5
15 -wikkidpissah--252--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--237--2--2--0=4
Zegras11
Footballguy
otb_lifer
Footballguy
didn't Hunt already rank the fitst 5 or 6 players?
we just gonna scrap that, or have Jr. pick up where he left off?
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I thought someone posted here a few weeks ago that Ramsey got banned and wasn't going to continue judging. I have no skin in this, but I'd start over with someone else ranking his categories.
Zegras11
Footballguy
that was so long ago, I forgot he did that. I think he did four. I tagged him again there, for one last shot at it. But he hasn't responded to several taggings recently. If my son does them, his picks should be trashed.
I know it will be on the up and up. I know nothing about ranking soccer stuff anyway...hahah
Zegras11
Footballguy
I agree with this. I think someone tagged someone in the soccer threads, and they didn't respond either. I just don't want to get to the end of this and have the last 3 cats beall the soccer cats
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AAABatteries
Footballguy
Two things:
1. Fatguy said scooby wasn’t coming back and I doubt he took that decision lightly - I think we are safe to pick another judge
2. I have no issue with Getz son doing the judging - this is supposed to be fun, I’m trying to not take it too serious although I will hunt him down if my guy isn’t top
1. Fatguy said scooby wasn’t coming back and I doubt he took that decision lightly - I think we are safe to pick another judge
2. I have no issue with Getz son doing the judging - this is supposed to be fun, I’m trying to not take it too serious although I will hunt him down if my guy isn’t top
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I mean, he's - at worst - Mt Rushmore for Summer Games.
I don't know enough about the Winter Sports - skiers & skaters - to know how to figure them in. Plus, you have guys like the boxers (aside from Tefilio Stevenson, I guess) that were one-Game Wonders. And the career guys like Al Oerter, that Soviet weightlifter who won like 14 golds in a row in the 60s/70s, and the wrestler Rulon Gardner beat.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
Owens, Comaneci, Phelps, Stevenson (Carl Lewis the toughest leave-off)
Some interesting stats from the first half of the judging:
Golds:
Silvers:
Bronzes:
Golds:
- There have been 19 players chosen first overall in their category that ended up ranked 1st by the judges.
- There have been 7 players chosen second in the category to be ranked 1st in their category.
- There have been 7 players chosen third in the category to finish 1st in their category.
- The only other 1st place selection was David Thompson for best NCAA Basketball player. He was selected 9th in his category.
Silvers:
- There have been 7 players selected first that ended up ranked 2nd
- There have been 14 players selected second that ended up 2nd
- There have been 6 players selected third that ended up 2nd
- There have been 2 players selected fourth that ended up 2nd
- There have been 1 each selected 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 10th
- The lowest drafted player was Yuna Kim (drafted 10th) for Female Figure Skating
Bronzes:
- There have been 3 players selectedfirst that ended up ranked 3rd
- There have been 5 players selected second that ended up 3rd
- There have been 7 players each selected third & fifth that ended up 3rd
- There have been 4 players selected fourth that ended up 3rd
- There have been 3 each selected 6th & 7th
- There have been 1 each selected 9th and 15th
- The lowest drafted player to finish third was Irina Rodnina (drafted 15th) for Female Figure Skating
Best Value by Draft Position within their category:
Worst Value by Draft Position within their category:
- 16th Selected: A tie between the 1907 Cubs and Sergie Grinkov. Both finished 6th in their categories for a value of increase of +10 pts
- 15th: Irina Rodnina finished 3rd for a value increase of +12 pts. This was the highest point increase thus far in the draft.
