The Greatest Athlete of ALL TIME debate

[GO IRISH!!!]

I would have to add Bruce Jenner to the list. Back in the day, he owned the decathlon. For me, the decathlon is the best tangible demonstration of all around athleticism.

I also agree with Dave Winfield. Drafted in basketball, football, and baseball.

 

[BobD]

I agree. It seems that a poll is by and large useless. Because clearly Thorpe is the favorite as evidenced by the posts in this thread.

But like politicians we could try to influence the vote.

 

[RyCo1983]

But like politicians we could try to influence the vote.

Something like that.
I'll see if I can figure this out haha

 

[RyCo1983]

POLL IS POSTED

Mods feel free to close this one up.

 

[dshans]

But like politicians we could try to influence the vote.

More like Super vPACs.

I've established a Political Action vCommittee (of one: me) that I've seeded with 50 million vBucks. I call it the Lost in the Ozone Again Inactive Group.

Whose vote can I ... err, it buy ... err influence, cajole or "inform"???

 

[Bluto]

More like Super vPACs.

I've established a Political Action vCommittee (of one: me) that I've seeded with 50 million vBucks. I call it the Lost in the Ozone Again Inactive Group.

Whose vote can I ... err, it buy ... err influence, cajole or "inform"???

#teamDshans

 

[notredomer23]

Not sure if mentioned by Cal Ripkin Jr. should have some say in this debate.

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah I thought about mentioning Ripken. He used to play pickup basketball with NBA players and other pro athletes. Supposedly a great all around athlete.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

 

[irishog77]

Yeah I thought about mentioning Ripken. He used to play pickup basketball with NBA players and other pro athletes. Supposedly a great all around athlete.

Garth Brooks would go to spring training with the Padres every year too.

Ripken played b-ball in the offseason for conditioning purposes, with former high level b-ball players, on his own court-- his court...his rules. While I'm sure Ripken was a fine athlete, I don't think what transpired legitimizes his athletic prowess.

Athletes, celebrities, and rich people often do Marine boot camp sessions or cross train in other disciplines. Personally, I think it is more because they are able to do so, rather than because they are good enough to do so.

 

[notredomer23]

Garth Brooks would go to spring training with the Padres every year too.

Ripken played b-ball in the offseason for conditioning purposes, with former high level b-ball players, on his own court-- his court...his rules. While I'm sure Ripken was a fine athlete, I don't think what transpired legitimizes his athletic prowess.

Athletes, celebrities, and rich people often do Marine boot camp sessions or cross train in other disciplines. Personally, I think it is more because they are able to do so, rather than because they are good enough to do so.

I see your points, and admittedly, Ripkin played much of his baseball before my time. However being a 19 time all star speaks for itself. The fact he also pretty much never missed a game is definitely an elite athletic achievement.

 

[Redbar]

It is impossible to say who had the most athletic ability, being a successful athlete takes so much more than that. Some of the greatest athletes might not even make the team for a variety of other reasons. If you want to say who are some of the guys that dominated their sport as an athlete, who are some of the most successful athlete's I think Michael Jordan would have to be right up there. No one including Lebron could take his team and simply will them to win like Jordan. When MJ played it seemed like everyone else was just backdrop and extras. Also I think Gretzky had a similar effect on hockey. He could take over a game and was head and shoulders above his competition.

 

[irishog77]

It is impossible to say who had the most athletic ability, being a successful athlete takes so much more than that. Some of the greatest athletes might not even make the team for a variety of other reasons. If you want to say who are some of the guys that dominated their sport as an athlete, who are some of the most successful athlete's I think Michael Jordan would have to be right up there. No one including Lebron could take his team and simply will them to win like Jordan. When MJ played it seemed like everyone else was just backdrop and extras. Also I think Gretzky had a similar effect on hockey. He could take over a game and was head and shoulders above his competition.

Good point. While MJ was a fantastic basketball player and athlete, it was things like his competitiveness, work ethic, and desire that made him stand apart.

In the NBA right now, guys like Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo are both just sick athletes. Like, there aren't other guys on the planet who posses their burst, explosion, quickness, and leaping ability. But nobody is actually claiming guys like them as best athlete, when in fact, they could be.