Living Legends

             

    

    Every sport has its legends and superstars. Whether its Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Sandy Koufax in baseball, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or Larry Bird in basketball, or Joe Montana, Jim Brown, or Emmit Smith in football. The greatest about every sport is that all of their players are so different it’s what makes each sport so special. The difficult question I have is who is the greatest living retired player of each sport? Tough question. As much as I am about the present and future of all sports, I am also about honoring its past. If it wasn’t for the players of the past, what present or future would each sport have now?

    Baseball, in my opinion, is the hardest to choose. It is so rich in history that all living (retired) players know the impact they have had on the game. Last year, when the All-Star game was in Cincinnati, they honored the 4 greatest living players. They had Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. At the time, I had a major issue with what transpired. Yogi Berra was still ALIVE at the All Star game. He should have been there over Johnny Bench!! No disrespect to Johnny Bench, but how do you disrespect a 10 World Champion, 3 time MVP who was overshadowed by both Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle?  This why baseball is so tough. Today, on August 10, 2016, I feel that the best living baseball player is Willie Mays. He was a five tool, all-around player. If it was not for him, we would never have the likes of Ken Griffey, Jr. or Barry Bonds.  Willie Mays really knew how to stick it to his opponents. If it wasn’t for the Yankees, he would probably have just as many rings as Yogi has now. He was also one of the most athletic ball players in history.

     The difference between baseball, football, and basketball is that baseball has a longer history than both football and basketball. With that said, that is why it is tougher to choose for either sport. Football has such a rich history, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Guess what though? My best living legend in football is Jim Brown! He retired at the age of 30 and on top of his game! He won the MVP in his last season! Even though he never won or played in a Super Bowl, but did win a championship, is irrelevant. When the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals, guess who was right there. . . you were right, Jim Brown! Jim Brown tore down defenses, broke (and held) rushing records(until Barry Sanders came along), and played the game really smart. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Terry Bradshaw are all-time greats, but no one compares to Jim Brown.

  Basketball, similarly to football, has a shorter history. I believe that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball to ever play the game, but with all due respect, Bill Russel is 11-0 in championships. If it was not for him, there would be no Michael, or Magic or Larry. He is the greatest living basketball player. He transcended the game for everyone else. You may be thinking, “How can you say that Russell is the greatest living basketball player, if you think Michael Jordan is the best ever?” Michael Jordan forever changed the game once he played, but Russell knew what he was doing in the game and his overall game was not to be questioned.

  As much as I am not a huge hockey fan, this is probably the easiest one of all the 4 major sports. Wayne Gretzky was by far the best hockey player to play the game. Even though it was towards the end of his career, I was excited when he came to play for the Rangers. He just knew how to play. Wayne Gretzky changed the dynamic of all the teams he played for, no matter what part of his career. Wayne Gretzky will go down as the best hockey player of all-time. 

    No matter who the athletes are, no matter what sport or city they played for, these ballplayers I mentioned above really transcended their sports, cities, and teams. Are each one of them the greatest athlete/player of their sport? With the exception of Gretzky and Brown, Russell and Mays are not the GREATEST to ever play their sport. I remember meeting Earl Weaver on a cruise. He was one of the greatest managers of all time! When he passed away a few years later, my heart dropped. He was such a nice guy(and a legendary manager). Everyone should take advantage now of who we have around. For all of those who think there was no basketball before LeBron or football before Brady, look again. Watch the footage. If you so happen to luckily run into anyone, take advantage.