knightni

20. Chris Chelios (5 of 18 lists - 49 points - highest ranking #4 ControlledChaos) Chris Chelios (born Christos Kostas Tselios on January 25, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Chelios has also played for the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. Chelios has played in the NHL since 1984, and has earned many awards during his long career. Chelios is the oldest active player in the NHL, has played the most games of any active player in the NHL, and has the most career penalty minutes of any active player. On November 24, 2006, he played in his 1,496th NHL game, the most of any American-born player, passing the record total of Phil Housley. In the 2007–08 season, he appeared in the playoffs for an NHL record 23rd time, having missed the playoffs only once (1997–98) in his entire career. Chelios is of Greek heritage. His cousin, Nikos Tselios, also plays professional hockey. Playing career Early years Chelios was raised in Chicago and was a standout youth hockey player. He attended Mount Carmel High School, but moved to Southern California in 1977. As a teenager, he was twice cut by Junior B teams in Canada and hit a low point when he had to borrow money from strangers to get home to California one year. As Chelios said, "I wasn't any bigger or any better than the other guys, so they weren't going to take a kid from the States when they could have a local guy." He returned home and grew three inches while adding 40 pounds of muscle. Chelios was then drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to being drafted, he played for the Moose Jaw Canucks of the SJHL. Chelios enjoyed two strong years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after being drafted. As one of the top collegiate players in the country, he was selected to play for the United States at the 1981–82 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. In 1983, he was part of the Badgers NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship team and was named to the All-Tournament Team and the Second WCHA All-Star Team. Chelios was a member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey team for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. After the Olympics he made his debut for the Canadiens, playing 12 games in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs. That summer he joined the United States team at the 1984 Canada Cup. He wore number 24 in Montreal and Detroit, and number 7 in Chicago. The Montreal years 1981-1990 In 1984, he made the Habs for good, and distinguished himself with his play. He earned a trip to the National Hockey League All-Star Game and was named to the 1985 NHL All-Rookie Team. He scored 64 points in 74 games, a high total for a defenceman, even in the higher-scoring 1980s. In the playoffs that year, he scored 10 points in 9 games, with a +17 plus/minus. Although he only played 41 games in the 1985-1986 season, he won his first Stanley Cup, playing in front of Conn Smythe Trophy winner Patrick Roy. Following two more good seasons, Chelios really broke out in the 1988-1989 season. He scored 73 points in 80 games at +35, was named to the All-Star First-Team, and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. In that season's Prince of Wales Trophy final Series against the Philadelphia Flyers, which the Canadiens won in six games, Chelios became reviled by Flyer fans for a hit on Brian Propp that left the Flyer winger concussed and forced him to miss the Flyers' next game. For the remainder of the series, the Flyers vented their anger against Chelios until finally, late in Game Six, Philly goaltender Ron Hextall whacked his stick and blocker pad at Chelios, apparently in retaliation for the hit. After playing only 53 games in the next season (in which he served as co-captain, with Guy Carbonneau), on June 29, 1990, Chelios was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks with a 2nd-round draft pick for Denis Savard, who is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Chicago years 1990-1999 In his first season with Chicago, he continued to score at his usual rate, tallying 64 points, and earned a spot on the Second NHL All-Star Team. Chelios would help lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992, before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was in top form for the 1992-1993 season, scoring 73 points and won another Norris Trophy. In 1995–96, Chelios would have another great season for the Blackhawks, scoring 73 points and winning his third Norris Trophy. When the Summer of 1996 rolled around, he would help lead the United States to its biggest international hockey win since the 1980 Winter Olympics, beating Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey final series and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Chelios was captain of the Blackhawks from 1995 to 1999. The Detroit Years 1999-present By 1999, though, Chelios was starting to show signs of age. At 37, his career was clearly in decline, and he was no longer the offensive and defensive force he had once been. However, even if he did not have much to offer the Blackhawks, he could still help teams with his veteran leadership and his largely-remaining talent. On March 23, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Anders Eriksson and two first-round draft picks. The move to Detroit, where he had fewer responsibilities and more skilled teammates, helped keep Chelios playing at close to his peak level. In 2002, his +40 plus/minus led the league, and he was again named to the First All-Star Team. He also led the United States hockey team to a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics, and was named to the Tournament's All-Star Team. His season culminated in the Red Wings' victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, giving Chelios his second Stanley Cup. In 2004, because of the cancellation of the NHL season, Chelios, along with fellow Red Wing teammates Derian Hatcher and Kris Draper, decided to play hockey for the Motor City Mechanics, a UHL team based out of Fraser, Michigan. He was heavily criticized for this decision as the UHL has a maximum salary in place, but at the same time he was strongly against a salary cap in the NHL. In October 2004 he trained with the U.S. bobsled federation in a bid to compete for the Greek bobsled team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. On August 4, 2005, the 43-year-old re-signed with the Red Wings for a one-year contract. Recent years On February 1, 2006, Chelios was again named captain of the US Olympic Hockey Team that played at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Chelios was also captain in the 1998 Nagano games and of the silver-medal-winning team in the 2002 Salt Lake City games. On May 24, 2006, Chelios signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. On July 3, 2006, Chelios became the active leader for most games played upon the retirement of teammate Steve Yzerman. On April 21, 2007 he became the oldest defenseman to score a short-handed goal in the NHL in a playoff game against Calgary Flames. On May 22, 2007, at Game 6 of the 2007 Western Conference Finals, Chelios and the Red Wings were eliminated from postseason play by the Anaheim Ducks. After the game, Chelios did not shake the hands of the Anaheim Ducks at center ice, as is the custom, and chose instead to shake the hands of only the coaches at their bench. This drew much criticism from fans and the media. He later stated that he was overcome by emotion, and felt he could not maintain his composure on the ice. [1] On June 12, 2007, Chelios re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings for one year. This is his 24th NHL season and 10th with the Red Wings. On January 8, 2008 Chelios became the second oldest player in the history of the NHL, at 45 years, 348 days, passing Moe Roberts. Only Gordie Howe, who played until age 52, was older. He is older than his coach Mike Babcock. On April 12, 2008 Chelios played in his 248th playoff game, breaking the NHL record set by Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. Chris Chelios is one of 5 currently active NHL players to be a captain of 2 different NHL teams, both the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks. The players who currently share this honour are Jason Smith, Chris Pronger, Trevor Linden, Jaromir Jagr and Chris Chelios. Although Smith, Pronger and Jagr are the only players of these 5 who currently wear the C on their respective teams. Personal Chelios grew up in Chicago, where his father, Constantine "Gus" Chelios owned a chain of Greek restaurants. The family moved to Poway, CA in 1977 when his father left his struggling business in Chicago to open a restaurant in the San Diego area. He was a Chicago Blackhawks fan during his childhood but was more focused on football, idolizing Bears linebacker Dick Butkus. Chelios has been married to his wife, Tracee, for twenty years. They met while students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They have four children, Dean, 18, Jake, 16, Caley, 14, and Tara, 12. Dean Chelios, a forward, scored a pair of power play goals to help his high school team, Cranbrook-Kingswood, win the division 3 Michigan state high school hockey championship in 2006. Dean plays for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL in Cedar Rapids, IA. He was very active in charitable causes during his playing days in Chicago, founding Cheli's Children. to "Chelios."[2] He is the older brother of former minor-leaguer Steve Chelios, Cousin of NHL player Nikos Tselios, whose father was one of Gus Chelios' brothers. The family name was originally Tselios, but Gus Chelios changed his family's spelling. His cousin, also named Chris Chelios (little Chris), is a former minor league player and current coach of the Robert Morris College Women's Hockey team in Chicago, IL, he is also founder of the CCH Xtreme hockey school.[3] In his career, he has befriended many non-Hockey athletes and entertainers. In 2004, Chris and surfer Laird Hamilton trained with the US bobsled team, and hoped to form the first Greek bobsled team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. They weren't successful. On Scrubs, Dr. Perry Cox often wears a Chelios Red Wings jersey; Chelios is friends with actor John C. McGinley, who portrays Cox. During the fourth season of the show, which was concurrent with the 2004–05 lockout, Cox was seen on at least one occasion wearing a number 24 Motor City Mechanics jersey. He is also close friends with actor John Cusack, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and musician Kid Rock. Chris Chelios restaurant/bar Chelios has two restaurant/bars in Dearborn (opened in 2003) and Detroit (opened in 2006), Michigan (Cheli's Chili Bar I and Cheli's Chili Bar II). He previously owned a Cheli's Chili Bar on West Madision in Chicago near the United Center, but this closed after his move to the Red Wings. On January 2, 2007 two employees of Cheli's in Detroit were fatally stabbed. Megan Soroka, 49, was a manager at the restaurant and Mark Barnard, 52, was a chef. Police arrested Justin Blackshere, 17, who allegedly confessed to the crime. He was a busboy at the restaurant and was fired in November 2006. Blackshere's pregnant girlfriend had also been fired from her job as a dishwasher. Blackshere was found guilty of murder in the first degree on August 22, 2007. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on September 7, 2007.[4] Chelios took a leave of absence from the Detroit Red Wings to help the families of his murdered employees. He said, "I'll come back when I feel ready and the families feel ready. I'm just going to try to get through this day by day with everybody."[5] On January 9, 2007, the Red Wings announced that Chelios would be playing that night.[6] Awards * 1982–83: Second All-Star Team (WCHA) * 1982–83: All-Tournament Team (NCAA) * 1984–85: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1984–85: All-Rookie Team (NHL) * 1985–86: Stanley Cup Montreal Canadiens (NHL) * 1986–87: Played in Rendez-vous '87 (NHL) * 1988–89: First All-Star Team (NHL) * 1988–89: James Norris Memorial Trophy Defenseman of the Year (NHL) * 1989–90: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1990–91: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1990–91: Second All-Star Team (NHL) * 1991–92: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1992–93: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1992–93: First All-Star Team (NHL) * 1992–93: James Norris Memorial Trophy Defenseman of the Year (NHL) * 1993–94: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1994–95: First All-Star Team (NHL) * 1995–96: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1995–96: First All-Star Team (NHL) * 1995–96: James Norris Memorial Trophy Defenseman of the Year (NHL) * 1996–97: All-Star Team (1996 World Cup of Hockey) * 1996–97: World Cup of Hockey Championship (1996 World Cup of Hockey) * 1996–97: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1996–97: Second All-Star Team (NHL) * 1997–98: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 1999–00: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 2001–02: All-Star Team (XIX Olympic Winter Games) * 2001–02: Silver Medal (XIX Olympic Winter Games) * 2001–02: Played in All-Star Game (NHL) * 2001–02: First All-Star Team (NHL) * 2001–02: Bud Light Plus/Minus Award (NHL) * 2001–02: Stanley Cup Detroit Red Wings (NHL) * 2006–07: Mark Messier Leadership Award (NHL) International play Olympic medal record Men's Ice hockey Silver 2002 Salt Lake City Ice hockey * 1982 - Played for the United States in the 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship * 1984 - Played for the United States in the XIV Olympic Winter Games * 1984 - Played for the United States in the 1984 Canada Cup * 1987 - Played for the United States in the 1987 Canada Cup * 1991 - Played for the United States in the 1991 Canada Cup * 1996 - Played for the United States in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey * 1998 - Played for the United States in the XVIII Olympic Winter Games * 2002 - Played for the United States in the XIX Olympic Winter Games * 2004 - Played for the United States in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey * 2006 - Played for the United States in the XX Olympic Winter Games His only medal came from the 2002 Salt Lake games, winning the Silver losing to team Canada. Playing an important defensive role along with Brian Rafalski. In the 2004 World Cup of Hockey he did not medal however he did play as captain during that stretch.

