# Who are the marquee athletes of the four major (American) sports? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 9, 2007, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311 "2007-03-09T20:47:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/21 "2007-03-10T21:39:04Z")
MLB: Pujols. NFL: Manning. Peyton, of course. NBA: LeBron James NHL: Jagr? Modano? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/22 "2007-03-10T22:37:51Z")
baseball;Too bad it is Bonds. But it is. Chasing Aaron will stress that this year. NBA -Star is a creature of the league and media . James has been picked but he is not yet there. Shaq is still the star even though he is about done. Golf- I go out on a limb and pick Tiger. Even over lefty. Football-Manning has been chosen. Seems to be the best now and QB gets all the credit . ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2007, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/23 "2007-03-10T22:42:46Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** Moving to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/24 "2007-03-10T22:47:09Z")
MLB: Pujols. His team just won the World Series, and he should have been the MVP last season. He is the hitter I would least like to face with the game on the line, with David Ortiz a close second. Pujols can field well too, so he gets the nod. NHL: Crosby. I dont even follow hockey at all and I hear raves about this kid. Plus, he checking ESPN today, I see he just set the NHL record for youngest player to reach 100 points. NBA: Shaq. Yes he is on the tail end of his career, but he still commands respect, keeps his team in any game (when he plays), and is easily the most recognizable player in the league. Kobe hasn’t done anything since he left, Wade hasn’t done anything on his own yet, Lebron hasn’t done anything period. It is still Shaq’s league, for this year at least. NFL: Odd to see everyone hand the league over to Peyton. Why? Because he has 7000 commercials? As much as I hate the team and the guy, Brady is still the man to beat in NFL. If the Pats had even TRIED to field a decent offense for him last year I think they would have beat the colts again. ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/25 "2007-03-10T23:53:53Z")
[QUOTE=HoboStew] NFL: Odd to see everyone hand the league over to Peyton. Why? Because he has 7000 commercials? [/QUOTE] That, and some silly little game he won about a month ago. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/26 "2007-03-11T00:15:33Z")
I go with the OP’s MLB selection. As far as I know, Jose Conseco is the only outfielder in the universe who had a deep fly ball fall on his head and bounce into the stands for a Home Run. Nothing else in sport approaches this. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/27 "2007-03-11T02:12:53Z")
Mike and Mike on ESPN radio talked about this a few weeks ago. Being as they get paid to follow sports, they likely have a much better perspective of sports than most fans. Their picks, in no particular order were: NFL - Peyton Manning. Tomlinson was mentioned but he hasn’t played in big game yet to get the recognition of the casual fan. NBA - LeBron James. Despite being a great player, his sponsorship dealings have probably done more for his popularity than his game. Bryant’s bad boy image, Shaq’s injuries, and the fact Wade and Tim Duncan play far away from the media centers are holding them back in the polls. MLB - Derek Jeter by a landslide. Playing for a small market National League team in St. Louis is holding back Pujols. The steroids cloud is hurting Bonds and the lack of post season success is hurting Alex Rodriguez. NHL - The said Jaromir Jagr followed closely by a fast closing Crosby. As a NASCAR fan, if there is one driver moving ahead of the pack it is Tony Stewart. He is the media darling in the garage and he is becoming the senior spokesman for the drivers, his comments carry a lot more weight than other drivers. An example would be this weekend in Las Vegas, there have been a lot of comments made by drivers about the new track layout but Stewart’s comments made it to the front page of many sports sections. Since the death of Earnhardt, the media has been looking for a “go to” guy, it looks like Stewart is now willing to step up and be that driver. Jeff Gordon is too vanilla and Mark Martin is too nice. Dale Earnhardt Jr. could have stepped up when is father died but he was too young and immature at the time. A championship or two and losing the party boy image will help, he has taken the first step by trying to take over DEI from Teresa. ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/28 "2007-03-11T03:32:24Z")
[QUOTE=aktep] That, and some silly little game he won about a month ago. [/QUOTE] Brady won 3 of those silly little games. And yes, technically he really only won 2 and they giftwrapped one for him with that absurd travesty called the snow game (bitter raiders fan here and NO, I will not get over it), but he is still the man in the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/29 "2007-03-11T04:05:39Z")
[QUOTE=HoboStew] NHL: Crosby. I dont even follow hockey at all and I hear raves about this kid. Plus, he checking ESPN today, I see he just set the NHL record for youngest player to reach 100 points. [/QUOTE] He hit 100 last season, too. He set the record for youngest player to reach 100 points twice. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/30 "2007-03-11T05:51:41Z")
