Who do you think is the most dominant player to ever play in (professional) sports? I'm not talking about the most talented or atheletic. I want to know who is the most dominant. Some one who is head and shoulders above the rest in their sport.
My vote goes to Wayne Gretzky in hockey. Career wise he has accomplished so much more than any other hockey player ever played. Comparing that to other atheletes in other sports, he stands as the most dominating.
Thoughts?
Last edited by dylo22; May 10th, 2011 at 08:12 PM.
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I guess I wasn't really clear with my question. I meant who is the most dominate athelete to play in any sport. If you had to pick one, who would it be be and why?
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For tennis, it's Federer. In his prime, he seems like he's not even trying while winning most of his Grand Slams with ease. Short of Nadal on clay, no one seemed close. Age seems to have caught up with him now. Looks like Sampras will keep his record of most total weeks ranked #1 in the world by 1 week. Federer still has the record for most consecutive weeks at #1 and most grand slam semis by a mile. He also has the most grand slam titles as well. I didn't really was into Tennis until about 10 years ago. I'm glad I got into tennis in time to see Federer through his prime.
Federer is definately one of the greatest tennis player ever, but I don't think he's the most dominant. Like you said sampras is just as impressive as Federer was when he was in his prime.
Tiger is good, but until he wins more majors than Jack Nicklaus, I can't consider him as the most dominant golfer that ever played.
Jordan is one the best basketball player that ever played. However, stats wise, he's not that impressive compared to other players in different eras. I think Jordan change the way the game is played more than he was dominant.
I can see a case for shawn white. It seems like he always wins gold on super pipe and slopestyle. It's hard to judge right now because he's still young. If he continues to dominant then yes he is right up there.
Maybe its because I am from St. Louis, but with baseball I have to go with Albert Puljos. At least 30HR every year for his first 10 years in the majors? They recently ran an article here in STL that said Albert accounts for so much offense that if he does leave and we don't get someone that can hit to replace him we will not win 70 games the following season.
Maybe its because I am from St. Louis, but with baseball I have to go with Albert Puljos. At least 30HR every year for his first 10 years in the majors? They recently ran an article here in STL that said Albert accounts for so much offense that if he does leave and we don't get someone that can hit to replace him we will not win 70 games the following season.
Pujols is a monster and probably the offensive player of the decade but I cannot put forth a vote for him because of the fact that he's only been around for such a short time. A guy like Nolan Ryan destroyed the opposition for 27 years. 7 no-hitters!? Seriously? He pitched longer than I have been alive and was the best in his craft.
Who do you think is the most dominant player to ever play in (professional) sports? I'm not talking about the most talented or atheletic. I want to know who is the most dominant. Some one who is head and shoulders above the rest in their sport.
My vote goes to Wayne Gretzky in hockey. Career wise he has accomplished so much more than any other hockey player ever played. Comparing that to other atheletes in other sports, he stands as the most dominating.
Thoughts?
The thing about hockey tho, is that the game has changed so much. Gretzky is no doubt incredible, but his stats are skewed and untouchable now just due to the evolution of the game. Mario was better then Wanye anyways.
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The thing about hockey tho, is that the game has changed so much. Gretzky is no doubt incredible, but his stats are skewed and untouchable now just due to the evolution of the game. Mario was better then Wanye anyways.
You could make that argument about any sport. It's constantly evolving - better equipment, new rules, better training, bigger players etc... That still doesn't negate the magnitude of dominance Gretzky had in hockey. There are numerous articles on the internet where Gretzky's numbers were adjusted to give a more fair comparison between players in different eras, and he still came out on top by a good margin. Not all of his records stood of course, but a lot of them still did.
Being able to stay healthy and having longevity is part of the equation to being dominant. Unfortunately, Lemieux didn't have this. His battle with cancer and back injuries have kept him off the ice. I don't doubt that if Lemieux was healthy through out his career, he would have probably broken a lot of Gretzky's records. Too bad we will never know.
7 consecutive Tour de France victories ... nuff said
I would probably put him in my top 10, but not number 1. Just the fact there are so many controversies about him taking performance enhancing substance during his reign sort or diminish his accomplishments.
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No one man has changed the way any game has been played or has more influence on other athletes in different sports as MJ. We've all heard the it before "He is the Michael Jordan of __________"
Jordan, G.O.A.T.
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Great debate topic. In the end there will never be consensus and even with the same sport often times you must define dominance by era's. I mean you can say Jordan but for his era Wilt dominated more so per se. Or even Bill Russell and his nine rings in 11 years. Tiger is a nice choice for his era [which is of course now over] in golf. Schumi was a nice for his decade of dominance in F1, now its clearly Vettel. Baseball is so subjective and its almost pointless to list anyone. Frankly, by definition of dominance I'd have to say someone like Mo Rivera for his era.
Anyway, great topic.
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I would probably put him in my top 10, but not number 1. Just the fact there are so many controversies about him taking performance enhancing substance during his reign sort or diminish his accomplishments.
There's no smoking gun like the BALCO case. He has never ever tested positive for performance enhancing drugs .. not once. It's more hate than controversy if you ask me.