Perez was acquired from waivers by the Indians.

http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?s=...t&p=1643389

My brain tells me that Rose is the lock and the Bulls PG need. My heart tells me, trade Gooden and Thomas for a point guard and a future #1 pick and take Beasley because he is a stud.

How about Mel Gibson being emotional with his mashed potatoes?

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 21, 2008 -> 01:13 PM) The Knicks are the Lime(dpbl) of the NBA. (you know what I'm talking about) HAHA! I totally missed this! 'u want us to draft hansboro lol?'

Ah dammit. LINE?

It's a skin flute then? Oh wait, that's a MUSICAL groin.

QUOTE (knightni @ May 20, 2008 -> 04:15 PM) The link is fixed now.

20-16 will be tomorrow!

21. Tony Esposito (6 of 18 lists - 46 points - highest ranking #10 ChiSox_Sonix) Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito (born April 23, 1943 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender, who played in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks. He is considered one of the pioneers of the now popular butterfly style. Hockey career Early years Esposito grew up Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with his brother, fellow future NHL star Phil Esposito. He played college hockey for Michigan Tech University. A three-year hockey letterwinner, Esposito was a three-time first-team All-America selection. He was a driving force in helping the Huskies to the 1964–65 NCAA Championship and was named a first-team NCAA All-Tournament Team choice in 1965. Still currently the MTU career leader in goals against average (2.55) and second in career saved percentage (.912), Esposito was also a three-time All-WCHA first-team selection. Esposito turned pro with Vancouver in the Western Hockey League in 1967–68 and played with the Houston Apollos in the Central League in 1968–69. He first played in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1968–69 season. A famous game against the Boston Bruins, led by his brother Phil, ended in a 2–2 tie, in which Phil scored both goals for Boston. The Canadiens club was very deep in goaltenders at that time, with Gump Worsley, Rogie Vachon and others in the system. As a result, Esposito was left unprotected by the Canadiens in 1969. Rise to fame For 1969–70, the Chicago Black Hawks (the team name during Esposito's playing days) claimed him from Montreal on waivers, known at the time as the "intra-league draft". Esposito had a spectacular season with Chicago, posting a 2.17 GAA and setting a modern day NHL record with 15 shutouts. Having not played enough games with Montreal, he was still eligible for, and won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie. He also took the Vezina Trophy and was named to the First All-Star team at season's end. He also balloted second for league MVP (Hart Trophy). It was during this record setting season he earned the nickname Tony 'O'. In 1970–71, he again proved to be one of the league's top goalies and helped Chicago finish first in the NHL's West division. The Black Hawks made it to the Stanley Cup finals, but lost in 7 games to Montreal. The following season he posted the lowest GAA of his career (1.77) and shared the Vezina with backup Gary Smith. He was again selected to the NHL's 1st All-Star team. Esposito was named to Team Canada for the Summit Series of September, 1972. He was the first goalie to earn a win against the Soviets, splitting Canada's goaltending duties with Montreal's Ken Dryden. Esposito posted the lowest GAA of the three goalies who appeared in the series. Despite the loss of Bobby Hull, Esposito and the Hawks led their division in 1972–73, but lost the Stanley Cup in 6 games to Montreal. 1973–74 was another brilliant season with a sparkling 2.04 GAA and 10 shutouts. Esposito won his 3rd Vezina, sharing it with Philadelphia's Bernie Parent. The Black Hawks declined the next few seasons although Esposito remained among the top netminders in the NHL. In 1979–80, Esposito enjoyed a fine season with 6 shutouts and his third 1st All-Star team selection. In 1981 he adopted an American citizenship and played for Team USA in the Canada Cup (he had previously represented Canada at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament). He played a few more seasons in the Windy city, retiring after the 1983–84 season. Tony Esposito is the younger brother of Phil Esposito, who also played for Team Canada during the Summit Series of 1972. Trivia * Tony O. was one of just eight goalies to win the Vezina catching the puck right-handed. The other seven were fellow Hawks' legend Charlie Gardiner (in 1932 and 1934), the New York Rangers' Davey Kerr (1940), ambidextrous Montreal goalie Bill Durnan (1944—47, 1949 and 1950), the New York Rangers' Gilles Villemure (1971), Tom Barrasso of the Buffalo Sabres (1984), Edmonton Oilers' Grant Fuhr (1988) and José Théodore of the Montreal Canadiens in 2002. Retirement He retired from professional play in 1985 and was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. His number 35 was retired by the Blackhawks. Tony Esposito later became General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins rather briefly, where he hired former Black Hawks teammate Gene Ubriaco as head coach, until they were both terminated. In 1991, when his brother helped found the Tampa Bay Lightning, Phil hired Tony as chief scout. Legend has it that they came up with the team name during a thunderstorm. Both Espositos were fired in 1998. In 1998, he was ranked number 79 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. In 2007, Tony was inducted (alongside brother Phil) into the Sault Ste Marie Walk of Fame. On March 19, 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks honored Esposito with "Tony Esposito Night", where he was formally introduced as an Ambassador to the Blackhawks organization. Current Blackhawk goaltenders Patrick Lalime and Nikolai Khabibulin both wore Esposito's #35 jerseys in the pre-game warmups, and coincidentally, Khabibulin recorded a shutout in a Hawks 5–0 win over the Washington Capitals Awards and Accomplishments * Stanley Cup Champion (1969) * Calder Memorial Trophy (1970) * NHL First All-Star Team Goalie (1970, 1972, 1980) * NHL Second All-Star Team Goalie (1973, 1974) * Vezina Trophy (1970, 1972, 1974) * Member of Canadian national team at 1972 Summit Series and 1977 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament * Played for United States national team in the 1981 Canada Cup In popular culture * Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) wears Esposito's jersey while playing road hockey in Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2. Pro clubs WHL Vancouver Canucks CHL Houston Apollos NHL Montreal Canadiens Chicago Black Hawks Pro Career 1967 – 1984 Hall of Fame, 1988

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 21, 2008 -> 12:38 PM) Is it jumping the Gun to add Rose or Beasley to this list? It certainly wasn't with Hester.

