Just recently, I did a post on the Top 10 Athletes I Have Ever Seen Play. Noticeably absent were all Seattle athletes. I just felt like I had to do a separate post for them. These ten athletes below are the greatest I have seen play for a Seattle team. The more they played for a Seattle team, the better. And the more I saw them play, the better. Unfortunately, that means guys like Steve Largent, Alvin Davis, and Gus Williams won't be on here. I'm not going to label what teams they played for, because we know if they played for the Mariners, Seahawks, or Sonics.
First, some honorable mentions:
Sonics: Rashard Lewis, Brent Barry
Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch, Doug Baldwin, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor
Mariners: Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Kyle Seager, Jamie Moyer
10. Ken Griffey, Jr.
It feels weird putting him this low on the list. But I only saw the tail end of his career with the Mariners and then the 2009 and 2010 seasons. But I've been able to watch highlights, mainly of the 1995 season. I think he's the most talented baseball player to ever play for the Mariners. It's such a shame he not only got traded but had an injury-plagued career from that point on.
9. Gary Payton
Again, he would be higher had I seen him play more. He was definitely the best defensive point guard I ever watched. There's a reason they called him "The Glove". It was quite a shock to me when the trade was announced that he had been included in a trade that netted us Ray Allen.
8. Earl Thomas
I couldn't include the entire Legion of Boom, so I went with who I considered their best player and the one I had most fun watching. Earl has been such a great safety in the NFL, the ability to range from deep center field to come up and make a tackle on a quick pass or run. Earl's quickness and smarts allowed Pete Carroll and his defensive coaching staff to play him deep, which meant no big throws were ever really completed against the Hawks defense. The Hawks certainly would not have had the success they did on defense without Earl.
7. Felix Hernandez
There has not been a better pitcher with the Mariners in the last 15 years. Felix not only was dominant, but proved his loyalty all the way until he was no longer productive for us. It breaks my heart that he never got to experience the postseason with us. No other player has inspired something like a "King's Court", something I made certain to be a part of a few times. His perfect game in 2012 is definitely one of the best moments in Mariners history, and might be the best moment of that decade.
6. Ray Allen
Ray has to be the best shooter of the basketball I have ever seen, especially from three point range. He hit a ton of clutch shots with the Sonics and easily became my favorite player on the team in the mid-2000's. He and Rashard Lewis formed quite the scoring duo, even guiding the Sonics to the playoffs a couple times. And Ray was one of the very few high scorers in the NBA that didn't talk too much. He let his play and his scoring speak for itself.
5. Bobby Wagner
At the end of his career, he may end up as the greatest defensive player in Seahawks history. Right now, that's probably Cortez Kennedy, but Bobby may pass Tez in longevity and overall production. Bobby hasn't won a defensive player of the year like Tez did, but I think he should have. There's just been too many other great players in the league. But to me, Bobby is the best tackler and linebacker in Seahawks history, and I'm fortunate to have seen him play.
4. Ichiro Suzuki
The greatest contact hitter in Mariners history for sure. He set the all-time record for hits in a season in 2004. He won MVP in his first season in Major League Baseball. It's a huge shame we could never get back to the postseason with Ichiro, but the guy is a bona fide legend. The way he would make contact with the worst of pitches and get hits out of them just blew my mind.
3. Walter Jones
An offensive lineman in the Top 3? Why not? Big Walt is one of the best tackles in NFL history. In fact, he was voted to the NFL 100 club in the NFL's 100th season, meaning he is one of the 100 greatest players in NFL history. I think he had fewer holding calls than seasons played, and he hardly ever got beat. Walt was devoted to his craft and it showed.
2. Russell Wilson
My favorite current athlete winds up at #2 on this list. Russell is a born leader. What I love most about him is his faith in his team and his belief that they will win, despite sometimes near insurmountable odds. The most notable example of that would be the 2015 NFC Championship Game, where the Hawks fell behind 16-0, yet Russell kept believing. It paid off. Besides that, Russ is going to end up with every team passing record, he is our winningest quarterback of all time and guided us to our only ever championship, and he has sometimes done this with very little help.
1. Edgar Martinez
EdddddGAARRRRRR....EdddddGARRRR... I can still hear the chants of his name ring throughout the Kingdome and Safeco Field. Edgar was pure class, pure all-around hitter, and a clutch one at that. Edgar is often known as one of the greatest Mariners, even though he has been passed in a lot of hitting categories by Ichiro or Griffey. There's a reason he's so loved, has a street named after him, and had his number retired before even entering the Hall of Fame. That clutch double he hit in the 1995 ALDS has a lot to do with it. Edgar Martinez is my greatest Seattle sports athlete I have ever seen play.
