We reported earlier this week that the greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, was ranked #9 on ESPN.com’s list of top athletes from 1995 – 2015. SwimSwam readers had quite a bit to say regarding where Phelps was positioned in that ranking, as did mainstream media outlets. Hosts of “Mike & Mike”, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, commented earlier this week that, sitting #9 on the top athletes list was a big miss; instead, pegging the Baltimore native within the top 3, alongside Serena Williams and Tiger Woods.
Another chance for, um, friendly debate, has now arisen. As part of their continuing 20th anniversary celebration, ESPN.com takes this ranking business one step further and has composed a list of “touchstone moments” over the same time frame, as selected by the organization’s staff. These moments represent leaving the ultimate lasting impression on fans everywhere and are permanently within America’s consciousness. So, where does Phelps fall on this additional lineup? Take a look.
- 2004: Red Sox rally from 0-3, beat Yankees to reach World Series
- 1995: Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak
- 2008: MICHAEL PHELPS nabs eight gold medals in Beijing Olympics
- 1999: Brandi Chastain’s shootout goal wins Women’s World Cup
- 1996-98: Michael Jordan and Bulls three-peat
- 2000: Tiger Woods wins three majors in one season
- 2008: Giants upset previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl
- 2003: Cubs’ NLCS run turns when fan interferes with foul ball
- 1997: Tyson bites Holyfield’s ear in rematch
- 1997: Jordan battles flu, makes Jazz sick
- 1995: Reggie Miller scores eight points in 8.9 seconds
- 1996: Kerri Strug fights off pain, helps U.S. win gold
- 1998: Mark McGwire hits home run No. 62
- 1996: Muhammad Ali lights the flame at the Atlanta Olympics
- 2006: Vince Young leads Texas to comeback over USC
- 2006: Kobe Bryant scores 81 points against Toronto Raptors
- 1997: Baseball retires Jackie Robinson’s No. 42
- 2015: Malcolm Butler’s INT helps Pats thwart Seahawks’ repeat
- 2001: Piazza’s HR in first Mets home game after the 9/11 attacks
- 2001: D-backs rally in 9th to beat Yankees in World Series Game 7
Just in phelps run for 8 alone there were 2 moments that were ever lasting. Lezak coming back, and phelps out touching cavic. That picture, the cover of SI, with phelps and cavic full stretch to the wall, hung on my wall for a long time. That is the most iconic photo in swimming history, in my mind, right infront of spitz with his 7. (mustache and all) Lezak coming back was to me, what miracle on ice had to feel like for that era.
What’s with all the baseball references? I thought these were SPORTS moments.
I don’t see the Christian Laetner half court shot that beat Kentucky on this list. Based on the number of times ESPN and CBS have replayed and discussed that shot, I’d think it would be tops. IHCL!
Wahooswimfan – that shot was from 1992, which is older than 20 years. Also, it wasn’t a half-court shot, it was a freethrow line shot.
I think the average sports fan fails to realize the unreal versatility it took for Phelps to accomplish what he did. Take the 4×100 free relay, everyone would say Phelps is the best swimmer in the world, of course he is going to be on that relay and take it for granted. The 100 free is Phelps’ number 6 event at best and he lead that relay off with an American record and was a big part of that victory. The 2/4IM 1/2 Fly and 200 free are all ahead of the 100 free for Phelps. If he ever swam 200 back or 400 free in top form those events would probably rank ahead of the 100 free. So the… Read more »
I think your last two sentences show why most swimming fans aren’t good at analyzing lists like this. Comparing Phelps’ versatility across strokes to a baseball player being the best hitter and pitcher or a football player being the best running back and quarterback is just outlandish. It isn’t unfathomable for a swimmer to have elite level versatility. Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, Natalie Coughlin, and Katie Hoff have all shown it is possible. Phelps just take that versatility up a few notches. A better comparison might be best shooter/defender in basketball, but best pitcher/hitter or passer/runner? The degree of difficulty on versatility in swimming isn’t anywhere near that high.
MP accomplished something that had never been done in the 116 yrs of the Olympics. Nuff said !
Understandable since ESPN are pandering to an American audience, but perhaps even more heavily biased towards American Sports than the previous list.
Surely on a list of ‘most memorable’ Zidane’s headbutt etc. would make the list, or something like Liverpool’s 0-3 comeback against AC Milan in 2005. Football is watched by more people than any other sport in the world by a large margin, afterall…
I would definitely nominate Brazil’s 1-7 loss against Germany in the World Cup. I feel like the entire world registered that.
I can’t believe I am referencing it twice in one week, but I do think if the ear biting is in, then Tanya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan’s knee-busting debacle would also be a contender.
Wouldn’t make the list but as a Minnesotan I would campaign for Kevin Garnett winning the NBA championships in his first season with the Celtics.
And what about retirements? The press around MJ’ first retirement was huge, as was the hoopla around Phelps in ’12.
Baltimore native sons #2 and #3 on the list. What about the Ravens Super bowl runs? Especially the first one when Ray Lewis, Brian Billick and co redefined how you could win games with a feared defense.
Ray Lewis only escaped convicted MURDER because he struck a deal with prosecutors to testify against the 2 men that were with him the night they beat and stabbed a man to death. He is disgusting and deserves a spot on no list.