Most dominant athlete ever?

[tilerite]

I need your help. My father, visiting from Philly and I engaged in a spirited debate today about who is the most dominant athlete ever. He argued that his choice is the logical choice and gave his reasons why. He even argued that most people would agree with him. While agreeing that his choice was worthy of being considered the best, my choice differed after which my dad said; "phooey".
I told him I was taking this to the people (you folks). Pleae give me your one choice as the most dominant athlete ever along with a brief explanation as to why. After the responses are tallied, I'll give you the two athletes my dad and I were speaking of. Thanks!!!

[Sponsored Links]

[ddmoit]

Tiger Woods
Michael Jordan

[Crestone Tile]

Michael Jordan , Lance Armstrong , Ed Viesturs

Accomplishments, marketing power, VO2 max


The End.


I don't care for sports.

[The Kid]

This is a tough one because there are so many differnt sports. Each catagory has its of dominator. If I were to pick one person out of all of athletics combined Id have to probably say Bo Jackson or Micheal Jordon

[e3]

Lance Armstrong ?? Wayne Gretski?? Mike Tyson (the first few years) ??
) Great question!!

[dbol]

That is easy.
Jim Brown.
One of the best football running backs ever, played basketball and lacrosse for Syracuse very well. I think he did great in decathalon at some point. Could have also played pro baseball if he wanted.

[muskymike]

Walter Payton. :tup1:

[e3]

I'll see your Walter Payton,and raise ya one Barry Sanders!!

[The Kid]

I thought about saying barry in my first post but differed to a 2 sport athlete, but he was on my top list for sure. What about Nolan Ryan, one hell of a pitcher!

[mdanforth]

Jim Thorpe...........

[BimmerRacer]

Pele
Michael Schumacher
Jim Clark

:shrug:

[Dave U.K.]

( Cassius clay )....Muhammad Ali.....fly like a butterfly ,sting like a bee...:tup1:

[The Kid]

Tony Hawk?

Now that I think about it, Shauwn White has won more skateboarding/snowboaring contests for his age then anyone ever. My vote has now changed.:tup1:

[Marge]

Dominant? Tiger. :)

[Rd Tile]

( Cassius clay )....Muhammad Ali.....fly like a butterfly ,sting like a bee...

Yup.:)

[ceramictec]

Michael Schumacher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Schumacher)

Ricky Carmichael (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Carmichael)

Tiger Woods

Michael Jordan



walter payton :lol2:

[ddmoit]

Laughing at Walter Payton, Brian? :mad:

Why don't you come to Chicago for Coverings? Musky and I would love to see you.:zztop::shades:

:D

[tilerite]

Only ONE answer please. This is very important.

[The Kid]

jeez Rick, How much you got riding on this?:shades:

[tilerite]

jeez Rick, How much you got riding on this

Bragging rights over my dad. This is big, Jeremy.:yeah:

[Mountain Tile]

It's Jim Thorpe, he was so great at so many sports.

[Davestone]

(Float)like a butterfly,sting like a bee.
1.Bill Russell won 11 championships out of 13 seasons, and was injured one year.
2.Ali was great, but was beat a few times.
3.Arnold.7 times Mr.Olympia,won every time he entered.
4 Lance Armstrong..couldn't be beat
5,Sugar Ray Leonard,don't know how many weight classes he won in
My vote....Willie Masconi:yeah:

[ob1kanobee]

Sugar Ray Robinson

[Rob Z]

If dominant means competing and winning in a sport or event for a long period of time, one name to consider is Al Oerter, 4 time gold medalist in discus. He continued to throw farther the older he got. I think he had his personal best throw when he was in his mid 40's. :eek:

[muskymike]

Yeah Brian, what Dan said. :shades:
Tiger Woods? :lol1:

[e3]

might need to narrow it down to a sport..Rocky Marciano another.Im not sure there is a single answer..

[ceramictec]

Walter Payton was one of thousands of football players that break records.

Rick is asking for "dominant", someone who can win titles, superbowls, races, awards, longest winning career, more wins, more records, etc.

all I know is that Formula One racer Michael Schumacher and Supercross racer Ricky Carmichael won more championships, races and titles then any athlete.


Michael Schumacher : 7-time world champion
91 race victories

Ricky Carmichael : 20 National Champion
129 race victories

[BimmerRacer]

And lets not forget his other records ;) He could have done a bit more if he hadn't broken his leg at Silverstone in 99.

