# 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:** 5
**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:** [December 1, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/81 "2015-12-01T18:40:06Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > I see some names mentioned for NASCAR and some for Formula 1, but I’d think that Mario Andretti is the “signature” auto racer in a more generalized sense. Andretti is much more famous for his US exploits than for those in the more competitive global series. He really only had one and a half good years in F1, and went back to the US after four bad ones. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/82 "2015-12-01T19:12:47Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I think you could make the case for Wilt Chamberlain being the signature player over the life of the NBA, but Jordan probably took the crown from him. I think it would have to be Jordan, especially if you add his international recognition. He may not be known everywhere, but I remember, as a Chicagoan, when introducing myself in Europe in the 80s vs the 90s, when I said I was from Chicago, the first reaction used to be “Oh, Chicago? Al Capone-ay!” And by the mid-90s, it changed to “Oh, Chicago? Michael Jordan!” Not a universal reaction, but I was somewhat surprised at the time how famous he had gotten beyond US borders. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/83 "2015-12-01T19:17:31Z")
Lacrosse: Gary Gait (and his twin Paul) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/84 "2015-12-04T20:33:31Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > (but Roger Clemens as the signature baseball pitcher) In modern baseball history the “signature” baseball pitcher is definitely Nolan Ryan. Ryan sort of defines pitching and was remarkably deified after his retirement. He’s been named Best Pitcher Ever in many polls. When we held a poll on the SDMB he got a lot of votes. Ryan had, and has, a mystigue Clemens does not. Ryan is sort of the very definition of a dominant pitcher. Of course, Ryan (like Muhammad Ali in boxing) is not actually the BEST pitcher of all time. He’s not even in the top twenty, really. He is, however, the signature pitcher. ---
**Author:** ![pojimba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@pojimba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pojimba)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/85 "2015-12-04T20:57:04Z")
Luge: Georg Hackl. Snooker: Stephen Hendry. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/86 "2015-12-04T21:54:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I think it would have to be Jordan, especially if you add his international recognition. He may not be known everywhere, but I remember, as a Chicagoan, when introducing myself in Europe in the 80s vs the 90s, when I said I was from Chicago, the first reaction used to be “Oh, Chicago? Al Capone-ay!” And by the mid-90s, it changed to “Oh, Chicago? Michael Jordan!” Not a universal reaction, but I was somewhat surprised at the time how famous he had gotten beyond US borders. Don’t forget the shoes. I knew what Air Jordans were long before I knew what the NBA was or who Michael Jordan was. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/87 "2015-12-04T22:33:19Z")
> [@pojimba](#): > > Snooker: Stephen Hendry. This is an interesting one, I would go with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Simply because O’Sullivan is so loved by even the most casual snooker fans. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/88 "2015-12-05T20:08:19Z")
kobayashi or chestnut? ---
**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:** [December 5, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/89 "2015-12-05T21:31:08Z")
Kobi but he can no longer compete with Chestnut. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/90 "2015-12-06T02:17:21Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > In modern baseball history the “signature” baseball pitcher is definitely Nolan Ryan. Ryan sort of defines pitching and was remarkably deified after his retirement. He’s been named Best Pitcher Ever in many polls. When we held a poll on the SDMB he got a lot of votes. Ryan had, and has, a mystigue Clemens does not. Ryan is sort of the very definition of a dominant pitcher. > > Of course, Ryan (like Muhammad Ali in boxing) is not actually the BEST pitcher of all time. He’s not even in the top twenty, really. He is, however, the signature pitcher. [And he could throw punches as well as he threw fastballs.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdyeWgsa_R8) ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/91 "2015-12-07T19:05:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Of course, Ryan (like Muhammad Ali in boxing) is not actually the BEST pitcher of all time. He’s not even in the top twenty, really. He is, however, the signature pitcher. Not in the top twenty? Are you serious? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/92 "2015-12-07T19:14:01Z")
Technically, baseball reference’s WAR leaderboard has him listed at exactly #20. ---
**Author:** ![Shearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Shearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shearer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/93 "2015-12-07T19:27:37Z")
Out of the big 4 US sports Michael Jordan is the only player i would recognise I know the names Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky, wouldnt know what they look like Couldn’t name an NFL player, unless Dan Marino was one. I remember his name because it rhymes with San Marino but not his sport. ---
