OT. Heard this on a sports radio talk show today and thought

[skysdad]

it might be fun here.


If you could pick a professional athlete in any sport to be able to start again without injuries, addictions, criminal charges, attitude or any other problems who would that be and why he or she is special to you. There probably will be more than one, it will be for me but let's try to keep it one per post.

My first pick is Mickey Mantle. He is my favorite Yankee of all time. Not only did he have multiple injuries he abused his body in several ways. A lot of drinking and probably an alcoholic, he took a lot of pain killers, didn't get the sleep he needed because he was always partying, yet he hit over 500 career home runs, just missed being a life time .300 hitter, was a great defensive player, had Mike Trout speed, one of the greatest bunters ever even though he was considered a power hitter and even when he missed the ball he swing was a thing of beauty. If Mickey could do it all over again without all these problems and vices I think his stats would be off the charts. OFC

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

I agree with mantle, would also say Babe Ruth, he didn't do anything good for his body and still was a multi position player. I also would say A-Rod, it's ashame he destroyed his career.

This post was edited on 4/9 4:34 PM by CRAZIE4LIFE

 

[RanDEVILman]

How about Tiger Woods. Never really liked him... but man he was gonna destroy most golf records until his back injury/everything else that makes him crazy happened.

One other that crossed my mind....jk didn't read where it said keep it to one the first time.
This post was edited on 4/9 7:05 PM by RanDEVILman

 

[JCColsCane]

Originally posted by skysdad:
it might be fun here.


My first pick is Mickey Mantle. He is my favorite Yankee of all time. Not only did he have multiple injuries he abused his body in several ways. A lot of drinking and probably an alcoholic, he took a lot of pain killers, didn't get the sleep he needed because he was always partying, yet he hit over 500 career home runs, just missed being a life time .300 hitter, was a great defensive player, had Mike Trout speed, one of the greatest bunters ever even though he was considered a power hitter and even when he missed the ball he swing was a thing of beauty. If Mickey could do it all over again without all these problems and vices I think his stats would be off the charts. OFC

^Ironic skysdad!! My all time favorite baseball player on my all time favorite baseball team!! I have others, but you said to keep it to one, and the Mick would be it.
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[skysdad]

Originally posted by JCColsCane:

Originally posted by skysdad:
it might be fun here.


My first pick is Mickey Mantle. He is my favorite Yankee of all time. Not only did he have multiple injuries he abused his body in several ways. A lot of drinking and probably an alcoholic, he took a lot of pain killers, didn't get the sleep he needed because he was always partying, yet he hit over 500 career home runs, just missed being a life time .300 hitter, was a great defensive player, had Mike Trout speed, one of the greatest bunters ever even though he was considered a power hitter and even when he missed the ball he swing was a thing of beauty. If Mickey could do it all over again without all these problems and vices I think his stats would be off the charts. OFC
That's one per post JC. You can name more than one. I have a cople more myself I'm going to post after a few more posters get on board to the thread. OFC

^Ironic skysdad!! My all time favorite baseball player on my all time favorite baseball team!! I have others, but you said to keep it to one, and the Mick would be it.
Go Duke!!


JC-OFC

 

[SWEc/o95]

Gonna go with another Yankee that back injuries ended his career a year short of being a champion and probably keeps him out of the HOF. Don Mattingly despite playing on some bad Yankee teams will always be my favorite baseball player. But we can not forget to mention one of the greatest baseball players of the modern era, Ken Griffey Jr. Injuries really watered down his already HOF career.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Jay Williams

 

[Hayduke13]

Bo Jackson. Loved watching him play (football).

 

[carlsondevil]

Grant Hill. Grant was on his way,IMO, to being one of the greatest until he hurt his ankle. He was just starting to hit his prime and then all of the injuries started to happen. He was an absolute monster in Detroit and was unlucky not to have his best when he was teamed with Tracy McGrady in Orlando. His first step was lightning quick and his crossover was nasty.

 

[TRU CANE]

Grant and Bo but if I gotta chose I go with Bo. Never seen anything like him and doubt I ever will. The man did a stationary back flip in waist high water. Do you understand this?

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Originally posted by FearTheBeard:
Jay Williams

Grant Hill over Jay just because there were already glimpses in Chicago of Jay's game not quite translating to the Pros. Good but not great player. Probably better suited for todays NBA where all Point Guards are either uber athletic or tall. (Where does Tyson fit in) but anyway

I felt Grant was well on his way to destroying the Duke player stigma. If you've caught NBAtv "Open Court" with the games legends sitting around discussing a wide variety of topics: Grant gets a-lot of praise. But you can tell this will fade as those that watched Grant slowly pass away. Unless you watched the NBA in the mid 90's, your opinion of Grant is a nice player but no where near All Star level. Somewhere between Shawn Marion and Matt Barnes

Reality is Grant Hill was going to dominate the SF position for the next 10 years (as Pippen started to decline). He might not have possessed the explosiveness or brute strength of LeBron but Grant's game was far more polished and versatile.

Yes, Grant rebounded and made himself a nice career but it would be another Decade before the Duke Pros stigma ended. Considering how Elton Brand, Carlos Boozer and Maggette's careers tailed off, we didn't have a "TOP 5 in the NBA" type player until Irving. Grant was that guy. He was going to Win the first NBA Title for Duke.

 

[dbav]

Bobby Hurley. My favorite player of all time.

 

[BluePhil]

I wish Len Bias had gotten his chance. I remember him vividly and even met him one time. One of the finest payers I have ever seen play at the College level.

