Is there any sports athlete who is better than Sir Don?

[voggmo]

Yep, Pearson only raced the biggies.

Trouble with World's strongest man competition is they change the events all the time, which makes comparing champions from different eras problematic.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

They mentioned Michael Jordan, but I wouldn't consider him the best Basketball player. Wilt Chamberlain had a season where he averaged 50.4 ppg and 25.7 rpg. Granted, he played a lot of minutes and had a lot of shots (he averaged 48.5 minutes per game, which itself is pretty good, since a game is only 48 minutes long), but he also shot above 50% from the field.

Interesting didn't know that.

Also notable is the fact that he is the ONLY NBA player ever to score 100 points in one game.

That is one mighty achievement. Probably similar to someone in cricket scoring a triple century, or in football scoring a 7 or 8 tries (or touchdown or goals)

If you're going to include NASCAR, you need to mention "The Intimidator" (Dale Earnhardt) as well. Most drivers asked about him will tell you that his car was the LAST thing they wanted to see in their rearview mirror if they were leading a race. He ties Petty for Championships, is in the top ten for victories, and is the only driver to ever win Rookie of the Year and Champion in successive years.

Not really including any form of motor sport, as it's rather regional for certain areas.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Here's some quick stats on Ruth's pitching:

Pitched in over 1000 innings (1227 to be exact). Had an era of 2.28 and a whip of 1.159 which is outstanding. He also had 488 strike outs. He had 17 shut outs as well. They compare him to Smokin Joe Woods.

Seriously. 3rd in total home runs but also a great pitcher? That is extremely rare for any era of baseball.

 

[wew]

I'd argue that some decathalon participants or pentathaletes are better athletes. Jim Thorpe for example. Also, a pentathalon, you have to be good in horse riding, fencing, running, swimming, and marksmenship. I don't know all the events in the decathalon, but I'd say the better ones are probably better athletes.

 

[voggmo]

How bout Takeru Kobayashi? 50 hotdogs in 12 minutes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyvLapQ9FjU

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Yeah, but he throws them up after he's done. Also, he's limited in competative eating to things like hotdogs (he would probably choke and die in a wing-eating contest, for example). Nor can he win in endurance competition, just speed.

Is it sad that I know that much about this subject?