As of the end of the 2008 Formula One season, Michael Schumacher holds the following F1 records:
Record Number
1 Championship titles 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
2 Consecutive titles 5 (2000–2004)
3 Race victories 91
4 Consecutive wins[3] 7 (2004, Europe–Hungary)
5 Wins with one team 72 (Ferrari)
6 Wins at same GP 8 (France)
7 Wins at different GPs 22
8 Longest Time between first and last wins 14 years, 1 month and 2 days
9 Second places 43
10 Podiums (Top 3) 154
11 Consecutive podium finishes 19 (US 2001–Japan 2002)
12 Points finishes 190
13 Consecutive points finishes 24 (Hungary 2001–Malaysia 2003)
14 Laps leading 4741 (22,155 km)[133]
15 Pole positions 68
16 Front row starts 115
17 Fastest laps 76
18 Doubles (Pole and win) 40
19 Perfect Score (Pole, fastest lap and win) 22
20 Championship points 1,369
21 Most points in a season for a runner-up 121 (2006)
22 Most wins in a season for a runner-up[4] 7 (2006)
23 Wins at Indianapolis (any racing class) 5
24 Wins at Monza (Formula One) 5
25 Wins in a season 13 (2004)
26 Fastest laps in a season[5] 10 (2004)
27 Points scored in a season 148 (2004)
28 Podium finishes in a season 17 (100%) (2002)
29 Championship won with most races left 6 (2002)
30 Consecutive years with a win 15 (1992–2006)
31 Consecutive days as champion 1813 (from 8 October 2000 until 25 September 2005)

^ Record shared with Alberto Ascari (1952 Belgian GP–1953 Argentine GP). Some sources credit Ascari with nine consecutive wins, disregarding the 1953 Indianapolis 500 race, in which Ascari did not compete. The American race formed part of the world championship, but was not run to the same regulations as the other races and was very rarely attended by world championship drivers.

^ Record shared with Kimi Räikkönen (2005) and Alain Prost (1984 and 1988)

^ Record shared with Kimi Räikkönen (2005 and 2008). [134]

[ddmoit]

Some of you folks are listing racers. Regardless of were the truth lies, your racers have a perception problem. Some people aren't going to see them as athletes. Competitors? Yes. Athletes? No.

Great topic, Rick. I doubt we'll ever settle it. It's kinda like arguing whose dad can beat up everybody else's dad.:yeah:

Should be hours of good, clean argument though.:)

[ceramictec]

yeah, now that's domination in a sport as an athlete.

team sports are good but a player can only rush, tackle and pass so much..lol

but dont forget Sir Donald Bradman :yeah:

[stullis]

Phelps

[The Kid]

He problly woulda won twice as many medals if he wasnt stoned.:dance:

[ddmoit]

Or half as many.:shades:

[ceramictec]

Dan,

you have to be kidding ?


ath⋅lete
   a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.

some racers are in way better shape then most team sports players.


and you can call golf a sport ? :lol2: it's a hobby/recreation.
but look how good Tiger Woods is.

[BimmerRacer]

I would like to see some of the folks typically referred to as "athletes" sustain a race in an F1 car. ;) Golfers? :yeah:

EDIT: Brian is aight in my book, lol!

[Mountain Tile]

I picked Jim Thorpe, as an overall athlete, but in one individual sport, I feel Reggie White was the most dominant athlete in his sport.

[Davestone]

I wonder if other sites mangle threads as much as we do?:yeah:

[The Kid]

This thread is a never ending pit of nothing. Theres way to broad of a competive world out there to come to a descision. Tons and tons of sports not even recognized by most. Big wave surfing, skateboarding, dog sledding, whose to say, Im sure theres a dog sleder out there some where with more victories then the racecar guy.

Rick, you need to narrow it down if you want somthing to put to use.

[ceramictec]

you need to narrow it down if you want somthing to put to use.exactly Jeremy,

I Googled the title and found other threads on other forums that are all over the place with about every athlete named....lol


there are tons of great athletes in every type of sport.

Im sure theres a dog sleder out there some where with more victories then the racecar guy.and ummm,............no there isnt. :D

racecar guy was the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world

Forbes Best-paid athletes
Athlete Age Earnings
• Andre Agassi 35 $26.2 million
• Lance Armstrong 34 $28 million
• David Beckham 30 $32.5 million
• Kobe Bryant 27 $28.8 million
• Lindsay Davenport 29 $6 million
• Oscar De La Hoya 33 $38 million
• Jeff Gordon 34 $23.4 million
• Matt Hasselbeck 30 $22.8 million
• LeBron James 21 $22.9 million
• Derek Jeter 31 $25.5 million
• Walter Jones 32 $23.2 million
• Michael Jordan 43 $33 million
• Phil Mickelson 35 $26.8 million
• Shaquille O'Neal 34 $33.4 million
• Manny Ramirez 35 $24.2 million
• Alex Rodriguez 30 $27.5 million
• Ronaldo 29 $23 million
• Valentino Rossi 27 $28 million
• Michael Schumacher 37 $60 million
• Maria Sharapova 18 $18.2 million
• Annika Sorenstam 35 $7.3 million
• Michael Vick 25 $37.5 million
• Serena Williams 24 $12.7 million
• Venus Williams 25 $6.5 million
• Tiger Woods 30 $87 million

[Oldrem]

Another vote here for Jim Thorpe. He was dominate in a multitude of sports. If he lived in a later era he would have died a multimillionaire instead of a pauper.

