Saturday, July 27, 2024

Team of the '70s

The Athletics closed out their tumultuous thirteen-year tenure in Kansas City losing 15 of their last 18 games, culminating in a four-game sweep against the Yankees on the final weekend of the 1967 season. 

Finishing 10th out of 10 teams in the American League for the third time in four years was hardly surprising for Charlie Finley's club. Notably it was 9th-place New York who finished dead last the prior year; 1966 was the first time the Yankees resided in the AL cellar since changing their name from the Highlanders. They would not return to the World Series until once again prying away stars from the A's.

Today we'll revisit the rise and fall of a dynasty in Part III -- Team of the '70s.

 ⚾


During the 1967 season, American League owners had approved Charlie Finley's proposal to move the Athletics from the center of the country to the west coast. A state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium built for the Oakland Raiders had opened in 1966, and the A's second relocation would give California a second American League team to match the two National League squads in the Golden state. 

The Athletics' season opener was scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 in Baltimore. However, Opening Day was postponed until April 10th due to the assassination of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Oakland inherited the youngest roster in Athletics franchise history. In '67 the team's oldest starter was 27 year-old right fielder Mike Hershberger, who hit just 26 home runs in his 11-year career. In 1968, 22 year-old Reggie Jackson pushed Hershberger to the bench, smacking a team-leading 29 home runs in his rookie season alone - including one on Opening Day. 

Owner Charlie Finley had assumed general manager duties and brought in a new coaching staff including manager Bob Kennedy and All-Star catcher Sherm Lollar as pitching coach. Finley also hired a former All-Star (who grew up across the bay in San Francisco) as the A's hitting coach.

Hey... that guy on the far left looks familiar... is that..?


Yes, Joe DiMaggio coached the young Athletics hitters for their first season in Oakland. The A's offense improved under his tutelage, jumping from 8th among AL teams in runs scored to 4th in 1968. Oakland's pitchers improved from a last-place runs allowed ranking in '67 to a respectable sixth place in the "year of the pitcher." Such progress resulted in an 82-80 record, the first winning season for the A's since 1952.

Another round of expansion added two teams to each league in 1969*, resulting in four divisions and an expanded postseason. The pitching mound was lowered and the strike zone was adjusted to inject more offense into a noticeably lower-scoring game.

Now a member of the American League West, the Athletics' young core continued trending upward. Third baseman Sal Bando started every game in both 1968 and '69; his on-base percentage jumped from .314 to .400, his walk total doubled, and his home run production soared from 9 long balls in '68 to a career-high 31 in '69.

 *a side note - this round of expansion was originally scheduled for 1971. However, when Finley moved his A's out of Kansas City in '67, Missouri Senator Stuart Symington demanded restitution - which hastened the addition of the Royals (along with the Pilots, Padres, and Expos - all of whom had various struggles in their early years.)

Despite the rule changes designed to increase offense, A's ace Jim "Catfish" Hunter matched his prior year production in several categories, posting the exact same ERA (3.35) while allowing the same amount of hits and runs over 13 more innings in 1969. All-Star John "Blue Moon" Odom tied Hunter for the team lead in strikeouts and shutouts, posting a 15-6 record and 2.92 ERA. Two notable rookies joined the pitching staff in '69, a 19 year-old lefty named Vida Blue, and a right-handed reliever named Rollie Fingers.

The offense was once again led by their slugging right fielder, Reggie Jackson. In just his second full season, the 23 year-old set career highs in runs scored, home runs, RBI, and walks. He was named to his first All-Star team and already had 37 home runs at the break - on pace to break the single-season homer mark set by former Athletics right fielder Roger Maris (Charlie Finley's not gonna let the Yanks get their hands on Reggie... right?)

Though he hit only ten home runs in the second half of '69, Jackson still finished third in the majors with 47 long balls. A sophomore season like that would have card collectors in a frenzy today, but at the time Topps had just released Reggie's rookie card.


As the 1970s began, it seemed a matter of when, not if, Oakland would pass Minnesota for supremacy in the new AL West. The A's had finished second out of six teams in '69, 9 games behind the Twins. Under new manager John McNamara, the 1970 squad finished... second in the AL West, 9 games behind the Twins.