**Author:** ![Shearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Shearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shearer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/94 "2015-12-07T19:37:10Z")
> [@Asympotically\_fat](#): > > This is an interesting one, I would go with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Simply because O’Sullivan is so loved by even the most casual snooker fans. O’Sullivan I’d say Probably Steve Davis over Hendry too, considering he was the best at the peak of the sports popularity and played in it’s biggest game with 20 million or something watching. Hang on, what about Jimmy White… ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/95 "2015-12-07T19:48:13Z")
> [@Shearer](#): > > Out of the big 4 US sports Michael Jordan is the only player i would recognise > > I know the names Babe Ruth and Wayne Gretzky, wouldnt know what they look like > > Couldn’t name an NFL player, unless Dan Marino was one. I remember his name because it rhymes with San Marino but not his sport. Yes beyond Jordan, the sports stars in the major US sports most likely to be recognized outside of the US would be distinctive basketball superstars like O’Neill and Rodman or OJ Simpson, but more for his services to acting and murdering than his services to gridiron. I would say Michael Jordan is possibly the overall signature player for all US sports. It is difficult to think of a US sports star (in a major US sport) that has anywhere near the global stature of Jordan. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/96 "2015-12-07T19:55:45Z")
> [@Shearer](#): > > O’Sullivan I’d say > > Probably Steve Davis over Hendry too, considering he was the best at the peak of the sports popularity and played in it’s biggest game with 20 million or something watching. > > Hang on, what about Jimmy White… Nobody thought anyone could be more dominant than Davis, but then Hendry appeared and surpassed him. Jimmy White was a fan favourite and was Davis, Hendry and O’Sullivan’s idol which shows his influence and appeal, but he’s never won a World Championship. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/97 "2015-12-07T20:53:33Z")
As someone not that into sports, for me it’s basically the first name I think of when I hear the sport. Most of these are just from me being a kid at a certain time: Football/Soccer: Mia Hamm or Oli Kahn American Football: Brett Favre Baseball: Probably Ichiro. I’m not big into baseball and most of my conversations about it were in Japanese class so… Babe Ruth is probably the safer pick, but my first thought is always “Ichiro” Hockey: Wayne Gretzky Basketball: Michael Jordan (I think like I’ve heard more about players like Shaq, but Michael Jordan is just my image of “basketball”. This is a problem because there’s a big machine learning guy also named Michael Jordan) Boxing: Muhammad Ali Tennis: Venus and Serena ---
**Author:** ![dunkleosteus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dunkleosteus/32/9331_2.png) [@dunkleosteus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dunkleosteus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/98 "2015-12-07T22:41:33Z")
Sydney Crosby has made a name for himself in the last decade. Haven’t checked on how he’s doing lately, but he might be a contender if you’re looking for someone currently playing the sport. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/99 "2015-12-07T23:13:33Z")
> [@dunkleosteus](#): > > Sydney Crosby has made a name for himself in the last decade. Haven’t checked on how he’s doing lately, but he might be a contender if you’re looking for someone currently playing the sport. Sidney Crosby is in the running for greatest of this generation (with Ovechkin and Malkin in the same running), but Gretzky is untouchable. I’m a Penguins fan, so I think Lemieux and Crosby when I think of my favorite greats, but even Lemieux pales in comparison to Gretzky in both name recognition and legendary status. Gretzky has 100 more assists than any other player in history has points and his career point total is nearly 1,000 points higher than #2 on the all-time list (2857 vs. 1887). Gretzky’s records will likely stand for all time. They are so far and away above anyone who has ever played the game. Only Lemieux, for a short period of time, ever even approached what Gretzky was able to do over a season long period, and he’s not even in the ballpark when it comes to career. Gretzky owns 8 of the top 10 highest scoring seasons in NHL history, with Lemieux filling out the other two (at #5 and 8). ---
**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:** [December 8, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791/100 "2015-12-08T00:21:40Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > Not in the top twenty? Are you serious? Cy Young Christy Matheson Walter Johnson Carl Hubbell Lefty Grove Grover Cleveland Alexander Warren Spahn Bob Gibson Roger Clemons Tom Seaver Sandy Koufax Satchel Paige Greg Maddux Pedro Martinez Kid Nichols Jim Palmer Early Wynn Bob Feller Clayton Kershaw Randy Johnson 20 guys off the top of my head who are better than Ryan. And I love Ryan as an Angels fan. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-each-sports-signature-player/738791.md?page=6)