I received a lot of emails, messages and even an angry phone call about my Top 10 Boston sports icons (athletes, coaches and builders).
There were a few themes involved in the messages I received:
1. Ted Williams should have been higher (1st, 2nd or 3rd instead of 4th).
My answer: I could be inclined to move him closer to the front, maybe ahead of Orr. He was a legend. But they never won a World Series. I don’t want to put too much weight on winning, but that is the goal in team sports. Williams was probably the best hitter, ever. Maybe that’s enough to put him at or closer to the top. An argument could be made to put him 2nd or 3rd. I would listen to that. But Red’s accomplishments were too many, too long and too good. But I’m sticking with Red, Russell and Orr in my top three.
2. Marvin Hagler should be in the Top 10 somewhere.
My answer: I agree. But who gets eliminated? Yaz? Bourque? Brady? Hagler was one of my favorite athletes growing up. He was the hardest omission. If he beats Leonard maybe he’s No. 10. Maybe.
3. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, while great, need more longevity to be ranked where they were (Belichick, 6th; Brady, 8th).
My answer: A good point. You know how we live in the today. Maybe Belichick is going to be No. 6 some day and I’m rushing to judgement. And remember Troy Aikman after three Super Bowl wins, they called him the greatest. Then he disappeared out of the top 10 QBs. The reason I put them in the top 10 is that if they both retired today, they would be ranked among the best ever as a coach and QB.
4. I am in love with Bobby Orr.
My answer: It’s true. He’s the greatest I ever saw. I had him ahead of Williams for two reasons — He changed the game. And he made the Bruins instant winners. He was the first athlete I remember idolizing — I was eight when he scored the OT game-winner to clinch the Cup.
5. Red Auerbach was a good pick.
My answer: Thank you. Though he never really lived here, instead taking up a crummy apartment on Boylston Street in Boston, what he did over so many decades (yes, decades) was unparalleled. He not only changed the game with innovation (fast-break, giving blacks opportunity to play and coach and giving imporance to Sixth Man. I did receive a note saying Auerbach wouldn’t have won without Russell and I say, yes, but you could say that about Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr and Bill Walsh and Joe Montana. Red is the best.
6. Manny Ramirez, while hated, might’ve been worthy of a Top 10.
My answer: I disagree. While he and Belichick and Brady made their marks in Boston the same year (2001), his impact was not to their levels. He is great. He is a Hall of Famer. But I would argue David Ortiz had a bigger impact than Manny. If Manny spent 12 years here, he would be on the list, like him or hate ‘em.
7. Where’s Doug Flutie?
My answer: Believe me, I thought hard about him. He grew up here so I could take his career outside of Boston into account. He is considered a legend in Canadian football circles. He was the most exciting college athlete I ever saw. And he had a pretty good NFL career. Overall, though, it wasn’t “icon” status. If I had to pick a personal list of Top 10 favorite athletes to watch, he would be on that list.
8. Was Bill Russell product of team, Red?
My answer: No. He was a winner before he came to Boston, leading little University of San Francisco to a national title and then the USA Olympic men’s basketball team. He won 11 championships as a player and he averaged 22.5 rebounds over his career. The stat that will always define him, in my mind is 10-0 in Game 7s.
9. Yaz’ mystique is built on longevity, not greatness.
My answer: I understand where people are going with this, but his consistency and his 1967 season, was extra special. We must remember he made 18 All-Star teams. He won seven Gold Gloves. He led the league in on base percentage five times. He was the captain, too. There is greatness underneath all of that longevity. And remember, Red Sox Nation — i.e. the passion for this franchise — started because of Yaz. He planted the seed which is now a beanstalk that goes high into the heavens.
10. Too much emphasis on winning.
My answer: I agree “winning” seems to matter more now when we define a player’s career than it mattered before the 1990s. For the most part, this list is littered with winners. I understand that an “icon” can be stuck on a team with not as much talent. But Williams teams, for one, had talent. He played with a few Hall of Famers. They rarely came through though compared to the Yankees. Overall, I believe there are a lot of factors, and winning is at the top. If a player, coach or GM does their job to their fullest, they win and they will be an icon.
I’d be interested in your feedback, agreements, disagreements or any comments.