Finley had acquired some veteran help in first baseman Don Mincher, outfielder Felipe Alou, and reliever Jim "Mudcat" Grant. Near the end of a superlative '70 season, Grant was acquired by the Pirates for their pennant run. A few months later Alou was shipped to the Yankees, clearing the way for Joe Rudi to start in left field. Mincher led the Athletics in home runs with 27, picking up some of the slack from a slumping Reggie Jackson.

In what would be his worst season of the decade, Jackson managed just 101 hits and 23 home runs. At one point, Finley threatened to send his star slugger down to the minors. Hunter would represent the A's in the All-Star Game.

Reggie would re-assert himself in '71, particularly in the midsummer classic.


Oakland was 56-31 at the All-Star break, 11.5 games up on second place Kansas City and poised to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time in 40 years. Dick Williams - their tenth manager in as many seasons - molded a roster full of raw talent into a championship contender. Seven of their eight starting position players hit at least ten home runs, with speedy leadoff man Bert Campaneris the only exception. The five-man rotation was anchored not by Hunter or Odom, but young phenom Vida Blue - who won the Cy Young and MVP Award in his first full season at age 21.

These A's were loaded. They were ready. They... were swept by Baltimore in the ALCS.

But they would be back in 1972, with a new approach - and a new look. Reggie Jackson reported to Spring Training sporting a mustache. Dick Williams disliked the display of individuality but couldn't force Jackson to shave. A few of the A's pitchers (most notably Rollie Fingers) began growing mustaches as a protest, which angered Williams but delighted Finley. The A's owner offered $300 to any player who would grow a mustache. By the end of the '72 season every Athletics player - and their manager - had a mustache.


Campy might have needed the whole summer to grow his

Oakland's trendsetting squad won the AL West for the second straight year. Breakout star Joe Rudi earned his first All-Star selection and finished second to Dick Allen in AL MVP voting after leading the league with 181 hits. Hunter finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting after posting a sterling 21-7 record and 2.04 ERA; he got the start in Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit but Fingers earned the win in relief.

Both league championship series and the 1972 World Series went the full 5 or 7 games and all three series were decided by a single run. The Athletics' first World Series in Oakland saw them battle the clean-shaven Cincinnati Reds in a match-up of "Hairs vs. Squares" The Swingin' A's emerged victorious, bringing a World Series title to the Bay area in just their fifth season.

Oakland won another five-game ALCS in 1973, with Hunter shutting out the Orioles in the deciding fifth game. The A's met Tom Seaver and the New York Mets in the World Series, who finished the regular season just above .500 at 82-79 but had Oakland's backs against the wall after their Game 5 win.

Reggie Jackson got revenge on the team that passed him up in the 1966 draft with a three-hit, two-RBI performance in Game 6. Jackson and Campaneris homered in Game 7 to seal the comeback victory.

Jackson earned AL MVP and World Series MVP honors in 1973, pacing the league in runs scored, home runs, and runs batted in while raising his batting average to a career-high 2.93 and lowering his strikeout total to a career-low 111. Sal Bando finished fourth in AL MVP voting, while Catfish Hunter finished third in Cy Young voting.

How long could Oakland keep this going? The core of Jackson, Bando, Rudi, Campaneris, Hunter, Odom, Fingers, Vida Blue, and Gene Tenace remained in place entering the 1974 season. Pitcher Ken Holtzman, acquired from the Cubs for Rick Monday, had been an All-Star in each of his first two seasons with the A's. Bill North slid into Monday's spot in center field - and slid into dozens of bases as the A's newest speedster.

With North, Campaneris, and pinch runner Herb Washington causing havoc on the basepaths, the Athletics were living up to their moniker. All three finished among the American League leaders in stolen bases; North finished first with 54.

The A's finished first as well, ending the '74 season five games ahead of the second-place Texas Rangers for the AL West crown. This time, the A's only needed four games to defeat the Orioles in the LCS and return to the World Series with a chance to three-peat. Standing in their way were the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers, making the 1974 fall classic the first between two California clubs.