[Mountain Tile]

Yea instead his widow had no money to bury him, so a little coal mining town nearby me called Mauch Chunck paid his widow for the body and the right to name the town Jim Thorpe. He's buried there now it's a tourist town. It really is a slam dunk though, no athlete has ever done what he has, not even close. Wasn't he voted athlete of the century by S.I. ?

[ddmoit]

Eric - good to see you alive and kicking!

As for racers, I never said they weren't athletes; I said they have a perception problem. I respect the endurance required of racers.

[The Kid]

well my votes still for this kid: Shaun White, just turned 21 made forbes for 2nd most paid extreme athlete @ 9 million, hes a duel sport athlete (snowboarding/skateboarding) He has won numerous medals in both sports as well a gold in half pipe at his first olympics. As of late, he has totally dominated both sports.

Check this, age 11, the dude rips:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYxY1LL3AUk

[Northwest Tile Guy]

I haven't even seen Wilt the Stilt named yet. The dude scored 100 points in a game. The most dominating presence in pro bastketball for years. Not to mention Babe Ruth, for his era, he had more homeruns by himself in one year than entire teams did! That is domination.

[The Kid]

not to mention, he was drunk all the time.

[Northwest Tile Guy]

I just remembered a guy, Alexander Karelin, who if you remember was the Russian heavyweight wrestler that was eventually beaten by the American in 2000. He went 10 years in international competion without even giving up a point. He also went from 1987-2000 without a loss. The dude was a freak of nature at 6'3" and 286 pounds!

[justin savage]

Michael phelps has put up quite a record!

[justin savage]

Almost forgot about John Force in the nhra, heck of alot of wins and championships!

[sdaniels7114]

Cy Young earned 511 career victories as a Pitcher. 20 in a year is considered outstanding nowadays. To do what he did a Pitcher today would have to win 20 games a year for over 25 years. 300 career victories guarantees a pitcher entrance to the hall of fame.

[tilerite]

Some of you folks are listing racers. Regardless of were the truth lies, your racers have a perception problem. Some people aren't going to see them as athletes. Competitors? Yes. Athletes? No.

I don't consider racers, athletes. Not taking away the skill of what they do but I wouldn't call them athletes.

Great topic, Rick. I doubt we'll ever settle it. It's kinda like arguing whose dad can beat up everybody else's dad

Thanks Dan. Btw, my dad CAN beat up anyone elses dad.:yeah:

[tilerite]

Gentlemen/ladies

I have only counted those who specifically gave one name. Some of you have mentioned certain athletes as possibilities (i..e. Steve saying; "what about Cy Young") but unless you are specific that this IS your final choice, I cannot count it.:shrug: I understand that for many, its impossible to give one specific name but if you do feel you can offer one name as your representative; please just put the name rather than phrasing it as "what if". As for what constitutes an athlete, that is subjective to your opinion. :clap1:

[tilerite]

So far (only counting those who gave one specific answer);

Tiger Woods-1
Jim Brown-1
Walter Peyton-1
Barry Sander-1
Jim Thorpe-3
Muhammad Ali-2
Sugar Ray Robinson-1
Al Oerter-1
Michael Phelps-1
Shaun White-1 ???

[ceramictec]

I don't consider racers, athletes. Not taking away the skill of what they do but I wouldn't call them athletes.another lopsided thread.
I don't consider a golfer an athlete then. so you need to narrow it down to a sport with a big ball, or a team sport or a silly uniform.

Forbes, ESPN and others consider racers athletes.:moon:


so if your excluding racers I would say it is Sir Donald Bradman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Bradman)
if any of you know who he was he was the most Statistically Dominant Athlete Ever.


you can all have your favorite team player, but this guy topped them all in his sport.

[Marge]

At least you got the #1 in the number 1 spot. :D

[tilerite]

Thorpe is a great choice. Still a long way to go.

[tilerite]

I don't consider a golfer an athlete then. so you need to narrow it down to a sport with a big ball, or a team sport or a silly uniform.

Gotta disagree with ya there, Brian.

[sandbagger]

just a comment on Bo Jackson, who was mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, his award would be the all-time "Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda." He may very well have been the greatest natural athlete we've ever seen, but he hated to practice. But I still think he could have easily made the baseball Hall had he not played football. The guy was on the weekly highlight films more in his 4+ seasons with KC than most players make it in a lifetime.

my fave Bo feat is known simply as The Throw (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCI/is_7_66/ai_n27333501/pg_4). :eek:

ok, back to our regularly scheduled programming......

