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THE SPORTS 100 was published in late 1995 B.T. (Before
Tiger). In the book’s introduction, I wrote, “A revised
edition 15 years from now might include a handful of new
names. Perhaps African-American golf prodigy Tiger Woods
will prove to have an enormous impact.” I should have
said, “Cablinasian golf prodigy,” but I was certainly
prescient. On the other hand, the rest of the sentence
is: “or Hispanic basketball star Felipe Lopez might
merit inclusion.” Which just goes to show, you never
know.
Much can change in a decade – both in the realm of
sports and in the perspective of the author. With that
in mind, were I to re-think the rankings, I would do
some rearranging. The NFL has emerged as unquestionably
America’s favorite pastime, so Pete Rozelle deserves to
be higher on the list. Likewise, the remarkable Latino
presence in baseball (just take a peek at the league
leaders) reaffirms Roberto Clemente’s giant footprints,
and the tennis dominance of the Williams sisters
solidifies Althea Gibson’s legacy.
I would also add Tiger, of course. And probably Lance
Armstrong. And no female athlete has ever achieved
stature in a male-dominated sport the way that Danica
Patrick has. Oh, and baseball’s embrace of Moneyball and
the Ivy League and a number-crunching,
tradition-toppling means of evaluating talent. I give
credit to Bill James. Finally, given the emergence of
Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and the dozens
of other NBA stars who have joined the NBA out of high
school or after only a year or two of college, I think
former hoops star Spencer Haywood deserves a spot as the
pioneer who made it possible, for better or worse.
That means some people have to go. Sayonara, A.J. Foyt.
Farewell, Charlie Finley. Goodbye, Eleanora Sears and
Tony Hulman and Peter Ueberroth. |
