# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/81 "2004-02-17T15:04:15Z")
Has anyone mentioned Denver? Is there any doubt about that city? ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/82 "2004-02-17T15:06:21Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Nothing personal, but I think it’s a bit of a stretch to consider Lexington a “major city”. Hey, it’s a “major city” from my somewhat rural (Madison County) perspective! (Okay, I admit it… I consider any city with a population larger than 100k to be too big for me, and thus “major”. I have no doubt that mine is the minority opinion.) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/83 "2004-02-17T15:10:54Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > Has anyone mentioned Denver? Is there any doubt about that city? No, there is no doubt there! John “Horseface” Elway, by much more than a nose (and a chin, and those ginormous front teeth…). ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/84 "2004-02-17T15:27:48Z")
> [@Chastain86](#): > > I’d add one more name to that list that might actually place as high as 3rd: > > Jack Buck, long-time Cardinals announcer. > > By the way, I’d still argue that Ozzie Smith is #1 on that list, if ever so slightly. 🙂 Musial would win hands-down as “most-beloved.” I’ve never heard anyone speak ill of him. Ozzie, however, threw a gigantic hissyfit after acknowledging and accepting the competition for the starting shortstop position in Spring Training, and then losing. Storming off in a huff never to associate with the team again until the manager leaves strikes me (and many others) as an extremely juvenile, self-centered, crybaby, whiny-ass thing to do. Combine that with his constant selling of everything “Ozzie,” from merchandise and autographs and appearances to _divorce lawyers_, he annoys the crap out of a lot of people. I used to love him as a kid, but now he just bugs me. The OP said most-beloved _athlete_. . .Jack Buck is certainly beloved, but not as an athlete. It’s Musial. Strange-looking statue and all 😃 . ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/85 "2004-02-17T16:32:50Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > It would be a close vote between Brett and Buck O’Neil (Negro Leagues). Buck’s da man! I disagree. I mean, Buck is great and all–and he’s finally getting his deserved recognition–but in terms of popularity and affection, George Brett dwarfs the man by far. Having lived in Kansas City and some of its outlying metro areas nearly my entire life, I think I can safely say that, if asked who he/she might think the consumate Kansas City athlete might be, George Brett’s name will be spoken most often. (This is pure, wild-assed speculation on my part, but I also feel that you’ll encounter a good number of people in the area who don’t even know who Buck O’Neil is.) ---
**Author:** ![Jerrybear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8c91f0/32.png) [@Jerrybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerrybear)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/86 "2004-02-17T19:20:23Z")
Another possibility for Detroit would be Al Kaline. Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, Hank Greenberg, and Charlie Gerhinger would also rank high on the list of favorite Tigers. For the Pistons, probably Isaiah Thomas or maybe Bill Laimbeer. Lions? I guess Bobby Layne, who was the Lions QB back when they last won an NFL championship. Green Bay only has one big league team, but they have had so many great players/coaches that it is hard to pick just one. Favre is an obvious choice, but then there is also Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi, Ray Nitschke, Curly Lambeau, etc, etc. I heard someone mention Columbus, OH so I will make a nomination for the city of tOSU’s main rival, Ann Arbor, MI: Bo Schembechler. That is, if we are counting coaches. If not, then Charles Woodson, Desmond Howard, or Tom Harmon. ---
**Author:** ![Jerrybear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8c91f0/32.png) [@Jerrybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerrybear)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/87 "2004-02-17T19:24:17Z")
> [@Chastain86](#): > > Probably the biggest hero Phoenix has known is Dan Majerle from the Phoenix Suns. Majerle would also probably be the biggest sports hero of all time in the little mid-Michigan college town where I earned my bachelor’s degree…Mount Pleasant, where Majerle starred for Central Michigan University. ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/88 "2004-02-17T19:38:24Z")
> [@Bell Jar](#): > > Maybe because I’m partial to hockey or that its all I know, but in Detroit, I’d have to say that Steve Yzerman is one the most popular and well respected athletes to have played in Detroit. Yep, it’s gotta be Stevie in Detroit. If we’re allowed to get historical, I’d put Al Kaline right up there, too. ---
**Author:** ![TurdFerguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@TurdFerguson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TurdFerguson)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/89 "2004-02-17T19:45:42Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Central and southern \*rural \* Indiana, yes. Northern Indiana, it’s probably Knute Rockne or other Irish-related athlete. Indianapolis is Manning, Reggie Miller or the most recent 500 winner. Agree with Reggie Miller, I think Peyton is getting there and Marvin Harrison, too. Even though he had a short stint in Indy, there is a lot of love for Jim Harbaugh. 😕 I won’t get into the college ranks, because that’ll invite all of the Indiana, Purdue and Irish fans/alums here to completely hijack this thread. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/90 "2004-02-17T21:39:43Z")
> [@Dewey Cheatem Undhow](#): > > I’d think Earl Campbell would rule the roost there, too, from his UT days (I’m a UT law grad, so I’m a bit biased). Though if we include coaches, the undisputed king of Austin is Darrel Royal. Maybe in Old School Austin. But we have a ton of relatively recent transplants from California and such. I think if you took a poll among the general poulace, Lance would come out far, far ahead. (I went to UT and graduated in 2000 and I only have a vague idea who Earl Campbell is. But I also don’t follow football…) ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/91 "2004-02-17T21:41:34Z")
