Tops at their Positions

Last week we saw Mariano Rivera pass Trevor Hoffman for #1 on the all-time saves list, with Rivera recording save #602. This mark cements and concludes any argument of who the greatest closer is. Rivera for fifteen seasons now has been near flawless, especially in the post season. This got me thinking. Has anyone dominated their position more than the Yankees stopper? This list contains players who were so far above the possible 2^nd and 3^rd place athletes at their positions, which is why you won’t see Michael Jordan on this list, as he is not that far ahead of Kobe Bryant for best shooting guard. I’ll consider any of the four major sports in any era, so Babe Ruth gets some consideration. Now, here it is, the top ten dominant players at their position:

10. Luc Robitaille, left winger – Think about this: there was really only one other option at left wing that could rival Robitaille, Bobby Hull. Then looking at the numbers, he has the most goals, assists and points than any other left wing in NHL history and is actually tenth all-time over all in goals among all NHLers. He was Rookie of the Year, All First Team five times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

9. Anthony Munoz, offensive line – 6’6” and 278 lbs is not the prototypical stature for a top notch offensive lineman, but it all worked out when he was inducted in to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1998. And while you can give some consideration to Art Shell, Jonathan Ogden and others, Munoz gets the nod for being All-Pro nine times.

8. Magic Johnson, point guard – Oscar Robertson, another point guard, was credited for introducing the triple-double to the NBA. Magic Johnson, however, perfected it and is the top all-time in the regular season and playoffs in that category. With all due respect to the Big O and John Stockton, Magic played point guard the way only he could play it, leading the Showtime Lakers to five NBA titles. When listening to his teammates talk about Johnson, it’s very clear who the leader of the Lakers was. Magic. He is his name.

7. Johnny Bench, catcher – There have been more gold gloves won by other catchers (Ivan Rodriguez). There have been more homeruns hit by other catchers (Mike Piazza). There have been more post season hits by other catchers (Yogi Berra). However, none of those names or any other are in the same class as Johnny Bench. He was the best player on arguably the best MLB team of all time, the Big Red Machine in the 1970’s. He was Rookie of the Year, a two-time MVP, and a fourteen time All-star and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. 

6. Lou Gehrig, 1^st base – We all know about his amazing fight against the disease that killed him and is now named after him. We all know about his “Luckiest man” speech. What you may not know is that Lou Gehrig is 2^nd all-time in grand slams and also hit .340 for his career. He won the Triple Crown in 1934 and holds the single-season American League record with 184 RBIs. Perhaps more impressive than those stats, he also played 2130 consecutive games, most while protecting Babe Ruth in the lineup. Think about that. Who else could protect Babe Ruth in a lineup? At an offensive position, no one dominated like the Iron Horse.

5. Mike Schmidt, 3^rd base – I know, Brooks Robinson won sixteen gold gloves. He was great. But he wasn’t Mike Schmidt. He wasn’t even close. Schmidt won three MVPs, led his league in homeruns eight times and finished his career with 548 round trippers, when that number meant something. At the time of his retirement, he was 8^th all-time in that category. And while he didn’t win sixteen gold gloves, he did win ten. No one played the hot corner like Michael Jack Schmidt.

4. Tony Gonzalez, tight end – We have heard this name in past blogs. If he is the only tight end among the top wide receivers of all-time, clearly he has to be tops at his position. Not only tops at his position, but miles ahead of Shannon Sharpe, Ozzie Newsome and others. By the end of this season, Gonzalez could be as high as 10^th all-time in receiving yards, 6^th all-time in TDs and 2^nd all-time in receptions. Who doesn’t respect Tony Gonzalez?

3. Mariano Rivera, relief pitcher/closer – We noted it above, Rivera is 1^st all-time in career saves. But let’s just focus on his post season numbers, shall we? In 139.2 innings, his ERA is 0.71, ridiculous. He has 42 career post season saves. 2^nd is Brad Lidge, with 18. Since 1995, he has blown only four saves in the playoffs. Through this current Yankee run of success, there have been just two constants, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all-time.