Showing posts with label Athletes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Athletes. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Monday, February 3, 2020
Ten Greatest Athletes I Have Ever Watched
I am a big fan of sports, namely baseball, basketball, and football. I have watched countless hours of each. I am only 31 and I've only been watching sports since around the turn of the millennium, so these athletes will had to have played then or later. I got inspired to do this post by the recent and sudden passing of one of them, as you'll see later down this list. I make many reference to a GOAT, which isn't a farm animal, but the Greatest Of All Time in their respective sport. So I discuss the possibility of these players being the GOAT in their respective sports league. I did my best to include a variety of players, not just between my three favorite sports, but in regards to positions, offense and defense, hitting and pitching.
First though, I have to include some honorable mentions:
MLB: Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, Albert Pujols
NBA: Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash
NFL: Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Adrian Peterson, Brian Urlacher
10. Pedro Martinez, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
Boy this was a tough one. I wanted to include a pitcher on this list, and there are so many good ones. I went with Pedro, just because of how dominant he was for a stretch. He had an ERA under 2.50 for FIVE straight years. That's hard to do in one year. That stretches out to seven years if you include an ERA under 3.00. He was the most dominant pitcher around the turn of the millennium, which is why I included him. When I first got into baseball, he was the best there was.
9. Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Ray was an incredible force at the linebacker position. He helped anchor one of the greatest defenses of all time in the 2000 Ravens. He also got the Ravens back to the big game in 2012 in his final season and won another Super Bowl. He was just the most ferocious and tenacious linebacker, maybe even defensive player, I ever watched. The Ravens almost always had a top ten defense while he was with them. He also made the cover of Madden, not easy to do for a defensive player.
8. Mike Trout, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
He's barely into his career and he's already on this list? Yup. He has got off to such an insane start to his career, that if he were to double it or better, he would have the greatest hitting stat line in the history of baseball. I've been able to see him excel at the game of baseball in all its facets, because he plays in the same division as my Seattle Mariners. He's the epitome of the five tool player; it's like he was designed in a lab to be the best all-around baseball player ever seen. His only downfall is his inability to do well in the playoffs, both with his team and individually. He'll need a World Series ring to really enter the discussion as being one of the GOATs.
7. Tim Duncan, Forward, San Antonio Spurs
Timmay! Tim Duncan defined class and gracefulness for a big man in his time in the NBA. He won five NBA championships, the first and last separated by fifteen years. His pull up shot was pretty as a picture, and his defense was always top-notch. The San Antonio Spurs franchise would be nowhere without him. I'd argue he was the best mid-range shooter among big men (6'10" or taller) in NBA history.
6. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
I think Drew is the most underrated quarterback maybe ever. When people talk about the greatest quarterback of all time, they mention Brady, Manning, Montana, but hardly ever Brees. Drew is going to end up holding most of the all-time passing records when his career is over. Therefore, I had to include him on this list. He was the first quarterback to really prove you don't have to be around 6'4" to be an all-time great quarterback. He's had some great Saints teams recently, but unfortunately for them, each of the last three seasons has ended in heartbreak.
5. Derek Jeter, Shortstop, New York Yankees
He just got elected to the Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of a unanimous decision. He's one of the greatest all-around shortstops of all time. He popularized a style of throw to first. He became perhaps the greatest clutch hitter of his time. The moment never seemed too big for one Derek Sanderson Jeter. And he played in an era where his counterparts and rivals changed teams (Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols), but he didn't.
4. LeBron James, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers
I think he's the most physically gifted basketball player of all time. No one has had his physicality, quickness, explosiveness, and size all in one package. He definitely could have played football if he had decided to. But I think he chose correctly. Currently, Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, but if LeBron wins another ring or two, it'll be a fierce debate between the two as to who then is the G.O.A.T.
3. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. I don't know if there's ever been anyone better at adjustments at the line of scrimmage. And to top it off, he had a great arm. He's not only one of the smartest quarterbacks ever, but he's one of the smartest football players ever. He is probably the one former player I'd most love to talk to about the X's and O's of football.
2. Kobe Bryant, Guard/Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
I am still stunned by his sudden passing. He was younger than Tom Brady, who is still playing. I only saw the tail end of MJ's career, and I lost interest in basketball after the Sonics left, so I only saw a few years of LeBron's career. But I saw most of Kobe's, and he was special. I don't think I've ever seen a prettier or more effective jump shot or fade-away shot. And to win championships with and without Shaq proves that he didn't have to have him to win a championship. To me, he's the GOAT basketball player.
