Brissie_lions From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1533 times:
G'day all
Who do you think is the most successful and genuinely admired sportsperson of all time?
IMHO, this honour would undoubtedly have to go to:
Donald George Bradman
Born: 27 August 1908, Cootamundra, New South Wales
Major Teams: Australia, South Australia, New South Wales.
Known As: Don Bradman, The Don
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Leg Break
New South Wales Career Span: 1927-28 to 1933-34
South Australia Career Span: 1935-36 to 1948-49
Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1931
Knighted for services to cricket 1949
Appointed Commander of the Order of Australia (AC) 1979
Selected as one of five Wisden cricketers of the century, 2000
Statistical Record:TESTS
(career)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 52 80 10 6996 334 99.94 29 13 32 -
Balls M R W Ave Best 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 160 3 72 2 36.00 1-8 - - 80.0 2.70
FIRST-CLASS
(Batting: career)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
New South Wales 41 69 10 5813 452* 98.52 21 17 17 0
South Australia 44 63 8 5752 369 104.60 25 12 36 1
(Bowling: career)
Balls Md R W Ave Best 5 10 SR Econ
New South Wales 712 15 47.46 3-54 0 0
South Australia 0 0 0 0
All first-class 2118 24 1367 36 37.97 3-35 0 0
Here you have a sportsman who in his 20 year career, was at the very pinnacle of international sports (the figures above speak for themselves). To this day, his test average of 99.94 has not been beaten, or has anyone even come close to it, with the next best cricketer of all time, Sir Garfield Sobers from the West Indies having a test average of 57.78.
Back in the '30s and '40s, when Australia was playing the whole nation would come to a standstill with families sitting around the radio to listen to the commentary of yet another blazing innings by The Don. His exploits on the 1948 "Invincibles" tour of England are well documented, and I think it is this that topped off his career (even though he did get a duck in his last innings).
To this day he is the only Australian cricketer to have been awarded a knighthood (1949), and was recently voted the best cricketer of the 20th Century by a panel of 100 international cricketers and experts (every person voted The Don as Number One) http://www.cricketunlimited.co.uk/Articles/0,5217,155716,00.html
The Don was last year named as an Australian living legend (and even though these awards weren't ranked, I could guarantee that he would have been number 1). But it isn't just Australia where he is admired and loved. Although he only ever played in India just the once, he is adored by Indian cricket fans (perhaps amongst the most fanatical in the world) {What
Bradman's birthday means to the Indian cricket fan}
Here are some comments from other world-renowned cricketers:
"Nobody will ever emulate the feats of the Don again. He would have been supreme in any era and had he played in the modern game, would no doubt have topped the lists of all batting achievements, plus he would have had the added challenge of one-day cricket" David Gowers, former English captain
"Sir Don is the greatest batsman of all time, and certainly his record goes to prove it. He has one of the most outstanding cricket minds that I have ever come across." Sir Colin Cowdrey, England Test cricketer 1954-74
And perhaps two of the most important comments made about The Don:
"Growing up and playing cricket in Australia, everyone wanted to be the next Donald Bradman. The question was always: "Who's going to be the next Bradman?" But there will only ever be one." Stuart Law, Australian Test cricketer
"He is probably the most important Australian of all time." Richie Benaud, former Australian Test cricketer and commentator
Why do I admire The Don? Well apart from the numerous records he set throughout his illustrious career, I (as well as a lot of people) admire The Don because he is a very private person, who does not go looking for media attention to further his profile (he rarely grants interviews) as his onfield career really does speak for itself (something that sportspeople of today would be well-advised to follow), yet every Aussie and international cricket fan, knows of The Don and genuinely loves him.
CstarU From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1471 times:
Marjorie Jackson
Australian athlete who won two Olympic gold medals and tied or set 13 world records. During the early 1950s, when Australians dominated women's sprint events, Jackson was the most outstanding Australian sprinter.