 

[DukeDenver]

I never really liked Jordan, but I've always wanted those baseball years back. Also, I wonder how it would've played out minus the gambling and bullying teammates.

 

[smashmouth5]

Gotta go with Bo. Not a huge fan, but it would of been something to see what he could of done on both the football and baseball field. Another choice for me would be David Thompson.

 

[lahusker01]

Ali! Had he never gone to prison we'd have seen his prime. Although if he doesn't lose his 3 prime years to come down to human level, those legendary fights likely aren't as good. '67 Ali would have rolled through everyone IMO.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Originally posted by Alaskan_Assassin_21:

Originally posted by FearTheBeard:
Jay Williams

Grant Hill over Jay just because there were already glimpses in Chicago of Jay's game not quite translating to the Pros. Good but not great player. Probably better suited for todays NBA where all Point Guards are either uber athletic or tall. (Where does Tyson fit in) but anyway

I felt Grant was well on his way to destroying the Duke player stigma. If you've caught NBAtv "Open Court" with the games legends sitting around discussing a wide variety of topics: Grant gets a-lot of praise. But you can tell this will fade as those that watched Grant slowly pass away. Unless you watched the NBA in the mid 90's, your opinion of Grant is a nice player but no where near All Star level. Somewhere between Shawn Marion and Matt Barnes

Reality is Grant Hill was going to dominate the SF position for the next 10 years (as Pippen started to decline). He might not have possessed the explosiveness or brute strength of LeBron but Grant's game was far more polished and versatile.

Yes, Grant rebounded and made himself a nice career but it would be another Decade before the Duke Pros stigma ended. Considering how Elton Brand, Carlos Boozer and Maggette's careers tailed off, we didn't have a "TOP 5 in the NBA" type player until Irving. Grant was that guy. He was going to Win the first NBA Title for Duke.

Grant Hill's first couple years with the Pistons was the only time I really watched the NBA (regular season). I watched every game I could and followed his stats religiously. I was pissed when he had to share ROY with Kidd. I remember the "next Jordan" talk at the time (Jordan only had 3 then). I got more excited about Hill's triple-doubles than birthday presents. (side stat I just found online: Hill made over $142M in contracts over his NBA career

)

I picked Jay for the simple reason that I would want him to have the career he never got. I can definitely see picking Hill over him. Hill is my all-time favorite Devil. Ask me again tomorrow and I might pick him. But, I've always wished Jay got the NBA career he deserved.

 

[smashmouth5]

People went crazy over a new pair of Jordan's. Will never forget getting my first pair of Hill's. Think they were made by Fila.

 

[carlsondevil]

I had the Fila Grant Hill shoe too! I remember Charles Barkley saying that they were the reason Grant had ankle problems!

 

[skysdad]

Bo Jackson may have been one of the greatest ever in football or baseball if not for the injury that's for sure. I think he would have been even better if he had chosen one sport. Either one it wouldn't have mattered.


For my second nominee I suggest Josh Hamilton. Being from NC I took special interest in him. Sad story. In no time he had gone and become an addict and just couldn't control it. He has tried so many times and fallen over and over again. Thing is he's still only 33. I'm sure he wish he could start all over again. I'm still pulling for him. OFC

 

[crazyduke3]

Johnny Unitas. I truly believe he was as good as any quarterback ever and I KNOW he would thrive in todays pass happy league. I just love everything about Johnny U, right down to his name, perfect for a quarterback.

Second would be Dan Marino. Put him on an actually decent team so he could win a Super Bowl. Peyton and Drew Brees wouldn't sniff him today, the guy literally had a rocket launcher for a arm.

 

[dopeshop23]

All good thoughts...for me David Thompson, Oden, Bo, Bias, and about 30 pre-Tommy John pitchers.

 

[skysdad]

I thought about Bill Walton. May have been one of the best fundamentally sound centers of all time. Could do it all. He blocked shots so that he could retrieve to shot and get the outlet pass down the court all in one motion. Could score ,play defense, pass, shoot free throws and run the floor. The foot and other injuries took a lot of that away but I remember how he helped the Celtics to a championship as a backup center to Robert Parrish. He could be the old Walton for short periods of time. Still with the injuries one of the greatest centers of all time. Loved watching him play the game. OFC

 

[DukeJim99]

Definitely Bo Jackson. An All-Star baseball player and an All-World running back. The 30 for 30 on him was great and reminded me what an absolute freak of nature he was.

 

[youngman42]

Originally posted by BluePhil:

I wish Len Bias had gotten his chance. I remember him vividly and even met him one time. One of the finest payers I have ever seen play at the College level.

I love the others and was going to mention Bias. He'd have been incredible going into Boston with that lineup. Good grief (even though I'm a Lakers fan). Sad. I love the picks of Mantle and Bo also. Bo is still the greatest athlete I've seen in watching sports since the late 60's.

Since those are taken, I'd like to see Dan Marino redux - with Shula having a real GM instead of himself. Shula is a top 5 coach of all-time but he was a terrible GM (when he had Bobby Beathard doing personnel, they were great - should have tried to rehire him). Had Miami drafted defense better - he'd have had a great shot at winning a SB.

 

[MSUbluedevil]

Grant Hill was the first name that popped in my head after I read the OP. He's been mentioned several times already, so I'll go with Penny Hardaway.

 

[MSUbluedevil]

Unfortunately, we could very well be naming Derrick Rose in this conversation 5 years from now.