[tilerite]

Bo Jackson was a freak of nature. Maybe the most impressive physical speciman I have ever seen.

[Northwest Tile Guy]

ok one guy, Alexander karalin.

[ceramictec]

golfers are as much as an athlete as a dart player.

and you say drivers and cycle racers aren't athlete.....lol right

[Rob Z]

:yeah:Can we add in John Holmes? He was a sexual athlete! :lol2:

[tilerite]

No Rob!!:stupid2:

[tilerite]

Tiger Woods-1
Jim Brown-1
Walter Peyton-1
Barry Sanders-1
Jim Thorpe-3
Muhammad Ali-2
Sugar Ray Robinson-1
Al Oerter-1
Michael Phelps-1
Shaun White-1 ???
Alexander karalin-1

[Rob Z]

Rick, why not? :D If we include guys driving race cars, why not include Johnny W. for all of his "performances"?? :yeah:

[tilerite]

Thats enough Rob!!:uhh:

[ceramictec]

Rob, this is only real sports people or ones popular by a select group.
whatever that definition is.....lol

[muskymike]

Z :D

I really don't consider race drivers or golfers to be an athlete.

[ob1kanobee]

The word Athlete comes from the latin athleta and the Greek athlEtEs, which means to contend for a prize.

Race car drivers would be included in this along with golfers and porn stars. However look at Wilt Chamberlin. Not only could he play ball, he kicked a lot of porn stars buts in their arena as well.

What I want to know is when we are going to get the darn answer to this question so we can all start bickering about it? That is when it is really going to get interesting.

[The Kid]

No way, I think so and so is way bettter:nya:

[cx]

Oh, come on, Jeremy, git serious! So and so wouldn't make a pimple on ................

Never mind, I ain't gettin' in this one.. :D

[Rob Z]

OK, Rick, this your thread, but I think you are making a mistake by not including someone with such a lengthy and prolific career.

Carry on everyone. :yeah:

[newbie123]

Wayne Gretzky - upon his retirement,he held 40 regular season records,15 playoff records and 6 all star records.He is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season - something he did 4 times.He tallied over 100 points in 15 NHL seasons, 13 of them consecutively.Gretzky's #99 has been retired by all teams in the National Hockey League.

[Northwest Tile Guy]

I forgot about the "great" one Gretzky. But who watches hockey anyway?lol

[BimmerRacer]

The word Athlete comes from the latin athleta and the Greek athlEtEs, which means to contend for a prize.

:lol1::rofl: http://themothertongue.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-6.jpg

[The Kid]

Well im guessing ol' rick probly went with the hockey guy bein that his avitar is what it is and all.:yawn:

[tilerite]

OK, Rick, this your thread, but I think you are making a mistake by not including someone with such a lengthy and prolific career.

Ok Rob, I give up. You want Johnny Wad, you got him. As long as were not including Ron Jeremy.

[tilerite]

Ok, this has gone long enough. My fathers argument was for Tiger Woods. While I think Woods is up there, my pick was for Wayne Gretzky, and no Jeremy, I did not pick Gretz because of my avatar. I love hockey but football is still my favorite sport.

[tilerite]

I forgot about the "great" one Gretzky. But who watches hockey anyway?lol

I do, Chad.:yeah:

[The Kid]

:yeah:wow, I guessed it

[tilerite]

Tiger Woods-2
Jim Brown-1
Walter Peyton-1
Barry Sanders-1
Jim Thorpe-3
Muhammad Ali-2
Sugar Ray Robinson-1
Al Oerter-1
Michael Phelps-1
Shaun White-1
Alexander karalin-1
Wayne Gretzky-2
Johnny Holmes:shrug:-1

[The Kid]

so its a tie:(

[Rob Z]

Jim Thorpe wins convincingly with three votes!

[muskymike]

Yeah Chad, I watch hockey also and even play.:shades:

[Mountain Tile]

I used to play hookey Mike

[newbie123]

So I win right? At least on your side Rick....

[dbol]

Lemieux was a more dominant hockey player than gretsky. I know I'll never win this argument, but try and name some of lemieux's linemates then try and name wayne's. Mario made the players around him so much better. Gretsky had linemates that at times made him better.

[The Kid]

Linemates:scratch: I dont understand hockey one bit.

[cx]

Don't nobody unnerstan Hockey, Jeremy. :shake:

When I was a kid growin' up in the frozen wastelands of the north, we played sandlot hockey. All I remember was that it involved cold, ice skates, and silly grown-ups who'd give each kid a long, crooked stick and tell'im "now don't hit anyone with this."

Yeah, right, Mom. :rolleyes:

[dbol]

I also would like to add one more name to the mix. Martin Brodeur.
He is just awesome, he is back for one week and already has 2 shutouts and just recorded the 100th of his career.

