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Mario Lemieux's 1992-93 was the greatest single season a modern pro athlete ever had.
- Thread starter PastorOfMuppets
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infinityBCRT
Member
Just about Lemieux as a hockey player-- its a damn shame he had back issues. Even in that comeback year from retirement, he lit up the league until his back starting hurting again. Everyone thought that no one could score like that because goalies and defenses were too good then but he still was able to score at an amazing pace.
Mario Lemieux was a beast on the ice, and remains a huge part of the Pens as an owner.
Oh fuck. :lol :lol :lol
11/10, good sir.
Oh fuck. :lol :lol :lol
11/10, good sir.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Get your arse in the football thread bro
Ask for "Mario"
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Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Main Phone: 412.642.1800
Customer Service: 412.642.1842
Fax: 412.255.1980
Winner winner.
sooperkool
Member
Youngsters.
Lou Gehrig is the answer to this question really. I mean we're talking about a man that set records while suffering from ALS which is a degenerative muscle diease; so he was performing at an all-star level while constanly losing muscle mass.
Major Accomplishments
Most grand slams[a] 23 [63]
Most consecutive seasons with 120+ RBIs 8 (1927–1934)
Most runs batted in (RBI) by a first baseman 1,995
Most runs scored by a first baseman 1,888
Highest on-base percentage by a first baseman .447
Most walks by a first baseman 1,508
Highest slugging percentage by a first baseman .632
Most extra base hits by a first baseman 1,190 Single–season
Most runs batted-in by a first baseman 184 (1931)
Most runs scored by a first baseman 167 (1936)
Highest slugging percentage by a first baseman .765 (1927)
Extra-base hits by a first baseman 117 (1927)
Most total bases by a first baseman 447 (1927)
Only thing he didn't do was kill Nazis and thats because he died.Here are some of his "other accomplishments"
"Other Stuff"
Triple Crown (.363 BA, 49 HR, 165 RBI) - 1934
Only player in history to collect 400 total bases in five seasons 1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936
With Stan Musial, one of two players to collect at least 500 doubles, 150 triples, and 450 home runs in a career –
One of only four players (with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams) to end career with a minimum .330 batting average, 450 home runs, and 1,800 RBI –
With Albert Pujols, one of two players to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in the same season three separate times 1927, 1930, 1934
Scored game-winning run in 8 World Series games –
First athlete ever to appear on a box of Wheaties –
First baseball player to have his uniform number retired (January 6, 1940); his July 4, 1939, farewell speech
was voted by fans as the fifth-greatest moment in Major League Baseball history in 2002 July 4, 1939
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on the 50th anniversary of his retirement from baseball, depicting him both in profile and at bat (Scott number 2417) 1989
On the 70th anniversary of his farewell address in Yankee Stadium, MLB dedicated a day of remembrance to him and to the awareness of ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis July 4, 2009
Gehrig was mentioned in the poem "Line-Up for Yesterday" by Ogden Nash:
Lou Gehrig is the answer to this question really. I mean we're talking about a man that set records while suffering from ALS which is a degenerative muscle diease; so he was performing at an all-star level while constanly losing muscle mass.
Major Accomplishments
Most grand slams[a] 23 [63]
Most consecutive seasons with 120+ RBIs 8 (1927–1934)
Most runs batted in (RBI) by a first baseman 1,995
Most runs scored by a first baseman 1,888
Highest on-base percentage by a first baseman .447
Most walks by a first baseman 1,508
Highest slugging percentage by a first baseman .632
Most extra base hits by a first baseman 1,190 Single–season
Most runs batted-in by a first baseman 184 (1931)
Most runs scored by a first baseman 167 (1936)
Highest slugging percentage by a first baseman .765 (1927)
Extra-base hits by a first baseman 117 (1927)
Most total bases by a first baseman 447 (1927)
Only thing he didn't do was kill Nazis and thats because he died.Here are some of his "other accomplishments"
"Other Stuff"
Triple Crown (.363 BA, 49 HR, 165 RBI) - 1934
Only player in history to collect 400 total bases in five seasons 1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1936
With Stan Musial, one of two players to collect at least 500 doubles, 150 triples, and 450 home runs in a career –
One of only four players (with Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams) to end career with a minimum .330 batting average, 450 home runs, and 1,800 RBI –
With Albert Pujols, one of two players to hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in the same season three separate times 1927, 1930, 1934
Scored game-winning run in 8 World Series games –
First athlete ever to appear on a box of Wheaties –
First baseball player to have his uniform number retired (January 6, 1940); his July 4, 1939, farewell speech
was voted by fans as the fifth-greatest moment in Major League Baseball history in 2002 July 4, 1939
A Lou Gehrig 25-cent postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on the 50th anniversary of his retirement from baseball, depicting him both in profile and at bat (Scott number 2417) 1989
On the 70th anniversary of his farewell address in Yankee Stadium, MLB dedicated a day of remembrance to him and to the awareness of ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis July 4, 2009
Gehrig was mentioned in the poem "Line-Up for Yesterday" by Ogden Nash:
Tragicomedy
Member
But he didn't have cancer, which apparently trumps all other criteria for the OP.