2. Jerry Rice, wide receiver – I know a lot of you will want Rice at number one and some could make a strong case for it. Rice leads all receivers in all major categories, regular season and post season. He was a class act for three 49er Super Bowl wins, winning the MVP in Super Bowl XXIII. He had the best work ethic, ran the best routes and is arguably the best NFL player in history. Jerry Rice, dominant.

1. Wayne Gretzky, center – Ok, very similar to Rice, Gretzky is tops the NHL in goals, assists and points in regular season and post season. He won four Stanley Cups in a five year stretch, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP in the postseason) twice. Now, here is where Gretzky blows away Rice. Gretzky was the best player ON THE PLANET, for most of his career. Yes, Rice won Offensive player of the year twice and NFL MVP once. Gretzky won the MVP nine times, a record in the four major sports. Bob Miller said it best, “Wayne Gretzky, the Great One, is the greatest of them all.” He is also the most dominant player, by far, at his position ever.

Dominant Defenders

In today’s NFL, the quarterback is protected more than ever and perhaps even more than the position should be. Like it or not, it is here to stay, at least for a while. In this era and in the era of the past, we have had players on the defensive side of the ball who almost single-handedly win games for their teams. With the list below, these players are the greatest defensive players of our era, which means 1980-present. So forgive me for not including Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert or Deacon Jones. Before we get to the top ten, here are some names that just missed the list:

Eric Allen, Ronder Barber, Junior Seau, Darren Sharper, Derrick Thomas, Brian Urlacher

And now, the top ten defensive players of our generation:

10.   Mike Singletary – “Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them, can’t do it.” Before he was the former 49ers head coach who uttered those words, he was the man in the middle of the greatest single season defense in NFL history, the ’85 Bears. Singletary was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was All-Pro seven times. I can still see those eyes of his get bigger as the ball is ready to be snapped.

9. Troy Polamalu – Probably the most soft-spoken guy on this list but by no means does it match his play on field. Everyone knows him from the hair covering his name and most of his jersey number 43. Troy Polamalu is the current dominating defender on a long line of Pittsburgh Steelers greats. He plays with a controlled reckless abandon, if that is even possible. He is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a three time All-Pro. Just watch the Steelers defense when he isn’t on the field, it is night and day.

8. Ed Reed – This ball hawk means the same to the Ravens as Polamalu means to the Steelers. Why Reed is higher is because he is currently 2^nd among active players in interceptions with 56 and he is fourth all-time with 12 non-offensive TDs. Ed Reed won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 and has been named All-Pro five times. But, probably most impressive, is his knack for always being around the ball.

7. Bruce Smith – The man who is 1^st all-time in sacks with 200, Bruce Smith was the anchor on those Buffalo Bills teams that went to four straight Super Bowls. He was Defensive Player of the year twice and All-Pro eight times. Eight times he recorded double-digit sacks in a season. Smith was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 2009.

6. Rod Woodson – Another dominating defensive player in a line of greats for the Steelers, Rod Woodson was the quintessential professional at his position. He is third all-time with 71 career interceptions. More impressively, he is 1^st all-time in interception return yards as well as in interceptions returned for a touchdown. The 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the year and a six time All-Pro, Woodson was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Bruce Smith in 2009.

5. Ray Lewis – If ever there was a man who was born to play middle linebacker, it was Ray Lewis. Not only was he the centerpiece on one of the greatest team defenses in history, the’00 Ravens, he was also their Super Bowl MVP. Twice he was named NFL Defensive player of the year and seven times he was named All-Pro. However, it is his intensity that keeps him going strong in now his 16^th season. Certain players are automatically associated with their franchises. There is no doubt that when you hear Baltimore Ravens, the first name to come to mind is Ray Lewis.