[The Kid]

can we change the name of this thread to "Athelets that YOU like":yeah:









'

[Kilauea]

Wow,car racers are athletes?Can we throw in pool players too(Mike Massey):idea:?What about remote control cars?Doesnt that also require "physical talents"as well.....no wait a minute....I got it..XBOX competition.You know,rigorous hand, eye, and finger coordination.

Oh..my bad..dominant athletes?As far as raw physical athletic talent?Im gonna say Marius Pudganowsky(multi strongman winner).At his peak/s its hard to say who could ever match or "dominate'' his complete strength spectrum.Raw speed?How about Owens,Lewis.or Ben Johnson?

Individual athletic sport talent?

B-Ball-M.J.(a god).....Lebron(yeeah you know it)
Football-Payton,J Brown,Staubach,L.Taylor,B Sanders,Rice
Baseball-hard to say/Babe Ruth?
Golf???athlete??hands down Woods
Hockey-hands down Gretsky
Surfing-Hamil,Eddie Akau
Boxing-Ali hands down
Tennis-Serena
Biking-Armstrong
Racing(pod)-Anakin Skyywalker

[muskymike]

Linemates, I dont understand hockey one bit.
Jeremy, there's 20ish guys onna team. There are four lines (groups of guys) that consist of 5 guys, two defense men one forward and a left and right wing. Therefore you git the term linemates. Oh yeah and a goalie.:) So during a game 5 guys are out onna ice plus the goalie and they rotate groups of guys bout every 2 minutes.

[ceramictec]

so many other athletes beat Gretzky in accomplishments.

I vote for John Holmes then.
Ron Jeremy isn't an athlete since he has a fat belly.

Sir Donald Bradman beat all you athlete is accomplishments and your still not naming him, just popular famous ones "you" think.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Bradman

this is one sided:stupid2:

[ceramictec]

Surfing-Hamil,Eddie Akausurfing....lol
yeah right.
thats a hobby
how about body surfing ? or boogie boarding...lol

if it doesnt take an athletic skill to race a car or ride a motorcycle competitively, golfing and surfing is out!

[ceramictec]

how about those double luge guys ? :D

[The Kid]

Brian, normally im on your side, and I do agree racing cars takes skill, however your comment about surfing is just ignorant. Laird Hamilton is one of the best big wave surfers out there and deserves to be in a descussion such as this. anyone with the balls to be towed into a 50' + wave under a reef and ride it out is imo a crazy mf'er with boat loads of talent (yep were talking about big wave surfers not the little florida stuff)

Also as far as domination goes, Ive said shaun white, probly no one knows who he is but at the rate he is going, he'll break more records and earn more money then any idividual ever in extreme sports, I think he needs some props.

[ceramictec]

I guess you missed the title of the thread.
it said "most dominate", "not craziest"....lol
while I agree there are a gazillion crazy athletes, compeditors, etc out there
riding a couple big waves doesn't make him dominate, just as a couple long jumps doesn't make Evil or Robbie Knievel dominant athletes.

but to each is own and that why this thread was started, this is a question that cant be answered in the sports world, too many sports, too many athletes, too many variables.

[Rob Z]

Here's my favorite surfer:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPo2RMHgSKQ&feature=related

:D

[The Kid]

Brian your correct, that the problem with this thread.

FYI. Laird hamilton is the most dominate big wave surfer to date. sorry had to throw that in there.

Anywho:yawn:We all like differnt stuff and thats that. Will someone please kill this thread?

[ceramictec]

there are tons of threads like this out on sports forums that never get answered.

so.................:shrug:

[tilerite]

Btw, if we're going to name a boxer as the most dominant, Sugar Ray Robinson wins hands down.

[ceramictec]

so SRR was better then Ali and others ?
see, I didn't know that. so this shows most lack knowledge of other sports where others "think" their person is the best.

maybe it should be "who is your favorite dominant athlete"

and we then could all agree on others favorites in each sport :tup1:

[The Kid]

agreed

[Shooter]

That pot smoking, 8 time Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, with the big ears. Any event he was in, everyone else was just competing for second place. :)

[ceramictec]

he needs to do it next olympics, and then a few more times after that.

[Marge]

Shooter, we were out to dinner with some friends this evening. The topic of dieting came up and someone mentioned "that swimmer" and how many huge calories he consumed per day. I replied, "well, they say smoking pot increases your appetite."

We giggled a bit until we realized we had all just been served BIG share plates (asian food) and some other tables had been listening....and were now looking. :o

[tilerite]

so SRR was better then Ali and others

I realize its a subjective argument Brian, but most boxing experts and historians will tell you Sugar Ray was pound for pound, the best fighter in history. He fought over 100 amatuer bouts before becomming a pro. As a pro, he beat a who's who list of boxing greats, as I will admit, so did Ali.