It's not sufficient that he's the best player in what is by far the world's most popular sport. Messi remains a cancer diagnosis away from winning this prestigious award.
seattle6418
Member
Until Argentina does something meaningful in World Cups and stuff, Messi is just a great club player.
Let´s see how he does it in 2014.
Jezbollah
Member
Only one person in this thread got it right
Let me introduce you to Eldrick Woods' 2000 season
He led the tour in 25 out of 37 statistical categories. Including:
Ball striking
Birdie average
Money leader
Eagles
Greens in Reg.
Lowest round
Par 3 performance
Par 4 performance
Par 5 performance
Scoring average
Top 10s
Total Driving
9 wins
3 Majors (Then won the next one in 2001 for 4 in a row.)
I was going to post something about Tiger - cheers for that.
Personally, I'd put Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour De France and Olympic gold last year up there, as well as Mo Farah with the 10,000 and 5,000 gold double, and Usain Bolt and his Olympic antics.
Black Mamba
Member
Hard to top Wilt's 3rd year.
If you take the best of each "big" sport:
Football - Messi 2012 (91 goals)
Golf - Tiger Woods 2000
Tennis - Federer 2006 (12 titles, 95-5 w/l)
Icehockey - Lemieux 1992/93, (don't know if Gretzky beat him)
Basketball - Jordan 88/89? Don't know if Chamberlain is better?
American football - need help, lacking knowledge
Baseball - need help here
Snooker - Hendry
Swimming - Phelps 2008 - 8 olympic gold medals
Track and fields - Bolt 2008 - 3 gold medals and 2 WRs
For me it is a tie between Tiger and Messi with Phelps close behind. I am certain that Messis record will never be beaten, same with Tigers. Icehockey have change so much that that type of scoring/assist will never occur again (though the same was said about Gerd Mullers old scoring record in football). In Tennis it seams like there always is one dominate player, and many have been close to his best year.
Football - Messi 2012 (91 goals)
Golf - Tiger Woods 2000
Tennis - Federer 2006 (12 titles, 95-5 w/l)
Icehockey - Lemieux 1992/93, (don't know if Gretzky beat him)
Basketball - Jordan 88/89? Don't know if Chamberlain is better?
American football - need help, lacking knowledge
Baseball - need help here
Snooker - Hendry
Swimming - Phelps 2008 - 8 olympic gold medals
Track and fields - Bolt 2008 - 3 gold medals and 2 WRs
For me it is a tie between Tiger and Messi with Phelps close behind. I am certain that Messis record will never be beaten, same with Tigers. Icehockey have change so much that that type of scoring/assist will never occur again (though the same was said about Gerd Mullers old scoring record in football). In Tennis it seams like there always is one dominate player, and many have been close to his best year.
Canadian Psycho
Banned
Not only that, but he did during the steroid era, in the AL (with boosted up DHs). His 1997-2002 seasons are the best six consecutive years ever of pitching greatness (he was hurt in 2001 though). Ridiculous that the MVP went to Ivan Rodriguez in 1999... That's why I can't take Verlander's MVP seriously: a handful of pitchers have been more dominant than him in the last 20 years and none of 'em (R. Johnson, Maddux, Pedro) ever won the MVP.
Lemieux is the greatest hockey talent ever and second best player of all time. He didn't even make the Canadian junior team his last year, if I recall correctly). Steroids Bonds seasons are still tops for me though. Dude was a robot. Federer's 2006 is also out of this world.
