During most of our lifetimes, a certain sport’s figure name will remain prominent in our minds. It really doesn’t matter if some sports announcer identifies an individual and calls him or her the greatest. In each of our minds, we have our own heroes. Take for example, the name Babe Ruth, although I have never in my life seen him play, I know that name is associated with baseball. His play on the field was so impressive that his name has endured for several generations.

Although Hank Aaron surpassed Ruth’s home run record, I venture to say that the name Aaron will become a footnote when it comes to Ruth. Don’t get me wrong, nothing can be taken from Aaron, because he was a great player. However, Ruth was a great and also colorful player. I am just saying that whenever the home run record is mentioned, the name, Hank Aaron will come to mind, however, in the very next moment, the name of Babe Ruth will also enter.

Then enters the name of Barry Bonds who surpassed both Aaron and Ruth on the home run list. Right now many folks cannot identify with Bonds as being the home run king. I guess it takes time. None of the aforementioned players made my most exciting list; the name on that list is none other than Willie Mays.

Let’s venture into the boxing arena. Rocky Marciano was a great fighter and was never defeated as a heavyweight fighter, matter of fact, he is the only heavyweight fighter to hold that distinction. Yet, he will never be one of my greatest fighters. Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Mike Tyson and many others were great fighters, but are they legends? One could also mention, Liston and Moore.

When the game of boxing is mentioned, two names instantly come to mind; Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. Whether you love them or hate them, you cannot talk about the game without those names being mentioned. In his prime, Muhammad Ali was the greatest showman I have ever seen. I am talking about any other aspect of his life. I am talking about his boxing skills. Even to this very day, if I want to see a skilled boxing match, I will dust out some of my old tapes and watch him put on a show.

I can appreciate the fact that we have our own legends, but to me, Muhammad Ali was truly the greatest.