[ceramictec]

I guess the variables are there also.

[BimmerRacer]

I'd say race car drivers are in better shape than most football players. :shrug: I mean how much do they actually play for? 15 min a game? Puh-lease...

[Northwest Tile Guy]

I guess you would have to define your version of "in shape."

[ceramictec]

I think there was a survey years ago that said Soccer players and Motorcross racers were the most in shape "over all".

and yes defining in shape would be as hard as the main topic :lol2:

[BimmerRacer]

http://keitholbermannisevil.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/tony-siragusa.JPG :shrug:

[ceramictec]

Jason,
thats not "in shape"...that's an "obstacle" to get around.
imagine him trying to squeeze into a Formula One car’s cockpit opening....:lol2:

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Unfortunately I would have to say Tiger Woods. I personally don't like him I'm a fan of "Lefty" but Tiger just dominates.

[tilerite]

I'm a Phil fan also, Levi but the big guy tends to choke a bit to often.

[BimmerRacer]

Brian, I don't think Formula 1 cars have enough power to move that much weight around. :D

[Davestone]

A friend of mine had 300 amateur fights,I used to say "Mick, don't you know they will pay you to fight"?:yeah:He actually made good money as a sparring partner for years,worked with Boom Boom Mancini.He wound up with 13 pro fights,ranked 11th and got his face smashed and retired.

[Brian in San Diego]

Surfers aren't athletes? Look at this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfPYVYc0U3M) or this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nS_aR8XX_U&feature=related) and tell me this guy isn't an athlete! Laird Hamilton is an incredible athlete. I would never say that a race car driver is not an athlete but I wouldn't say that ALL race car drivers are athletes. John Force is a dominant race car driver (14 championships, 1000+ round wins, 126 race victories) but I don't consider him an athlete. Tiger Woods not an athlete? Again, I'm not saying every professional golfer is an athlete but to say Tiger isn't is absolutely ludicrous.

[jjwq8]

I just received an sms describing me as the Michael Jordan of Contract Management :tongue: and for the record i didn't send it to myself :deal:

[BimmerRacer]

I would never say that a race car driver is not an athlete but I wouldn't say that ALL race car drivers are athletes.

Agreed 100%

[Kilauea]

Correction to my previous post:Mariusz Pudgianowsky is the winner of 5 WSM competion proving to be the most dominant in strenght athletics.Hamilton IS the most dominant BIG wave surfer.Did you mention bodyboarding,Brian?Well your answer is Mike Stewart.Bodysurfing?Im sure there is an answer but I dont have it.Ill tell you what,lets match Hamilton to your choice of racing ''athletes" and lets see whose in more ''athletic'' shape.You know back in high school ''athletics" consists of strenghth,speed,agility.........:dance:

[ceramictec]

lets match Hamilton to your choice of racing ''athletes" and lets see whose in more ''athletic'' shape.You know back in high school ''athletics" consists of strenghth,speed,agility
most surfers would then loose to every formula one driver racing today.
believe me, they dont sit around, they train as hard if not harder then any other sport.:D

http://www.f1technical.net/articles/1125

[Mr.Miyagi]

The Cannibal Eddy Merckx. Guy won everything plus held the hour record. Won on average a race a week for 6 years. 525 overall victories. Only rider to win all 3 jerseys in the same Tour de France. Lance's racing accomplishments pale in comparison. And unlike auto racing, the man is the motor.:shades:

[Swimmer Steve]

Of course I vote Phelps. Didn't he get more medals than anyone in the Olympics-ever?

Also, I believe the count for Phelps now at 4 since post #'s 31,47, 104 and this one.

[Kilauea]

The difference is one of mental stress. There is no sport that demands such intense concentration. A huge amount of adrenalin is being pumped, and this - as well as the physical strain - causes the high heart rate."

Yeah,Brian,I read the article and it makes alot of sense.Alot of the guys on CMT cribs are proffessional racers and some of them have talked about having personal trainers,special diet,etc.Of course they need to keep themselves at a certain level of fitness in order to stay on that level to have a winning edge and of course make the big bucks.The same goes for bullriders.There is a certain level of fitness imperative to compete on a proffesional level.When I think of racing I think about Earnhart,and that guy with the black cowboy hat on the oil commercials(maybe his name is Wallace?).Do I consider these guys great racers?Absolutely.Do I consider these guys athletes?Well they are certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when asked,''dominant athlete?''.I would also like to comment on the luge guys.Well I can atleast speak for the Jamaican Bobsled team(similar to luging).Have you ever seen these guys train?The guys who push the sled look like incredible hulks.There is a documentary on the Travel channel on Jamaica and shows them training.They are doing timed relays on the track,plyometrics,and there is one clip of one guy bouncing 8 plates off of his chest like nothin.This my friend,is what you call an athlete.....I guess we can just agree to disagree.....but atleast I agree w/you on the Snapstone!!!!!:nod:

[Brian in San Diego]

most surfers would then loose to every formula one driver racing todayBrian, I know you love your drivers but I wasn't talking about just any surfer, I only mentioned one..Laird Hamilton...and I'm sure he is capable of performing any training regimen the top formula one drivers are performing. See if you can rent the video "Laird" and you'll get a glimpse of what I'm talking about.

