What is the greatest accomplishment in sports history?

[Yashamaga]

IYO.

I ask because on "Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith" Larry King, Stan The Maven , A Cycling expert and Stephen A were arguing which is the greatest indiviual feat ever

Stephen A said Jordan's 6 NBA Championships

Maven said Gretzky being the Greatest goal scorer in the NHL

Larry King said DiMaggio's 56 game hitting game streak

Cycling expert had Lance Armstrong's 7 straight Tour de France

[RP]

Stephen A said Jordan's 6 NBA Championships



Stephen A is a fucking moron. If Jordan was a white man, Stephen A would have said Bill Russell's championships.

[Yashamaga]

IMO, the Jordan thing shouldn't even be anywhere near this list because the fact that Bill Russell has more rings than he does fingers stomps all over that argument.

For me it has to be DiMaggio's hit streak. 56 games, people. That's incredible to even think about. What you have to realize about it is that after about 20-25 games he was probably seeing like 3 hittable pitches per game. That's why I think it is THE single greatest accomplishment in sports.

[Gonzo]

I don't know if there is a definitive "greatest" accomplishment but I think Otto Graham's 10 Championship appearances in the 10 years he played (Cleveland Browns) is pretty damn good. Won 7 of those games.

"Automatic Otto" never missed a game as a pro while passing for 23,584 yards and 174 touchdowns. Graham finished his career with an astounding 105-17-4 regular-season record.

http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/s/2003/1217/1688946.html

That is pretty much the epitome of greatness right there, in my opinion.

[RP]

Well now that Gonzo has chimed in. I'll say Peyton Mannings 2004 season has to rank somewhere in the top 20.

[RP]

Also.. I'm just throwing this one out there. Some people may flame me , but i was at this years Indy 500 and i have to admit. Danica Patrick's performance in that race was as electrafying as it was when Miller pushed off Jordan and hit the game winning 3 pointer in the E. Conference finals. I was there too. It was nuts.

[The Miz]

Greg Maddux 18 straight 15 win seasons. Consistency

[VonErich Lives]

Well now that Gonzo has chimed in. I'll say Peyton Mannings 2004 season has to rank somewhere in the top 20.


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[KleptoKlown]

My personal one would be Joe Carter hitting a home run to win the world series. Never have cheereed so much.

[Loose Cannon]

Greg Maddux 18 straight 15 win seasons. Consistency

Yea, that was awesome and it would be a contender for mine, but to me, it's got to have consistency and it's got to be something nobody has ever come close to.

I dunno what it is yet though.

[VonErich Lives]

It's really a tough call, I tend to learn more tword individual acomplishments for things like this over team efforts.

ie: Lance Armstrong, Joe Dimagio (while he was on a team, it's only him at bat). If you're going to say Jordan's 6 rings, then you also need to say Pippen and anyone else on those 6 teams.

So, Armstrong, Dimagio, Jack Nicklaus 18 major wins.

I'm going with Nicklaus, 18 major wins, 19 major 2nds, 48 top 3 over all.

If I had to pick someone in a team sport.

I'd go Jim Brown, I think he avergaged close to 5.5yds per carry for his career and I think he avg over 100yds a game for his career.

Also, LC might have some info on this, there's and old story that Dimagio got "help" from a score keeper in yankee staidum that a few of his 1hit games were actually errors scored hits? I've never seen anyone break it down, didn't know if you knew anything about it. Also, what's better, hitting in 56 games, or hitting in most of those games for a better average (Ted Williams didn't hit in 56 straight but had a better BA during that stretch).

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.

[Loose Cannon]

It's really a tough call, I tend to learn more tword individual acomplishments for things like this over team efforts.

ie: Lance Armstrong, Joe Dimagio (while he was on a team, it's only him at bat). If you're going to say Jordan's 6 rings, then you also need to say Pippen and anyone else on those 6 teams.

So, Armstrong, Dimagio, Jack Nicklaus 18 major wins.

I'm going with Nicklaus, 18 major wins, 19 major 2nds, 48 top 3 over all.

If I had to pick someone in a team sport.

I'd go Jim Brown, I think he avergaged close to 5.5yds per carry for his career and I think he avg over 100yds a game for his career.