Four of the five games ended with a 3-2 score, and three of those ended with an Oakland victory. World Series MVP Rollie Fingers shut the door on Dodger bats, earning a win and two saves.

Charlie Finley had built a dynasty in Oakland. No franchise before or since has won three consecutive World Series titles - aside from the Yankees.

As long as there were no major financial disputes between ownership and players, the Athletics could collect trophies well into the 1980s.


Oh.

Charlie Finley failed to honor the exact terms of Hunter's contract. This breach cracked open the door to free agency, allowing Catfish to choose his employer for the 1975 season and beyond. The Royals, Padres, and Pirates were among the teams bidding for the Cy Young winner's services. The Yankees, who had missed the playoffs for a tenth straight season in 1974, would not be denied.

Hunter's exodus didn't shift the balance of power immediately, though a transition was certainly underway. Pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally followed Hunter's lead and played the 1975 season without contracts, invalidating the reserve clause. New York slid from second in the AL East before the landmark acquisition of Catfish to third in his first season in pinstripes.

Oakland kept on winning without their "boss", filling out their rotation with veteran arms nearing the end of their careers. Joe Rudi moved to first base to clear left field for 20 year-old rookie Claudell Washington, and the A's acquired a Hall of Fame slugger from the Cubs to be their DH.


Spare a thought for poor Billy Williams, who toiled away on Chicago's north side for 16 playoff-less seasons before the three-time World Champion Athletics acquired him. He made his postseason debut at age 37 in the 1975 ALCS, going 0-7 with a walk in the Red Sox' shocking three game sweep. Williams stayed with the A's for one more season, just as the Athletics dynasty was unraveling.

Attendance had peaked at Oakland Coliseum in 1975, bringing in the most fans for an Athletics season since their first year in Kansas City. By the end of the 1970s, attendance had withered to less than 4,000 per game. Free agency was about to significantly change baseball, and Charlie Finley knew it. He attempted to outmaneuver the mass exodus of star power by offloading his players before they hit the open market. 

He started with the team's superduperstar, trading Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman to Baltimore just before opening day 1976, receiving outfielder Don Baylor and pitcher Mike Torrez in return. It was only the beginning. In June, Finley sold Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi to the Red Sox and Vida Blue to the Yankees.


Before Finley could sell off any more stars, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voided the deals, invoking the "best interest of the game" clause. Despite the chaos, Oakland finished just 2.5 games back of AL West winner Kansas City in '76. The A's 87-74 record was their worst since the team's first season in California. It would get worse in a hurry.

Fingers, Rudi, Campaneris, Sal Bando, and Gene Tenace would all leave Oakland after the 1976 season. Even newly-acquired Don Baylor and short-term-stop legend Willie McCovey jumped ship. What did ol' Charlie O. receive in return for these talented players?



1977 was an expansion year, as the American league added teams in Toronto and Seattle. Just like they had in 1961, the Athletics managed to under-perform a brand new team comprised of castoffs. The Mariners finished one-half game ahead of the once-mighty Athletics in the AL West.


Meanwhile Reggie Jackson brought his star to the Bronx, signing with George Steinbrenner's Yankees. With former A's Hunter, Holtzman, and Mike Torrez joining Ron Guidry in the rotation New York took full advantage of the sport's new economic landscape. The "Bronx Zoo" had its share of drama as disparate personalities clashed [a subject for another blogger] yet they survived the personal spats and back-page tabloid gossip to win back-to-back World Series. Jackson, the newly-crowned "Mr. October", was series MVP in 1977. His former team in Oakland had finished last in the AL West, with a 63-98 record.

Vida Blue was the last core member of Oakland's three-time champions to depart; Finley traded him across the bay to the Giants before the start of the 1978 season. The increasingly meddlesome owner attempted to sell the entire franchise, which would have had the Athletics moving once again.



By the end of the decade, the A's had hit rock bottom on the field and at the turnstiles. The total attendance of 306,763 during the 1979 season is the lowest total in Oakland by far. For comparison, the 2024 A's, playing in a Coliseum well past its expiration date, with a lackluster roster and a fan base largely unwilling to attend games as a protest against current owner John Fisher... have already drawn over 100,000 more fans than the '79 squad. 
 