Brian

[Brad Denny]

I haven't the stomach to reread all that has been posted, but has anyone made the point that the statement "most dominant athlete ever" would refer to someone athletic (having to do with athletes; physically active; having a muscular, well developed body, being in shape; An attribute of a motion or play which requires fine physical ability). In my eyes, a true athlete would be able to cross over and perform at an above average level at many different types of sports and have dominated his particular main sport.

[BimmerRacer]

Actually,this guy deserves some recognition. Not a dominant racer, but a determined one

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Zanardi

[Foochacho]

John Elway

The most complete qb ever.

[Foochacho]

Now that I have spoken we can close this thread.

[Marge]

Sean, your spelling is horrible. Tiger Woods is not spelled John Elway.

:D

[Shooter]

Shooter, we were out to dinner with some friends this evening. The topic of dieting came up and someone mentioned "that swimmer" and how many huge calories he consumed per day. I replied, "well, they say smoking pot increases your appetite."

We giggled a bit until we realized we had all just been served BIG share plates (asian food) and some other tables had been listening....and were now looking.
I have a saying for this one Marge. It goes something like "****-em, if they can't take a joke."

I probably would have overheard this one and laughed also. Of course I am a bit of a straight forward type. :shades:

[Levi the Tile Guy]

John Elway

The most complete qb ever.

sean- I am a die hard bronco fan, and he was a great qb, but look at him now. Old and raggity and married to a darn raider cheerleader.

[bbcamp]

And, you're what, jealous? :yeah:

[Levi the Tile Guy]

I guess you could say that.:drool2:

[Foochacho]

Marrying the raider cheerleader is only a slap in the raiders face not the broncos. She recognized a winner and turned her back on the raiders.

Once again close thread because John Elway is the winner. The master of the fourth quarter. Brought a mediocre team to the superbowl 3 times, and when he finally got some talent around him he took them back to the superbowl and won twice in a row.

He is old and raggedy because he gave it his all and wasn't afraid to take a hit. whether it was a sack or running for the first down.

If Jay Cutler would quit being an emo little girl and sto pthe pouting maybe he can touch some of Elway's greatness but as of now he is a long way from it.

[Brian in San Diego]

Both Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana have four Super Bowl rings. Elway was certainly one of the best quarterbacks but not the best IMHO. Joe Montana was one of the reasons Elway was denied. Joe has four SuperBowl rings and was MVP three of the four times.

i guess the thread can be closed now.

[Foochacho]

The only reason why is because they had alot more talent around them. As a qb they were not better than Elway.

[Marge]

We lived in the Bay Area during those great 49er years. Fun time for football fans there. Montana, Rice, Clark...

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Superbowl rings don't necessarily make the the quarterback so special. Marino is a hall of famer with no rings. That is one consideration that keeps his name off the top though. And the niners were great after Montana left and young stepped in, so that proves Montana had the team to back him up.

[Old World Tile and Marble]

i vote the tilesetter is the most dominant athlete ever course im a little prejudice

[tilerite]

Hmmm, the thread has morphed into a "greatest QB" debate. Excellent!!!!
My personal fave is/has been and probably always will be Joe Montana. Not much of physical specimen, he was perhaps the smartest of all the QB's. Obviously, you have to throw Elway, Marino, Unitas and a few others in to the mix.
Now, regarding current or just retired QB;'s, where would you put Brady, Manning (P not E), and Favre into that mix? I happen to think Manning and Brady may eventually replace those others as the all-time top two. Favre was a throwback to a different era but I don't know if he would make my top ten list..

[tilerite]

Levi
Good point. If Montana played for the Dolphins and Marino played for the Niners, I bet Marino would have the SB rings.

[7echo]

Michael Jordan

Won championships, took some time off to fool around with minor league baseball, came back and won again. Always practiced hard, too.

Michael Schumacher was unbelievable in F1. He won in cars that weren't the best, and destroyed the competition when he had the best car.

And someone mentioned Merycx. Most people in the US only follow cycling a little, and mostly due to Lance. While Lance has had a nice run, he really can't compare to Meryck. Eddie Merycx and his contemporaries would ride their bikes to the race, race all day, then ride home.

