Mount Rushmore of the Minors

They might send me back to Omaha...and I don't even live there!

This will probably be the last Mount Rushmore for a while as the whole concept is getting more play than Law and Order on cable TV.  While I was doing all of the other M.R.'s I realized I was leaving so many people in so many different sports out of the picture.  I consider football, basketball, and baseball the premiere sports in the United States.  Everything else is more of a fill-in when one of the former three isn't on.  So this list will consist of four icons in: boxing, hockey, racing, soccer, mixed-martial arts, professional wrestling, golf and the Olympics.  This is a list that encompasses so many sports that there will surely be some great people left out.  So without further ado, the Mount Rushmore of the Minors.

When I look at that list of sports, one person jumps out at me above anyone else.  He was and remains the biggest icon in his sport, and was above anyone else he was an icon for an entire generation.  He is ...

Muhammad Ali

Formerly known as Cassius Clay, Ali took a sport that was already one of the top in its time, and made it into a worldwide phenomenon.  He had a charisma and personality both in and out of the ring that remains unmatched.  His interviews were the stuff of legends.  He has an Olympic gold medal,  multiple Undisputed Heavyweight Championships, a series of profound cultural acts out of the ring, and several great quotes to his credit (float like a butterfly, sting like a bee), along with an elite nicknames (simply: The Greatest).  Simply put, Ali was a sportsman that brought his sport into a stratosphere that is has not since returned to.  Even today, he is revered at any event that he attends.  For someone that was as controversial as Ali was, the respect that he commands is something to behold.  For all these reasons, he earns his place on the M.R.M.

The next person is just as big to his sports.  Lacking he pizazz outside of the playing area that Ali had, he made up for it for his unbelievable play.  He is ...

 

Wayne Gretzky

"The Great One" (another all-timer of a nickname) is simply put, the-best-hockey-player-ever.  He is the only player to ever score over 200 points in a season, and he did it FOUR TIMES!  He had 13 consecutive years of 100 points or more, has had his #99 jersey retired from the entire league, won 5 Stanley Cups, 9 MVPs, 2 Conn Smythes (playoff MVP), and is credited with bringing hockey into the mainstream in the NHL after he was traded to the LA Kings.  Not to mention the most important thing Gretzky ever did; his part in the "Superfan #99"  (<---click that) scene from Swingers.  Hold on, I'm about to make Gretzky's head bleed.  The only flaw from Gretzky has been his tenure as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.  To say he has been a failure would be like saying Bud Kilmer was a dick.  Despite that, his name still rings true as one of the greatest to ever play in any sports.  For that, he earns his place.

The third man is the only person (if my memory serves me correct) to still be active as a player and still be a part of a Mount Rushmore.  If he's not playing, there is no reason to watch this sport.  He is ...

Eldrick "Tiger" Woods

Eldrick has been the definition of the word "phenom" since his dad placed a golf club in his hands when he was two years old.  He won every junior golf event possible multiple times, won the U.S. Amateur multiple times, has already won 14 majors (2nd best all-time) while only being 33, has won 65 PGA Tour events (third all time), and is the youngest player to ever win the Grand Slam.  This is not to mention all of the things he has done for the game off the course.  His endorsement deal with Nike is the stuff of legends (I am Tiger Woods), and he has opened up golf for a whole new generation of players.  He has done all this while being a buddhist.  Has anyone ever heard this?  Not that it is any one's business what religion a guy is, but I feel like I should have heard that Tiger Woods is a Buddhist by now.  Along with this, he has some hilarious drops that are featured on the Jim Rome show.  (Here)  His interviews may not be much, but at least he can always fall back on being the spokesman for Crest White Strips.  Seriously, that dude has to have some sensitive teeth.  Is he brushing 8..9 times a day?  Give it a rest, Tiger.  We know you hate dental drills, but that is being a little excessive. 

The last person is where this list gets complicated.  There are so many icons that could be here on this list.  The names I considered were Pele, Dale Earnhardt (currently winning the Heaven 500), Sugar Ray Robinson, Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, and Royce Gracie.  But when it came down to it, I just couldn't go away from this one man.  The Immortal ...

Hulk Hogan

While many may not consider professional wrestling a sport, I say to them, "WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE TWENTY FOUR INCH PYTHONS RUN WILD ON YOU!"  Hulk Hogan brought Hulkamania to the masses in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s as he entertained millions and millions of fans around the world.  His appearance in the movie Rocky brought him to the attention of mainstream fans, and soon he was headlining WWF shows, bringing the sport into the living rooms of fans everywhere.  Little kids everywhere wanted to grow up and be like him, that is until his dreadful heel turn to the NWO in WCW.  He won World Titles in every major organization, and gave everyone a moment to remember when he body slammed Andre the Giant.  I will forgive him for exposing us to his sons Brooke and Nick, as he has been a legend in everything he has done but that.  For this pro wrestling fan, it didn't get any bigger or better than Hulk Hogan.  For that, he earns his place on the M.R. of Minors. 

So that's the list.  Debate it if you want, it doesn't really matter to me.  I've noticed the blog has gone over 400 hits, so I guess at least two or three people must be reading this.  If you are reading, let me know so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself here.  

Anyways, should have a random post up tomorrow night sometime.  Until then, NRTTS.

Coach Deuce