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The Journal's Top 10

HOW WE DID IT: We gave the performance stats and achievement records of 79 male athletes to a panel of 5 judges, and asked them to rank the competitors based on six criteria: speed; vision and reflex; stamina and recovery; coordination and flexibility; power, strength and size; and success and competitiveness. The final category examined success—records held and victories—as well as competitiveness, based on the sport's popularity. Soccer, for example, the world's most popular sport, was judged the most competitive. The panel gave a total score for each athlete in the first round. Sixty athletes were eliminated in the second round, either because of low scores or because they were not first in their field. Our panelists then made the final ranking. Yale statistician John Emerson helped normalize the scores so no single panelist could exert undue influence.

THE JUDGES: Ed Coyle, exercise physiologist, University of Texas; has studied top athletes, including cyclist Lance Armstrong. Steve Fleck, chairman of the Sport Science Department at Colorado College and former head of the Physical Conditioning Program for the U.S. Olympic Committee. Eric Heiden,orthopedic surgeon at a Salt Lake City sports medicine and training facility; won five gold medals in speed skating in 1980. Kris Homsi, director of sport science for Sparq, a training and assessment company used in college recruiting. Mark Verstegen runs a group of training facilities called Athletes Performance.

AND THE WINNER IS: ROMAN SEBRLE. The Czech decathlete could jump over Shaquille O’Neal. He could throw a 16-pound ball the length of a 53-foot yacht. From a running start, he could leap over a two-lane highway. Mr. Sebrle has ideal size, according to physiologists, and expertise over a range of athletic pursuits, employing the speed of an NFL back and the vertical jump of an National Basketball Association forward. Some judges questioned whether Mr. Sebrle could withstand a tackle by an NFL lineman, but none questioned his talent in the 10 track and field events that make up the decathlon. He has won Olympic gold and silver medals for the Czech Republic and is the current world champion.

Source

Check the source for the other nine.

[earle]

I agree with Roman, using their criteria that is. I'm not so sure A-Rod should be on there. You could probably make a case for a couple of other soccer players ahead of Ronaldinho too.

I guess there will be question about why an elite MMA fighter is not on the list, I'm not sure who would make it, I guess it's not mainstream enough yet.

[jormabe1]

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[davidmn]

In the start window I get the button 'Try It' which I clicked. But it still ends after 10 minutes.

[bigsmooth696969]

Originally Posted by earle

I agree with Roman, using their criteria that is. I'm not so sure A-Rod should be on there. You could probably make a case for a couple of other soccer players ahead of Ronaldinho too.

I guess there will be question about why an elite MMA fighter is not on the list, I'm not sure who would make it, I guess it's not mainstream enough yet.

Ronaldo made it, not Ronaldinho. They are 2 different players. Why shouldn't AROD be on here? He is the greatest baseball player in the world today hands down. No one matches his stats, or are even close to his stats.

Based on those stats, I have a shocker for you all. Where is Big Brown? He is a male and is an athlete and displays all of what was described in the stats. I know he is a horse but there are 4 horses in the ESPN 100 greatest athletes of the century. Based off the required catagories, I think he wins hands down.

[Oats420]

Originally Posted by bigsmooth696969

Why shouldn't AROD be on here? He is the greatest baseball player in the world today hands down. No one matches his stats, or are even close to his stats.

I don't know but I think Albert Pujols is pretty close to his stats... if not better. Pujols had a much better start to his career than A-Rod did, so I think once they are both done playing, Pujols could have the better overall stats too.

The only think A-Rod has over Pujols are stolen bases, besides that it's pretty close everywhere else, but Pujols is an overall better hitter, by stats anyways.

I'm not a fan of either, so I really don't care anyways, just making a point. :P