Jackson, known as the "Lithgow Flash" after her home town, was just 17 years old when she twice outran the great Dutch sprinter Fanny Blankers-Koen. At the age of 19 she won three gold medals at the 1950 British Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) in Auckland, N.Z. Competing at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Fin., she tied the world record for the 100-metre sprint (11.5 sec), winning the gold medal. Jackson won another gold medal in the 200 metres, setting a world record, and competed for the Australian 4 100-metre relay team that set a world record (46.1 sec) in its first heat at Helsinki; the team led in the final race until a teammate accidentally knocked the baton from Jackson's hand. Jackson also won gold medals in the 100- and 220-metre runs at the 1954 Empire Games in Vancouver, B.C., Can.
Starship From South Africa, joined Nov 1999, 1098 posts, RR: 16 Reply 10, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1447 times:
Well Scotty, I guess it all depends on what sport you are into. Not everyone is into cricket, so choosing the best sportsman of all time is a very subjective topic......
Personally, I am not much into ball games, (sex excluded:DD) and would tend to choose a completely different sport which interests me far more.
Depending on your point of view, the Tour de France is considered the most gruelling sporting event in the World, lasting three weeks. That is longer than any cricket match, or game of rugby, soccer, golf or whatever.
Therefore in my considered opinion, the titel of Best Sportsman of all time should go to Miguel Indurain five times consecutive winner of the Tour de France 1991 -1995.
Photo: Mike Powell/Allsport
In January this year, the Mighty Miguel was voted Spain's sportsperson of the century in a poll organised by the country's biggest selling newspaper, Marca.
Texairport From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 1428 times:
Jim Thorpe, the original "Thorpedo"
He did it all...
Full name: Jim Thorpe
Born: May 28, 1887
Died: March 28, 1953
Height: 6'-1" Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: Halfback
He played for Carlisle Indian School, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Canton Bulldogs and Chicago Cardinals.
He was the most famous American athlete of the age. He was excellent at every sport he tried.
He won the decathlon and penthatlon events at the 1912 Olympics.
He did play major-league baseball from 1913 to 1919.
Football was his favorite sport. In 1912, Thorpe scored 25 touchdowns and 198 points in leading his Carlisle Indian School team to a national collegiate championship.
Jim Thorpe was selected by the nation's press in 1950 as the most outstanding athlete of the 20th century.
Jim Thorpe was also declared as "America's Greatest football player of the half-century," in 1950.
Derico From Argentina, joined Dec 1999, 4233 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1416 times:
Juan Manuel Fangio, only person ever to win 5 (five) Formula One championships in history, would be the most succesful figure I can think of, not to mention he is from Argentina.
My internet was not shut down, the internet has shut me down
OO-VEG From Netherlands, joined Oct 2000, 1081 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1410 times:
The most Successfull sportsperson of all time is Johan Cruijff. Do I need to explain why????
Well he has been awarded for the best footballer in the world of th 20th century (that says enough huh) and besides he was a very good coach of FC Barcelona.
Sn330 From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 16 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (12 years 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1403 times:
Anna Kournikova, duh!
No, in all seriousness I have to say that Wayne Gretzky is most successful sportsman/sportswoman. Gretzky wasn't the Michael Jordan of Hockey, Jordan was the Gretzky of Basketball. The only reason why many people think that Jordan was better was that he was more well known, and more publicized than Gretzky.
99 Forever.
Amir From Syria, joined Dec 1999, 1254 posts, RR: 13 Reply 18, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1390 times:
Hi Scott,
it has been long time ago since we discussed at the forum. It is because i have hardly been at the forum at all. The job is killing me solfty.....
Hope you are doing fine.
I wanted to email you some two weeks ago but then used your old email address, now i have noted down your new one. A friends cousinn turned out to have lost her sun in 1973 (?), he was on board the Libyan Arab 727 which was shot down in Sinai. Do you still have this book which you talked about several months ago? i would love to purchase a copy.
Pls adv. otherwiese have good time!
