No particular reason I'm posting this. Just something that crossed my mind. An appreciation of greats who are no longer with us:
1) Baseball - Ted Williams
...What a life this guy lived. I'll paraphrase: "When I walk down the street, I want people to say 'There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.'" When you adjust for the era, I think that's true. A ridiculous On-Base %, so potent. Career totals diminished by his war service. And a great fly-fisherman, to boot.
2) Basketball - Wilt Chamberlain
...The Stilt. Athletic ability that went off the charts. Really could have succeeded in most any athletic arena he chose to pursue. Would he have been the best volleyball player ever, if he had focused on that? Add in the sexual escapades. Supposedly viewed conquests as a notch on the belt and not an interaction with a female.
3) Football - Paul Hornung
...Lived the life. Heisman winner, all-pro, got the girls. As a pro with the Packers, just awesome. Great blocker, team player and a true Lombardi guy. Won the early titles, missed 1963 because of suspension. Came back for Chapter 2, five TDs in Baltimore. "A green-shirted ghost arose at fog-shrouded Memorial Stadium." Won the title vs Cleveland. And the 1963 Bear title is an asterisk.*
*Didn't play vs Packer A-team. No Hornung.
4) Rock Climbing - Wolfgang Gullich
...Trend-setter, broke thru limits that no one else could. Kept moving the bar. His workouts were legendary. The fitness and balance was truly awesome. Died prematurely (at age 31), not by falling but via car accident on the autobahn.
5) Hockey - Gordie Howe
...All-time great. Made time for the young fans, something that Jeremy Roenick remembered. Prolific player, and a tough guy. Something special when they create the moniker of The Gordie Howe Hat Trick. A goal, an assist, and a fight.
1) Baseball - Ted Williams
...What a life this guy lived. I'll paraphrase: "When I walk down the street, I want people to say 'There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.'" When you adjust for the era, I think that's true. A ridiculous On-Base %, so potent. Career totals diminished by his war service. And a great fly-fisherman, to boot.
2) Basketball - Wilt Chamberlain
...The Stilt. Athletic ability that went off the charts. Really could have succeeded in most any athletic arena he chose to pursue. Would he have been the best volleyball player ever, if he had focused on that? Add in the sexual escapades. Supposedly viewed conquests as a notch on the belt and not an interaction with a female.
3) Football - Paul Hornung
...Lived the life. Heisman winner, all-pro, got the girls. As a pro with the Packers, just awesome. Great blocker, team player and a true Lombardi guy. Won the early titles, missed 1963 because of suspension. Came back for Chapter 2, five TDs in Baltimore. "A green-shirted ghost arose at fog-shrouded Memorial Stadium." Won the title vs Cleveland. And the 1963 Bear title is an asterisk.*
*Didn't play vs Packer A-team. No Hornung.
4) Rock Climbing - Wolfgang Gullich
...Trend-setter, broke thru limits that no one else could. Kept moving the bar. His workouts were legendary. The fitness and balance was truly awesome. Died prematurely (at age 31), not by falling but via car accident on the autobahn.
5) Hockey - Gordie Howe
...All-time great. Made time for the young fans, something that Jeremy Roenick remembered. Prolific player, and a tough guy. Something special when they create the moniker of The Gordie Howe Hat Trick. A goal, an assist, and a fight.