Also, LC might have some info on this, there's and old story that Dimagio got "help" from a score keeper in yankee staidum that a few of his 1hit games were actually errors scored hits? I've never seen anyone break it down, didn't know if you knew anything about it. Also, what's better, hitting in 56 games, or hitting in most of those games for a better average (Ted Williams didn't hit in 56 straight but had a better BA during that stretch).


Yea, I read about that. Supposedly, Dan Daniles, the Yankee score keeper and freind of DiMaggio's, was said to have given DiMmagio some hits that were close. But it's all bullshit because Daniles didn't even keep score after game 43. There's really no evidence at all of "foulplay" or whatever you want to call it. It's all just people talking and speculation. I mean, you know how people get when guys get really close to records. It's always some kind of "he got help" talk brought up.

And DiMaggio's average wasn't bad or anything during the streak. He hit .408

Williams hit .412

[Kapoutman]

Wayne Gretzky making 2857 point in 1487 games. That has to be the greatest accomplishment in sport.

And if 6 NBA championships are a great accomplishment, I guess Henri Richard's 11 Stanley Cups beat it.

[MoRcHeEbA]

I don't really think you can pick one great accomplishment in all sports combined. Each has it's greatest moment but there's no way to compare sports to another.

[YOUR Hero]

Ben Johnson's 100 meter dash at the Seoul Olympics. That time has yet to be touched.

[RP]

Ben Johnson's 100 meter dash at the Seoul Olympics. That time has yet to be touched.

wasnt he on roids tho?

[Zen v.W.o.]

Actually Ben's time has been eclipsed. I do believe.

Anyways, nobody has dominated a sport like Gretzky. The guy has more assists I think then the next top scorer. That is in-fucking-sane.

[YOUR Hero]

where in the title does it say that the indiidual couldn't be on roids?

QED

[YOUR Hero]

Actually Ben's time has been eclipsed. I do believe.

Anyways, nobody has dominated a sport like Gretzky. The guy has more assists I think then the next top scorer. That is in-fucking-sane.

nope

then yup on Gretzky

[RP]

where in the title does it say that the indiidual couldn't be on roids?

QED


I guess Hulk Hogan slamming Andre The Giant would be pretty legit .

[RoXer]

Whoever holds the World Record for Marathon running.

[Gertner]

Edwin Moses going undeafted at the 400 meter hurdles for year and years

[MoRcHeEbA]

I suggest a race between Palmero and Johnson

[YOUR Hero]

remember when Ben Johnson was going to become a running back for the Toronto Argos? LOL, what a guy.

[YOUR Hero]

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/02/ben_johnson.jpg

Look at him look back and taunt Carl Lewis, what a guy. :heart:

[Zen v.W.o.]

His time at that race was 9.79..the world record right now is less than that. I think Greene, who once held the record had a 9.78.
I think Montgomery actually holds the fastest time now.

Actually it's held by Asafa Powell, with a time of 9.77. Ben got his at 9.79, and it doesnt count obviously.

[The Gooch]

Nah, they just have better drugs and technology at this time to go undetected. The athletes are 3 steps ahead of the testing. I still think all the top guys are on the juice. The fact that the 9.79 stood for so fucking long as the fastest time even with advancements in sport (and he slowed down at the end to point) astounds me.

Gretz's numbers in a team sport are simply amazing. It's complete dominance.

Lance Armstrong 7 Tour de France wins in a row has to be up there. When people are gunning for you, and you are the man to beat, yet you continue to be the best, you are great. To live up to the challenge that many times is amazing. Considering his historical health issues makes it even more of an achievement.

[road doggy dogg]

LOL @ sig

[VonErich Lives]

Wayne Gretzky making 2857 point in 1487 games. That has to be the greatest accomplishment in sport.

And if 6 NBA championships are a great accomplishment, I guess Henri Richard's 11 Stanley Cups beat it.

Took him 20yrs, Bill Russell got 11 in 13.

But cheebs made the point we all have, how does one compare one sport to another.

[Gonzo]

I agree with Morcheeba and VEL, sports are all different and accomplishing something in one sport is a lot different than another so its unfair to say.

