Me? Rocket Ismail. I never looked forward to ND football more than when he played. I expected a big play every time he touched the ball. He often delivered. Best player I ever watched at the college level, and the single greatest play I ever saw was the punt return against Colorado that was called back.
Honorable mention to Allen Pinkett
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Was 10.
While he was signing my score book I asked what it's like to play in front of all these people?
He put his hand on my head and said son....there's nothing like it...nothing.
Frank, of course, came from the Cincinnati Reds, but I loved him.
Paul Blair was my favorite ball player. Loved his speed.
Brooks, Boog, Bobby Grich, Don Buford, Don Baylor, Terry Crowley, Al Bumbry, Merv Rettenmund. Enos Cabell, Mark Belanger, and of course the 1971 pitching staff that produced four 20 game winners -- when men were men -- Palmer, McNally, Dobson, and Cuellar. These were the names we would shout out from the sandlot.
Frank Robinson was indeed a ballplayer's ballplayer. Terrific choice to the post.
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Thank you for posting on a topic that shouldn’t result in political warfare. The “Two Posts Per Day” Rule is lifted for you for today AND tomorrow.
My opinion: Secretariat. Or Leo Durocher, if you meant a human.
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I loved The Rocket. The kind of guy who just doesn't come along but every so often, and we were lucky he was ours.
And Sanders is the only jersey I ever owned. I followed him from about midway through his '88 season in college until he retired. If he was on T.V., I watched. If he wasn't, I stayed up late for Sports Center.
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seabiscuit might be a better choice. he was sired by hardtack, a venerable and noteworthy champion in his own right. the owners wanted to name him something like "hardtack's son" but the colt was so small, they demurred. he was a very hard sell but he turned out to be a spectacular athlete.
there's a fantastic true book about him named (wait for it.....) "seabiscuit".
read the book and you will absolutely fall in love with this animal and his incredible personality and his equally incredible journey.
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never put himself above the fans who flocked to him (e.g. would spend hours responding to letters with sincere responses)...gave selflessly for the betterment of others...consistently exuded JOY...and...threw himself totally into perhaps his greatest avocation...'Flying'...
Also on my list...Joe Montana...Willie Mays...Bill Russell...and quite a few more.
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Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Clemente
Played the game hard and the right way. Seemed to fit the city of Philadelphia.
And what did they have to show for it? Heartaches.