22. Ed Walsh (5 of 18 lists - 44 points - highest ranking #8 knightni) Edward Augustine Walsh (May 14, 1881 – May 26, 1959) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He holds the record for lowest career ERA, 1.82. Born in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, Walsh had a brief but remarkable major league career. He made his major league debut in 1904 with the Chicago White Sox and pitched his first full season in 1906, going 17-13 with a 1.88 ERA and 171 strikeouts. From this season through 1912, Walsh averaged 24 victories, 220 strikeouts and posted an ERA below 2.00 five times. He also led the league in saves five times in this span. His finest individual season came in 1908 when he went 40-15 with 269 strikeouts, 6 saves and a 1.42 ERA. In 1910 he posted the lowest ERA (1.27) for a pitcher with at least 20 starts and a losing record. In 1910, the White Sox opened White Sox Park, which was soon nicknamed Comiskey Park by the press in honor of team owner Charles Comiskey. The name would be officially changed to Comiskey Park in 1913. A story, perhaps apocryphal, states that Zachary Taylor Davis, the architect who would later design Wrigley Field across town, consulted Walsh in setting the park's field dimensions. Choosing a design that would favor himself and other White Sox pitchers, rather than hitters, Walsh not only made Comiskey Park a "pitcher's park" for its entire 80-year history, but he can be said to be the man who "built" Comiskey Park to a greater degree than Babe Ruth "built" Yankee Stadium, "The House That Ruth Built": While the money the Yankees were making due to fans coming to see Ruth made building the Stadium possible, and the short distance to the right-field fence may have been chosen with Ruth in mind, Ruth did not choose that distance. Walsh appears to have been the man who chose what kind of playing conditions Comiskey Park would have. Interviewed for Lawrence Ritter's book The Glory of Their Times, Hall-of-Famer Sam Crawford referred to Walsh's use of a pitch that would later be outlawed: "Big Ed Walsh. Great big, strong, good-looking fellow. He threw a spitball. I think that ball disintegrated on the way to the plate, and the catcher put it back together again. I swear, when it went past the plate, it was just the spit went by." Walsh's playing time began dwindling in 1913. Some claim that he came into spring training around this time in poorer physical shape than other members of the White Sox pitching staff, and his pride led him to try to keep up with the other pitchers in terms of pitch speed before getting into adequate shape, thereby causing damage to his pitching arm. By 1916 his arm was dead. He wanted a year off, but Charles Comiskey released him instead. He attempted a comeback with the Boston Braves in 1917, but was let go, ending his major league career. He later did some pitching in the Eastern League and gave umpiring a brief try. After that he was a coach for the White Sox for a few years. He retired with 195 wins, 126 losses and 1736 strikeouts. His career 1.82 is the lowest major league ERA ever posted, but is unofficial since ERA was not an official statistic in the American League prior to 1913. Walsh died on May 26, 1959. That night, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a perfect game for 12 innings before losing to the Milwaukee Braves in the 13th inning. Walsh was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. In 1999, he ranked Number 82 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Career statistics Pitching Record 195-126 ERA 1.82 Strikeouts 1736 Teams As Player * Chicago White Sox (1904 – 1916) * Boston Braves (1917) As Manager * Chicago White Sox (1924) Career highlights and awards * World Series champion: 1906 * Best career ERA (1.82) in Major League history * Second-best WHIP (1.00) in Major League history * American League ERA champion: 1907, 1910 * American League wins champion: 1908 * 4-time American League innings pitched leader * 4 20-win seasons * 1 40-win season * 6 sub-2.00 ERA seasons Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1946 Election Method Veteran's Committee

23. Bronko Nagurski (4 of 18 lists - 39 points - highest ranking #7 southsidehawkeye) Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was an American football player of Ukrainian origin. He was also a famous professional wrestler, being one of the first football players to succeed as a professional wrestler. In professional wrestling, he was a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion. Bronko has the largest recorded NFL Championship ring size at 19½ (86 mm inside circumference).[1] Youth and collegiate career Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota when he was still a boy. His parents, "Mike" and "Emelia" Nagurski, were immigrants, ethnic Ukrainians from the Polish Ukraine (Galicia). Nagurski became a standout at the University of Minnesota, where he played fullback on offense and tackle on defense and was named an All-American. According to legend, Nagurski was discovered and signed by University of Minnesota Head Coach Clarence "Fats" Spears who had gotten lost and asked for directions to the nearest town. Nagurski (who had been plowing a field without a horse) lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town. He was signed on the spot for a full ride football scholarship. [1] However, the same legend is told about the Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx. Nagurski played both tackle on defense and fullback on offense at Minnesota from 1927 to 1929. In 1929, he was a consensus All-American at tackle and also made some All-American teams at fullback. Some voters apparently listed him at two positions (this was before there were separate offensive and defensive teams -- everyone went "both ways"). Perhaps his greatest collegiate game was against the Wisconsin in 1928. Wearing a corset to protect cracked vertebrae, he recovered a Badger fumble deep in their territory and then ran the ball six straight times to score the go-ahead touchdown. Later in the same game, he intercepted a pass to seal the victory. During his time with the Gophers, the team went 18-4-2 and won the Big Ten Conference championship in 1927. Sports Illustrated named Nagurski one of the three greatest athletes in Minnesota state history (the other two were Dave Winfield and Kevin McHale). In 1993, the Football Writers Association of America created the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football. Notable winners include Warren Sapp, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, and Derrick Johnson. In 2007, Nagurski was ranked #17 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list. Professional career Nagurski turned professional to play for the Chicago Bears from 1930 to 1937. At 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 235 pounds (107 kg), he would have been a formidable presence in any era of the NFL, and in his day he was a dominant force in the league, helping the Bears win several division titles and two NFL championships. He was probably the largest running back of his time, bigger than most linemen of the day, and a forerunner to large fullbacks like Marion Motley, John Henry Johnson, Jim Brown, Larry Csonka and John Riggins, often dragging multiple tacklers with him. In a time when players were expected to play on both sides of the ball, he was a standout defensive lineman as well. Following an injury, instead of sitting on the bench, he put in some time as an offensive tackle, making him the only player in NFL history to be named All-Pro at three non-kicking positions. In a 1984 interview with Sports Illustrated writer Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman, when asked what position he would play if he were coming up in the present day, he said, "I would probably be a linebacker today. I wouldn't be carrying the ball 20 or 25 times a game." A time-honored and almost certainly apocryphal story about Nagurski is that on one occasion carrying the ball, he was charging toward the goal line, head down, shoving tacklers out of the way, and that he ran right through the end zone and smacked his head on the close-in brick wall at Wrigley Field. When he came back to the bench, he told coach George Halas, "That last guy gave me quite a lick!"[citation needed] During his football career, he built a second athletic career as a professional wrestler, becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion. During World War II, professional football teams were short of players and in 1943 Bronko Nagurski returned to the Bears for one season. He scored a touchdown in the Bears' championship victory against the Washington Redskins, served one season as backfield coach for UCLA in 1944, and finally returned to wrestling until his retirement in 1960. After his retirement from wrestling, he returned home to International Falls and opened a service station. He retired from that in 1978, at the age of 70. He lived out a quiet life on the shores of Rainy Lake on the Canadian border. He died in International Falls and is buried there in the Saint Thomas Cemetery. Legacy Nagurski was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a charter member on September 7, 1963. At the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities house of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, Nagurski's jersey and Significant Sig recognition certificate are on display. After his death, the town of International Falls honored him by opening the Bronko Nagurski Museum in Smokey Bear Park. It is the only museum dedicated to a single football player [2]. In 1995, Nagurski was again honored when the Football Writers Association of America voted to have his name attached to college football's Defensive Player of the Year trophy (Bronko Nagurski Trophy). A fictionalized eyewitness account of Nagurski's 1943 comeback is the subject of a dramatic monologue in the film version of Hearts in Atlantis. Another account is in the William Goldman novel Magic. In 1999, he was ranked number 35 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking foreign-born player. In 2000, he was voted the second-greatest Minnesotan sportsman of the 20th century by the sportswriters of the Star Tribune, coming in only behind Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. Professional Wrestling Championships and accomplishments National Wrestling Alliance * NWA World Tag Team Champion (Minneapolis version) (1 time) - with Verne Gagne * NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Champion (San Francisco version) (2 times) National Wrestling Association * NWA/NBA World Heavyweight Champion (2 times) Other titles * World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time) * World Heavyweight Championship * World Heavyweight Championship (Minneapolis version) (2 times) Wrestling Observer Newsletter * Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame - inducted in 1996 Career information Position(s): FB Jersey №: 3 College: Minnesota Organizations 1930-1937, 1943 Chicago Bears Career highlights and Awards * NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team * NFL 1930s All-Decade Team * Retired numbers (#72 and #3) College Football Hall of Fame Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963