[QUOTE=whole bean] my two cents, as has been mentioned before, hockey needs to get pulled from the “Big Four” . Go big three or add NASCAR or PGA. [/QUOTE] No Columbus, GA Hockey [Dopefest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=382386) for you, then? I’m going to say Brendan Shanahan for the NHL marquee player, but then I’m from Detroit. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/31 "2007-03-11T06:08:58Z")
The fact that there is debate about the issue indicates that nobody fills those shoes. If there’s a legitimate arguement about who the dominant player is, well then, they aren’t truly dominant are they? Closest thing we have at the moment is Tiger Woods, and he’s been in decline recently. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/32 "2007-03-11T22:33:07Z")
Right now: MLB–\> Roger Clemens or Derek Jeter NHL–\> Sidney Crosby NBA–\> Shaq or Allen Iverson NFL–\> Peyton Manning Of all time: MLB–\> Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams (god, too many Yankees)NHL–\> Wayne Gretzky or Gordie Howe NBA–\> Larry Bird, Jerry West (he IS the logo), Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell or Julius Erving (I’d love to keep it just Dr. J and Larry Legend, but no) NFL–\> Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas (Bo or Deion Sanders get special mention because of their raw athletic ability in addition to their football-accomplishments) In my area (right now): MLB–\> Joel Zumaya or Justin Verlander NHL–\> Henrik Zetteberg NBA–\> Chauncey Billups or Tayshaun Prince NFL–\> Roy Williams or Jon Kitna In my area (all time): MLB–\> Al Kaline, Kirk Gibson, or Alan Trammell NHL–\> Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman NBA–\> Isaiah Thomas or Bill Laimbeer NFL–\> Barry Sanders (blessed be his name) I added the other ones just because I think it might be interesting to see how’s regarded in various regions. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/33 "2007-03-11T22:53:37Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Right now: In my area (right now): MLB–\> Joel Zumaya or Justin Verlander NHL–\> Henrik Zetteberg NBA–\> Chauncey Billups or Tayshaun Prince NFL–\> Roy Williams or Jon Kitna In my area (all time): MLB–\> Al Kaline, Kirk Gibson, or Alan Trammell NHL–\> Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman NBA–\> Isaiah Thomas or Bill Laimbeer NFL–\> Barry Sanders (blessed be his name) I added the other ones just because I think it might be interesting to see how’s regarded in various regions. [/QUOTE] \*\*In my area all time: \*\* MLB: Ruth, Ruth period, Ruth is the biggest of all sports figures. No one has ever dominated and changed his sport like Ruth did. NHL: Gretsky, but we got him locally at the end of his career. NBA: Wilt the Stilt who competes with JOrdan and Russell for greatest of all time. NFL: The original and greater \*\*LT, Lawrence Taylor, #56. \*\* \*\*In my areas Currently: \*\* MLB: Derek Jeter {Mr. November, Captain Crunch} NHL: Martin Brodeur of the Devils NBA: Jason Kidd I guess NFL: Tiki just retired, Donovan lost most of last season and the Jets have no one. I think this position is currently vacant and waiting for someone to fill it. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/34 "2007-03-11T23:04:36Z")
**gonzomax** reminded me of Ty Cobb. I had my Racist Filter on. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/35 "2007-03-11T23:20:23Z")
NFL-- [Kendall Gammon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendall_Gammon) Long snappers get no respect. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/36 "2007-03-11T23:26:37Z")
MLB = Justin Morneau. Whattya mean, “Who?” The _MVP!_ ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/37 "2007-03-12T02:26:02Z")
[QUOTE=NicePete] The fact that there is debate about the issue indicates that nobody fills those shoes. If there’s a legitimate arguement about who the dominant player is, well then, they aren’t truly dominant are they? Closest thing we have at the moment is Tiger Woods, and he’s been in decline recently. [/QUOTE] Yeah-he only won a couple of majors last year. Slacker. ---
**Author:** ![King\_Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311/38 "2007-03-12T03:42:05Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] In my area (right now): MLB–\> Joel Zumaya or Justin Verlander NHL–\> Henrik Zetteberg NBA–\> Chauncey Billups or Tayshaun Prince NFL–\> Roy Williams or Jon Kitna In my area (all time): MLB–\> Al Kaline, Kirk Gibson, or Alan Trammell NHL–\> Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman NBA–\> Isaiah Thomas or Bill Laimbeer NFL–\> Barry Sanders (blessed be his name) I added the other ones just because I think it might be interesting to see how’s regarded in various regions. [/QUOTE] Ok, I guess I’ll play that game too. All Time: MLB - Cal Ripken, then Brooks Robinson, then Jim Palmer NHL - “home” team is the Capitals, and I have no clue NBA - Wes Unseld (yes, the Baltimore Bullets) NFL - Johnny Unitas pre '84, Ray Lewis post '96 Now: MLB - Miguel Tejada NHL - Again, no clue NBA - Gilbert Arenas NFL - Ray Lewis [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-marquee-athletes-of-the-four-major-american-sports/395311.md?page=1)