For Los Angeles I would like to add **Oscar De La Hoya** to the list. He has been marketed as a nice man who worked his way up from a humble beginning and the city really loves him. ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/92 "2004-02-17T22:07:27Z")
> [@Dewey Cheatem Undhow](#): > > 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. Definately Hakeem, carried us to our only two Major Sports Championships on his back. The Tyler Rose is pretty popular, but I would IMHO is more of an Austin guy. Currently I’d have to go with David Carr. Roger Clemems is getting lots of pub with baseball season coming up, but in reality this is a football town. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/93 "2004-02-18T05:32:19Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > Trust me, no one’s lobbying to change the Oriole’s ballpark name to Cal Ripken Stadium. > > (Yes, I know he built his own ballpark and named it after himself. I’m talking about Camden Yards.) I think Ripken Stadium is named after Cal Sr. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/94 "2004-02-18T08:40:43Z")
> [@mouthbreather](#): > > pittsburgh, my initial thought was Clemente, but Jack Lambert has to be pretty high up on that list as well. I’m not a Pittsburgher, but wouldn’t Willie Stargell be pretty high up on the list of “beloved” Pittsburgh sports figures? It’s hard for me to imagine Jack Lambert inspiring warm fuzzies in much of anyone. As for Memphis, it used to be Penny Hardaway, but these days I’d say either Shane Battier or Pau Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies). Stubby Clapp, who played for our AAA baseball team for several years, definitely held the spot for a while, but he’s moved on to the Richmond Braves, last I heard. Wait, what am I saying? Tim McCarver is almost certainly Memphis’s most-beloved. He never played for a Memphis team (that I know of), but he’s from here and still a hometown favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Oak\_Arkansas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@Black\_Oak\_Arkansas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Oak_Arkansas)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/95 "2004-02-18T09:28:32Z")
Memphis, Tennessee-Jerry “The king” Lawler, professional wrassler. ---
**Author:** ![Landshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@Landshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Landshark)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/96 "2004-02-18T12:14:24Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > Adding an obvious one that hasn’t yet been mentioned: Tony Gwynn in San Diego. He was neck and neck with Junior Seau for a long time, but then Junior went to Miami. Nobody will ever touch Tony – he’s just so _nice_. Yes, definitely Tony Gwynn for San Diego. His reputation was further enhanced when he stayed in town after retiring and became head baseball coach for San Diego State University. ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/97 "2004-02-18T14:15:46Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > **Polycarp** , I’m not sure we’ll be able to debate this one, but I think the DC fans cherish Darrell Green as much as they cherished Walter Johnson. He was a classy guy, a dedicated human and athlete (have to be to put up with all those horrible seasons in the 90s; he could probably have gone elsewhere for more money) and from what I am told active in the community. It was not a dry-eye Darrell Green Day for me; as a Knicks fan I had only a slightly more intense reaction to happening upon (literally) Patrick Ewing night on television last year. **iampunha** , I have to agree with you. Green is everything you described and more. I can remember in the late 80s when he was living in my area of Northern VA my mom saw him in the grocery store a few times and he’d be as friendly and jovial to everyone as if he was their neighbor, then the next day you’d see him tearing it up at RFK and the next week he’d be visiting cancer patients at Children’s Hospital. He is truly a great man in every respect. Even Dallas fans have to tip their hat when his name is brought up in conversation about athletes. My dad went to Darrell’s last home game in Washington, too, and if you’ve never seen a 54-year old country boy cry, you would have if you’d been in section 410 at Fed Ex field that day 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/98 "2004-02-18T18:01:45Z")
> [@Black Oak Arkansas](#): > > Memphis, Tennessee-Jerry “The king” Lawler, professional wrassler. I was just trying to think of some pro wrestlers for this debate. Jerry Lawler, of course. But don’t forget Ric Flair. I just can’t figure out a city in North Carolina to tie him to. He’s beloved throughout the whole state. And Shawn Michaels in San Antonio, but there may be some older wrestlers from there I don’t know of who are more popular. Bret Hart in Calgary, definitely. Who would be the most popular wrestler to come from Parts Unknown? There’s been quite a few. (Although, sadly, not so many in recent years.) ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/99 "2004-02-18T18:03:05Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > I think Ripken Stadium is named after Cal Sr. :smack: You’re right, of course. I forgot all about that. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363/100 "2004-02-18T18:08:17Z")
> [@kevja](#): > > [QUOTE=RickJay > San Francisco - Willie Mays Maybe, but Joe Montana feels a lot of love here. [/QUOTE] I was going to take issue with RickJay’s opinion, but was beaten to it. While Mays is probably the greatest player ever, he may not even be the most beloved SF Giant – that might’ve been Willie McCovey. But around here, Joe Montana is God. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-beloved-athlete-in-each-major-city/229363.md?page=6)