- 14th: Lennox Lewis finished 5th for a value incrase of +9 pts
- 13th: Shelly-Anne Fraser-Price finished 5th for a value increase of +8 pts
- 12th: Tie between 1972/1973 UCLA and 1961 Yankees both finished 4th (+8 pts)
- 11th: TIe betweeen Yelena Isinbayeva & Randall McDaniel - both finished 4th (+7 pts)
- 10th: Yuna King finished 3rd (+8pts)
- 9th: David Thompson finished 1st (+8 pts)
Worst Value by Draft Position within their category:
- 1st Seelcted: Flo-Jo finished 10th for a -9 pt decrease
- 2nd: 1976 Reds finished 11th for a -9 pt decrease
- 3rd: Dennis Rodman finished 16th for a -13 pt decrease (this was the least valuable draft pick by position in the draft)
- 4th: 95/96 Kentucky for NCAA Basketball finished 14th (-10 pts)
- 5th: Russell Baze finished 15th (-10 pts)
- 6th: Tie between Joe Dumars and 1972 Oakland A's finishing 16th in their respective categories (-10 pts)
- 7th: Diane Nyed finished 16th (-9 pts)
- 8th: Phog Allen finished 15th (-7 pts)
Zegras11
Footballguy
Zegras11
Footballguy
Found a solid Internet Top 15 list of goalies. The entire list of 15 was on out list of 16 goalies, and it included Tretiak.
jwb
Footballguy
NFL Running Backs
This was nowhere near as hard as pitchers. While all 16 are great names, this one is a little more predictable. While some names could be moved around a little, I would guess most of us would produce a top and bottom half similar to mine.
With the exception of Sayers, I saw every guy play quite a bit. So besides stats, there’s some eye test to my rankings. This will help explain why, especially for the bottom half of my list, you’re going to see a few guys with shorter careers beating guys with longer ones, because what I (or others) saw was incredible. RB’s have short careers – I won’t completely hold that against some guys.
#16 – 1 point – Jerome Bettis
I love the Bus, you love the Bus, we all love the Bus. He has a solid career rushing total, but the big knock for me is he had an awful lot of years where he averaged in the mid 3’s for YPC, and didn’t average 4 for his career. Can’t put him over anyone else here.
#15 – 2 points – John Riggins
Fun fact: Riggins first ran for more than 1,000 with the Jets, and this 8-year old Jet fan remembers that well. While he went on to have a few really good years with the Redskins, he has the same issue as Bettis – his career YPC is sub 4.
#14 – 3 Points – Franco Harris
Loved this guy in the 70’s, and he had a nice, productive career. But aside from an all-time NFL moment, he simply didn’t dominate at any time. His best season is 1246 yards, with 28 catches for another 214. He’s a very good player, but on this list, I feel this is where he belongs.
#13 – 4 Points – Gale Sayers
Short career, not a 300-carry guy, and (somewhat surprisingly) not all that many receptions. I didn’t get to see him play, so I have to go by film and legend, and those get him this slot. He averaged 5.0 ypc for his career, so even with limited carries (his high was 236), he did a lot with them. But even with his kick returns, and how flashy he was, I can't put him over any of these other guys.
#14 – 5 Points – Marcus Allen
Another guy who surprised me with his overall numbers - I thought he was way more dynamic. That SB run may be responsible for that. He really distinguished himself catching the ball, making him a true dual threat when there weren’t many guys like that. Lots of really good years, but only one truly great year. I’d have him on my team anytime, though.
#11 – 6 Points – Terrell Davis
He burst out of the gate and put up 4 great years. He got John Elway his super bowl ring too. Then he got hurt and that was that. What could have been.
#10 – 7 Points – Earl Campbell (my pick)
What could have been part 2. I loved watching him as a kid. His first 4 years were incredible, then he wore down and had a slow decline. Probably the toughest guy to tackle of this bunch, I’d give him the ball if my life depended on converting 4th and 1.
#9 – 8 points – Thurman Thomas
Great run/rec threat. We’re starting to hit elite territory here. Thurman was a mainstay of the Bills 4 SB teams, and definitely a guy you had to gameplan for. He makes the top-10.
#8 – 9 points – Curtis Martin
As a Jet fan, I loved Curtis Martin. A steady-eddie type, he had 10 years of 1,000+ yards (including leading the league with 1697 at 31 years old!) Never a dynamic, flashy guy, it was “Martin goes for 4” over and over and over again, until you looked up and he had his 100 yards.
