# The most beloved athlete in each major city? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363 "2004-02-15T17:43:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/21 "2004-02-15T21:33:08Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Dallas - Emmitt Smith, I guess. Troy Aikman? Who’s more loved? I think both Roger Staubauch and Don Meredith would beat out both of those guys. And he’s not an athlete, but Tom Landry would beat them all. I think the award in Houston would probably go to Earl Campbell, with Hakeem Olajuwon running a very close second. And if we count coaches, Bum Phillips would be in there somewhere as well. Texans have long memories. They still make a big deal out of this little dustup at a Spanish mission in San Antonio over a century and a half ago. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/22 "2004-02-15T21:36:09Z")
> [@HyacinthBucket](#): > > In Chicago (depending on your age, I guess) - Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Ernie Banks Dick Butkus would be on that list, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/23 "2004-02-15T21:39:14Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Cleveland - the position is about to be filled by LeBron James, taking over from, ah, um, nobody. Maybe you’ve heard of a guy named Jim Brown? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/24 "2004-02-15T21:44:39Z")
Given Orlando’s almost-complete lack of major league franchises, and the youth of the Magic, it would probably be a Buccaneer. _Could_ easily have been Shaq, if he wasn’t such a money-grubb… sorry, sorry. Probably John Lynch or Derrick Brooks, then. That said, there are a _lot_ of Dolphans around here, so I’ll go with Dan Marino. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/25 "2004-02-15T21:44:49Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > Then I got to thinking about my own city: Houston. I’d guess it was Nolan Ryan (possibly Earl Campbell). Hakeem or Carl Lewis are the greatest (depending on the standard), but I always thought Nolan Ryan was the most beloved. Missed this the first time 'round. Ryan would be up there, and he’s definitely beloved, but he’s got strikes against him, namely: (i) he played for the Mets, and (ii) he played for a team in Dallas. Besides, no self-respecting Texas city would say its most beloved athlete played any sport other than football. I think the answer’s gotta be the Tyler Rose for that reason alone. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/26 "2004-02-15T21:46:17Z")
> [@skutir](#): > > In the Twin Cities, the obvious frontrunner was Kirby Puckett. Given his recent, ah, bad publicity, I’d say the position is now vacant. There aren’t _any_ popular Vikings? ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/27 "2004-02-15T21:46:24Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay San Francisco - Willie Mays [/QUOTE] Maybe, but Joe Montana feels a lot of love here. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/28 "2004-02-15T21:53:09Z")
> [@dutchboy208](#): > > There aren’t _any_ popular Vikings? Surely there’s some love for Fran Tarkenton in the Twin Cities. Or perhaps collectively for the Purple People Eaters? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/29 "2004-02-15T21:55:55Z")
> [@Bell Jar](#): > > Hmmm . . . I guess I’d have to disagree that Barry Sanders is the most beloved Detroit sports figure. Kinda hard to be beloved when fans are still irritated about how he left the Lions. > > Oh, and I think the Barry Sanders picture on the side of the building in downtown Detroit was replaced with Stevie Y’s. That might just speak volumes. > > Sure, we love our football, but Detroit is Hockeytown. 😃 Not Gordie Howe? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/30 "2004-02-15T21:58:25Z")
Boston: Yaz is admired, sure, **RickJay** , but he was always too private a person to be beloved. He’s not quite in the Center Circle. That currently consists of Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, and Doug Flutie. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/31 "2004-02-15T22:02:08Z")
> [@Jimmy Chitwood](#): > > Bla bla freakin’ bla. > > It’s probably Dr. J, although Bernie Parent was pretty popular too. Surely Mike Schmidt does not pay for his meals in Philly? … In New Orleans: Former Saints QB Archie Manning. No one else is close. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/32 "2004-02-15T22:17:09Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > In New Orleans: > > Former Saints QB Archie Manning. No one else is close. I agree, but there’s love for “Pistol” Pete Maravich, too. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/33 "2004-02-15T22:33:33Z")
> [@Dewey Cheatem Undhow](#): > > Maybe you’ve heard of a guy named Jim Brown? Jim Brown is not beloved in Cleveland. Respected as the greatest running back in NFL history, with no apologies due to Walter Payton or anyone else, sure, but certainly not beloved. If I had to put a member of the Browns on the list of beloved Cleveland athletes it would be Bernie Kosar, not Jim Brown. In fact, that’s right. Kosar is the most beloved Cleveland athlete prior to the arrival of the chosen one L. James. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/34 "2004-02-15T22:40:27Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Montreal - Guy Lafleur I think Maurice Richard could claim the title more readily, at least among Montrealers over 50. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/35 "2004-02-15T22:46:51Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Jim Brown is not beloved in Cleveland. I honestly did not know this – I just figured, hey, he’s quite probably the greatest running back ever and was in one of the best war movies ever, so he must be loved. Why the dislike of Brown? ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/36 "2004-02-15T23:07:05Z")
> [@Dewey Cheatem Undhow](#): > > I honestly did not know this – I just figured, hey, he’s quite probably the greatest running back ever and was in one of the best war movies ever, so he must be loved. Why the dislike of Brown? I didn’t say Jim Brown was disliked in Cleveland, only that he isn’t beloved. We like him just fine, we’re just not still in love with him. Brown suddenly quit the team before the 1966 season, deciding to go out on top and make movies, so he shook the dust of Cleveland from his feet and moved to L.A. There he’s had a busy life, what with contributing to the fight against juvenile delinquents and being charged with domestic violence. He’s come back to Cleveland for football related events, to be sure, and he spoke out against Modell moving the team in 1995, but that doesn’t mean he’s got any hold on Cleve-town’s soul. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/37 "2004-02-15T23:21:30Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Cincinnati - Johnny Bench, I’m guessing. I’m guessing probably Pete Rose, although he’s sort of like a president: most people love him or hate him. The reasons for Rose: he’s born and bred here (Barry Larkin might be second because of that). He also has a street named after him, which puts him in a tie with Ezzard Charles (prizefighter). I think that Oscar Robinson has a street named after him somewhere around here, but I couldn’t tell you where. And maybe Boomer Esiason as well. In Tampa it’s far and away Leroy Selmon (original Bucs, first player ever drafted). This is enhanced in Selmon’s case because he’s just an outstanding human (as opposed to Rose, who is a scumbag). He’s also now the Athletic Director of the University of South Florida, although on sabbatical for health reasons. The former Crosstown Expressway in Tampa was renamed the Leroy Selmon Expressway. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/38 "2004-02-15T23:24:09Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > In fact, that’s right. Kosar is the most beloved Cleveland athlete prior to the arrival of the chosen one L. James. Feh. And Cleveland is supposed to have great fans. What about [Otto Graham](http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/s/2003/1217/1688946.html)? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/39 "2004-02-15T23:35:10Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Baltimore - Ripken You’re right about this, i think. But it’s not the one-horse race it might seem. The amount of love for Johnny Unitas in this town is pretty amazing as well. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/40 "2004-02-16T00:17:31Z")
I was just going to put in a dissenting opinion for New York City…I think more people alive today have a soft spot in their hearts for Mickey Mantle than Ruth or DiMaggio. He certainly got larger ovations than DiMaggio the last few times they appeared together at Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, about which DiMaggio was not too happy. As for Boston, he needs to put at least 8-10 more good seasons together but Tom Brady is putting in a serious bid for the honor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363.md?page=3)