GOATs Abound

Privileged.  Lucky.  Fortuitous.  We are.  Everyone one of us under 30 years of age has grown up not just seeing great teams and great athletes; we've grown up seeing some of the greatest of all time (GOAT).  In practically every sport we've at least caught a glimpse of the best ever.  We are not worthy.  We're spoiled.  We've been spoiled our whole lives.  Let's take a look, shall we:

Golf = Tiger was on track.  He still might be the GOAT too.  There's no denying his place in the upper echelons of the sport.  He changed the sport in unimaginable ways.  Jack might still edge him a little in titles, but by his pure sexual prowess I give Tiger the nod (impressive to say the least).

Swimming = Michael Phelps.....and he smokes weed.  GOAT for sure.  Mark Spitz ain't got shit on Phelpsy. Too many golds to count.  Hands down GOAT.

100 meter dash = Usain Bolt is the fastest human EVER....and it's not even close.  Every generation has a man who is the fastest ever, but this one hasn't even peaked yet.  They say he's the perfect runner.  I say he's got a step or two on Flash (not the comic book hero).....which is saying a lot.

Soccer = We got to see Maradona late, we got to see Cristiano for a while, and now we get to see Messi.  Little Lionel is on his way.  He could be the most dynamic player ever.  I don't buy into the argument that arbitrarily says a guy has to shine at the World Cup.  The game is bigger than those few weeks every 4 years. Messi can be the greatest and never make it to the semis in the World Cup just as easily as someone can win 4 World Cups and never be in the conversation.

Basketball = MJ....enough said.

Baseball = Albert?  I don't know.  Not yet....but he's getting there.....he's getting there.  The Babe should always be the best.  That roided freak Bonds was sure amazing.  Too bad no one liked him.  He made himself hated not just for cheating but being a complete asshole.  Shame.  Still.....he might have been the GOAT.  Maybe.

NASCAR = Jimmy Johnson is doing things no one else has done.  GOAT.  Has to be.  Not a pioneer like Petty or Earnhardt or even Gordon.  Just the GOAT.  Calling it.

Football = Missed out on Jim Brown.  Saw Barry Sanders....didn't last long enough.  Could it be Peyton or Brady?  Or Favre?  Or Montana?  Or Elway?  Or Marino?  We saw em all.  One of them has to be the GOAT.  It's probably a guy named Rice in all actuality.  But take your pick.

Tennis = I'm going to say Roger Federer.  He's got the titles to back it up, the streaks, the intangibles.  Pete Sampras was so 2 grand slams ago.  In the next few years we might be calling Rafa Nadal and/or Nole Djokovic the GOAT.  Either way....great stuff happening these last 10 years in tennis.

NHL = The Great One.  Saw him.  Saw Lemieux but not enough.  Didn't get to see Orr....but let's just put this one to bed.  It's Wayne's world.

But alas.....we haven't seen them all.  Didn't see any real tremendous boxers in their prime while we were old enough to watch (Mike Tyson's Punch Out alone makes that the most difficult thing I've ever had to write).  And worst of all.....Horse Racing.  Depression sets in.  No Triple Crowns since 1978.  GOAT was Secretariat.  Thought we were going to have something special in Big Brown......god dammit Desormeaux.  There's no way he was tired at the quarter pole.  NO FUCKING WAY.  You gotta be kidding me.  Come on!  Let him run.  Dammit.  Dammit dammit dammit.  Wouldn't have been the GOAT.....but could've been the greatest of the last 35 years at least.  DAMMIT!

Cherish these times people.  Cherish them.  You're watching the all time bests out there.  Now.....I've got to call my therapist.  Desormeaux does that to a man.  Dammit.