Tiger is arguably the greatest all time golfer, with many potential years left compete. He only suffers from one thing-there isn't a lot of competition for him to be compared with.

[Foochacho]

The whole qb debate is way to hard. Because every qb played in a different system and alot of them are from different decades. Football now is alot different then what it was 10,20, or 30 years ago. So many penalties now you can't even touch a wide reciever or a qb. Hard to say where manning and brady are because of the way the game has changed.

Judging a basketball or baseball player is alot easier than trying to decide the best football players. It's about as hard as deciding the greatest guitarist. It can't be done because they all play with different styles.

The easiest thing to do is agree with whatever I choose.:tup1:

[Levi the Tile Guy]

It's about as hard as deciding the greatest guitarist.

Stevie Ray Vaughn hands down:yeah:

[tilerite]

I had the go0od fortune to catch SRV in his early days. The man was this generations Jimi Hendrix, BUT; there was only one Jimi and the mold was broken when Jimi died.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

I woulda loved to have seen stevie, but seing as how i was 10 when he died that wasn't really a top priority back then. Have had the privledge of seing clapton though.

[tilerite]

You're a youngun, Levi. I saw SRV open for the Moody Blues when he was an unknown. We knew he was gonna be something special after seeing him live.

[Dog paws]

Where the hey is Babe Ruth mentioned in this thread.
Thorpe - only cause Grandpa told us so.
Michael Jordan, nuff said.

[tilerite]

Babe Ruth was the greatest of his generation but how good would he be today?

[Dog paws]

OK, the eagle eyed, beer swilling, hot dog munching Sultan of Swat had a short porch (290' right field fence). But the guy could play ball. How many great pitchers have been pulled off the mound for their stick?
To deny Ruth a place in the poll would be blasphemy.

[Mark Krachenspiner]

Mario Lemioux from what I saw.
Bobby Orr from what I heard from the old pros.

[stullis]

Ruth may have had the short porch but he also was hitting mushballs compared to the juiced ones of today. ;)

[tilerite]

Agreed on Ruth and Orr. Hockey purists will tell you Orr was the greatest, not Gretzky. Super Mario was probably the closet thing to Gretz. If not for illness, injury and lack of quality teammates, Mario might have the same numbers as the great one. Another dominant athlete who should be mentioned was Wilt the Stilt Chamberlain (from Philadelphia, I might ad). Averaged 50 points and 20 rebounds a game one year then led the league in assists the next, just to show that he could.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Now back to the title of the thread "Most dominant athlete ever" The debate in this room proves it is Tiger Woods. Every sport mentioned there is a debate on who is the best. Elway/Montana Jordan/Chamberlain Gretz/Orr Earnheart/Gordan you get my point. These are all great athletes and the best in there perspective sports. But not one of them is hands down the best. Tiger is hands down the most dominate golfer ever. He came in and took over and nobody can touch him

[tilerite]

But, is he the most dominant athlete ever???

[mctile]

Kelly Slater

[kate42]

Jackie Robinson. He broke the color barrier in baseball. A very classy gentleman. His achievements are still celebrated today.

[tilerite]

Jackie Robinson. He broke the color barrier in baseball. A very classy gentleman. His achievements are still celebrated today.

Had this thread been about the most important athlete, I would probably put JR first, but we're talking; most dominant. Jackie Robinson was a Hall of Famer and one of the classiest people in American sports history, but I don't consider him the greatest baseball player ever, let alone; the most dominant athlete ever.

[kate42]

What can be more dominating than a person who paves the way for his race? He didn’t break records, but he withstood racial prejudice with dignity. His number was retired by baseball .

[jjwq8]

Linda Lovelace

Her ability to suck start a Harley and a brick through a hose pipe will never be bettered.

[oogabooga]

:lol2::lol2: Dude you're twisted.

Rob.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Linda Lovelace

Her ability to suck start a Harley and a brick through a hose pipe will never be bettered.

But she couldn't handle David Allen Coe

[kate42]

Jeremy

:rofl::rofl:

[tilerite]

What can be more dominating than a person who paves the way for his race? He didn’t break records, but he withstood racial prejudice with dignity. His number was retired by baseball .

Fair enough

[Trask]

For me it is without a doubt.. and in order of greatness..

Cael Sanderson
Dan Gable
Lance Armstrong

[Rob Z]

Posted by Levi



But she couldn't handle David Allen Coe
__________________
Levi the Tile Guy
I work to live not live to work :


LMAO, I have those "banned" albums of DAC....hahahahaha!

[kate42]

Fair enough

Thankyou, Rick :)

[jjwq8]

Levi,
DAC and misogyny aside LL has to be in the running. Her simple unsurpassed ability to blow a whistle gains her entry into every team sport on the planet.

[tilerite]

Looks like there was a chink in Tigers armor today.:lol1::lol1::lol1: