50 up 50 to go, provided I don't go past 100, which I probably will because this is pretty fun. Meanwhile real sports are coming back so I might have to sprinkle some of those in. Let's see what these next 10 have in store.
51 Randy Johnson: The Big Unit is the best lefty of our times. A late bloomer it took a while for Johnson to find his footing but once he found it he didn't let it go. He was so dominant and put so much fear into players, fear that a 6'10" guy who throws sidearm at 99 miles per hour can bring. He bounced around a lot but Johnson got the big numbers 300 Wins 4,875 Strikeouts (2nd all time) and an ERA under 3.30 for his career.
52 Patrick Willis: I warned that there would be a lot of linebackers. Patrick Willis was awesome in his short career, he only played 8 seasons. He lead the league in tackles as a rookie. He was 1st team all pro 5 times, firmly placing himself in the upper echelon of Linebackers of his time. He had a nose for the ball and made so many plays. Hate when guys hang it up early but Willis being able to take care of himself as he gets older will be good.
53 Anthony Hitchens: Hitch wears 53 for the Chiefs, but I remember him for wearing 31 at Iowa, dude a was beast for the Hawkeyes, and he was part of a trio linebackers that were amazing. I was happy for Hitch when he won the Super Bowl this year, and I was really happy he won it in Kansas City and not Dallas since that's who drafted him. I hope for continued success for him.
54 Sergio Romo: I can't express what a huge deal Romo was for the Giants in their run. I've talked about him before being one of the best bullpen arms the Giants had. Relievers are usually flash in the pans with only a couple good years. Romo had a few great years, he set up in 2010 and was the closer in 2012. The fastball he threw to Miguel Cabrera to end the 2012 World Series is still one of my favorite pitches ever.
55 Dikembe Mutombo: There are 2 very vivid images of Dikembe that I have. The first is the easy one, the finger wag. When he would block a shot he would wag that finger in your face and let you know. The 2nd is when the 8 seed Nuggets beat the 1 seed Supersonics in 1994 and Mutombo was on the floor crying with the ball over his head. That image was just incredible, and is everlasting.
56 Alvin Mack/Luther Lavay: The 2 best movie linebackers ever. Mack was on his way to the next level once he finished his season at ECU. He couldn't read, but he could read an offense and knew what to do every snap. He also had the gift of shit talk, he got into the opponents heads so easily and that would eventually cost him. Shark Lavay was the anchor of the Miami Sharks defense, he got his million dollar bonus on a play where he breaks his neck. He throws the best parties and can cut a car in half with a chainsaw. I'm guessing Lawrence Taylor didn't have to stretch too far to play Shark but I wasn't giving him an official spot on this list.
57 Dereck Rodriguez: I don't care he spells his name wrong, Pudge Rodriguez's kid is a good pitcher for the Giants. He's got great hair and though he still has to learn how to pitch a bit more consistent, he's nice to have on the team.
58 Derrick Thomas: He's my favorite football player who didn't play for Washington. Not only because we share a name, which he also spelled wrong, it was how he played. I loved watching DT just wreck shop on opposing offenses. He had 7 sacks in a game, which is a record. He died after a car accident the day the Rams the won the Super Bowl. For some reason they waited until 2009 to put him in the Hall of Fame which is crap since he was the best LB in 90's.
59 London Fletcher: Underdog, heart, fight, leader. Those are what I think of when you say London Fletcher. He broke through with the Rams but eventually ended up in Washington. He was a true pro MLB and despite being smallish he made a shit load of plays. London was a great player and probably first ballot Hall of Very Good.
60 Bill Mazeroski Walk Off: The 1960 World Series ended on one of the greatest home runs ever. With the game tied in the bottom of the 9th, he took a 1-0 pitch deep to left field to win the World Series for the Pirates. It's the only Game 7 Walk Off in World Series history. Forbes Field was a big park and it took a shot to get one out of there. The ball actually goes over the 406 sign in left field when it left. Just amazing.
Another 10 down, lots of linebackers and I left a few off the list. Another acknowledgment of Derrick Thomas, he was amazing and I loved watching him play. See ya next time.
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