Topic: Great Athletes - Great People
started by: nphilbro
Posted by nphilbro on Mar. 15 2006,11:58 pm
Athletes are often heralded as heros and role models. 99% of the time they are just average Joe's that have a talent few of us do and with hard work and a bit of luck made it big. I don't think just because you are an athlete you are a role model.Who are some of the best citizen athletes you know? Who do you buy tickets to see that you would consider a role model?
I know that Jamie and Karen Moyer have their children's foundation < Moyer Foundation >.
Doug Flutie has his foundation to help families with children with autism.
Most of these people keep their foundations local, which is a good thing. I would like to hear more on this topic as I know there are many athletes that have decided to become role models as well.
Posted by preemptiveprevention on Mar. 16 2006,12:47 am
and the greatest baseball player to ever play first base is....... Posted by preemptiveprevention on Mar. 16 2006,1:08 am
I don't know if anybody remembers Keith Smart (winning shot in a final four game back in 1987)?When I was in Junior High I was the ball boy for a CBA team he played on. After every game Keith Smart would stay after shooting free throws and three pointers for about an hour to an hour and a half.
I would sometimes stay and rebound for him when he was practicing after games.
Keith Smart taught me even when you win, you still have to practice.
(and he always said study hard in school)
Posted by number 1 fan on Mar. 16 2006,3:44 pm
I'd put a vote in for Warrick Dunn. He lost his mother when he was in high school(she was a cop) and he took it upon himself to raise his brothers and sisters. I believe he has 5 or 6 sibilings. After college(Florida State University) he played football with Tampa Bay and now with Atlanta. A few years back he started the Warrick Dunn Foundation. They build homes for the less fortunate. A man that has defined the odds and has never forgot where he came from.
Posted by The Game on Mar. 16 2006,4:50 pm
Chris Chelios is a guy I came to know and love ( in a pure platonic way) He and his family have done so mcuh for Chicago kids and when he teamed up with Jeremy Roenick to for JR and Cheli's kids they really got to do alot for the youth. Chris not only works hard every day on and off the ice, but he gives each thing he does his all. As far as non sports... I'm a huge suporter of the Make a Wish Foundation.
Posted by REPOMAN on Mar. 16 2006,7:04 pm
| Quote (preemptiveprevention @ Mar. 16 2006,12:47am) |
| and the greatest baseball player to ever play first base is....... |
OK...Mattingly was a decent ballplayer - no doubt about that - but the best to ever play first base - laughable statement if it was made with any degree of seriousness...
he was a very good defensive first baseman - and offensively he was also very good - but the all time best at his position - let's consider:
Offense first: 222 homer runs, 1099 RBI and a .307 batting average - not bad - but not even hall of fame, much less all time greatest...
consider Eddie Murray: 504 HR's, 1917 RBI and .287 BA...
Lou Gehrig: 493 HR's, 1995 RBI and .340 BA...
Hank Greenberg: 331, 1276 and .313 BA...
Jimmie Foxx: 534, 1922 and .325 BA...
Johnny Mize: 359, 1337 and .312 BA...
Jim Bottomley: 219, 1422 and .310 BA...
Will Clark: 284, 1205 and .303 BA...
those are just the first basemen I can think of off the top of my head...
Posted by hairhertz on Mar. 16 2006,7:44 pm
Mattingly was one helluva fielding first baseman: 64 errors in 1634 games, 14148 putouts, 1104 assists & 1500 double plays for a .996 fielding average [note: he also appeared in 76 games in the outfield, 3 at 3rd base and one at 2nd base]
Posted by Berserker on Mar. 16 2006,8:01 pm
Wayne Gretzky. Check out his home page, (now his page could possibly be biased and could be showing only the good side of him but check him out)< http://www.waynegretzky.com/profile.aspx >
"The Wayne Gretzky Foundation is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youngsters throughout North America participate in hockey. The Foundation has held two successful hockey equipment drives in partnership with Ford Canada and raised over $120,000 at its first Golf Classic in April 2004."