[Joey Slugs]

Without a doubt it's DiMaggio's 56 game hitting game streak. Not only that, but after going 0-4 to end it... he turned around and hit for 17 more after that. No one will ever beat it. Ever. Period.

[Nervous Ferret]

^ :y:

[Rain Man]

When I saw the first episode of Quite Frankly that had to of been the funniest hour of television of my life.. Anyway Lance's 7 in a row is up there

[Skippord]

nope

then yup on Gretzky

Yeah he has by 0.2 seconds

[The Mackem]

Jesse Owens '36

[The Mackem]

"When I came back to my native country, after all the stories about Hitler, I couldn't ride in the front of the bus," Owens said. "I had to go to the back door. I couldn't live where I wanted. I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President, either."

An unrivaled athletic triumph, but more than that, a triumph for all humanity

[I refuse to Rosk.]

Either Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories, Redgrave's five Olympic golds or Sergei Bubka's incredible 3,412 times he broke the World Record at Pole Vault.

[AlphaBean]

Rulan Gardner, bitches. Defeated the beast. :love:

JK nah. I hate hockey, but come on. It has to be Gretzky. In hockey terms, Gretzky could still be playing today if he wanted. He could pad his stats. That's how most players do it. Not even Jordan held any individual records.

Granted, Gretzky's Stanly Cup record isn't what Jordan's NBA championships record may be, but I think the fact that Gretzky dominated every single aspect of one single sport says a lot.

And fuck Lance Armstrong. He biked fast on EPO. Big fucking' whoop.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

What are you talking about? Jordan holds a ton of individual records:

Chicago Bulls all-time leader in scoring (29,277 points), assists (5,012) and steals (2,306)

Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading league in scoring -- 10

Shares the NBA career record for most seasons with 2,000 or more points -- 11; and most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring --7 (1986-87 through 1992-93)

Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average -- 41.0 ppg (1993)

Holds the NBA Playoffs record for most points -- 5,987; highest points-per-game average (minimum 25 games or 625 points)

Scored a career playoff-high 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 4/20/86, setting an NBA record for most points in a playoff game

And thats just some of them. He also lost 2 seasons in his prime to play baseball.

[AlphaBean]

Yeah word, I was talking regular-season career-wise. I guess you're right. Which makes it another shitty argument about stats vs wins. Jordan piles it on in the playoffs, and dominated in his time, and has the rings... Stupid arguments over opinion.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yeah its hard to compare Jordan since he missed 2 seasons in his prime to play baseball. He could have very easily won 8 in a row :eek:

[AlphaBean]

Well just think though, like imagine if Lance Armstrong never caught the Cancer, yet still did EPO, he'd have had like a good 5 more years of dominance.

Or like Barry/Jim Brown retiring far too early?

Or Ted Williams in WW2...

...or all of the Negro League players who were better than the whites, like Satchell or Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, etc...

Dunno.

[Lara Emily]

Hmmm gonna go with Cal Ripkin playing 2,632 straight games

[AlphaBean]

And all of them as a man.




By which, I mean, he played through pain, sickness, his brother's embarrassing antics, etc. etc.

But PS, most of those last games were token games since he was wholly ineffective, and the Orioles had not done a fucking thing until they got uhm, is it Tejada?

[Gertner]

Chris Masters masterlock. Still hasn't been broken

[The Miz]

Hmmm gonna go with Cal Ripkin playing 2,632 straight games

A just above average player "played" (aka. pinch hit in the last inning alot) 2,632 games, big deal

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Hmmm gonna go with Cal Ripkin playing 2,632 straight games
I could see if this a topic about a streak never being broken but greatest? I don't know about that.

[VonErich Lives]

A just above average player "played" (aka. pinch hit in the last inning alot) 2,632 games, big deal


I've always felt it was one of the most over rated records in history.

He pinch hit, got 1 atbat when injured, and played well after he should have retired or been benched.

Miz, have you ever heard anything about an "urban legend" that they pulled the power on a game after he caught his wife in bed with Kevin Costner?

It's an old "urban legend" never heard it confirmed by any big name reliable source.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Pele scoring 1,000 goals in professional football.

