There are no US cities like this. You can't even watch all of the Stanley Cup Finals on free network television. You have to have the former Versus/NBC Sports channel which most people don't have. Most Americans I've spoken with have never heard of Sidney Crosby. I know we're hockey fans, but we can still live in reality. Let's all try to get a grip on reality here.
most popular chicago athletes are without a doubt michael jordan at 1 and walter payton at 2. then ernie banks for the cubs and bobby hull for the hawks
Agree about Jordan and Payton. Ditka is also definitely more popular than Hull. Pippen might be too, but that's probably more to do with the memories of him being fresher. Banks is tough because he doesn't mean much to all the Sox fans. Dick Butkus is in the running to be more popular than Hull, in fact, I would lean towards yes on this one.
I'm just curious... I'm from Sweden and I just follow hockey. Who are the top 5 most beloved athletes in Philly history?
The Eagles (NFL) are definitely the #1 team in Philly. But I'm not sure which players would be the most popular. The fans hate their most successful quarterback of the past 20 years (Donovan McNabb).
For basketball, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson would be up there.
Not sure about baseball - the Phillies are good now and have some stars (Halladay, Lee, Howard, Utley, Rollins, etc), but it's hard to place them historically. Mike Schmidt was a great player of the past, but the fans often booed him for striking out too much.
Bobby Clarke would have to be in the top 5. Maybe Bernie Parent as well? The Broad Street Bullies of the 1970s are still among the most popular teams in Philadelphia history.
Not the most popular ever in LA, perhaps, but he's up there, I bet.
Magic, Kareem, Kobe and Shaq beat him out, I think. It sure isn't a knock on Gretzky by any means because this is not a traditional hockey market and the success the Lakers had is peerless in the nBA (other than the Celtics). Just off the top of my head I don't think there is a non-NBA player more popular than Gretzky in L.A. The Dodgers probably still love Kirk Gibson, maybe Tommy Lasorda although he drove a lot of people nuts! Sandy Koufax is another possibility, Duke Snider too, but that was a long time ago. Before people say the name Jackie Robinson you should remember that he was a "Brooklyn" Dodger, he wasn't in L.A.
Quote:
Originally Posted by overpass
The Eagles (NFL) are definitely the #1 team in Philly. But I'm not sure which players would be the most popular. The fans hate their most successful quarterback of the past 20 years (Donovan McNabb).
For basketball, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson would be up there.
Not sure about baseball - the Phillies are good now and have some stars (Halladay, Lee, Howard, Utley, Rollins, etc), but it's hard to place them historically. Mike Schmidt was a great player of the past, but the fans often booed him for striking out too much.
Bobby Clarke would have to be in the top 5. Maybe Bernie Parent as well? The Broad Street Bullies of the 1970s are still among the most popular teams in Philadelphia history.
Yeah, I could think of three or four Flyers to put ahead of any Eagles player. Owens? McNabb? Yeah right. Both got run out of town. Michael Vick has to do a lot to become universally loved, even in his own city. I suppose Eagles' coach Andy Reid has had his moments as being "beloved" but there definitely isn't an Eagle above Clarke. This has been a snake bit franchise and then for a long time a rotten franchise.
Dr. J and Iverson for sure in the NBA. Although Iverson never won a championship, Dr. J did.
Mike Schmidt is definitely up there, maybe he's the MOST beloved athlete in Philly's history. The fans could care less about the times he struck out, they remember his dingers. But other than that? Hmmm. Not sure any other Phillie player cracks this list. This was a really bad baseball team for a long time too.
Yeah that puts Clarke comfortably in the top 5. Maybe top 3. Dr. J and Schmidt probably eclipse him. To this day the city of Philly talks about the Broad Street Bullies. This is a very blue collar city.
Is there much of a debate now that Ovechkin is #1 in Washington? I don't think so. It sure isn't Rex Grossman.
Other than that, is there another sports personality as beloved all-time? I can only think of Joe Theismann. Maybe Joe Gibbs, the Redskins coach. Washington isn't exactly the city of champions.
Is there much of a debate now that Ovechkin is #1 in Washington? I don't think so. It sure isn't Rex Grossman.
Other than that, is there another sports personality as beloved all-time? I can only think of Joe Theismann. Maybe Joe Gibbs, the Redskins coach. Washington isn't exactly the city of champions.
Darrell Green? I'd think it would have to be a Redskin, Washington is a Redskins city.
Walter Johnson is probably the greatest all-time, but that was a long time ago.
Larry Bird has definitely passed Bill Russell in popularity.
Bobby Orr was a king also and I think he would be neck and neck with Bird as the current, or most recent #1, of the last 30 years or so.
True Story:
During the National Anthem, Larry Bird looked up into the rafters of the Boston Garden. When asked in a tv interview, (with him, Ted Williams and Bobby Orr) as to why he did, Bird revealed the he looked at Bobby Orr's retired #4 jersey banner.....to motivate himself to be the best ever Boston athlete.
Check at 13:20
Nowadays I imagine Brady is up there around the top 5, along with Ortiz somewhere in the top 10.
Magic, Kareem, Kobe and Shaq beat him out, I think. It sure isn't a knock on Gretzky by any means because this is not a traditional hockey market and the success the Lakers had is peerless in the nBA (other than the Celtics). Just off the top of my head I don't think there is a non-NBA player more popular than Gretzky in L.A. The Dodgers probably still love Kirk Gibson, maybe Tommy Lasorda although he drove a lot of people nuts! Sandy Koufax is another possibility, Duke Snider too, but that was a long time ago. Before people say the name Jackie Robinson you should remember that he was a "Brooklyn" Dodger, he wasn't in L.A.