4. Deion Sanders – Ok, let’s all say it together, “Primetime, primetime.” He has Ed Reed’s instincts, Barry Sanders’ electricity and Gale Sayers running ability. Deion Sanders dominated his position like never before. Teams would only throw to his side once or twice a game, which meant he got one or two interceptions. Forgetting that he may be of the greatest athletes of our time, Sanders was the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro six times. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame earlier this year.

3. Ronnie Lott – Just watching him play, anyone would want Ronnie Lott on their team. While most of the glory and recognition went to Bill Walsh’s 49er offense, Lott was the leader of the defense that helped win four Super Bowls in nine seasons. A six-time All-Pro, Lott is probably most remembered and feared for the time he was told that the pinky finger would not heal properly unless he missed the playoffs. Lott, being Lott, simply decided to have one third of the finger amputated.

2. Reggie White – With all due respect to the great defensive linemen in NFL history, this is the first guy I want stuffing the run and getting after the quarterback. Never before has a player at his position dominated a game like the minister of defense, Reggie White. He is only two sacks behind Bruce Smith for most in NFL history. However, Smith needed three more seasons to top White. A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the year and an eight time All-Pro, Reggie White was a beast and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

1. Lawrence Taylor – He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1981, his ROOKIE SEASON! The original LT had arrived. Lawrence Taylor went on to win that award three times and be named All-Pro eight times. He once recorded 20.5 sacks in a season, as a linebacker. Taylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. He was hands down the best player on two Giants Super Bowl teams and hands down Lawrence Taylor is the greatest defensive player of our generation.

Quarterbacks Yesterday and Today, and the one who began the movement

Think back to 2002, the year the expansion Houston Texans became the 32^nd team in the NFL. They were awarded the #1 overall pick in the draft. Their selection: David Carr, quarterback, Fresno State. Carr was the decided guy to lead the new team and provide them stability and success. However, after an opening night win against the Dallas Cowboys, Carr’s career went down, just like he did with sack after sack. It wasn’t all Carr’s fault. Clearly he didn’t have the offensive line or other offensive pieces to have a realistic chance at winning. But when you think about it, who could they have gone to? Below is a list of names of the Quarterbacks of 2002 and today:

                2002                                  2011                                  2002                       2011

NY Jets – Chad Pennington                 Mark Sanchez                       Phil – Donovan McNabb     Michael Vick

NE – Tom Brady                                                                                    NY Giants – Kerry Collins    Eli Manning

Miami – Jay Fiedler              Chad Henne                                          Wash – Patrick Ramsey       Rex Grossman

Buffalo – Drew Bledsoe      Ryan Fitzpatrick                                    Dall – Quincy Carter            Tony Romo

Pitt – Tommy Maddox         Ben Roethlisberger                               G.B. – Brett Favre                 Aaron Rodgers

Clev – Tim Couch                 Colt McCoy                                            Minn – Daunte Culpepper McNabb

Balt – Jeff Blake                    Joe Flacco                                              Chi – Jim Miller                     Jay Cutler

Cincy – Jon Kitna                  Andy Dalton                                          Det – Joey Harrington         Matthew Stafford

Tenn – Steve McNair           Matt Hasselbeck                                   T.B. – Brad Johnson             Josh Freeman

Indy – Peyton Manning                                                                       ATL – Michael Vick              Matt Ryan

Jax – Mark Brunell               Luke McCown                                       N.O. – Aaron Brooks            Brees

Hou – Carr                             Matt Schaub                                         Car – Rodney Peete            Cam Newton

Oak – Rich Gannon              Jason Campbell                                    S.F. – Jeff Garcia                   Alex Smith

Den – Brian Griese              Kyle Orton                                             Sea – Matt Hasselbeck        Tavaris Jackson

K.C. – Trent Green               Matt Cassel                                           St.L. – Marc Bulger              Sam Bradford

S.D. – Drew Brees                Phillip Rivers                                          Ari – Jake Plummer             Kevin Kolb

Overall, there are some good names, some bad names and some names where the jury’s still out. Here is a list of names you, as a GM, would likely want for your Houston Texans in 2002:

Brady, Bledsoe, McNair, Manning, Brunell, Gannon, McNabb, Collins, Favre, Vick. Total – 10 QBs

I know what some of you are thinking that I left off some good names. Remember, however, that Drew Brees in 2002 wasn’t the Drew Brees of today, Hasselbeck had yet to prove anything, Daunte Culpepper had some good seasons but he was very inexperienced at that time, and Garcia was not the one to lead a franchise into the future.

