What professional athlete do you wish you were alive to see his prime years?

[dland24]

For me, easy answer is Willie Mays. Would have loved to have been alive to watch his prime years.

What about you, NT?

 

[651akathepaul]

Great thread.


Probably Babe Ruth or Rocky Marciano. Just to see...to compare perhaps.

Mickey Mantle is the athlete I'm most curious about.

 

[DeadsetAce]

i'll extend my list to not only include "alive for" but also "old enough to know what i was watching"....

- Bobby Orr
- Ted Williams
- Wayne Gretzky
- Joe Montana
- Willie Mays
- Ali
- Lawrence Taylor

i was obviously alive for a few of these guys but really couldn't appreciate it since i was less than 10 years old

 

[Lovetohate3000]

world b free
gale sayers
bo
walter p
LT
magic
kareem
bird

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

I'm glad my black a** wasn't born in the 50's or 60's.

Elgin Baylor and Dr J is the main one's I wish I knew about more , I have a feeling Baylor was a better player

 

[dman14]

ali

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

I can't wait until somebody says Allen Iverson to make me feel old

 

[macbk]

Ruth
Mantle
Namath

 

[buc em]

Magic and Bird

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

 

[chao7]

I would want to see MJ and Wilt.

Would have been amazing to see the 100 point game.

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

 

[dland24]

I have a question for those of you who picked Ali or other boxers. Havent you guys essentially seen their primes? I mean, I know its not exactly the same thing as experiencing it live, but I personally feel like I have seen all of Ali's big fights. I think its very different than, say, seeing Dr. J's prime, due to volume.

I dunno. Just a question.

 

[651akathepaul]

I don't think I can equate Marciano's prime to blurry, black and white videos. Back then, boxing and baseball were king...I want that atmosphere.

 

[DeadsetAce]

I have a question for those of you who picked Ali or other boxers. Havent you guys essentially seen their primes? I mean, I know its not exactly the same thing as experiencing it live, but I personally feel like I have seen all of Ali's big fights. I think its very different than, say, seeing Dr. J's prime, due to volume.

I dunno. Just a question.

it's a good point. i've seen the highlights, i'd say. but i feel like you miss part of their aura by not seeing it live. i think it definitely takes away from a bit.

 

[air spider 777]

Mickey Mantle

Johnny Unitas

 

[DeadsetAce]

also, YA Tittle...since that's BB's favorite QB ever. he better have been ****ing spectacular

 

[dacomeup]

Big O
Wilt
OJ
Walter Payton
Satchel Paige

 

[MVP]

Magic Johnson for sure, and be in the city as well during the height of Showtime.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Sweetness himself...
Walter Payton

 

[wayniac211]

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

Magic and Bird

I saw both when they were past their prime.

I was 10 in 1991, that is the year I started following the NBA all the time. I can remember Barkley on the Sixers

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

 

[MVP]

Have to take into account the time period for some of these, 60s and 70s...nah not for me

 

[Nouss]

Jim Thorpe