24. George Halas (2 of 18 lists - 35 points - highest ranking #3 BrianBear) George Stanley Halas, Sr. (February 2, 1895 - October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was an American player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional football and the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears. Early life and sports career Halas, born in Chicago, Illinois into a family of Czech immigrants, had a varied career in sports. In 1915, Halas worked temporarily for Western Electric and was planning on being on the Eastland. He was running late, however, and missed the capsizing. After graduating from Crane Tech High School in Chicago, he attended the University of Illinois, playing football for coach Bob Zuppke as well as baseball and basketball, and earning a degree in civil engineering. He also became a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He helped Illinois win the 1918 Big Ten football title. Serving as an ensign in the Navy during World War I, he played for a team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and was named the MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl. On a team which included Paddy Driscoll and Jimmy Conzelman, Halas scored two touchdowns and returned an intercepted pass 77 yards in a 17-0 win; the team was also rewarded with their military discharges. Afterward, Halas played minor league and semi-pro baseball, eventually earning a promotion to the New York Yankees, where he played 12 games as an outfielder in 1919. However, a hip injury effectively ended his baseball career. The popular myth was that Halas was succeeded as the Yankees' right fielder by Babe Ruth, but in reality Ruth replaced Sammy Vick. Professional football career Offered a position with the A. E. Staley Company, a Decatur, Illinois starch manufacturer, as a company representative, player on the company-sponsored baseball team, and player-coach of the company-sponsored football team, Halas selected his alma mater's colors — orange and navy blue — for the team's uniforms. In 1920, Halas represented the Staleys at the meeting which formed the American Professional Football Association (which became the NFL in 1922) in Canton, Ohio. After suffering financial losses despite a 10-1-2 record, company founder and namesake Augustus E. Staley turned control of the team to Halas in 1921. Halas moved the team to Chicago and took on teammate Dutch Sternaman as a partner. The newly minted "Chicago Staleys" won the NFL championship that year. They took the name Bears in 1922 as a tribute to baseball's Chicago Cubs, who permitted the Bears to play their games at Wrigley Field. Halas not only played end (wide receiver on offense, defensive end on defense) but also handled ticket sales and the business of running the club; lore says he even sold tickets before the game. All of that perhaps not being enough to do, Halas also coached the team. Named to the NFL's all-pro team in the 1920s, his playing highlight occurred in a 1923 game when he stripped Jim Thorpe of the ball, recovered the fumble, and returned it 98 yards — a league record which would stand until 1972. In 1925, Halas persuaded Illinois star player Red Grange to join the Bears; it was a significant step in establishing both the respectability and popularity of the league, which had previously been viewed as a refuge for less admirable players. After ten seasons, Halas stepped back from the game in 1930, retiring as a player and leaving the sidelines as coach; but he remained the owner of the club, becoming sole owner in 1932. The lure of the field was too much, however, as Halas returned in 1933 to coach the Bears for another ten seasons. During his absence from coaching, the team had also won the 1932 championship. His 1934 team was undefeated until a loss in the championship game to the New York Giants. In the late 1930s, Halas — with University of Chicago coach Clark Shaughnessy — perfected the T-formation system to create a revolutionary and overwhelming style of play which drove the Bears to an astonishing 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. Every other team in the league immediately began trying to imitate the format. The Bears repeated as NFL champions in 1941, and the 1940s would be remembered as the era of the "Monsters of the Midway." Halas and Shaughnessy had created a revolutionary concept with the T-formation offense. The complex spins, turns, fakes, and all around athletic versatility required to execute the scheme, limited the possible players available. Halas recruited Columbia University quarterback Sid Luckman in 1939. Luckman launched his Hall of Fame career, playing the position from 1939 to 1950. Halas was not satisfied with other players who succeeded Luckman. During this coaching stint, he had on the Bears roster two future Hall of Fame players, Bobby Layne in 1948 and George Blanda from 1949 to 1958. Other notable players included Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack from 1948 to 1951 and Zeke Bratkowski from 1954 to 1960. Blanda played in the NFL until 1975; Bratkowski moved on to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers from 1960 to 1971; and Bobby Layne quarterbacked the Detroit Lions to three NFL championship games between 1952-54, winning two. Halas went on a second three-year hiatus during World War II, serving in the Armed Forces from 1943-45, while the Bears won another title in 1943. Returning to the field in 1946, he coached the club for a third decade, again winning a title in his first year back as coach. After a brief break in 1956-57, he resumed the controls of the club for a final decade from 1958 to 1967, winning his last championship in 1963. He did not, however, enjoy the same success as he had before the war. He did win his 200th game in 1950 and his 300th game in 1965, becoming the first coach to reach both milestones. In 40 years as a coach, he endured only six losing seasons. Later life After the 1967 season, Halas — then the oldest coach in league history — retired as coach. He continued as the team's principal owner, and took an active role in team operations until his death. He was honored in 1970 and 1980 as the only person involved in the league throughout its first fifty and sixty years of existence. His son George, Jr. served as president of the Bears from 1963 until his sudden death at age 54 in 1979. One of Halas's final significant ownership acts was to hire Mike Ditka as head coach in 1982 (Ditka was a former Halas player in the 1960's). In the 1971 made-for-television film Brian's Song, about the friendship between Chicago Bears players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, Halas was portrayed by Jack Warden, who won an Emmy Award for his performance. Halas died of pancreatic cancer in Chicago on October 31, 1983 at age 88, and is entombed in St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery in Niles, Illinois. His eldest daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey, succeeded him as majority owner (even though her sons run the team's day-to-day operations). In the 1985 season when the Bears won their first ever Super Bowl, they recorded a song called "Super Bowl Shuffle". In the song, backup quarterback Steve Fuller states "This is for Mike [then current coach Mike Ditka] and Papa Bear Halas." Impact on football Halas played an integral part in the segregation of the league in the 1930s by refusing to sign black players for the Bears. Fritz Pollard, who in the 1920s was the league's first African-American coach, blamed Halas for keeping him out of the league in the 1930s and 1940s. Halas eventually changed course and helped to integrate the league, drafting the NFL's first black player since 1933, George Taliaferro, although Taliaferro did not play for the Bears; Halas later signed Willie Thrower, who with the Bears became the league's first black quarterback. A pioneer both on and off the field, Halas made the Bears the first team to hold daily practice sessions, to analyze film of opponents to find weaknesses and means of attack, place assistant coaches in the press box during games, and to broadcast games by radio. He also offered to share the team's substantial television income with teams in smaller cities, firmly believing that what was good for the league would ultimately benefit his own team. A firm disciplinarian, Halas maintained complete control of his team and did not tolerate disobedience and insubordination by players. He also insisted on absolute integrity and honesty in management, believing that a handshake was sufficient to finalize a deal; few, if any, intermediaries were necessary. George Halas' career ledger reads as follows: 63 years as an owner, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, and 8 NFL titles as a coach or owner. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963; the Hall of Fame is appropriately located on George Halas Drive. The NFC championship trophy also bears his name. In both 1963 and 1965 he was selected by The Sporting News, the AP and the UPI as the NFL Coach of the Year. In 1997 he was featured on a U.S. postage stamp as one of the legendary coaches of football. He has been recognized by ESPN as one of the ten most influential people in sports in the 20th century, and as one of the greatest coaches. In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula finally surpassed Halas' victory total. To this day, the jerseys of the Chicago Bears bear the initials "GSH" on their left sleeves in tribute to Halas. Career Highlights Awards 1919 Rose Bowl MVP 1965 AP NFL COY 1963 AP NFL COY 1965 Sporting News NFL COY 1963 Sporting News NFL COY 1965 UPI NFL COY 1963 UPI NFL COY Honors NFL 1920s All-Decade Team Retired #s Chicago Bears #7 Records Chicago Bears Career Wins (324) Career Record 318-148-32 (Regular Season) 6-4 (Postseason) 324-152-32 (Overall) Championships 1963 NFL Championship 1946 NFL Championship 1941 NFL Championship 1940 NFL Championship 1933 NFL Championship 1921 NFL Championship Team(s) as a player 1920-1928 Decatur Staleys Chicago Staleys Chicago Bears Team(s) as a coach/administrator 1920 Decatur Staleys 1921 Chicago Staleys 1922-1929 Chicago Bears 1933-1942 Chicago Bears 1946-1955 Chicago Bears 1958-1967 Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame 1963

