G.O.A.T. Argument

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Every sports talk show in the country wastes a lot of time talking about who is the greatest of all time - or G.OA.T.

I’ll save you some time and give you my GOATS in each sport, but I must admit that the subject can get everyone up in arms.

Basketball is the one that drives me nuts because there is a clear choice by most fans:

Michael Jordan.

Yet, there are arguments to be made.

Floppy James has certainly had the greatest career - bar none, but everyone that thinks he’s the GOAT takes a beating by Jordan fans.

I wasn’t a Jordan fan when he played. I often argued that Bird was a better shooter (he was) and was a better passer (he was because Jordan passed as often as me) and Bird was also a better rebounder (he was).

Problem was Bird split his titles with Magic.

And don’t get me started on Wilt Chamberlain who so dominated the game that they changed rules to try and stop him.

People ignore that he averaged 50 points a game, or grabbed 55 rebounds in one game - not to mention scoring 100.

My kids argue that he was playing against plumbers and insurance agents.

Try scoring 100 or getting 55 rebounds in a game against 8th graders - you won’t!

Anyway:

Here are the GOATS:

Quarterback - Tom Brady - no possible argument

Running Back - OJ was incredible - can’t pick him. Have to go Barry Sanders.

Hockey - Wayne Gretzky- saw him live a few times - he looked like a man playing against 8th graders.

Baseball Hitter - Henry Aaron - look at his numbers! He dominated for two decades. He was clean. He beat Babe fair and square - and he’s still the HR king.

Baseball Pitcher - Stats wise Sandy Koufax dominated like no other - he retired early. 

Best pitcher I ever saw?

Obviously, Mariano as a closer. The starter will surprise you, but Pedro Martinez was just so great. (Can’t choose Clemens as he cheated)

The Yankees beat Pedro in some big games, but I remember driving from Buffalo to NYC to watch the Yankees-Red Sox with Kathy and the boys.

We were so excited - Pedro against Mussina.

The Yankees lost 2-0.

Ramirez homered twice and Pedro threw a 2-hitter.

Then I drove all the way home.

Basketball:

This seems to be the one everyone argues about and it’s simply impossible to match up players from different eras…but I did see Wilt and Kareem and Jordan and Floppy and Curry and Shaq.

Greatest shooter ever - Curry

Greatest sports career ever - Floppy

Greatest athlete ever - Wilt

Greatest Center - Kareem

Greatest player- Jordan.

There.

Solved it for you.

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