On April 17th 1979, the A's defeated Seattle before a crowd of roughly 250 fans.

The Athletics had built and dismantled a championship ballclub three times. Their maverick owner was looking to cash out, unable or unwilling to compete for star players on the open market. Just as in Kansas City and Philadelphia, the franchise was on the verge of collapse.
 


But, as a new decade dawned, two figures arrived in Oakland to inject some life in the moribund A's. One of Charlie Finley's last acts as owner was the hiring of a former Yankee with a championship pedigree as a player and manager.


Billy Martin had a challenge ahead of him in 1980, but there were some solid pieces to work with - including All-Star catcher Jeff Newman, outfielders Dwayne Murphy and Tony Armas, pitchers Mike Norris and Steve McCatty... and this young man:
 
 

We'll follow Rickey, Jose, Big Mac, and the A's on their road back to World Series glory in the fourth installment of Saturdays with the A's. I hope you'll join me for Bash! next month. 


Thanks for reading!



~

Saturday, July 20, 2024

ESPN's Latest List Is Lousy

This week, ESPN revealed their ranking of the 100 greatest athletes of the 21st century. I do not trust their rankings ever since they put a horse ahead of Mickey Mantle and Walter Payton.. but I had some time to kill at the office on Friday when the CrowdStrike failure shut down half of the internet. We love this timeline, don't we folks? 

Here's the full list, along with my thoughts on each athlete and their ranking. It's a long read but hopefully an entertaining one. Let's gooo...


100Charles Woodsonfootball

 Arguably the best DB of the past 25 years. We're off to a good start here.

99Ed Reedfootball

I liked Woodson more, but Reed might have made a little bit more of an impact.

98Connor McDavidhockey

I was afraid this would happen. This is waaay too low for the most dominant NHLer of the past half-decade. #97 should not be #98… #48, maybe.

97Virat Kohlicricket

The "Worldwide Leader In Sports" putting the emphasis on worldwide here. Can anyone reading this make the case that he's a better athlete than Drew Brees, Vince Carter, Jose Altuve.. or McJesus?

96Darrelle Revisfootball

Three football stars at (roughly) the same position in the first five. Is ESPN's list going to be 60% NFL, like their air time? [spoiler alert: no, just 12%.]

95Zlatan Ibrahimovicsoccer

I like this guy. No issue with this ranking, but including soccer stars on this list is going to get… messy.

94Ronaldinhosoccer

Case in point. If two of the first seven are international soccer greats, this list could easily have a dozen more - which will leave out a lot of MLB/NHL/NFL stars. If you're into that sort of thing.

93Rory McIlroygolf

Of course ESPN would pull this crap. You can argue whether or not golf is a sport -- but golfers are not athletes. You left off Larry Fitzgerald for this guy?

92Pedro Martinezbaseball

This is a 21st century list so Pedro's MVP-worthy 1999 season doesn't count. Otherwise he'd have ranked a lot higher, right? Right??!?!?

91Aaron Rodgersfootball

Wow. I can't stand the guy, but I'm shocked ESPN would rank him this low. I'd have him as a top-ten NFL player of the 21st century, or roughly top 40 on this list. Pat McAfee predictably blew a gasket over this.

90A'ja Wilsonbasketball

Errrghh… a woman?!?!? Damn woke-ass ESPN ( /s). I'm vaguely familiar with A'ja and this feels like a fair ranking.

89Annika Sorenstamgolf

Something tells me the anti-woke crowd would have no issue with Annika. I have no issue with her, either.. except that golfers are not athletes.

88Roy Halladaybaseball

Two baseball players on the list so far, and they're both pitchers. Interesting. Clear case of heavily weighing post-2000 production if he's higher than Pedro.

87Ronaldosoccer

This is the bald Brazilian soccer great - not to be confused with the long-haired Brazilian soccer great, or the Portuguese pretty boy. Get some original names, soccer! (This message brought to you by the Canadian Connor Society)

86Venus Williamstennis

What this tells me is that there will likely be one more women's tennis star on the list, and it won't be Ana Ivanovic or Maria Sharapova.