25. Harold Baines (4 of 18 lists - 33 points - highest ranking #9 farmteam, The Prophet) Harold Douglas Baines (born March 15, 1959 in Easton, Maryland) is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team which he now serves as a coach. As one of the most durable, consistent and respected hitters of his era, he ranked 7th in AL history in games played (2,830) and 10th in runs batted in (1,628) upon his retirement. Noted as well for his power hitting in clutch situations, he was tied for 7th in AL history in grand slams (13)[1] and for 4th in 3-home run games (3),[2] and tied for 7th in major league history in walk-off home runs (10).[1] Baines batted over .300 eight times, and hit .324 in 31 career postseason games, topping the .350 mark in five separate series. A six-time All-Star, he led the AL in slugging average in 1984. He held the White Sox team record for career home runs from 1987 until Carlton Fisk passed him in 1990; his eventual total of 221 remains the club record for left-handed hitters, as do his 981 RBI and 585 extra base hits with the team. His 1,652 games as a designated hitter are a major league record, and he held the mark for career home runs as a DH (236) until Edgar Martínez passed him in 2004. Early years Baines graduated in 1977 from St. Michaels High School on Maryland's Eastern Shore where, as a senior, he batted .532 and was named a High School All-American.[3] A month later, the White Sox made Baines the first selection in the amateur draft. The owner of the White Sox at the time, Bill Veeck, had spotted Baines playing Little League ball many years before at the age of 12. Professional career In 1980, the smooth-swinging 20-year-old became a regular outfielder on the White Sox, and he began to produce in 1982 when he had 165 hits, 25 home runs and 105 RBI. In 1984, baseball writer Bill James called Baines his favorite opposing player to watch, saying, "He is gorgeous, absolutely complete. I've seen him drop down bunts that would melt in your mouth, come up the next time and execute a hit and run that comes straight off the chalkboard. I've seen him hit fastballs out of the yard on a line, and I've seen him get under a high curve and loft it just over the fence."[4] Baines ended the longest game in major league history (eight hours and six minutes over 25 innings on successive evenings) with a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers' Chuck Porter on May 9, 1984; the bat he used is currently kept at the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1986, a succession of knee problems began which would gradually end his fielding career, forcing him to become a regular designated hitter. Despite the knee ailments and the resulting lack of speed, however, he remained a powerful hitter, picking up 166 hits in 1988. Trades Midway through the 1989 season, the Texas Rangers acquired Baines, along with Fred Manrique, from the White Sox in a much-derided trade which sent Wilson Alvarez, Scott Fletcher and Sammy Sosa to Chicago. In 1990 Baines was traded to the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitchers Scott Chiamparino and Joe Bitker, and he helped them reach the post-season only to be swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. In 1992 the Athletics returned to the playoffs, only to lose to the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series.[5] Prior to the 1993 season, Baines was traded by the A's to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitchers Bobby Chouinard and Allen Plaster. At the age of 34, Baines was still productive, batting .313, .294 and .299 over his three seasons with the O's. Baines returned to the White Sox as a free agent in 1996 but was traded back to Baltimore midway through the 1997 season; he helped the Orioles to reach the playoffs, although they lost to the Cleveland Indians in the League Championship Series. His final contract with the White Sox was not renewed following the 2001 season, after his third stint with the team. His uniform number (#3) was retired by the White Sox following his initial departure from the city to Texas, but was "un-retired" three times following his two returns as a player and one as a coach. He finished his career with 2,866 hits, 384 home runs and 1,628 RBIs. His career RBI total is 23rd all-time; his hit total ranks 37th all-time. Back to the Sox True to form, Baines' fourth stint with the Chicago White Sox began when he was named bench coach in March 2004 under new manager Ozzie Guillén, his White Sox teammate from 1985 to 1989 and in 1996-97. Baines has become such a big, yet soft-spoken, hero that people in Chicago and the nearby suburbs have even named their pets after him, according to The Commish Online, a baseball website. In 2005, as a coach for the White Sox, he finally earned a World Series ring. He became eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time in 2007, and received 29 votes or 5.3%. This was enough to ensure he will remain on the ballot in 2008. Baines has both the most career hits and most career RBI of any eligible player not in the Hall of Fame. MLB career rankings * Games - 2,830 (17th) * At bats - 9,908 (27th) * Plate appearances - 11,092 (31st) * Hits - 2,866 (39th) * Total bases - 4,604 (30th) * Doubles - 488 (T-52nd) * Home runs - 384 (50th) * RBI - 1,628 (23rd) * Walks - 1,062 (82nd) * Singles - 1,945 (53rd) * Runs created - 1,657 (44th) * Extra-base hits - 921 (T-45th) * Times on base - 3,942 (41st) * Sacrifice flies - 99 (T-27th) * Intentional walks - 187 (18th) Personal life Baines' hometown of St. Michaels has designated every January 9 as Harold Baines Day. He has also created the Harold Baines Scholarship Fund to help deserving college-bound students.[6] Baines is married to Marla Henry and has four children: Toni, Britni, and Harold, Jr., and Courtney. All attended Baines' alma mater, St. Michaels Middle/High School.[7] Career statistics Batting average .289 Home runs 384 Runs batted in 1,628 Teams * Chicago White Sox (1980–1989, 1996-1997, 2000-2001) * Texas Rangers (1989-1990) * Oakland Athletics (1990–1992) * Baltimore Orioles (1993–1995, 1997-1999, 2000) * Cleveland Indians (1999) Career highlights and awards * 6x All-Star selection (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1999) * 1989 Silver Slugger Award winner * 2x Outstanding Designated Hitter award (1987, 1988) * Chicago White Sox #3 retired

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ May 21, 2008 -> 02:53 AM) He's the catcher on my team of players that I suspect used steroids. And Ivan Rodriguez isn't?

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ May 20, 2008 -> 08:55 PM) Now you jerks are going to take Derrick Rose, aren't you? :-P. I'm dying to see Rose in a Heat uniform. You got Dwayne Wade, we'll take Derrick Rose.

Prequel to LeBron? http://slamonline.com/online/2008/05/carme...-talk-heats-up/

I missed a guy, he's up by Luckman. More list tomorrow or later tonight!

26. Hack Wilson (2 of 18 lists - 28 points - highest ranking #6 mr_genius) Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson (April 26, 1900 – November 23, 1948) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1923 to 1934. He is best known for his record-setting 191-RBI season of 1930. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Biography Wilson was a true rags-to-riches story. He grew up in the Pennsylvania steel mill town of Ellwood City. Although only 5'6" tall, he weighed 195 pounds, mostly muscle, and had an 18" neck but only size-6 shoes. One sports writer wrote that he was built along the lines of a beer keg, and not wholly unfamiliar with its contents. During his career, Hack Wilson played for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Wilson eclipsed the 100-RBI mark in 6 seasons. He set the National League single-season record for home runs with 56 in 1930, a record that stood until 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa both surpassed it, with 70 and 66 respectively. Wilson's 1930 season was one of the best ever by a hitter. In addition to hitting 56 home runs, leading the league with 105 walks, and boasting a batting average of .356, he drove in 191 runs, a mark that remains one of the most untouchable MLB records. (For years, record books gave the total as 190, until research in 1999 showed that an RBI credited by an official scorer to Charlie Grimm actually belonged to Wilson.) He recorded that total without hitting a grand slam. In one game, Wilson was at bat and Bill Klem was the plate umpire. A close pitch went by and Klem called, "Strike!" Wilson said, "Strike? Bill, you sure missed that one." Klem answered, "Perhaps I did, Lewis; but if I'd had your bat, I wouldn't have." Although his career was brilliant, it was fairly short. He finished his 12 year career having played 1,348 games with a lifetime batting average of .307, 244 home runs, and 1,063 RBI. His excessive alcoholism led him to a premature death at the age of 48. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Career statistics Batting average .307 Home runs 244 Runs batted in 1063 Teams * New York Giants (1923-1925) * Chicago Cubs (1926-1931) * Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1934) * Philadelphia Phillies (1934) Career highlights and awards * National League pennant: 1924, 1929 * Single-season RBI record holder (191) * National League home run champion: 1926-1928, 1930 * National League RBI champion: 1929, 1930 * 2-time National League base on balls leader * 4 seasons with 30+ home runs * 6 seasons with 100+ RBIs Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1979 Election Method Veteran's Committee