" Gretzky also gives his time to countless other charitable endeavors. He serves as Honorary Chairman of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities in Canada, and is an Athlete Ambassador and Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees of Right to Play, an athlete driven humanitarian organization that uses sports to enhance child development in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the world. Gretzky also is a participant in "Hands That Shape Humanity," a project for the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. "
"This unique program was created to raise awareness and funds through an aggressive partnership with professional celebrities, print publications and channel partners. This site will provide you with information about Samsung's truly amazing athlete partners and their inspirational foundations and charities. www.4seasonsofhope.com"
Seems like an all around good guy, especially in a sport where the bruisers were known for years for dinking and druging on the job to be more aggresive. In the 90s there was a Capital player who talked about his drug and alcohol problem where he would drink on the bench and then go out and pound some one. Wayne didn't fight much, (yeah you can argue he was to small and thin to be a fighter) and he was not a puck hog, he has a ton of assists.
Posted by preemptiveprevention on Mar. 16 2006,8:57 pm
| Quote |
| Babe Ruth might have a lot more home runs, but when it comes to special places with Yankees' fans, he can't hold a candle to Don Mattingly. On a recent ESPN online poll, when asked who should be the next player elected into baseball's Hall of Fame, fans responded with more than 70 percent opting for Mattingly. New York fans got their first glimpse of their future first baseman during the 1982 season. At the time, it was tough for a player in the Yankees farm system to catch on with the big league club. New York's preference was to trade prospects for proven players. Used sparingly, Mattingly picked up 2 hits in 12 at-bats. In 1983, Mattingly again saw limited playing time. Playing in the outfield, the position he played when he was drafted by the Yankees, Mattingly hit .283 with 4 home runs and 32 runs batted in. The next season, Mattingly established himself as a regular in the lineup. Fans liked the way he approached his work at first base and they loved the work ethic he displayed. In 1984, he caught everyone's attention by hitting .343 with 23 home runs and 110 runs batted in. Mattingly's career average in the minor leagues was .332, but he had shown little indication that he could hit for power. At the Major League level, however, his power was starting to develop. Mattingly credits his success in his first full season to the lessons he learned in 1982 and 1983. He said he became a patient two-strike hitter and learned to watch for an inside pitch that he might drive into Yankee Stadiums right-field porch. He edged out teammate Dave Winfield on the last day of the season to capture the American League batting title, making him the first Yankee left-handed hitter to bat over .340 since Lou Gehrig's .351 in 1937. From 1984 until 1989, Mattingly hit more than .300 each season. During that time -- with the exception of 1988 -- Mattingly hit at least 20 home runs and drove in 100 runs each season. Mattingly drove in a combined 684 runs during that time period, giving him the highest total of any player in Major League Baseball. Only Wade Boggs (1,269) had more hits than Mattingly's 1,219 during that time period. He captured the American League MVP in 1985 with season numbers of 35 home runs and 145 runs batted in. The next season, he set new Yankees records for doubles with 53 and hits in a season with 238. His 1987 season was also one for the record books. Mattingly set or tied five Major League records. He set a new record with six grand slams during the season. He tied Dale Long's record from 1956 with home runs in eight consecutive games from July 8 through July 18. His total home runs of 10 during that time period was also a new record. His concurrent streak of 10 games with at least one extra base hit broke Babe Ruth's 1921 American League record. His flash of power ended on July 20. That night, he tied another Major League record by getting 22 putouts in a nine-inning game. Mattingly also caught attention with his stellar defense. He won five consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1985 to 1989. Mattingly tied Chick Gandil (1916-1919) of leading American League first basemen in fielding percentage for four consecutive years (1984-87). His .966 career field mark tied the all time record for first base. Despite being a lefthander, Mattingly also played at second and third base on occasion. Mattingly's career started to slide in 1990 when he started to experience back problems. He was forced to adjust his stance and his home run numbers fell dramatically. His batting average also dropped. He spent time on the DL in 1990, '93, and '94. The Yankees didn't replace Mattingly at first until after the 1995 season when New York acquired Tino Martinez. In his final season with the Yankees, the team finally reached the postseason. He hit well in the Yankees' losing effort that year against Seattle in the division playoffs driving in six runs and collecting a home run. In January 1997, Don Mattingly ended his career in Major League baseball. At that time the Yankees announced that his number 23 would be retired, with a ceremony to take place during the 1997 season. Yankee owner George Steinbrenner has called for Mattingly's election to the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible. |
enough said!
Posted by preemptiveprevention on Mar. 16 2006,9:01 pm
and I must add, when have you ever heard of Don Mattingly being a bad person?
Posted by nphilbro on Mar. 16 2006,9:37 pm
Again- we can debate forever the best athlete or position player. Who is the best citizen and role model?