85Kawhi Leonardbasketball

First NBA star on the list is a fine choice. Rings (and defense) likely explain why he's ahead of Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Damian Lillard, etc.

84Lauren Jacksonbasketball

I'm gonna see Sue Bird on this list, right? Right?!??!

83Chris Paulbasketball

Erm, what was I saying about rings? Scratch that. I guess this means no Steve Nash or Jason Kidd, huh?

82Kohei Uchimuragymnastics

So, is this guy like the Simone Biles of men's gymnastics, or what? This sure is shaping up to be a worldwide list.

81Sheryl Swoopesbasketball

An OG WNBA legend. I'm kind of surprised she accomplished enough in the 2000s to make the list.

80Andy Murraytennis

Ah yes, the token American male tennis star (…) What's that? Andy Murray is British?!? Since when? (…) Yeah, I probably did confuse him with Roddick.

79Bryce Harperbaseball

We'll soon be confronted with the difference between a 'baseball player' and an 'athlete'. Not here. Bryce is an excellent example of both.

78Bernard Hopkinsboxing

Where my boxing heads at? I'm sure Hopkins is very good at the face-punching, but is he really a better athlete than Venus, Bryce, or QAaron?

77Shelly-Ann Fraser Prycetrack & field

Shelly-Ann is Jamaican, which tells me Usain Bolt will be on this list. Which makes me happy.

76Georges St-PierreMMA

We're gonna have a lot of these (Dana)White boys, aren't we? And we're gonna have more non-NHL Canadians than hockey-playing Canadians… eh?

75Xavi Hernandezsoccer

A quarter of the list is in the books, and ESPN has ranked an equal amount of players in football and futbol.

 Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Jose Altuve, Vince Carter

74Lisa Lesliebasketball

Another OG WNBA legend. I'm gonna see Sue Bird on this list, right? Right?!??!

73Mookie Bettsbaseball

Some Red Sox fans still haven't forgiven the team for trading Mookie. I've made my peace with it, and I hope the future HOFer wins another ring or two in L.A. It won't be 82 more years 'til the Sox win again, right? Right?!?!?

72Shaun Whitesnowboarding

Snowboard dudes got mad at Shaun for "selling out" and "going corporate" but did skateboard dudes get mad at Tony Hawk for doing the same? I'm honestly asking.

71Manny Pacquiaoboxing

Pac-man is one of five fighters on the list. There are only three hockey players on this list. Never change, ESPN.😒  Also, learn to count. (Who do they think is the fourth boxer?)

70Andres Iniestasoccer

Andres is one of five athletes I had never heard of here. Wikipedia says he's "widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time." And when is Wikipedia ever wrong?

69Jason Kiddbasketball

Guess I was wrong about the point guard hierarchy. Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back NBA Finals and won a ring at the end of his career with Dallas; is that why ESPN ranked him higher than CP3?

68Phil Mickelsongolf

What part of Golfers Aren't Athletes don't you understand?

67James Hardenbasketball

Breaking News: James Harden has demanded a trade from this list and called ESPN's selection committee a bunch of filthy f**ing liars. Can we put Damian Lillard here instead?

66Jon JonesMMA

I watched Fighting in the Age of Loneliness a few years ago(back when Secret Base made non-NBA videos). If we absolutely must include MMA, then "Bones" and GSP shouldn't be the only names on the list.

65Kylian Mbappesoccer

Mbappe is one of the younger stars here, which could explain his bottom-half ranking. Could also explain why Erling Haaland is not ranked at all.

64Mia Hammsoccer

There's no debating Mia's significance to women's soccer - but wasn't most of her career in the '90s? And why isn't Alex Morgan or Abby Wambach on this list?

63Allyson Felixtrack & field

Taking this opportunity to declare that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone would be a top-50 athlete if ESPN waited until after the Paris Olympics to publish this project. (Also I still say track & field even though the list just says track.)

62Shohei Ohtanibaseball

I know this list includes the entire quarter-century, and Shohei has only been in MLB for a quarter of that time… but this is about 30 spots too low.

