Mount Sportsmore

[Birds of B'more]

Did I mention I love this thread?

Phoenix

Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Randy Johnson, Pat Tillman

New Orleans

Archie Manning, Pete Maravich, Rickey Jackson, Morten Andresen (thought about putting Eddie Robinson in here, but Grambling is probably too far from the city of New Orleans for him to be considered)

Denver

John Elway, Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Alex English

Salt Lake City

Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, LaVell Edwards

Oakland

Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, John Madden, Rick Barry

[mweb]

I would still go with Arnold Palmer over both of them.

I'd be surprised if 5% of the population knew Palmer was from there, I certainly did not. Bump that number up to 15% in Pittsburgh. You're way off on this individual sport thing imo.

[Birds of B'more]

I'd be surprised if 5% of the population knew Palmer was from there, I certainly did not. Bump that number up to 15% in Pittsburgh. You're way off on this individual sport thing imo.

What makes you so sure of that?

http://www.latrobecountryclub.com/arnoldpalmer.aspx

[utvolzac]

No way Brady goes in over Orr. Bobby Orr is the face of the Bruins franchise and totally revolutionized the game. Plus Massachusetts is a state that actually cares about ice hockey. Bobby Orr is probably the 2nd best hockey player ever, behind Gretzky. Tom Brady is barely a top 10 quarterback as is, he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

For Philly, I think Bobby Clarke should go before Steve Carlton. Carlton was such a recluse. Bobby Clarke was the face of the whole "Broad Street Bully" era that dominated and won championships. Championships are few and far between in Philly. Plus given the mentality of Philly fans, that ate up that whole "we're the toughest, baddest, dirtiest" philosophy that the Flyers had in the 70's. It also didn't hurt that they were the only NHL team that could beat the Soviets during the height of the Cold War Era.

[utvolzac]

Although I'm one of the ones who brought up Kaline, you can't have a Detroit Mt. Sportsmore without Gordie Howe. That's one of the few towns on the list with real hockey tradition and he played for a century and a half.

Good call, I totally forgot about Gordie. Considering Detroit bills itself as Hockey Town and Wings have had numerous dynastys spanning different decades, Gordie has to be included.

Detroit is so close to Canada, I'm sure if you polled the citizens Gordie or even Steve Yzerman would be included.

[utvolzac]

Boston has the 7th best baseball player according to James, one of the top 3 centers ever who is the biggest winner in NBA history, one of the top 3 hockey players ever, and either a top 15 NBA player, a top 10 QB who has won 3 SB's or a top 3 SP ever. I think Clemens should take Bird's place.

No way Clemens makes it onto Boston's Mount Rushmore. Yes, he had great numbers in Boston, but he also has great numbers in other places as well. Not to mention the most important thing, HE PLAYS FOR THE YANKEES. There would be a mass riot if you put a New York Yankee on a Boston Sport Icon Monument. Seriously, the thing would be vandalized in seconds, IMO.

I'd be willing to bet $100, if you went into any bar in Boston and said Roger Clemens was a better sports icon for the city of Boston than Larry Bird, you'd have no less than a dozen people throwing beers at you, or worse.

As for Brady, I don't think he should even warrent consideration. He won 3 superbowls, but his stats aren't even close to holding up against the all time greats. Which, IMO, should be a key requirement. 50% Greatness, 50% Fan Worship. Belichick should get consideration over Brady.

I kinda think Red Auerbach(sp?) should be on the list over Bill Russell. Auerbach was the architect for the Celtic's championships for decades.

[mweb]

For the last time, I was saying who was the greatest players to play most of their career in Boston, not who was most beloved. NJOrioles was going off greatness for most of the thread, not who is a city icon.

[Moose Milligan]

All I know is if I were looking at the Mount Sportsmore's I'd be asking "Who's that?" when seeing the hockey players.

[sangell2007]

All I know is if I were looking at the Mount Sportsmore's I'd be asking "Who's that?" when seeing the hockey players.

Not if you lived in Detroit or Boston.

Probably most Czechoslovakian tourists who go to South Dakota and see Mt. Rushmore would ask "Who's that?" when seeing Teddy Roosevelt.

Unless they first made a stopover at RFK and watched the Presidents' Race...