Two Fans Pick Their Top 10 Sports Figures

A friend, Steve Hayes of Simi Valley, and I have spent considerable time to determine who are the most prominent sports figures currently active as players or coaches. Our criteria were that they be famous, noteworthy, popular, legendary, dominant and record-setting in sports. Our final top 10:

1. Wayne Gretzky

2. Jack Nicklaus

3. Reggie Jackson

4. Pete Rose

5. Larry Bird

6. Magic Johnson

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

8. Bill Shoemaker

9. Walter Payton

10. Chris Evert

We also set out to determine the all-time most prominent sports figures. Particularly important were that they be dominant, legendary and record-setters. We believe the all-time top 10 would be:

1. Babe Ruth

2. Wilt Chamberlain

3. Muhammad Ali

4. Wayne Gretzky

5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

6. Jim Thorpe

7. Jack Nicklaus

8. John Wooden

9. Hank Aaron

10. Jim Brown

Also strongly considered were Willie Mays, Jesse Owens, Pele and Martina Navratilova.

RICK WALLACE

Malibu