28. (tie) Jim Thome (4 of 18 lists - 27 points - highest ranking #12 Felix) James Howard "Jim" Thome (born August 27, 1970 in Peoria, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox MLB career Cleveland Indians Thome originally played for the Cleveland Indians, joining the team for the first time in 1991 as a third baseman. In 1997, when the Indians traded for Matt Williams, Thome shifted over to first base. At the plate, Thome began to come into his own by 1995, when he hit 25 home runs and 73 runs batted in with a .314 batting average. Thome then hit 38 home runs in 1996 and 40 in 1997. Thome soon became a prolific home run hitter, once hitting a 511-foot (156-meter) shot at Jacobs Field, the longest home run ever recorded at a Cleveland ballpark. He hit 49 home runs with the Indians in 2001, followed by a career-high 52 homers in 2002. He has been nicknamed "The Thomenator" and the "Pride of Peoria". Wildly beloved by Indians fans, a Cleveland Plain Dealer fan poll in 2003 named Thome the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history. Some of Thome's trademarks are his high socks, that he helped make popular again in the mid-'90s, at a time when players wore their pant cuffs down around their ankles, and his batting stance in which he holds the bat out with his right hand and points it at right field before the pitcher comes set. Philadelphia Phillies After the 2002 season, Thome was up for free agency. He pursued a contract with the Chicago Cubs, whom he had followed since childhood, but despite Thome's offer to accept a less competitive contract, the organization declined. Instead, Thome accepted a six-year offer from the Philadelphia Phillies. Thome hit 47 home runs in his first season with the Phillies to finish one behind Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt's single-season team record of 48 in 1980. On June 14, 2004, Thome hit his 400th career home run before a home crowd at the brand new Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, surpassing Al Kaline for 37th on the all-time home run list. He ended the 2004 season with 42 homers, giving him 423 for his career, which placed him 35th on the career list. Injuries caught up with Thome during the first half of the 2005 season, where he hit only .207 with seven home runs and 30 RBI going into the All-Star break. He had season-ending surgery in August. Ryan Howard proved to be a very successful replacement at first base in the 2005 season, leading all National League rookies in home runs and winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. The emergence of Howard made Thome expendable to the Phillies. On November 23, 2005, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox along with $22.0 million. The White Sox sent CF Aaron Rowand and minor league pitching prospects Gio Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood to Philadelphia in return. Chicago White Sox Thome flourished in his first season in Chicago. He became the Chicago White Sox's regular designated hitter in April 2006. That month he set the team record for most home runs in the month of April (10), beating Frank Thomas's record by one. He also set a major league record by scoring in each of the White Sox first 17 games. The modern and AL record for consecutive games with a run scored is 18 held by Red Rolfe (1939) and Kenny Lofton (2000). For the season, Thome hit 42 homers, batted in 109 runs, and hit .288. He also struck out 30.0% of the time, the highest percentage in the American League.[1] As a result of his impressive season, Thome was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year for 2006. On April 15, 2007, Thome was one of three White Sox players (also two coaches) who wore jersey number 42 in recognition of the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League debut in the White Sox vs. Indians game in Cleveland. Thome pinch-hit for Brian Anderson in the ninth inning and hit an infield single. Alex Cintron, also wearing 42, pinch ran for Thome but did not score. The Indians won 2-1. On September 16, 2007 Thome hit his 500th career home run off Los Angeles Angels pitcher Dustin Moseley. The home run was a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, which gave the White Sox a 9-7 victory.[1] Thome became the 23rd major leaguer to reach the milestone and the third in the 2007 season (the others were Frank Thomas and Alex Rodriguez).[1] 25 members of Thome's family and friends were in attendance to witness his milestone, including his father and wife. The game in which Thome hit the home run was also the Jim Thome bobblehead giveaway day at U.S. Cellular Field. Thome rounded the bases pointing upward in homage to his late mother, who passed away from breast cancer in January 2005. Career summary In his career to date (thru Sept. 16, 2007), Thome has a .562 slugging percentage, and a .409 on-base percentage. He is considered one of the most "complete" power hitters of his decade, due to his ability to create extra base hits, maintain a solid batting average for a power hitter (his career batting average is .281), and ability to get on base. Thome has been named Player of the Month three times: July 2001, September 2003 and June 2004. He is one of only six players to be named Player of the Month in each league (Vladimir Guerrero, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Gaylord Perry and Dave Winfield are the others). Jim Thome has the fourth-lowest career AB/HR (at bats per home run) average in major-league history. His 13.68 (about 1 HR every 14 times he comes to bat) is eclipsed only by Mark McGwire (10.61), Babe Ruth (11.76), and Barry Bonds (12.90). Stretching behind Thome, all with averages greater than 14, are such hall-of-famers as Ralph Kiner, Harmon Killebrew, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, and Mike Schmidt, in that order. Baseball and personal life On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Thome was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Off the field, Thome is putting all 10 of his nieces and nephews through college. It was reported on ESPN's SportsCenter that shortly after his nephew, Brandon, was paralyzed in a tragic accident, he asked Jim to hit a home run for him; not only did Thome fulfill the request but he hit two homers in the game. In a 2007 poll of 464 Major League Baseball players, he was voted the 2nd most friendly player in a tie with Mike Sweeney. After hitting a home run, the scoreboard will often display "THOME RUN" to distinguish his home runs from other players' home runs. On September 16, 2007, on "Jim Thome Bobblehead Day" at U.S. Cellular Field, Thome hit his 500th career home run, becoming the 23rd player in baseball history to accomplish the feat. His 500th career home run was a walk off winner, he is the only player to accomplish that feat. Jim Thome currently lives in Hinsdale, Illinois. On November 16, 2007, Thome and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their second child, son Landon. They have a daughter, Lila Grace.[2] During the 2007-2008 off season, Thome and his father drove his 500th home run ball he hit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Selected MLB statistics (through April 28, 2008) Batting average .281 Home runs 513 Runs batted in 1,416 Teams * Cleveland Indians (1991-2002) * Philadelphia Phillies (2003-2005) * Chicago White Sox (2006-present) Highlights and awards * Silver Slugger Award winner (1996) * 5x All-Star selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006) * Led NL in home runs in 2003 * Led AL in bases on balls in 1997, 1999, and 2002

28. (tie) Eddie Collins (3 of 18 lists - 27 points - highest ranking #7 knightni) Edward Trowbridge Collins, Sr. (May 2, 1887 – March 25, 1951), nicknamed "Cocky", was a Major League Baseball player from 1906 to 1930. Under the win shares statistical rating system created by baseball historian and analyst Bill James, Collins was the best second baseman of all time. He is also ninth on the all-time hit list. Biography A native of Millerton, New York, Collins was known for his steady bat and speed. After graduating from Columbia University, he broke into the Majors in 1906 with the Philadelphia Athletics and worked his way to full time play by 1909. That season, he had a .347 batting average and 67 steals. The following year, Collins stole a career-high 81 bases and won his first of four World Series championships. Collins moved to the Chicago White Sox in 1915, where he continued to post top-ten batting and stolen base numbers. He played on the notorious "Black Sox" team that threw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, but was not in on the fix and played honestly. He was the playing manager of the White Sox from August 1924 through the 1926 season, posting a record of 174-160 (.521). He then returned to the Athletics in 1927 and retired after the 1930 season. In 1931-32, he served as a Philadelphia coach and, from 1933 through 1947, as the general manager for the Boston Red Sox. With the BoSox Collins helped rebuild the team, and was instrumental in the signings of Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams. Collins finished his career with 3,315 hits, 744 steals, 1,300 RBI and a .333 batting average. He won the MVP Award in 1914. Collins is considered one of the greatest bunters and leadoff men in baseball history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. In an article in 1976 in Esquire magazine, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Because of space limitations the Irish team, including Collins as second baseman, was omitted. In 1999, he ranked number 24 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Trivia * A set of baseball fields and a recreation park is named after and dedicated to Eddie Collins in Millerton, New York. * Collins often parked a quid of bubble gum on the button of his cap, and chewed it for good luck. One day a mischievous teammate sprinkled pepper on the gum when Collins wasn't looking; a furious Eddie swore he'd maul the prankster if he ever identified him. Career statistics Batting average .333 Hits 3,315 Stolen Bases 744 Teams As Player * Philadelphia Athletics (1906-1914, 1927-1930) * Chicago White Sox (1915-1926) As Manager * Chicago White Sox (1924-1926) Career highlights and awards * 1914 AL MVP * 10th on the all-time hit list with 3,315 * 7th all time for career stolen base list with 744 Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1939 Vote 77.74% (fourth ballot)