Best regards
Schaher
Mx5_boy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1381 times:
Scotty,
I agree with you, the "Don" is the greatest. There are many reasons why, and I took great pleasure in reading the information you posted on it.
I also knew that the "Michael Jordan" posts would appear and it is right that you should question why.
"No doubt Michael Jordan" Why?
It's a sterotypical American post. Homogenised, pasteurised and processed to the maximum. Salty, Syrupy and Sugary and without foundation, inward looking and an arrogant statement.
Sn330 From Belgium, joined Nov 2004, 16 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1372 times:
My reasons for Wayne Gretzky can be seen if one looks at the NHL Record Book. He practically owns every single record he could possibly break. The only trophy which he could have won but didn't was the Calder, for Rookie of the Year, and that was because he had played a year in the WHL and therefore was not elgible.
Besides, he was Hockey's worldwide Ambassador. Even if you had never heard or seen a hockey game, you knew who Wayne Gretzky was. Best part of all was that he was never cocky or showoffish on or off the ice.
He was, and still is, a true gentleman whose only flaw is maybe being too modest.
I agree with Brissie Lions. I would like to see what they base Michael Jordan being the best on.
Nowadays, and even when he played (Jordan), basketballl was no fun to watch because everybody was being paid exorbinant amounts of money.
Hockey out of the 4 major North American sports, has become the last sport to jump on the high-salary bandwagon. Currently, the NHL has only one player that is being paid more than 10 million a year, Paul Kariya, and basketball has gosh knows how many.
Texairport From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1369 times:
There is a reason that Jordan and Gretzky, and even "The Don" are listed as the greatest of all time, because the completely dominated their sport, hold many records, and left many spectators and historians convinced that there will never be another like them. The same will be said about Tiger Woods, if it isn't already.
Tbar220 From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7011 posts, RR: 28 Reply 23, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1363 times:
Dear Mx5_Boy,
I'm not insulting you by saying this, or am angry, but is this statement really necessary?
It's a sterotypical American post. Homogenised, pasteurised and processed to the maximum. Salty, Syrupy and Sugary and without foundation, inward looking and an arrogant statement.
Because we're talking lately about improving the attitude of the posts on this forum, try to keep comments like these out, they really aren't necessary. People have their opinions, and notice how nobody insulted you for yours.
Louis From Canada, joined Oct 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (12 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1363 times:
I'm surprized nobody's mentioned Pele yet. He’s arguably the greatest soccer player to ever hit the pitch. He scored more goals that anyone else in history, won three World Cups, was declared a national treasure, and even landed a job as Brazil's Minister of Sport. Now that's success! No other sportsman has handled himself with the grace and class like Pele.
I have the world of respect for Michael Jordan. He’s definitely the greatest basketball player of all time and perhaps the most commercially successful athlete of all time. There was a time when he was the most world-renown athlete. But I don’t think he is the best sportsman of all time.
Louis
P.S. MX_boy: people are entitled to their own opinions. If you don’t think Michael Jordan is deserving of that title, fine. You have absolutely no right to criticize others for their choices. You only seem to criticize anything that’s pro-American. Avion listed Steffi Graf and provided no support for his opinion, yet I don’t see you jumping down his throat.
25 DeltaRNOmd-80: Michael Jordan Mark McGwire Dan Marino Wayne Gretzky
26 Tbar220: Carl Lewis, one of the greatest track and field athletes of our time...I will never forget the last long jump gold medal he won, absolutely incredible
27 Carioca Canuck: Muhammad Ali gets my vote. Sorry Brissie......and no offence intended, but nobody involved in cricket has ever had the wordwide popularity and recogni
28 Brissie_lions: Why would I take offence? Yep, I do think that Muhammed Ali is a great sportsperson, as is Pele, as is Martina Navratilova, etc But as I mentioned it
29 Kolobokman: there is a greatest one in every sport all athlets of the world U R GREAT! peace on earth
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