Yeah, I could think of three or four Flyers to put ahead of any Eagles player. Owens? McNabb? Yeah right. Both got run out of town. Michael Vick has to do a lot to become universally loved, even in his own city. I suppose Eagles' coach Andy Reid has had his moments as being "beloved" but there definitely isn't an Eagle above Clarke. This has been a snake bit franchise and then for a long time a rotten franchise.
Dr. J and Iverson for sure in the NBA. Although Iverson never won a championship, Dr. J did.
Mike Schmidt is definitely up there, maybe he's the MOST beloved athlete in Philly's history. The fans could care less about the times he struck out, they remember his dingers. But other than that? Hmmm. Not sure any other Phillie player cracks this list. This was a really bad baseball team for a long time too.
Yeah that puts Clarke comfortably in the top 5. Maybe top 3. Dr. J and Schmidt probably eclipse him. To this day the city of Philly talks about the Broad Street Bullies. This is a very blue collar city.
Wilt the Stilt played a large portion of his career in Philly.
There are no US cities like this. You can't even watch all of the Stanley Cup Finals on free network television. You have to have the former Versus/NBC Sports channel which most people don't have. Most Americans I've spoken with have never heard of Sidney Crosby. I know we're hockey fans, but we can still live in reality. Let's all try to get a grip on reality here.
Every time I see you post, you say the same stuff. Hockey isn't as popular here as it is in Canada, WE GET THAT. Please stop bringing it up in every thread though. Also, there clearly ARE cities that embrace hockey. Read the thread to find out some examples
/rant.
There are no US cities like this. You can't even watch all of the Stanley Cup Finals on free network television. You have to have the former Versus/NBC Sports channel which most people don't have. Most Americans I've spoken with have never heard of Sidney Crosby. I know we're hockey fans, but we can still live in reality. Let's all try to get a grip on reality here.
Reality? You could poll a general Detroit sports forum, not just a hockey forum, and i'd almost guarentee that Yzerman would win the "most beloved athlete in Detroit" title.
There's not enough mention of Bobby Clarke on here. He means the world to Philly. In baseball, you've got Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, and currently Chase Utley but I'm not sure any of them are ahead of Clarke. In football the number one has to be Bednarik, but he's so long ago. Basketball however, you've got Wilt and Dr. J. I think these two are the only ones who challenge Clarke. I think it's quite possible that many fans in Philly would pick Clarke. Any other Philadelphians, I'd love to hear your opinion.
I hope the point that's trying to be made here is not what I think it is.
Answering the question, maybe, Steve Yzerman is the most beloved athlete in Detroit right now.
Is there much of a debate now that Ovechkin is #1 in Washington? I don't think so. It sure isn't Rex Grossman.
Other than that, is there another sports personality as beloved all-time? I can only think of Joe Theismann. Maybe Joe Gibbs, the Redskins coach. Washington isn't exactly the city of champions.
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Originally Posted by overpass
Darrell Green? I'd think it would have to be a Redskin, Washington is a Redskins city.
Walter Johnson is probably the greatest all-time, but that was a long time ago.
Washington is a weird sports city - definitely a Redskins city, but the 'Skins (and the city as a whole) have had few beloved marquee stars. Theisman, Gibbs, & Green maybe - possibly John Riggins who did seem to have a bit of a cultlike fandom there.
Bullets/Wizards: I'll ignore the token Jordan years, Wes Unseld or Elvin Hayes.
Senators I: Walter Johnson, by far the greatest - but that was 85 years ago. Joe Hardy?
Senators II: "biggest" name was probably Frank Howard.
At this point I would put it down to between AO and Riggins - with the edge to Riggins since he did deliver a championship.
Of course, you could argue that the biggest "sports star" in DC was:
In most American cities, hockey is behind football, baseball, or sometimes basketball is the hearts of the general population, but are there instances where a hockey player is the towns most popular athlete ever? For example, while Brian Leetch is loved by New Yorkers, he's not close to the level of popularity that Ruth, Mantle or L.T had.
Some possibilities:
Pittsburgh: While the Steelers are unquestionably the team that owns the city's heart, an argument could be made that Mario Lemieux (or even Crosby) are bigger stars than any single individual Steeler like Bradshaw, Swann, Harris or Roethlisberger.
Boston: At the end of 1999 the Boston Globe published a countdown of New England's 100 most popular athletes of the 20th century. Bobby Orr was #3 behind Ted Williams and Bill Russell. (Shore and Bourque also made the top 10). And I'd imagine that if the last decade were included, then Tom Brady would be in the mix. I'd always been under the impression that Orr would be #1 there, but that could be because I talk to hockey fans more than fans of other sports.
Detroit: I think it's safe to say that Gordie Howe is #1 here, and that quite possibly Yzerman and Lidstrom would have the next two spots. Is there anyone from the Lions, Tigers or Pistons who could challenge them?
Buffalo: Gil Perreault perhaps, though Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas could both have a case made for them. Many Sabre fans today seem to have a negative view of Dominik Hasek. The most popular Buffalo athlete in his prime was easily O.J. Simpson, but I'm sure they're ashamed of him today.
Denver: Could an argument be made for Joe Sakic over John Elway? I know that currently it's Tim Tebow, but don't know how many years that will last.
Are there any other cities I'm missing? I'd be especially interested in hearing opinions from posters who live in any of these cities.
All time? I doubt it. Despite some current Penguins hatred towards Jagr, in his Pittsburgh days he was loved even more than Crosby is currently.
Reality? You could poll a general Detroit sports forum, not just a hockey forum, and i'd almost guarentee that Yzerman would win the "most beloved athlete in Detroit" title.
I would guess that Magic could be the most popular player, but in LA, not Detroit. Him or Kobe, considering they're both career Lakers. I can't think of a Dodger that is as big as them for all time.