[VonErich Lives]

incase anyone hasn't heard it.

http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/ripkencal/

The Kevin Costner Conspiracy
Cal Ripken Jr. is at the center of one of the wildest sports conspiracy theories out there, one that achieved urban legend status and caused actor Kevin Costner to go on a radio show and discuss the allegations.

As the story goes, Ripken allowed Costner to stay at his house following the wrap of The Postman. On Aug. 14, 1997, he came home to find Costner in bed with Ripken's wife, Kelly. Ripken and Costner fought, leaving Ripken too hurt to play, so he called Orioles management and reported that he wouldn't be at that evening's game against Seattle. According to the rumors, management, not wanting to see Ripken's consecutive-game streak broken, concocted an "electrical failure" at Camden Yards that enabled them to postpone the game.

Because a lighting problem did cause cancellation of the game that night, the rumor spread, despite denials by all parties involved. Costner even called Fox Sports Radio in June 2001 after hearing several talk show hosts discuss the conspiracy. He angrily denied it and told the hosts if they continued to talk about it as fact, "I'll take your heads off."

The other version is he wasn't hurt from fighting but got to the field and was too distraught and said he wasn't going to play.

[Gonzo]

Just thought of something. Jim Thorpe going buck nasty at the Olympics and winning a bunch of shit.

[The Gooch]

incase anyone hasn't heard it.

http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/ripkencal/



The other version is he wasn't hurt from fighting but got to the field and was too distraught and said he wasn't going to play.

According to snopes it is false.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/costner.htm

[VonErich Lives]

According to snopes it is false.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/costner.htm

It's is? OMG! You're kidding, no way, Snopes must be wrong, how the hell do you know snopes is right? I think you're wrong, you're very wrong...

or you just simply have no clue what an "urban legend" is, and somehow thought I was presenting this story as fact.

[BCWWF]

Lol at VEL :p

[Loose Cannon]

yea, the Ripken streak is totally overated to me cause he clearly wasn't helping him team at all by the end. He just stayed in to break it. Gehrig was still had a good year in '38, when he had the disease in him, so I think his is more remarkable then Cal's. Then he understood during the first couple of games in '39 that he was done

Anyway, if we're just talking baseball, the greatest achievement IMO is eathier the Maddux thing, Cobb's 12 batting Titles won from 1907-1919 and he had 9 in a row, Gwynn's 19 consecutive seasons batting over .300, or Spahn's and Matthewson's 13 consecutive seasons winning 20 or more games.

I dunno, those jumped out at me. There's probably a bunch more stuff you can argue.

[MVP]

The US Olympic Hockey team defeating the USSR in 1980.

Definitely a contender.

[BCWWF]

Now people are going to bring up when the Canadians beat the Soviets in 1972 or something, or at least thats what happened when I recognized that as an accomplishment once.

[AlphaBean]

yea, the Ripken streak is totally overated to me cause he clearly wasn't helping him team at all by the end. He just stayed in to break it. Gehrig was still had a good year in '38, when he had the disease in him, so I think his is more remarkable then Cal's. Then he understood during the first couple of games in '39 that he was done

Anyway, if we're just talking baseball, the greatest achievement IMO is eathier the Maddux thing, Cobb's 12 batting Titles won from 1907-1919 and he had 9 in a row, Gwynn's 19 consecutive seasons batting over .300, or Spahn's and Matthewson's 13 consecutive seasons winning 20 or more games.

I dunno, those jumped out at me. There's probably a bunch more stuff you can argue.

Heard that Cobb called Babe Ruth a pussy, and that anyone can hit home runs, so in the next two games he changed up his stance and cranked out half a dozen dongs, then went back to how he was hitting before -- hitting for contact and placement. What a legend. Was more of a character than Ruth, just not as marketable.

[AlphaBean]

Now people are going to bring up when the Canadians beat the Soviets in 1972 or something, or at least thats what happened when I recognized that as an accomplishment once.

Hahahahahahahaha that would be hilarious if anyone does that.

I mean come on. Canada invented hockey. That is bullshit. That's like saying the Dream Team 1 and 2 were great accomplishments.