30. (tie) Bo Jackson (3 of 18 lists - 23 points - highest ranking #10 Felix) Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson (born November 30, 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama) is an American athlete and a former multi-sport professional. Jackson played at the highest level of sports in the United States in both American football and baseball. In football, Jackson played running back for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League. In baseball, Jackson played left field and designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and the California Angels of the American League in Major League Baseball. Although a hip injury severely impaired his professional career, Jackson was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major sports.[1] Before his professional career, he earned the 1985 Heisman Trophy, the prize annually awarded to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the United States. In 1989 and 1990, Jackson's name became known beyond just sports fans through the "Bo Knows" advertising campaign, a series of advertisements by Nike promoting a cross-training athletic shoe named for Jackson. Early life Jackson, the eighth of ten children, was named after Vince Edwards, his mother's favorite actor. His family described him as a "wild boar", which was eventually shortened to "Bo". Bo was nick-named "Wild Boar" for a reason, as he would constantly get into trouble. His mother and siblings, when she had to punish him, would have to run him down. After much experience evading his family in such chases, he began to get very good at shaking off tackles. Jackson was also a smart adolescent as he knew the best way to win a fight was to stay out of one altogether. Fights would threaten, but as he got good at throwing rocks, he was able to hit cleanly any belligerent classmate from long distances. This uncanny throwing ability translated smoothly to baseball. Jackson attended McAdory High School, where he rushed for 1,175 yards as a running back in his senior-year football season. That year, Jackson also hit twenty home runs in twenty-five games for McAdory's baseball team. College (1982–1985) In June 1982, Jackson was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the MLB draft, but he instead chose to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship.[2] He was recruited by head coach Pat Dye and then Auburn assistant coach Bobby Wallace. At Auburn, he proved to be a tremendous athlete in both baseball and football. College baseball Jackson batted .401 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI in 1985. In a 1985 baseball game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, Jackson led Auburn to victory with a 4-for-5 performance, with three home runs and a double. Jackson launched his last home run that day into a brand new light standard. Jackson was declared ineligible to play in the 1986 baseball season after taking a flight to Florida to undergo a physical examination for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. College football During his time playing for the Auburn Tigers football team, he ran for 4,303 career yards,[2] which was the fourth best performance in SEC history behind Herschel Walker of Georgia. With 4,303 rushing yards on 650 rushing attempts,Jackson finished his career with an average of 6.6 yards per carry, which set the SEC record (minimum 400 rushes). In 1982, Jackson's freshman year, Auburn played Boston College in the Tangerine Bowl, where Jackson made a one-handed grab of an option pitch that quarterback Randy Campbell lobbed over the head of a defender. In 1983, as a sophomore, Jackson rushed for 1,213 yards on 158 carries, for an average of 7.7 yards per carry, which was the 2nd best single-season average in SEC history (min. 100 rushes). In the 1983 Auburn-Alabama game, Jackson rushed for 256 yards on 20 rushes (12.8 yards per carry), which at the time was the sixth-most rushing yards gained in a game in SEC history and the 2nd best yard-per-rush average in a game (min. 20 attempts) in SEC history. Auburn finished the season with the Sugar Bowl, where Jackson was named Most Valuable Player. In 1984, Jackson's junior year, he earned Most Valuable Player honors at Liberty Bowl.[3] In 1985, Jackson rushed for 1,786 yards, which was the second best single-season performance in SEC history behind Herschel Walker's 1,891 rushing yards for the University of Georgia in 1981. That year, he averaged 6.4 yards per rush, which at the time was the best single-season average in SEC history. For his performance in 1985, Jackson was awarded the Heisman Trophy.[2] Jackson's football number 34 was officially retired at Auburn in a halftime ceremony on October 31, 1992. His is one of only three numbers retired at Auburn, the others being 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan's number 7, and Sullivan's teammate and favorite receiver, Terry Beasley (88). In 2007, Jackson was ranked #8 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list. College track and field Jackson qualified for the 60-yard dash in his freshman and sophomore years. He considered joining the USA Olympic team, but sprinting would not gain him the financial security of the MLB or NFL, nor would he have sufficient time to train, given his other commitments. Professional career Baseball Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first pick of the 1986 NFL Draft, but he opted to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals, the defending World Series champions, instead. He spent most of the season with the Memphis Chicks in the minor leagues before being called up for regular duty in 1987, where he had 22 home runs, 53 RBIs and 10 stolen bases as an outfielder for the Royals. He began to show his true potential in 1989, when he was voted to start for the American League All-Star team, and was named the game's MVP for his play on both offense and defense. His great plays in the game included a monstrous home run off Rick Reuschel of the San Francisco Giants which landed an estimated 448 feet from home plate - in his first All-Star at-bat. He also beat out an infield hit that resulted in the game-winning RBI. In addition to this, he had a stolen base, making him one of only two players in All-Star Game history to hit a home run and steal a base in the same game (the other is Willie Mays). Legendary baseball announcer Vin Scully (calling the game for NBC-TV) was moved to comment, "And look at that one! Bo Jackson says hello!" In 1990, he raised his batting average, but the uncertainty of his two sport loyalties may have swayed Royals management to not utilize him as much as he could have been. On June 5, 1989, Jackson ran down a long line-drive deep to left field on a hit-and-run play against the Seattle Mariners. With speedy Harold Reynolds running from first base on the play, Scott Bradley's hit would have been deep enough to score him against most outfielders. But Jackson, from the warning track, turned flat footed and fired a strike to catcher Bob Boone, who tagged the sliding Reynolds out. Jackson's throw reached Boone on the fly. Interviewed for the "Bo Jackson" episode of ESPN Classic's SportsCentury, Reynolds admitted that he thought there was no way anyone would throw him out on such a deep drive into the gap in left-center, and was shocked to see his teammate telling him to slide as he rounded third base. On July 11, 1990 against the Baltimore Orioles, Jackson performed his famous "wall run", when he caught a ball approximately 2-3 strides away from the wall. As he caught the ball at full tilt, Jackson looked up and noticed the wall and began to run up the wall, one leg reaching higher as he ascended. He ran along the wall almost parallel to the ground, and came down with the catch, to avoid impact and the risk of injury from the fence. After a poor at bat he was known to snap the bat over his knee, or with his helmet on, over his head. Before Jackson finished his career in California he spent two years playing for the Chicago White Sox, mostly as a Designated Hitter, as his hip injury hampered his ability to play the outfield. It was with the White Sox that he made his only post-season appearance in the 1993 American League Championship Series, which Chicago lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games. While with the Sox, Jackson promised his mom that once he returned from his hip replacement surgery that he would hit a home run for her. Before he could return, his mother died. In his first at bat after surgery he hit a home run to right field. The ball was caught by a 16 year old boy, Greg Ourednik, from Crown Point, IN. Ourednik returned the ball to Jackson during the game. Jackson had the ball engraved in his mother's tombstone. In his eight baseball seasons, Jackson had a career batting average of .250, hit 141 home runs and had 415 RBIs, with a slugging average of .474. His best year was 1989, with his effort earning him all-star status. In '89 Bo ranked fourth in the league in both homers and RBI with 32/105. Football Jackson was drafted first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Jackson wanted to be a professional baseball player, so he rejected the Buccaneers' five-year offer. Since he did not sign with a team by the 1987 draft, the rights to him were forfeited by Tampa Bay and his name was thrown back into the draft. The Oakland Raiders selected Jackson in the 7th round with the 183rd overall pick.