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EPO...nuff said.
EPO was part of his post-operative treatment for chemotherapy
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I also think Novak Djokovic is going to be a beast in Tennis. I've seen some of the best in their prime like Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampres, Andre Agassi and I've never seen anyone dominant with such a ferocious cross like Djokovic does. I think he's going to be special.
I also think Novak Djokovic is going to be a beast in Tennis. I've seen some of the best in their prime like Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampres, Andre Agassi and I've never seen anyone dominant with such a ferocious cross like Djokovic does. I think he's going to be special.
There's no smoking gun like the BALCO case. He has never ever tested positive for performance enhancing drugs .. not once. It's more hate than controversy if you ask me.
EPO was part of his post-operative treatment for chemotherapy
I know EPO was a part of his treatment. However, I do believe he continued to use it, and other performance enhancers well into his Tour run. There's just too many coincidences that its hard NOT to think he didn't use. Three of his former teamates busted for it, the rampant use of them in cycling.
MotoGP and Valentino Rossi anyone? 9 World Championships won.
He placed third in the 2010 season in which he suffered a compound break of his tibia after crashing at 120mph... He returned to racing 41 days after the crash and for his first race back finished fourth.
Also a contendor:
Michael Phelps, I'd post pics but I dont think anyone (including myself) really wants to google image search for him and get a bunch of speedo pictures back *shivers*
MotoGP and Valentino Rossi anyone? 9 World Championships won.
He placed third in the 2010 season in which he suffered a compound break of his tibia after crashing at 120mph... He returned to racing 41 days after the crash and for his first race back finished fourth.
Also a contendor:
Michael Phelps, I'd post pics but I dont think anyone (including myself) really wants to google image search for him and get a bunch of speedo pictures back *shivers*
For the NFL I would say Barry Sanders. For the simple fact that look at the numbers he put up with having the worse Offensive line in the history of the NFL. Just think if he had an actual good line the numbers he would of put up. Plus he left early in his career because the lions wouldnt trade him.
For the NFL I would say Barry Sanders. For the simple fact that look at the numbers he put up with having the worse Offensive line in the history of the NFL. Just think if he had an actual good line the numbers he would of put up. Plus he left early in his career because the lions wouldnt trade him.
His line wasn't great but they weren't that bad in run blocking, plus he also had Lomas Brown, a 7x All-Pro and 7x Pro Bowler who is arguably one of the best LTs to play the game.
We might have to scratch Lance Armstrong off this list. Cheaters don't count.
I don't take hearsay as proof. Now if he tested positive for PED usage during his competitions, that's a completely different story. Anyone can say someone cheated. Prove that he/she cheated and we'll come to an agreement.
I don't take hearsay as proof. Now if he tested positive for PED usage during his competitions, that's a completely different story. Anyone can say someone cheated. Prove that he/she cheated and we'll come to an agreement.
proof or no proof, if his own teammates are saying he's taking PED, then there's reasonable doubt. Like Barry Bonds, no one can prove that he had taken steroids, but there's enough doubt to taint any of his records.
proof or no proof, if his own teammates are saying he's taking PED, then there's reasonable doubt. Like Barry Bonds, no one can prove that he had taken steroids, but there's enough doubt to taint any of his records.
The difference is that we all watched what became of Barry Bonds. Within a few short years, he was this hulking monster. Can't say the same about Lance. All I'm saying is that I want some proof that he actually did it. For all we know, these could be some disgruntled and spiteful ex-teammates of his.
The difference is that we all watched what became of Barry Bonds. Within a few short years, he was this hulking monster. Can't say the same about Lance. All I'm saying is that I want some proof that he actually did it. For all we know, these could be some disgruntled and spiteful ex-teammates of his.
Well in that case, then we should put Bonds on the list. I mean we don't have prove right? Remember Bonds took straight up steroids which has a more noticeable effect. Lance was accused of blood doping which is an endurance enhancing drug that isn't physically noticeable. In either case, it is still cheating.
My problem with Lance is, why are there suspicion in the first place? If he really did what he did by his own talent and skill, then there shouldn't be any accusations. I mean nobody ever accused Gretzky, Jordan or Federer for taking PEDs.
Now in Lance's defense, I do think that most of the top cyclists were taking some sort of peds. Cycling is just as dirty as baseball was a few years ago. The difference is, the stuff they take are much harder to detect.
Well in that case, then we should put Bonds on the list. I mean we don't have prove right? Remember Bonds took straight up steroids which has a more noticeable effect. Lance was accused of blood doping which is an endurance enhancing drug that isn't physically noticeable. In either case, it is still cheating.
My problem with Lance is, why are there suspicion in the first place? If he really did what he did by his own talent and skill, then there shouldn't be any accusations. I mean nobody ever accused Gretzky, Jordan or Federer for taking PEDs.
Now in Lance's defense, I do think that most of the top cyclists were taking some sort of peds. Cycling is just as dirty as baseball was a few years ago. The difference is, the stuff they take are much harder to detect.
I was referring to the doubt that has been shrouded over Bonds.
Most dominate player in their sport?
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