Random Thoughts - July 8, 2011

After all those lists and a little vacation time, I thought I'd get back in the swing with some randoms...

• 55 days until the College Football season starts!!  62 days until the NFL season starts??
• This lockout sure is wreaking havoc on Fantasy Football...don't the owners and players understand that?
• The NBA lockout is destined to be even messier, which is not good for LeBron James and the last impression he was able to give us...Hey LeBron, what are you going to wake up and do tomorrow now?
• I used to love Wimbledon, but as I have gained more priorities, apparently Tennis was one of the things that got replaced.  Unfortunately, the United States feels the same way as I do.
• Speaking of United States, can't believe we are about a year away from another Summer Olympics...There goes that 17 days of productivity next year.
• My new Home Run Derby Format - 9 AL hitters vs 9 NL hitters, Old School 9-inning HR Derby style, each player gets 3 outs...While it might prevent anyone from getting in a huge groove, it should also prevent anyone from ruining their swing for the 2nd half.
• Tim Lincecum should not be an All-Star this year, that was a lazy selection.
• All-Star Break Awards
• AL CY Young - Justin Verlander
• AL Rookie of the Year - Michael Pineda
• AL MVP - Adrian Gonzalez
• NL CY Young - Jair Jurrjens
• NL Rookie of the Year - Freddie Freeman
• NL MVP - Prince Fielder
• The surprising Indians, Pirates and Diamondbacks will be forgotten by season's end.
• I liked Cars 2 better than Hangover 2.
• Blake Lively caught my attention in Green Lantern.  Also, I wonder what the other guy from the pizza place is doing?
• I enjoyed Toby Keith at Summerfest but I can't believe he turns 50 today.
• Damn, still 55 days until College Football.  Maybe I should preview that or something?

Who's Next A-Z

25 Letters, 250 Athletes from the past 30ish years.  The beauty of these lists on sports is that they are fluid.  They look one way today and a different way the next.  My list of the Top 10 Power Forwards from last summer is already out-of-date with the ascension of Dirk Nowitzki and the realization of my exclusion of Dennis Rodman.  So after completing these last 25 lists the question is...how will they look 1, 3, 5 years from now?  What follows is a list by letter of the players (one per letter) who could break into these lists eventually.  Obviously, some letters will be harder to crack.

A - Dustin Ackley (MLB)
B - Ryan Braun (MLB)
C - Robinson Cano (MLB)
D - Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
E - Carl Edwards (NASCAR)
F - Rickie Fowler (Golf)
G - Blake Griffin (NBA)
H - Felix Hernandez (MLB)
I - Kyrie Irving (NBA)
J - Andre Johnson (NFL)
K - Matt Kemp (MLB)
L - Andrew Luck (Football)
M - Rory McIlroy (Golf)
N - Cam Newton (NFL)
O - David Oliver (Track)
P - Michael Pineda (MLB)
Q - Robert Quinn (NFL)
R - Aaron Rodgers (NFL)
S - Steven Stamkos (NHL)
T - Troy Tulowitzki (MLB)
U - Ekpe Udoh (NBA)
V - Joey Votto (MLB)
W - John Wall (NBA)
Y - Titus Young (NFL)
Z - Jordan Zimmerman (MLB)

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "M" - Post 1980

"M" is for Magical, as I close my list of 250 athletes A-Z with another list chalked full of greats who brought magic to their sports.

10. Randy Moss (NFL)
9.  Moses Malone (NBA)
8.  Pedro Martinez (MLB)
7.  John McEnroe (Tennis)
6.  Phil Mickelson (Golf)
5.  Karl Malone (NBA)
4.  Greg Maddux (MLB)
3.  Peyton Manning (NFL)
2.  Mark Messier (NHL)
1.  Joe Montana (NFL)

Yes, that is Randy Moss at #10.  With Montana often carrying the best quarterback ever moniker, it is tough to argue anyone else at #1.  Maybe another title from Manning and some passing records will do it.  Messier is top 10 all-time in the NHL, so it is easy to slot him here at #2.  Maddux and Malone dominated for so long, I could not put them lower.  McEnroe vs Mickelson is a good debate.  Omissions included Reggie Miller, Mike Modano, Curtis Martin and Eddie Murray.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "S" - Post 1980

"S" is for Skillful.  The following list brought unmatched skills to the table and is a deep list with some tough omissions.

