# What is each sport's signature player? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 28, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791 "2015-11-28T02:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/21 "2015-11-28T21:51:39Z")
Depending on your age, Joe Namath would have been the NFL’s signature player ca. 45 years ago. - I know, technically the Jets represented the AFL in Super Bowl III, but the two leagues reached agreement on a merger in 1966 and fully merged for the 1970 season. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/22 "2015-11-28T22:11:16Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > Cricket: Don Bradman, probably. That was my first thought, and it’s certainly true that the legend of Bradman has an incredible impact in countries like Australia and England. If you’re going by weight of numbers, though, India has over 1 billion people, and i’m not sure they would see Bradman as a more significant player than Sachin Tendulkar. Someone like Garfield Sobers might also be in the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/23 "2015-11-28T22:14:03Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Cycling is Eddy Merckx. Not Lance Armstrong? > [@Superdude](#): > > Dale Earnhardt Sr for Nascar? That’s what I was thinking too. This isn’t really a “who is the best player ever of the sport?” it’s more of a “who is the person the most people immediately think of when they think of the great players of the sport”. When you say “cycling”, I think most people will immediately think of (or at least know) Lance Armstrong…using illegal drugs, aside. I’ve never even heard of Eddy Merckx. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/24 "2015-11-28T23:06:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That doesn’t necessary make him the sport’s “signature player,” though. A strong argument can be made for a number of players being as great a baseball player as Babe Ruth, but Ruth remains the sport’s signature player. > > Muhammad Ali is, to my mind, the obvious example. I don’t believe Muhammad Ali was the greatest boxer who ever lived - top ten for sure, but technically I think there have been a few greater. But he is ABSOLUTELY boxing’s signature athlete. Nobody asked Sugar Ray Robinson to light the Olympic flame. I agree with you and **Walken After Midnight** on Ali the personality. Ali the boxer…no way. He legitimately lost too many fights…and won a couple he should have lost. But he was probably the most charismatic and socially important athlete ever. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/25 "2015-11-28T23:25:22Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > Cricket: Don Bradman, probably. England and Australia, probably. Not so in the subcontinent; I would say Imran Khan in Pakistan and probably Sachin in india. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/26 "2015-11-28T23:32:17Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Messi is a system guy…he is great at Barca because of their unique style of play and the allstars around him. > > If you put Messi and CR7 on Wigan Ronaldo will be better, far better, IMO because of his size and athleticism. > > I know its a Euro thing to overestimate the Champions League. Yes, they have a world of talent. But the WC is the competition where players are playing for their families and country. The pressure is greater. Messi hasnt been able to deliver there or the Copa America. > > That said, I agree that he is a great player. Agreed. Messi plays either as a Right Forward or False Nine for Barca. His worst position is as the No 10/Attacking Midfielder role; which is what he usually plays for Argentina. Ironic considering his number. And this was Pele/Maradona’s best position. However, his international “failures” while brought into sharp relief twice in the last 18 months can be overstated. If just two plays had gone differently, no one would have had a doubt as to who the greatest footballer; the guy who won a WC, CL and Major Continental title in 12 months. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/27 "2015-11-28T23:41:02Z")
I’d pick John McEnroe for tennis for exactly the same reasons that Ali was suggested for boxing. Well, McEnroe was a bit more controversial, but nonetheless he was the voice of tennis for almost a generation. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/28 "2015-11-28T23:42:34Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Not Lance Armstrong? > > That’s what I was thinking too. > > This isn’t really a “who is the best player ever of the sport?” it’s more of a “who is the person the most people immediately think of when they think of the great players of the sport”. > > When you say “cycling”, I think most people will immediately think of (or at least know) Lance Armstrong…using illegal drugs, aside. I’ve never even heard of Eddy Merckx. This is kind of like a Japanese guy saying that Hideo Nomo is emblematic of baseball, and he’s never heard of Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, or Hank Aaron (in an alternate reality where Nomo won 3 Cy Young awards but was found to have been cheating his entire career after he retired.) ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/29 "2015-11-28T23:48:40Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Agreed. Messi plays either as a Right Forward or False Nine for Barca. His worst position is as the No 10/Attacking Midfielder role; which is what he usually plays for Argentina. Ironic considering his number. And this was Pele/Maradona’s best position. > > However, his international “failures” while brought into sharp relief twice in the last 18 months can be overstated. If just two plays had gone differently, no one would have had a doubt as to who the greatest footballer; the guy who won a WC, CL and Major Continental title in 12 months. Agreed…maybe Messi could have used a ummm stronger hand in those matches. But why no love for Ronaldo? Hes a guy who can carry a side all by himself. I get it that Messi is by far a better human being. But CR7 on the pitch in his prime was magic. ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/30 "2015-11-29T00:07:20Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I don’t know enough about tennis to answer. Martina Navratilova? I think Martina could certainly count. She has the most titles (singles and doubles) of any other player in the Open Era and her longevity is unparalleled. Women’s Soccer: Abby Wambach Swimming: Michael Phelps Skateboarding: Tony Hawk (While you could make a case for others, especially in street, I remember when he landed the 900. It was unreal at the time.) Gymnastics: Nadia Comăneci ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/31 "2015-11-29T01:46:33Z")
To me - the ‘Signature’ player is the one who is associated with the sport as the cliche - eg, if you and your mates are mucking about and someone throws a mock punch, someone will shout ‘Look out! It’s Muhammed Ali!’. This has nothing to do with whether Ali was better than Dempsey, or Louis, or Robinson or anyone else - it’s just that if you want to use a name to refer to boxing, you use Ali. Similarly, in the UK, it was standard that if a cop pulled you over for speeding he would ask ‘Who do you think you are, mate? Stirling Moss?!?’. Stirling Moss never won a world championship. the UK have had many other drivers who had - but, Stirling Moss is the name. (It actually may never have happened in real life - it’s a very old gag - but Moss is EXACTLY the right name to use). Regional variations come into it, of course. (In Australia, we would use Peter Brock - local motoring racing hero - rather than Jack Brabham, who was a 3-time world champ). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/32 "2015-11-29T03:09:36Z")
Tennis is Federer, no question. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/33 "2015-11-29T08:21:57Z")
Tennis - Federer Boxing - Ali Football - Pele Cricket - Bradman Rugby - Lomu (RIP…very sad) Skiiing - Klammer Motor Racing - Senna ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/34 "2015-11-29T10:30:24Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Agreed…maybe Messi could have used a ummm stronger hand in those matches. But why no love for Ronaldo? Hes a guy who can carry a side all by himself. I get it that Messi is by far a better human being. But CR7 on the pitch in his prime was magic. Ronaldo has a bit of the show pony about him (like Neymar). Messi is a lot more solid. Both CR7 and Messi need a good midfield backing them up. Its no surprise that CR7 started doing better when Carrick joined Man U. Same way, Messi had the advantage of playing with Xavi. While nowhere near their level, Beckham could sometimes singlehandedly win games on his own. ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/35 "2015-11-29T16:09:52Z")
Since no one mentioned it, I nominate Mario Andretti for Indy/Cart Racing. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/36 "2015-11-29T16:28:40Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Tennis is Federer, no question. McEnroe. I wouldn’t recognize Federer if I passed him on the street. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/37 "2015-11-29T17:52:07Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > McEnroe. I wouldn’t recognize Federer if I passed him on the street. If you asked me to name a tennis player I suspect my first answer would be Serena Williams. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/38 "2015-11-29T18:07:49Z")
A lot of these are going to depend on the age of the person asked. A twentysomething who is only vaguely familiar with golf will almost certainly say Tiger Woods, while a 60 year old might say Nicklaus. Similarly, younger people might say Federer for (men’s) tennis, while older ones could say McEnroe, Connors, Borg, or even Laver. Oh, and horse racing = Secretariat. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/39 "2015-11-29T19:09:03Z")
> [@piepiepie](#): > > Women’s Soccer: Abby Wambach Mia Hamm. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/40 "2015-11-29T20:54:42Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > A lot of these are going to depend on the age of the person asked. A twentysomething who is only vaguely familiar with golf will almost certainly say Tiger Woods, while a 60 year old might say Nicklaus. Similarly, younger people might say Federer for (men’s) tennis, while older ones could say McEnroe, Connors, Borg, or even Laver. > > Oh, and horse racing = Secretariat. Yeah, for tennis, I’d go Federer or Nadal, but if you asked me not to consider currently playing players, it’d be Bjorn Borg. On the women’s side, I was a huge Chris Evert fan as a kid, so her, Navratilova, and Graf immediately come to mind. It’d probably be a toss-up between the last two, though, if we don’t consider current players. Otherwise, yeah, Serena. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791.md?page=3)