Now let’s count the names under the 2011 list of QBs that you would want for your team as an expansion franchise:

Sanchez, Brady, Roethlisberger, Flacco, Peyton Manning, Schaub, Cassel, Rivers, Vick, Eli Manning, Romo, Rodgers, Cutler, Stafford, Freeman, Ryan, Brees, Newton, Bradford. Total – 19 QBs

What does that show? Number one, the NFL is now more than ever a passing league. The quarterback position has never been so important and you just can’t win a championship without an upper echelon signal caller. Number two, the Houston Texans should have looked to trade. Oh yeah, they did, acquiring Matt Schaub, who now leads them into a promising 2011.

Who was the number one pick in the 2011 draft? Some kid named Cam Newton. Let me say that I am not anointing him as the next John Elway. However, it looks like the Carolina Panthers have the quarterback of the future, which is vastly needed in a division with QBs like Brees, Ryan and Freeman. But let’s flat out say it, albeit in a losing effort, Cam Newton had a game for the ages in his debut. It’s worth noting that his 422 yards doubled the record for a QB in his debut. Whose record did he break? Some guy named Peyton Manning.

This leads us to perhaps the story of the day or weekend. Some people believe that Manning will go down as arguably the best overall quarterback in NFL history. But think about this for a minute, has Peyton Manning ever looked better than week on? The Colts have made the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons, including winning at least ten games in each of those seasons, two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl 41. Take away Peyton Manning in week one? The Colts get shellacked. Take away Manning for 2-3 months? You hear talk of a dismal season for Indy. Take away Manning forever? I’m sure Colts fans are beginning to wonder. Remember this, Tom Brady missed all of the 2008 season. Matt Cassel stepped in and led the Patriots to 11 wins. You have seen Donovan McNabb go down in multiple seasons, yet the Eagles still stayed on track and made the playoffs whether it was Jeff Garcia filling in or even Koy Detmer. Brees goes to New Orleans and San Diego still charges on with Phillip Rivers and the makes the playoffs four of the last five seasons. I could go on and on with plenty of examples.

Yes I know it’s only week one, but it does look like tough times ahead. Why do the Colts look so bad? The answer is simple. No quarterback has ever meant more to their team than Peyton Manning, and that should be his legacy. With his 3^rd neck surgery in 2 years, it’s possible that #18 may never suit up again. So when I say that Manning has never looked better than Sunday, I mean look at what his team has done or project what his team will do without him. We have heard so many times, ‘well Manning has only one Super Bowl, he’s no Brady.’ ‘Heck, even Big Ben has won more rings.’ But Peyton Manning has never had a coach like Bill Belichick. He definitely has never had a defense like the Steelers. No one in the NFL can do it alone; it is still a team sport. However, Peyton Manning will start to get more praise and more recognition, and that should tell you he belongs in the short list of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