61Ray Lewisfootball

I'm not arguing against Ray-Ray; he'd kill me. But Lamar Jackson debuted the same year as Ohtani and also has two MVPs. ESPN says he's "next". (Also, they have a 'next' list that includes a track star - and it's not Sydney??!?)

60Candace Parkerbasketball

Wasn't she the first WNBA star to dunk a basketball? [Nope, that was Lisa Leslie.]

59Mariano Riverabaseball

Okay, sure. And since we're ranking all-time great specialists who only played a fraction of the game but were vital to the success of a dynasty… where should we put Adam Vinatieri?

58J. J. Wattfootball

This list already has more defensive players than your typical football card set. J.J. might not even be the best pass rusher in his own family.

57Calvin Johnsonfootball

Finally a skill position player. Johnson is one of only two non-QB offensive players ranked; there are no tight ends and no running backs. I can't abide having "Megatron" here at the expense of Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson.

56Alexia Putellassoccer

Spanish soccer star was a key member of last year's World Cup champions... which made a lot of Very Patriotic Americans very happy for some reason.

55Luka Modricsoccer

I know he's not Luka Doncic. Modric is Croatian, Doncic is Slovenian. But, while we're on the subject.. is Luka Doncic on this list? (nope, hasn't played long enough.)

54Alex Ovechkinhockey

Arguably the greatest goal scorer of all time is 34 spots ahead of our last hockey player - and 32 spots behind our next hockey player 😠

53Derek Jeterbaseball

Jeter is just one spot ahead of Alex Ovechkin on a ranked list from ESPN - and I'm not happy?!? Just feels too low for both of them.

52Adrian Beltrebaseball

Make his Hall of Fame plaque capless and place it at kid-level, you cowards.

51Steve Nashbasketball

I'm a fan of Nash. I was thrilled he won two MVPs (spoiled Laker fans can cry me a river) But I can't say he should be ranked this high. Especially since Allen Iverson isn't on the list at all.


Alex Morgan, Adrian Peterson, Allen Iverson, Lamar Jackson
 
 
50Zinedine Zidanesoccer
 
This is the head-butt guy. I'm sure he was the Kylian Mbappe of his time. But I only know him as the head-butt guy.

49Aitana Bonmatisoccer
 
A teammate of Putellas on last year's World Cup-winning Espana squad. I can't help but detect a little recency bias on this list. Team USA was a top-3 finisher five times since the turn of the century. ¿Dónde están mis chicas americanas?
 
48Thierry Henrysoccer
 
Another French footballer? Sacre bleu! I'm actually familiar with Thierry because my brother in law is a huge Arsenal supporter, and because he played a few seasons with the Red Bulls. (Henry, not my BIL.)

47Jimmie Johnsonauto racing
 
For you NASCAR fans (Billy, you still with us?) I have good news and bad news. Good news: Drivers are considered athletes. Bad news: JJ is the only NASCAR driver ESPN ranked.

46Max Scherzerbaseball

For those who think the baseball HOF hasn't inducted enough pitchers lately.. they're coming. Four of them, in the next decade or so. As soon as ol' Blue Eye hangs 'em up, he'll lead the way (unless Kershaw or Verlander retire first.)

45David Ortizbaseball

Hell yeah, Big Papi ranks ahead of Rivera and Jeter. This our millennium, bitchezzz! (Also, Papi's kid just got drafted by the Sox. Man, I'm getting old..)

44Mikaela Shiffrinskiing

Shiffy is my athlete crush. As in, I was crushed that she had such a rough time on the fake Chinese snow in the Beijing Olympics. She's still the GOAT on real snow.

43Alex Rodriguezbaseball

I don't remember approving A-Rod's redemption arc, do you? Whatever, it's fine. Let the cheaters and liars inherit the Earth. None of this matters. 

42Giannis Antetokounmpobasketball

This is a fair ranking for the Greek Freak in a vacuum. I might quibble with putting him so close to an inner-circle HOFer and so much lower than a doughy, lumbering big man with fewer years in the league.

41Dirk Nowitzkibasketball

Dirk is third among 21st-century ballers in career points and sixth all time, just behind Michael Jordan. ESPN wouldn't put MJ on this list, right? Right?!??!