10. Curt Schilling (MLB)
9.  Ryne Sandberg (MLB)
8.  Mike Schmidt (MLB)
7.  Joe Sakic (NHL)
6.  Anika Sorenstam (Golf)
5.  Barry Sanders (NFL)
4.  Deion Sanders (NFL)
3.  John Stockton (NBA)
2.  Pete Sampras (Tennis)
1.  Emmitt Smith (NFL)

First off, any list with Barry Sanders #5 is a great list.  Smith, as the NFL's all-time leading rusher and the engine of those great Cowboy teams, was a tough choice for #1 over Sampras, who many feel is the greatest Men's tennis player of all-time.  The ringless "Pasty Gangsta" is a tick behind, coming in before the Great Sanders Debate.  Baseball dominates the bottom, with Schilling beating out Monica Seles for the last spot.  Other notables missing include Ozzie Smith, Vijay Singh, Ichiro Suzuki and Warren Sapp.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "W" - Post 1980

"W" is for Wide-Eyed.  The great performances of the following list often left me in awe and wanting to see more.

10. Rod Woodson (NFL)
9.  Tom Watson (Golf)
8.  James Worthy (NBA)
7.  Dominique Wilkins (NBA)
6.  Dwyane Wade (NBA)
5.  Kurt Warner (NFL)
4.  Venus Williams (Tennis)
3.  Serena Williams (Tennis)
2.  Reggie White (NFL)
1.  Tiger Woods (Golf)

Woods was an easy choice for #1, as he is side-by-side with Jordan atop any list from my generation.  The Williams sisters are tough to separate, but I feel younger sis has had the more fulfilling career.  They were also held back by their refusal to have a rivalry against each other which would have been great for Women's Tennis and may have vaulted them ahead of White.  The three NBA players are tough to rank, just as it was tough to leave Chris Webber off the list.  Watson drops behind the NBA triumvirate due to career timing.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "Z" - Post 1980

"Z" is for Zesty, as in, there are very few adjectives that start with "Z".  You will also find very few players whose name starts with "Z", thus the following list:

10. Tony Zendejas (NFL)
9.  Amos Zereoue (NFL)
8.  Jim Zorn (NFL)
7.  Sergei Zubov (NHL)
6.  Todd Zeile (MLB)
5.  Ryan Zimmerman (MLB)
4.  Carlos Zambrano (MLB)
3.  Barry Zito (MLB)
2.  Henrik Zetterberg (NHL)
1.  Gary Zimmerman (NFL)

That is correct, an offensive lineman at #1.  Zimmerman gets the nod as the only Hall-of-Famer in the group, beating out the talented and potential Hall-of-Famer in Zetterberg.  Former Cy Young winner Zito beats out fellow pitcher Zambrano.  A trio of NFL players bring up the rear, beating out Ben Zobrist and Chris Zordich to make the list.

Top Athletes - Last Names Starting with "Y" - Post 1980

"Y" is for Young, as in half the list is adorned with this surname, which in some cases, resulted in an outstanding career.

10. Chris Young (MLB)
9.  Eric Young (MLB)
8.  Bryant Young (NFL)
7.  Kristi Yamaguchi (Skating)
6.  Alexei Yashin (NHL)
5.  Kevin Youkilis (MLB)
4.  Michael Young (MLB)
3.  Robin Yount (MLB)
2.  Steve Yzerman (NHL)
1.  Steve Young (NFL)

It came down to the battle of the Steve's for #1.  The high profile nature of a QB and the success that Young had ultimately steered me in that direction.  A pretty good list headed up by two current and one sure-fire Hall of Famers.  There were no real omissions to the list, as the numerous"Young's" who did not make the list are at best forgettable.