#7 – 10 points - Adrian Peterson
I almost feel a little guilty ranking him here, because he’s been the best RB of the past decade. I flip-flopped him and Martin a bit, but ADP’s “flash” gets him the extra point over Curtis.
#6 – 11 points - Eric Dickerson
He had an insane start to his career, blowing out of the gate with 1800 and 2100 yard seasons. Then for good measure, he tacked on another 1800 and a 1600 a few years later. This guy was great, and I can’t help but feel he’s a little forgotten. In ranking him and ADP, I asked myself “out of the two, in their prime, who do you want”, and the answer is Dickerson.
#5 – 12 points - Marshall Faulk
A true dual threat, he’s almost an entire offense himself. We all saw him play, so there’s not much else to say. The top 5 is incredibly hard to separate.
#4 – 13 points - Ladanian Tomlinson
Wow… LT ranks 4. He put up a great career. Are there really 3 guys better? Sometimes I’m not sure, but this is where he is today.
#3 – 14 points - Emmitt Smith
I hated the Cowboys, and this guy. But you can’t deny that he was the rock in that backfield for a decade, with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons. Did he hang on a little too long to get the record? Yea, maybe, but he did leave with 937 yards at age 35. All-time record puts him over the last 3 or 4 guys.
#2 – 15 points - Walter Payton
Sweetness was amazing, and he was great when it was a somewhat different game. Chicago stunk for many years, so defenses knew Walter was getting the ball. And he still put up 5 straight 1300+ years. He was also a sneaky-good receiver, topping 40 receptions 6 times. Fun guy to watch.
#1 – 16 points - Barry Sanders
Speaking of fun to watch… was there ever any doubt? He’s the #1 RB of all time, and I’d say that even if Jim Brown was in the room (or this category).
This was nowhere near as hard as pitchers. While all 16 are great names, this one is a little more predictable. While some names could be moved around a little, I would guess most of us would produce a top and bottom half similar to mine.
With the exception of Sayers, I saw every guy play quite a bit. So besides stats, there’s some eye test to my rankings. This will help explain why, especially for the bottom half of my list, you’re going to see a few guys with shorter careers beating guys with longer ones, because what I (or others) saw was incredible. RB’s have short careers – I won’t completely hold that against some guys.
#16 – 1 point – Jerome Bettis
I love the Bus, you love the Bus, we all love the Bus. He has a solid career rushing total, but the big knock for me is he had an awful lot of years where he averaged in the mid 3’s for YPC, and didn’t average 4 for his career. Can’t put him over anyone else here.
#15 – 2 points – John Riggins
Fun fact: Riggins first ran for more than 1,000 with the Jets, and this 8-year old Jet fan remembers that well. While he went on to have a few really good years with the Redskins, he has the same issue as Bettis – his career YPC is sub 4.
#14 – 3 Points – Franco Harris
Loved this guy in the 70’s, and he had a nice, productive career. But aside from an all-time NFL moment, he simply didn’t dominate at any time. His best season is 1246 yards, with 28 catches for another 214. He’s a very good player, but on this list, I feel this is where he belongs.
#13 – 4 Points – Gale Sayers
Short career, not a 300-carry guy, and (somewhat surprisingly) not all that many receptions. I didn’t get to see him play, so I have to go by film and legend, and those get him this slot. He averaged 5.0 ypc for his career, so even with limited carries (his high was 236), he did a lot with them. But even with his kick returns, and how flashy he was, I can't put him over any of these other guys.
#14 – 5 Points – Marcus Allen
Another guy who surprised me with his overall numbers - I thought he was way more dynamic. That SB run may be responsible for that. He really distinguished himself catching the ball, making him a true dual threat when there weren’t many guys like that. Lots of really good years, but only one truly great year. I’d have him on my team anytime, though.
#11 – 6 Points – Terrell Davis
He burst out of the gate and put up 4 great years. He got John Elway his super bowl ring too. Then he got hurt and that was that. What could have been.
#10 – 7 Points – Earl Campbell (my pick)
What could have been part 2. I loved watching him as a kid. His first 4 years were incredible, then he wore down and had a slow decline. Probably the toughest guy to tackle of this bunch, I’d give him the ball if my life depended on converting 4th and 1.