40Justin Verlanderbaseball

I really wanted to see him get to 300 wins. I know winning is irrelevant in today's MLB, but with the graveyard of tendons and ligaments growing by the day, I doubt we'll see another pitcher get to 250 again.

39Kevin Durantbasketball

I read a comment on an unrelated recent event that reminded me of KD's almost-trey in the 2021 playoffs. Toe on the goddamn 3 point line, indeed. He's still got a couple more years (and at least one more team) left in him.

38Barry Bondsbaseball

ESPN clearly explained that Barry's pre-2k stats weren't considered, just his PED seasons. Okay, then where's Roger Clemens and Manny Ramirez?

37Ichiro Suzukibaseball

The Hit King will headline next year's Hall class. I'm happy that such a unique and iconic athlete was ranked ahead of Bonds and Rodriguez.

36Maya Moorebasketball

So, we're not completely ignoring UConn alumns. That's good. But we are ignoring Sue Bird, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart. That's bad.

35Dwyane Wadebasketball

I know D-Wade and Dirk buried the hatchet, but it still irks me that he and Bron thought Nowitzki was faking the flu in the Finals. Think they'd have said the same about Jordan?

34Tamika Catchingsbasketball

Six basketball players in the last nine - what is this, Secret Base? (Nah, SB would go 8 for 9)

33Miguel Cabrerabaseball

Here's the "athlete" vs. "baseball player" debate for you: Miggy is unquestionably a top-ten MLB star of the 21st century. But athlete? This guy? (Same goes for #45, and another slugger coming up.)

32Martasoccer

Marta is the only non-American female footballer I'm familiar with. This ranking sounds about right.

31Clayton Kershawbaseball

It's going to be so strange seeing the Dodgers without Kershaw. At least it would be if he hadn't missed so much time with injuries over the past few years.

30Mike Troutbaseball

It's going to be so strange seeing the Angels without Trout. At least it would be if he hadn't missed so much time with injuries over the past few years.

29Michael Schumacherauto racing

And we're back to the vroom-vroom gentlemen. I'm aware of Schumacher. I'm also aware of Max Verstappen.. where's he? (Not old enough? FOH.)

28Nikola Jokicbasketball

Here's a guy who is regarded as the best player in his sport right now. A three-time MVP and 6-time All-Star who debuted during the 2015-16 season and... somehow ranks 70 spots ahead of his NHL equivalent. Huh??

27Randy Mossfootball

Hated this guy as a Packers fan... but secretly loved his game. Interesting that ESPN picks Moss this high and Calvin Johnson at #57, but leaves off Fitz and T.O. entirely.

26Peyton Manningfootball

I might have to extend that 'athlete' or 'star player' question to the gridiron. Peyton was the textbook ideal of a pocket passer, but in no way is he more athletic than Ichiro, Trout, or Moss.

25Floyd Mayweatherboxing

Arguably the only boxer in the past 20+ years who could draw casual fans to watch a fight. "Money" vs. Connor McGregor is the last significant bout I can recall having any buzz. Now the future of the sport is in the hands of... Jake Paul?!?! Yikes.



Manny Ramirez, Max Verstappen, Sue Bird, Terrell Owens


24Albert Pujolsbaseball

By the strict definition of athlete, Pujols is ranked too high. If we're ranking the greatest players of the 21st century, he's too low. "The Machine" was a flawless hitter in St. Louis, though his near-decade of pedestrian production in Anaheim hinders his legacy somewhat.

23Kevin Garnettbasketball

This feels way too high for Garnett, especially considering he's sandwiched between two of the top-ranked stars of their respective sports. There are six basketball players ranked ahead of KG, five from the NBA. Never change, ESPN. 😒 

22Sidney Crosbyhockey

Ugh... where do I start? Crosby and Ovechkin are different players for sure, and three Cups is more than one. But there's no way any knowledgeable entity would rank them this far apart. Ovi is nearing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. Crosby is still an incredible player, and should probably be top-20 here.

Also, that's it for the NHL. The Worldwide Leader has given us five car drivers, four golfers, 
three boxers, two Spanish women's soccer players... and just three hockey stars. No Malkin or Lidstrom or Iginla or Stamkos or Lundqvist or Marty freakin' Brodeur?!?!? That's it, I'm done. Finish the list without me.