I didn't know about Chelios, I always thought he was great player.
Gretzky - what an awesome story. His wife was recently mired in controversy but that should take nothing from "The Great One."
I picked a pitcher - who has a 88mph fastball... obviously I'm not looking for best athlete here!
Posted by usmcr on Mar. 17 2006,8:37 am
Johnny UnitasCareer Highlights
Player of the Year: 1959, 1964, 1967
NFL MVP: 1959, 1964, 1967
Player of the Decade: 1960s
Ten Pro-Bowl selections
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame: 1979
Named Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football
Named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team
Championship Teams
1958 NFL Championship - Baltimore 23, NY Giants 17
1959 NFL Championship - Baltimore 31, NY Giants 16
Super Bowl V - Baltimore 16, Dallas 13
Posted by REPOMAN on Mar. 17 2006,1:54 pm
| Quote (preemptiveprevention @ Mar. 16 2006,9:01pm) |
| and I must add, when have you ever heard of Don Mattingly being a bad person? |
No...
but then I never heard of Lou Gehrig, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray or any of the rest of those guys being "bad people" either...
and I don't recall that they were poor fielders - so best first baseman of all time - Lou Gehrig - the Iron Horse...
Posted by preemptiveprevention on Mar. 17 2006,6:34 pm
| Quote (REPOMAN @ Mar. 17 2006,1:54pm) | ||
No... but then I never heard of Lou Gehrig, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray or any of the rest of those guys being "bad people" either... and I don't recall that they were poor fielders - so best first baseman of all time - Lou Gehrig - the Iron Horse... |
A member of the New York Yankees, good choice
Posted by MR.D'S HELMET BREATH on Mar. 18 2006,6:35 pm
ty cobb, now what a guy!
Posted by number 1 fan on Mar. 20 2006,10:32 am
yeah, Ty Cobb, a true American. A womanizing, cigar smoking drunk. Just what I want to grow up to be. Kind of sounds like another All American hero, Babe Ruth......
Posted by Madd Max on Mar. 20 2006,11:25 am
Alan Page and Fran Tarkington
Posted by Liberal on Mar. 20 2006,12:01 pm
How about Lance Armstrong? Great athlete, cancer survivor and through his Lance Armstrong Foundation he's given out something like 14 million dollars in grants.
Posted by riffraff on Mar. 20 2006,4:04 pm
Posted by MR.D'S HELMET BREATH on Mar. 20 2006,4:25 pm
reggie jackson
Posted by sports lover on Mar. 20 2006,10:21 pm
Jim Thorpe
Posted by nphilbro on Mar. 20 2006,10:59 pm
I'm honestly more afraid of Raider Fan than Raider Player.-Do not look Raider Fan directly in the eye. (I said eye...not eyes...have you ever met Raider Fan? It's scary and grotesque). They don't call the hole in Oakland the "Black Hole" for nothing.
Posted by number 1 fan on Mar. 21 2006,9:16 am
I'll give you Stabler but Alzado? He was a steriod freak. There are better Raiders than him. How bout Biletnikoff, Marcus Allen, Ted Hendricks, Ray Guy, Cliff Branch, Mark Van Eeghan, Lester Hayes or Geo Blanda?
Posted by TheTruth on Mar. 21 2006,10:48 am
| Quote (number 1 fan @ Mar. 21 2006,9:16am) |
| I'll give you Stabler but Alzado? He was a steriod freak. There are better Raiders than him. How bout Biletnikoff, Marcus Allen, Ted Hendricks, Ray Guy, Cliff Branch, Mark Van Eeghan, Lester Hayes or Geo Blanda? |
or Bo Jackson?
Posted by number 1 fan on Mar. 21 2006,11:26 am
Truth,I'll give you Bo Jackson cuz Bo knows football. I'll never forget the time he ran over Brian Bosworth. Monday Night Football in front of millions of viewers. I believe we found out who was a player and who was a fake that night.
Posted by riffraff on Mar. 22 2006,7:07 pm
Posted by TameThaTane on Mar. 23 2006,5:46 pm
Lyle Alzado married and had a kid with this girl I graduated high school with in Mason City.
Posted by riffraff on Mar. 24 2006,4:11 pm
Posted by ICU812 on Apr. 05 2006,8:51 am
< Real Hero, or Zero >