"This One's For John" — Finally a Champion

The Game Room
21

Similarly Wade Boggs in 1996.

22

Joe Torre deserves a mention here. He played professionally for 18 seasons, and was a manager for another 14 or 15 seasons before winning a World Series.

23

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers

I guess no one else is going to mention Jerome Bettis who had been in 5 playoffs but never a Super Bowl when Ben Rothlisberger promised him a Super Bowl opportunity if he would return for one more season with the Steelers. The promise was fulfilled when Bettis led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XL in Bettis’s home town of Detroit.

24

Jerry West. Rookie in 1960. Only championship in 1972.

25

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors

Rick Barry entered the NBA draft in 1965. His only championship came 10 years later. Five years after that, Barry retired.

26

Doesn’t count because Torre was not an athlete when he won his championships. The OP is looking for athletes.

Here’s the list so far.
Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
27

Lots.

In cricket
1992. Imran Khan. World Cup for Pakistan. A 21 year career and the final was his last match. fated some heartbreaks as well
2011. Sachin Tendulkar. World Cup for India. 22 years.

Formula 1.
1998. Mika Hakannin.McLaren Mercedes.
2009. Jenson Button. BrawnGP. Finally managed to win a title, in between the Schumacher and Vettel years.

NBA (when I watched it anyway)
1993. Hakeem Olajuwaoun. Houston Rockets
1999. David Robinson. Spurs. although was this not a truncated season?
2000. Shaq. LA Lakers.

All three won when Jordan had retired.

For football (association). I suppose Spain is DQed for being a team, their victories in 2008 etc are more than overdue.

I also like Zidane in 2002, winning the UEFA Champions league witn Real Madrid after two previous Finals defeats in 1997 and 1998. But he was already a World Cup and Euro winner at international level with France so, I wonder if he qualifies?

28

Michael Strahan played his entire career with the New York Giants. In his 14th season he got his Super Bowl win at Super Bowl XLII. He retired at the end of the season.

Note: one Super Bowl loss at SB XXXV

29

Mika Häkkinen drove for Team McLaren, so that’s the team listed. Also Olajuwon’s championship was in 1994, not 1993 (MJ “let” him win two championships while trying his hand at baseball – sorry, MJ, while you are greater in any one sport than Bo Jackson ever was, you’re no Bo when it comes to excelling at two sports).

We’ll include Zidane’s UEFA championship in 2002.
Loach, good call on Strahan.

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
30

Gary Payton, “The Glove.” Played 13 years with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds the franchise records for points, assists, and steals. Played with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and finally won a championship with the Heat in 2006.

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
31

I’ve got to take issue with no 1 on the list, Julius Erving. Dr. J had already been on ABA champions in 1974 and 1976 with the NY Nets, and anyone who discounts the quality of those teams is crazy. They were every bit as good as the Havlicek/Cowen Celtics who won NBA titles in both 1974 and '76.

The 1983 Philadelphia 76ers were the team when MOSES MALONE finally won a championship.

32

One more: The 1981 Boston Celtics were Nate “Tiny” Archibald’s first champion after years in the wilderness of KC-Omaha.

33

As for Dr. J’s NBA championship, as I stated in the OP:

Similarly, Zinedine Zidane was included by AK84. Zidane won other levels of championships, but finally got a UEFA championship in 2002.

Also from the OP:

This allows more than one person from a championship team to be included.Yes, Moses Malone belongs in this list. He was a key missing piece for those Sixers. I added him.

As for the ABA’s Nets being just as good as Havlicek’s & Cowens’s Celtics, that might be the case but since they never played we’ll never know. You have to play to find out who ends up on top, otherwise all you’re left with is a lot of discussion and questions. That’s why we say, “That’s why they play the game” (think of the 1969 NY Jets great upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III).
Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
  29. 1983: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
  30. 1981: Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Boston Celtics

BTW, Archibald was included in that show about Dr. J. He’s in the scenes of Harlem’s Rucker Park.

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  1. 2013: Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat

and, for that matter,

  1. 2012: Juwan Howard, Miami Heat
35
  1. 1997: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
36

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
  29. 1983: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
  30. 1981: Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Boston Celtics
  31. 2013: Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat
  32. 2012: Juwan Howard, Miami Heat
  33. 1997: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
  34. 1964: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns

Jim Brown finally won a championship in his second-to last season in the NFL.

