MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / July 7, 1999

We have officially passed the halfway mark of 1999 and there are less than six months remaining until the year 2000. And even though the newmillennium, century and decade actually do not begin until Jan. 1, 2001, itseems like everybody is coming out with a list of the best and worst of the last 100 years.

The best movies, the best actors and actresses, the most influential people, the biggest events. ESPN is counting down the top 50 athletes ofthe century is a weekly feature. The Society for American BaseballResearch recently came out with its list of the top 100 players of the century. (No Negro League players? Serious omission there, fellows.)One does not know how hard it is to compile such a list until it is attempted. In compiling the list of my top 10 athletes of the past century,many deserving names could not crack the list. But a list of athletes suchas Henry Aaron, Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Brown, Wilt Chamberlain, Nadia Comaneci, Joe DiMaggio, Chris Evert, Lou Gehrig, Ben Hogan, Sonja Henie, Carl Lewis, Joe Louis, Mickey Mantle, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Arnold Palmer, Pele, Richard Petty, Gene Sarazen, Mark Spitz and Ted Williams would make quite a second team.

America and the world have been blessed by quite a few exceptional athletes over the past 100 years. Perhaps in the next 1000 years, the onlycompetitions the world will see is between athletes such as those on the playing field. It is the hope of all mankind.So without further adieu, one sportswriter’s top 10 list (in alphabetical order): Muhammad Ali – “The Greatest.” Perhaps the world’s most recognizableathlete. Defended his heavyweight boxing title 10 times when he wasknown as Cassius Clay. After being stripped of his title, came back toreclaim and defend it 11 more times. Held the title three times in hiscareer. Won the light heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 SummerOlympics.

Wayne Gretzky – The best player in the history of the NHL. Won 10scoring championships, nine league MVPs and owns 61 NHL records. His2,857 career points are 1,007 more than the next closest mark. Shockedthe hockey world with 92 goals in 80 games in 1981-82. Had a record 215points in 1985-86. Led Edmonton to four Stanley Cup titles. Michael Jordan – Basketball’s ambassador to the world. Literally tookthe league to new heights. The ultimate competitor, Jordan led Chicago tosix NBA championships over his final six full seasons in the league. Fromthe time he was a freshman at North Carolina to his final game, he excelled at the most critical times. Had a brief baseball career butshowed he wasn’t afraid to try.

Willie Mays – The consummate five-tool player. Could beat you with hisbat, his glove, his legs or his arm. His over-the-shoulder catch was one ofthe top plays in baseball this century. Had 660 lifetime home runs andwould have challenged the 700-mark had he not missed almost two years early in his career due to military.

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