21Diana Taurasibasketball

I mean it, I'm not doing this anymore. Yes, I know she went to UConn. Yes, I know she's still playing. Best WNBA player ever. Great. Cool.

20Aaron Donaldfootball

Yep, most dominant interior lineman ever. Best defensive player of the past 25 years I guess. 20th overall though? Hmm. 
 
Okay, fine.. let's see who's ranked ahead of him...

19Lewis Hamiltonauto racing

Oh come on! A driver?!??! Nope, I'm not doing this. I'm sure he's very fast and athletic, but he drives a car FFS. (...) Well, no, I can't drive. I can't skate either, so... (...) No, I have no idea how good he is at driving. But I know the NASCAR heads are gonna roll when they see this particular driver ranked so far ahead of their top guy.

18Patrick Mahomesfootball

Fairly short career compared to other players on the list, though that isn't an issue for me. I'm just annoyed that the one Superbowl Froggy decided not to show up for was against the Bucs and 44 year-old Tom Brady.

17Shaquille O'Nealbasketball

No doubt he was a dominant force for the Lakers in the early 'aughts. This might be a bit high for my liking, but I'm fine with it. Four more basketball players to go. 

16Tim Duncanbasketball

In an NBA-only list, Dirk Nowitzki would be much closer to Duncan. Other than that, I'm good with this.

15Katie Ledeckyswimming

Is Ledecky an absolute beast in the pool? Of course. But is she siginificantly better at swimming than Mikaela Shiffrin is at skiing? I'm not so sure.

14Stephen Currybasketball

Steph's still got it heading into his 16th season. Can he win one more ring without Klay Thompson on his wing?

13Cristiano Ronaldosoccer

I got the impression he was this generation's David Beckham, but apparently this impossibly attractive man is actually good at soccer.

12Rafael Nadaltennis

Nadal is the first of four tennis players ranked in ESPN's top twelve. Say what you want about the network, this list does not reflect their on-air interests at all.

11Novak Djokovictennis

Look, it's the Aaron Rodgers of tennis. I always thought he was a distant third in the men's tour hierarchy but he must have passed Rafa when I wasn't paying attention.



Martin Brodeur, Steven Stamkos, Nicklas Lidstrom, Evgeni Malkin
 
 
10Kobe Bryantbasketball
 
Fair ranking for Kobe in my book, but a lot of fans won't be happy with who's ahead of him.

9Usain Bolttrack & field

Once ESPN decided to go international, I knew Bolt had to be here. Very cool to see him in the top ten.

8Tiger Woodsgolf

Welp, they couldn't put Michael Jordan up here so they did the next ESPN-est thing. It baffles me how many people are salty that this non-athlete is ranked so low.

7Simone Bilesgymnastics

It used to be rare for a gymnast to compete in two Olympics. Biles is about to perform in her third games, and she's still a gold medal contender.

6Roger Federertennis

I used to think of Federer as the anti-Serena, a humble and gracious gentleman of sport. You can argue that he wasn't as dominant as Williams - but who were her Nadal and Djokovic-level competitors?

5Tom Bradyfootball

This list was tailor-made for a guy who started in 2000 and just retired a year ago. I despise this man. I loathe him. I think he should be ranked higher.

4LeBron Jamesbasketball

Before looking at the list, my guesses for ESPN's top three would have been Brady, Bron, Tiger. I'm 0 for 3.

So then who are the top three athletes of the 21st century? Well, here's a clue: we're done with North American team sports... sorta.

3Lionel Messisoccer

Told you this list would get Messi. If he wasn't currently playing for Miami, I'd bet Tiger and Leo would have swapped places.

2Serena Williamstennis

I figured she'd be top five. I'm a little surprised ESPN has her here.


So, who do the geniuses at the World Wide Leader in Sports believe is the World's Greatest Athlete of the 21st century??





1Michael Phelpsswimming


Yeah, I agree with that. 
 
 
Share your thoughts on the list of 100 Greatest athletes of the 21st Century. Who would you move up, or down? Who would you add to the list?


Thanks for reading!



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