A hard working team, a hard working manager, a memorable time in America

This weekend will mark ten years since the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, 9/11; a trying time perhaps never seen before in the United States. Not two months later, we were treated and perhaps consoled by one of the most memorable World Series in history: the Yankees, getting more applause at that time than ever, playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. A heart stopping seven game masterpiece capped off by a walk off single courtesy of Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez. Fast forward ten years to 2011. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Yankees back in the Fall Classic. And as fate may have it, they could very well meet the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Yankees still have the greats like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada on their roster, but the team also has other great players like Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia to get them back to the World Series. The Diamondbacks on the other hand, don’t have those superstars. Yes, they still have Matt Williams, but now he is coaching 3^rd base instead of playing 3^rd base. Other than Williams, the Diamondbacks are not only a totally different team than the past, but also a team that is mostly unrecognized and unknown. The D’Backs do have Justin Upton, an All-Star this season who is hitting just under .300 and has an outside chance of going 30/30 (30 HRs and 30 stolen bases in a season). Other than Upton, the D’Backs are a bunch of nobodies in the eyes of baseball fans and critics. For instance, has there ever been a pitcher in baseball with a year as good as Ian Kennedy that got such little recognition? He’s a major Cy Young Award candidate, going 18-4 with an E.R.A. just under three, yet no one is talking about him. Oddly enough, most baseball fans would recognize the names of the coaching staff of Arizona before their starting lineup. Let me list two groups of names for you. Group one: Ryan Roberts, Gerardo Parra, Kelly Johnson, Miguel Montero. Group two: Charles Nagy, Eric Young, Don Baylor, Allan Trammell. As you probably figured out, group two is made up of members of the coaching staff while group one are everyday position players. All of these names deserve credit for being the team in first place and are certainly on their way to the playoffs. In addition to these guys, the leader, Kirk Gibson, who is in his first full year of managing and is for the most part flying under the radar, also deserves a lot of the credit. Gibson, being remembered mostly for hitting the two-run bomb that won game 1 of the World Series in 1988 despite being sidelined for hamstring and knee injuries, was a very talented leader during his playing days and has carried those skills over into his coaching career.
We all know about Gibson’s October magic, but let’s take a look at Kirk Gibson’s playing career. An ex-football player from Michigan State, he was the emotional leader for two World Series winners (1984 Tigers and 1988 Dodgers). During those years, he played for two hard nose managers, Sparky Anderson and Tommy Lasorda. In 1988, his magical season, he won the National League MVP. Oddly enough, he didn’t make it to the All-star game that year. In fact, he is the only MVP winner in a season that did not make the All-star team. Overall, in his seventeen year career, he never made an All-star team, which is a surprise. That fact may just be what makes him a perfect fit for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D’backs are not a flashy franchise. They are not the most exciting team and are not leading the world in hitting, pitching or even fielding for that matter. But like their fiery manager, they give it all they’ve got and maybe, just maybe, they out work you. In 1988, Gibson was having dinner with then Dodgers General Manager Fred Claire. Gibson stated, “I want to win. And I just want you to know, I may have to bang some heads.” Claire replied, “Kirk, why do you think you’re here?” It wouldn’t be a surprise if Gibson had a similar conversation with current Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers.

In the beginning of this year, we all watched the Pittsburgh Pirates get off to such a great start. They started as the feel good story of 2011. Then, as their season took a turn for the worse and the hype began to fade, we heard chatter about the Cleveland Indians trying to hold on to first place in their respected division. We then watched the Tigers overtake the Tribe, stealing some of the excitement. But what about Arizona? After stealing two of three in San Francisco, they hold a seven game lead over the World Champion Giants. Gibson has probably already locked up his Manager of the Year Award. It is unlikely that the D’backs will get caught in the playoff race for the National League West. Following the leadership of their manager, their journey into the playoffs will be gritty, gutsy play where the team will do whatever it takes to win and will love and enjoy the big moments. They will give you 100% of 100%. If they only have 60% that day, they will give 100% of 60%. Each of the players in the lineup will gladly go 0-for-5 in a win than 3-for-5 in a loss. They will do what it takes because that’s what Kirk Gibson would do. After all, when asked about his 1988 Dodgers team, Gibson said: “We busted our ass. Okay?!”

With that attitude and leadership, the Arizona Diamondbacks will undoubtedly be in the fight for the title of “World Series Champions.” And only as would be written in a Hollywood fairytale, maybe, just maybe, they could meet the Yankees, in a World Series that would have the teams meet again, 10 years later, for a series of such significance to the American people.