37

Wow, did not know that, Old Guy, and he was one of the most elite players, up there with Unitas and Montana and Rice and Payton. It’s good to know Brown finally got a championship.

And thanks for fixing the list, too. :slight_smile:

I’ll add NFL linebacker Gary Plummer. After eight seasons with the Chargers, he joins the 49ers and wins Super Bowl XXIX (when Steve Young finally got the monkey off of his back - hey, there’s another one). Plummer played three more seasons before retiring.
Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
  29. 1983: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
  30. 1981: Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Boston Celtics
  31. 2013: Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat
  32. 2012: Juwan Howard, Miami Heat
  33. 1997: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
  34. 1964: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
  35. 1994: Gary Plummer, SF 49ers
38

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
  29. 1983: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
  30. 1981: Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Boston Celtics
  31. 2013: Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat
  32. 2012: Juwan Howard, Miami Heat
  33. 1997: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
  34. 1964: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
  35. 1994: Gary Plummer, SF 49ers
  36. 1948: Lou Boudreau, Cleveland Indians
  37. 1924: Walter Johnson, Washington Senators

He came up first in 1938 and became the regular Indians SS in 1940. He was an 8 time All-Star selection, won the batting tittle in 1944. In 1948 he led the Indians as a player and manager to its last World Series win. He was a regular only one more season. In 1950, Ray Boone took over as the regular SS, and he was traded to Boston in the off season.

Johnson was one of the best pitchers ever who had the misfortune of pitching for the original Washington Senators. His first season was 1907. He finally got a World Series championship in 1924 at age 36. He pitched on y 3 more years.

39

Frank Bruno. WBC Heavyweight title, 1995. An excellent boxer, who had the bad luck of fighting both Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

Bit obscure for this board, but in Field Hockey, Shahbaz Ahmed. Best player of his generation, finally won a world cup in 1994 captaining Pakistan. Retired 2 years later.

40

Dan Jansen was a champion speed skater winning World Cup titles, but an Olympic medal always seemed to elude him. Despite being a record setter away from the Olympics, in the games of 1984, 1988, and 1992, misfortune dogged him and he came away with, at best, a fourth place finish. Then he lost out in races during the 1994 games of Lillehammer, Norway. Finally, on the very last race of his Olympic career, he took first place, and dedicated the gold medal to his sister. She had inspired him to become a skater, and during a previous Olympics had died of leukemia.

So Jansen was a winner, but until 1994 the thing he seemed to have wanted the most eluded him.

Championship Year | Athlete | Team (as applicable)

  1. 1983: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
  2. 2011: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
  3. 2001: Ray Bourque, Colorado Avalanche
  4. 1998: John Elway, Denver Broncos
  5. 2002: Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings
  6. 2001: Goran Ivanisevic, N/A (Tennis, specifically, Wimbledon)
  7. 1986: Walter Payton, Chicago Bears
  8. 1998: Dale Earnhardt @ the Daytona 500
  9. 2013: Tony Kanaan @ the Indy 500
  10. 2004: Dave Andreychuk, Tampa Bay Lightning
  11. 1995: Rickey Jackson, San Francisco 49ers
  12. 1982: Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, San Francisco 49ers
  13. 2001: Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondacks
  14. 2007: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
  15. 1989: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
  16. 2006: Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
  17. 1972: Jerry West, LA Lakers (he is “The Logo”)
  18. 1975: Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors
  19. 1992: Imran Khan, Pakistan
  20. 2011: Sachin Tendulkar, India
  21. 1998: Mika Häkkinen, McLaren
  22. 2009: Jenson Button, Brawn GP
  23. 1994: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
  24. 1999: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
  25. 2000: Shaquille O’Neal, LA Lakers
  26. 2002: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
  27. 2008: Michael Strahan, NY Giants
  28. 2006: Gary Payton, Miami Heat
  29. 1983: Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
  30. 1981: Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Boston Celtics
  31. 2013: Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat
  32. 2012: Juwan Howard, Miami Heat
  33. 1997: Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
  34. 1964: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
  35. 1994: Gary Plummer, SF 49ers
  36. 1948: Lou Boudreau, Cleveland Indians
  37. 1924: Walter Johnson, Washington Senators
  38. 1994: Dan Jansen, US Olympic team