[4] Raiders owner Al Davis supported Jackson and his baseball career and got Jackson to sign a contract by offering him a salary that was comparable to a full-time starting running back but allowing Jackson to only play part-time until the baseball season was done. Joining the Raiders midway through the 1987 season, Jackson rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries in just seven games. Over the next three seasons, Bo Jackson would rush for 2,228 more yards and 12 touchdowns: a remarkable achievement, in light of the fact that he was a "second string" player behind Raiders legend Marcus Allen. Jackson turned in a 221-yard rushing performance on Monday Night Football in 1987 against the Seattle Seahawks. During this game, he ran over Seahawks star linebacker Brian Bosworth, who had insulted Jackson and promised in a media event before the game to contain Jackson. He also made a 91-yard run to the outside, untouched down the sideline. He continued sprinting until finally slowing down as he passed through the entrance to the field tunnel to the dressing rooms with teammates soon following. In his four seasons in the NFL, Jackson rushed for 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns with an average yards per carry of 5.4. He also caught 40 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson's 221 yards on November 30, 1987, just 29 days after his first NFL carry, is still a Monday Night Football record. Injury and comeback On January 13, 1991, during a Raiders playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson suffered a serious hip injury which ended his football career and seriously threatened his baseball career. After Bo Jackson was tackled and lying in pain on the ground, he popped his hip back into place. In an interview on Untold, George Brett who attended the game said he asked the trainer what had happened to Bo. The trainer replied "Bo says he felt his hip come out of the socket, so he popped it back in, but that's just impossible, no one's that strong." Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, it was discovered that Jackson had avascular necrosis, as a result of decreased blood supply to the head of his left femur. This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring that the hip be replaced. Jackson missed the entire 1992 baseball season. When he announced soon after his surgery that he would play baseball again, many thought that goal to be unrealistic, especially at the Major League level. Before returning to his true professional sports, Bo tried his luck in basketball. Being a natural athlete Bo played briefly for a semi-pro basketball team in L.A. Bo quickly retired. Jackson was able to return to the Chicago White Sox in 1993, and at his first at-bat, against the New York Yankees, he homered on his first swing. The next day Nike ran a full-page ad in USA Today; it simply read "Bo Knew." He would hit 16 home runs and 45 RBIs that season; but while his power remained, he no longer possessed his blazing speed. During his time with the White Sox, Jackson had no stolen bases. For the 1994 season, he was signed as a free agent by the California Angels for one final season, where he hit another 13 home runs in 201 at bats, before retiring. Popularity "Bo Knows... " Jackson became a popular figure for his athleticism in multiple sports through the late 1980s and early 1990s. He endorsed Nike and was involved in a popular ad campaign called "Bo Knows" which envisioned Jackson attempting to take up a litany of other sports, including tennis, golf, luge, auto racing, and even playing blues music with Bo Diddley, who scolded Jackson by telling him "You don't know diddley!"[5] (In a later version of the spot, Jackson is shown playing the guitar expertly, after which an impressed Diddley says, "Bo...you do know Diddley, don't you?") Another clip, envisioning Jackson playing ice hockey, was followed by Wayne Gretzky shaking his head in disbelief and dismissing the effort with a quick "No." (In his autobiography, Gretzky says his negative rejoinder came in frustration after mutiple takes of him saying "Bo knows hockey!" that the director didn't like. He also said the bits showing Bo playing hockey were actually filmed on a wooden floor, with Jackson in stocking feet.) T shirts sold by Nike capitalizing on their successful ad campaign had a list of Jackson's sports - both real and imagined - with hockey crossed out. In a later spot, Jackson sees all the hoopla surrounding him and says, "I have rehab to do! I don't have time for this!", after which boxer George Foreman says, "But I do!" and steps in to finish the commercial, now re-dubbed "George Knows." Jackson also poked fun at the ad campaign during a guest appearance on a first season episode of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. In the scene, he played basketball with Clark, portrayed by Dean Cain. Bo clearly is the better athlete, until Clark uses his flying abilities to catch the ball. Bo replies, "Bo don't know that!" Bo also made an appearance during in an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with Will Smith where he asks Will, as "his close personal friend", some advice on what to cook for a party saying "an' when it comes to cooking, Bo don't know diddley". Video games Jackson's legend was further cemented by his digital counterpart, affectionately known as "Tecmo Bo", in the video game Tecmo Super Bowl for the Nintendo Entertainment System. "Tecmo Bo" is one of the best running backs -- and arguably the most lethal athlete -- in video game history.[6] Players using "Tecmo Bo" have been able to rush for 800-900 yards per game and run all over the field on one play and run out the time of a whole quarter without being tackled. In retirement, his legend is intertwined with what many 25-35 year-olds recall as the second golden age of home video gaming. Jackson has commented that fans will often come up to him and regale him with stories not of his actual football feats, but rather memorable Tecmo Bowl plays.[7] Bo also had his own video game for the original Game Boy portable gaming system, Bo Jackson's Hit and Run. The game featured both baseball and football, but had no pro licenses for either sport and could not use any team or players' names. Released around the same time was Bo Jackson Baseball for the Nintendo NES system and IBM compatible computers. The game was heavily criticized by game reviewers and obtained poor sales results. Bo Jackson had also made an appearance in the recent video game NFL Street 2 released in 2004 as the half back in the Gridiron Legends team. Unlocked by performing a wall move on a hotspot on the sportsplex field, he is available in the pickup pool for pickup games where you pick 7 players from the NFL. When playing the street event "open field showdown", if you had not made an extremely fast character already in own the city mode or NFL challenge, he will always be picked by the computer. If you completed NFL challenge, you can choose him to be on your team or any other Gridiron legend once you complete the mode. ProStars Following on the heels of this widespread fame, Jackson appeared in ProStars, an NBC Saturday morning cartoon. The show featured Bo, Wayne Gretzky, and Michael Jordan fighting crime and helping children (although none of the athletes featured actually provided their voices). Apparel In 2007, Nike released a set of Nike Dunk shoes honoring Bo Jackson.[8] The set featured three colorways based on previously released Nike shoes: the "Bo Knows" Trainer I, Trainer 91, and Medicine Ball Trainer III.[9] Life after sports In 1993, Jackson was honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award. In 1995, he completed his bachelor of science degree at Auburn to fulfill the promise he made to his mother.[2] Through the 1990s, Jackson dabbled in acting, having made several television guest appearances first on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 as well as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Married with Children. He later appeared in small roles in the films The Chamber and Fakin' Da Funk. Jackson served as the President of the HealthSouth Sports Medicine Council, part of Birmingham, Alabama based HealthSouth Corporation. He was also spokesman for HealthSouth's "Go For It": Roadshow. Jackson was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Game Two of the 2005 World Series. In 2006, Jackson appeared on the Spike TV sports reality show, Pros vs. Joes. In his second appearance, he easily defeated amateur athletes in a home run-hitting contest. When he bunted instead of swinging on his final try for a home run, the announcer stated, "Bo knows taunting." In 2007 Bo came together with John Cangelosi to form Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex, an 88,000 square foot multi-sports dome facility in Lockport, Illinois. He is part-owner and CEO of the facility. To this day he and his family live in Burr Ridge, Illinois Quotes * "Back before I injured my hip, I thought going to the gym was for wimps." * "Being the 8th out of 10 kids, and being the one that stayed in trouble, I sort of became a momma's boy." * "Don't sell yourself short because without that you can't go far in life because after sports the only thing you know is sports and you can't do anything else with that."--Bo on life after sports. * "First of all, I really never imagined myself being a professional athlete." * "I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line."--Bo Jackson on education * "I am a firm believer in if you can't get it the old fashioned way, you don't need it"--Bo Jackson on earning things. * "I guarantee you that's what Jeff Gordon does. He uses everything the fans throw at him to stoke his fire and it drives him to be better at what he does."--Bo Jackson on Jeff Gordon * "I once broke an aluminum bat over my knee in college" joking with reporters staring at him in total belief Career Football Information Year(s): 1987–1990 NFL Draft: 1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 College: Auburn Professional Teams * Los Angeles Raiders (1987-1990) Career Stats Rushing Yards 2,782 Average 5.4 Touchdowns 16 Career Highlights and Awards * Pro Bowl selection (1990) * 1985 Heisman Trophy Career Baseball Statistics Batting average .250 Hits 598 Home runs 141 Teams * Kansas City Royals (1986-1990) * Chicago White Sox (1991, 1993) * California Angels (1994) Career highlights and awards * All-Star selection (1989) * 1989 MLB All-Star Game MVP