Tom Gillispie: Jerry West

Saturday, September 7, 2019

My favorite athletes by sport

Some time ago, people on Facebook were making lists of their favorite athletes in each sport. I read several other people's lists, then made my own.

I didn't list the greatest players in each sport; I was just naming my favorite.

Pro football - Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins. When I became a Miami Dolphin/pro football fan in the late '60s, Csonka was a standout player. I love power football, and Larry was the original Beast Mode.

Baseball - Jim Palmer, Baltimore Orioles, and Nolan Ryan, several teams.

NBA - My first favorite player was Jerry West of the Lakers, and he's still up there. I listed Magic Johnson of the Lakers on Facebook because he was more recent, and I liked his game. I also rooted for Dr. J when he was with the Virginia Squires in the ABA.

College football - I listed Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State. He was a dynamic player who made football fun. I don't like the Florida Gators, but I liked Tim Tebow when he played there.

College basketball - My favorite player to watch was Pete Maravich, but the player I rooted for most was Ralph Sampson. I like UVa, and I was thrilled when they won the national championship this year.

Golf - My first favorite golfer was Arnold Palmer, but he retired, and Jack Nicklaus took over as my favorite. Nicklaus is still my favorite even though he won his last Masters tournament in 1986. I'm loyal.

Tennis - Jimmy Connors. I loved his fire and the way he returned serves. I hated the arguing with umps, though.

Boxing - Joe Frazier. I just liked his style. And he was quieter than Muhammad Ali.

Auto racing - I rooted for Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon over the years. It's hard to name one, but I rooted for Gordon the longest. I'll point out that I never showed any favoritism when I covered NASCAR.

NHL - In the '70s, my cable feed had a Boston station that featured the Boston Bruins. My favorite Bruin was Bobby Orr. I've never found another fave.

BONUS

Favorite coach - Don Shula; that pretty much says it all. I'm a Phin fan.

EMAIL: tgilli52@gmail.com BLUESKY: PROFILE

MORE BLOG ENTRIES BY TOM GILLISPIE

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• An editor's views on powerful writing

• Advice for be and would-be novelists

• Links to TG's stories online

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• What I do when I'm editing

ANECDOTES BY TOM GILLISPIE

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• What I do when I'm editing

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• Slogging through the Internet

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ENTRIES FROM THE DOG BLOG

• Katie cried

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(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)

• Then Junior Said to Jeff...

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• My best day as a sports writer

• Jeff Gordon's milk toast to Dale Earnhardt

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Tom Gillispie

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Links to MEMORABLE LAKERS

Saturday, September 7, 2019

My favorite athletes by sport

EPISODE 10 -- NEW LIFE AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS

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