#9 – 8 points – Thurman Thomas
Great run/rec threat. We’re starting to hit elite territory here. Thurman was a mainstay of the Bills 4 SB teams, and definitely a guy you had to gameplan for. He makes the top-10.
#8 – 9 points – Curtis Martin
As a Jet fan, I loved Curtis Martin. A steady-eddie type, he had 10 years of 1,000+ yards (including leading the league with 1697 at 31 years old!) Never a dynamic, flashy guy, it was “Martin goes for 4” over and over and over again, until you looked up and he had his 100 yards.
#7 – 10 points - Adrian Peterson
I almost feel a little guilty ranking him here, because he’s been the best RB of the past decade. I flip-flopped him and Martin a bit, but ADP’s “flash” gets him the extra point over Curtis.
#6 – 11 points - Eric Dickerson
He had an insane start to his career, blowing out of the gate with 1800 and 2100 yard seasons. Then for good measure, he tacked on another 1800 and a 1600 a few years later. This guy was great, and I can’t help but feel he’s a little forgotten. In ranking him and ADP, I asked myself “out of the two, in their prime, who do you want”, and the answer is Dickerson.
#5 – 12 points - Marshall Faulk
A true dual threat, he’s almost an entire offense himself. We all saw him play, so there’s not much else to say. The top 5 is incredibly hard to separate.
#4 – 13 points - Ladanian Tomlinson
Wow… LT ranks 4. He put up a great career. Are there really 3 guys better? Sometimes I’m not sure, but this is where he is today.
#3 – 14 points - Emmitt Smith
I hated the Cowboys, and this guy. But you can’t deny that he was the rock in that backfield for a decade, with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons. Did he hang on a little too long to get the record? Yea, maybe, but he did leave with 937 yards at age 35. All-time record puts him over the last 3 or 4 guys.
#2 – 15 points - Walter Payton
Sweetness was amazing, and he was great when it was a somewhat different game. Chicago stunk for many years, so defenses knew Walter was getting the ball. And he still put up 5 straight 1300+ years. He was also a sneaky-good receiver, topping 40 receptions 6 times. Fun guy to watch.
#1 – 16 points - Barry Sanders
Speaking of fun to watch… was there ever any doubt? He’s the #1 RB of all time, and I’d say that even if Jim Brown was in the room (or this category).
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Zegras11
Footballguy
Standings after JWB ranked NFL RB's-
1 --Gally--341--3--1--2=6
2 --tuffnutt--334--3--1--5=9 (bronze)
3 --AAABatteries--326--3--2--4=9 (silver)
4 --DougB--325--5--2--1=8
5 --Ilov80s--323--2--4--1=7
6 --Getzlaf15--303--1--4--2=7
7 --jwb--301--2--4--2=8
8 --otb_lifer--301--0--2--2=4
9 --Zow--296--3--2--3=8
10 -joffer--296--3--3--1=7
11 -Long Ball Larry--288--2--2--3=7
12 -timschochet--285--1--2--3=6
13 -higgins--273--1--1--2=4
14 -Jagov--260--2--3--0=5
15 -wikkidpissah--254--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--253--3--2--0=5 (gold)
1 --Gally--341--3--1--2=6
2 --tuffnutt--334--3--1--5=9 (bronze)
3 --AAABatteries--326--3--2--4=9 (silver)
4 --DougB--325--5--2--1=8
5 --Ilov80s--323--2--4--1=7
6 --Getzlaf15--303--1--4--2=7
7 --jwb--301--2--4--2=8
8 --otb_lifer--301--0--2--2=4
9 --Zow--296--3--2--3=8
10 -joffer--296--3--3--1=7
11 -Long Ball Larry--288--2--2--3=7
12 -timschochet--285--1--2--3=6
13 -higgins--273--1--1--2=4
14 -Jagov--260--2--3--0=5
15 -wikkidpissah--254--1--0--4=5
16 -Kal El--253--3--2--0=5 (gold)
AAABatteries
Footballguy
never mind