Most dominate player in their sport?

[dylo22]

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?

 

[ethomas716]

 

[ethomas716]

 

[ssick92]

Isn't the word "dominant"?

 

[dylo22]

Isn't the word "dominant"?

yeah my bad

 

[dylo22]

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?

 

[ssick92]

If Tiger gets back to the young him, then I think he has the potential to take this title, but I doubt he will.

 

[Ichapp]

 

[Stuntman]

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.

 

[Homan13PSU]

Schumi

 

[dylo22]

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.

 

[jpovis]

Not a sport. This is a judged competition!

 

[jpovis]

 

[Homan13PSU]

Sports, not drinking games.

 

[woop]

Ali.

 

[NYCHitman1]

For anyone that watches MLB.. you know what I'm talking about

 

[chum1600]

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.

 

[NYCHitman1]

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.

 

[shawn1224]

There's only one answer to this thread

7 consecutive Tour de France victories ... nuff said

 

[Ichapp]

Arguing semantics, I see, jpovis. While there is a good split about that, in this particular instance I'm going to throw my lot in with the IOC.

Shawn1224 has a fantastic contender. Lance Armstrong is an absolute beast.

 

[batgeek]

my vote:

 

[Member138406]

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.

 

[dylo22]

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.

 

[dylo22]

There's only one answer to this thread

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.

 

[Yanks61]

Even though I am not a fan of the NFL I think Johnny Unitas was the most dominant player in his sport. He completely changed the game of Pro football.