1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
He's the GOAT. Period. In the age of salary caps and quarterbacks being paid exuberant amounts, Tom has done the impossible and won six Super Bowls. Unless there's a change in the NFL to the salary cap, I don't think this will ever happen again. Tom has not only won, but he's won convincingly at times. He had a period of ten years where he at least made it to the AFC Championship game. That is insane. He is the greatest athlete I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
Those are my Top 10 Athletes I Have Ever Seen. If you didn't notice, I did not include any Seattle athletes, mainly because I am saving them for another list. So look out for that soon.
First though, I have to include some honorable mentions:
MLB: Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, Albert Pujols
NBA: Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash
NFL: Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Adrian Peterson, Brian Urlacher
10. Pedro Martinez, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
Boy this was a tough one. I wanted to include a pitcher on this list, and there are so many good ones. I went with Pedro, just because of how dominant he was for a stretch. He had an ERA under 2.50 for FIVE straight years. That's hard to do in one year. That stretches out to seven years if you include an ERA under 3.00. He was the most dominant pitcher around the turn of the millennium, which is why I included him. When I first got into baseball, he was the best there was.
9. Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Ray was an incredible force at the linebacker position. He helped anchor one of the greatest defenses of all time in the 2000 Ravens. He also got the Ravens back to the big game in 2012 in his final season and won another Super Bowl. He was just the most ferocious and tenacious linebacker, maybe even defensive player, I ever watched. The Ravens almost always had a top ten defense while he was with them. He also made the cover of Madden, not easy to do for a defensive player.
8. Mike Trout, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
He's barely into his career and he's already on this list? Yup. He has got off to such an insane start to his career, that if he were to double it or better, he would have the greatest hitting stat line in the history of baseball. I've been able to see him excel at the game of baseball in all its facets, because he plays in the same division as my Seattle Mariners. He's the epitome of the five tool player; it's like he was designed in a lab to be the best all-around baseball player ever seen. His only downfall is his inability to do well in the playoffs, both with his team and individually. He'll need a World Series ring to really enter the discussion as being one of the GOATs.
7. Tim Duncan, Forward, San Antonio Spurs
Timmay! Tim Duncan defined class and gracefulness for a big man in his time in the NBA. He won five NBA championships, the first and last separated by fifteen years. His pull up shot was pretty as a picture, and his defense was always top-notch. The San Antonio Spurs franchise would be nowhere without him. I'd argue he was the best mid-range shooter among big men (6'10" or taller) in NBA history.
6. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
I think Drew is the most underrated quarterback maybe ever. When people talk about the greatest quarterback of all time, they mention Brady, Manning, Montana, but hardly ever Brees. Drew is going to end up holding most of the all-time passing records when his career is over. Therefore, I had to include him on this list. He was the first quarterback to really prove you don't have to be around 6'4" to be an all-time great quarterback. He's had some great Saints teams recently, but unfortunately for them, each of the last three seasons has ended in heartbreak.
5. Derek Jeter, Shortstop, New York Yankees
He just got elected to the Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of a unanimous decision. He's one of the greatest all-around shortstops of all time. He popularized a style of throw to first. He became perhaps the greatest clutch hitter of his time. The moment never seemed too big for one Derek Sanderson Jeter. And he played in an era where his counterparts and rivals changed teams (Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols), but he didn't.
4. LeBron James, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers
I think he's the most physically gifted basketball player of all time. No one has had his physicality, quickness, explosiveness, and size all in one package. He definitely could have played football if he had decided to. But I think he chose correctly. Currently, Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time, but if LeBron wins another ring or two, it'll be a fierce debate between the two as to who then is the G.O.A.T.
3. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. I don't know if there's ever been anyone better at adjustments at the line of scrimmage. And to top it off, he had a great arm. He's not only one of the smartest quarterbacks ever, but he's one of the smartest football players ever. He is probably the one former player I'd most love to talk to about the X's and O's of football.
2. Kobe Bryant, Guard/Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
I am still stunned by his sudden passing. He was younger than Tom Brady, who is still playing. I only saw the tail end of MJ's career, and I lost interest in basketball after the Sonics left, so I only saw a few years of LeBron's career. But I saw most of Kobe's, and he was special. I don't think I've ever seen a prettier or more effective jump shot or fade-away shot. And to win championships with and without Shaq proves that he didn't have to have him to win a championship. To me, he's the GOAT basketball player.
1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
He's the GOAT. Period. In the age of salary caps and quarterbacks being paid exuberant amounts, Tom has done the impossible and won six Super Bowls. Unless there's a change in the NFL to the salary cap, I don't think this will ever happen again. Tom has not only won, but he's won convincingly at times. He had a period of ten years where he at least made it to the AFC Championship game. That is insane. He is the greatest athlete I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
Those are my Top 10 Athletes I Have Ever Seen. If you didn't notice, I did not include any Seattle athletes, mainly because I am saving them for another list. So look out for that soon.
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