For all time, definitely.
Modern era is tougher to choose. 92-93 Lemieux is definitely up there.
Yeah, averaging over 50 points a game (with no 3 point line) is just insane.
I believe he had a ridiclous number of blocks as well, except that wasn't tracked.
Tragicomedy
Member
do any of these "athletes" have a chocolate candy named after them??
Babe Ruth
1921: 59 HR, 171 RBI, 177 R, .378 AVG, 457 TB, .512 OBA, .846 SLG, 145 BB
They renamed the candy bar in 1921 and amusingly claimed they were not cashing in on the name on his account.
Clemens juiceed though. ALL if his stats are thus suspect.
Yep. Scoring in 20 consecutive league games and counting is equally ridiculous. He's a phenomenon.
BravesCountry
Banned
I would vote for Tiger Woods in 2000 but since he didn't have cancer I guess it's not even a possibility that his season could be considered better.
Messi also arguably had the best midfield in the world for a long, long time. Doesn't take much away from his legacy, but it's a factor. Personally i felt like ronaldinho's vision,repertoire of skills and dribbling during his very short peak were more impressive than the best of messi so far. *runs away like a little girl*
Jibbajabbawockky
Member
I'd agree that Mario's 92-93 season was the best ever.
I remember starting to play hockey as a kid in elementary school because of Mario. At the time, my sister had Hodgkin's Lymphoma like Mario and I wrote Mario a letter asking for his autograph. He actually wrote me back a very nice hand written letter and sent back an autographed card of himself and an autographed photo of the whole Penguins team. Pretty cool to get as a little kid.
I remember starting to play hockey as a kid in elementary school because of Mario. At the time, my sister had Hodgkin's Lymphoma like Mario and I wrote Mario a letter asking for his autograph. He actually wrote me back a very nice hand written letter and sent back an autographed card of himself and an autographed photo of the whole Penguins team. Pretty cool to get as a little kid.
entremet
Member
I haven't laughed as hard on GAF as I laughed at this. LOL
Shots fired lol.
Growing up I had 2366 behind my chat names or Internet handles. Any 80's or 90's kid who watched hockey was a fan of Super Mario. There's not doubt Mario Lemieux is one of the greatest hockey players ever. It's sad what injury and cancer did to him.
Maximilian E.
AKA MS-Evangelist
I agree with the sentiment that Lemieux 92-93 is the top accomplishment an athlet has made so far.
Granted, Lemieux did not make a record high point season (however, his 2.67 ppg is second to Gretzkys 2.77).
Lemieux did 69 goals and 91 assists in 60 games which is really amazing by itself.
BUT...
He did this going through chemo. The mental and physical strenght needed to even go and play and still produce these numbers... come the fuck ON, it is unheard of.
I also like Lemieuxs 90-91 season is pretty amazing. Missed pretty much the whole season, came back for the playoffs, made 44 points in 23 games (second after Gretzkys 48 point record) BUT.. Lemieux did this without being able to tie his own skates. He still hade problems with his back and was not 100% healthy. Still he lead Pens to their first Stanley cup and got his first Conn Smythe.
So yeah.. pretty much "Le Magnifique" and unquestionably the best player in the history of NHL and one of the worlds most talented athlets ever...
Granted, Lemieux did not make a record high point season (however, his 2.67 ppg is second to Gretzkys 2.77).
Lemieux did 69 goals and 91 assists in 60 games which is really amazing by itself.
BUT...
He did this going through chemo. The mental and physical strenght needed to even go and play and still produce these numbers... come the fuck ON, it is unheard of.
I also like Lemieuxs 90-91 season is pretty amazing. Missed pretty much the whole season, came back for the playoffs, made 44 points in 23 games (second after Gretzkys 48 point record) BUT.. Lemieux did this without being able to tie his own skates. He still hade problems with his back and was not 100% healthy. Still he lead Pens to their first Stanley cup and got his first Conn Smythe.
So yeah.. pretty much "Le Magnifique" and unquestionably the best player in the history of NHL and one of the worlds most talented athlets ever...
Tragicomedy
Member
Public service announcement:
If you try looking up a rebuttal in Wikipedia, it's in your best interest to read past the first paragraph.
This has been a public service announcement.
reggieandTFE
Member
Babe Ruth hit as many home runs as the entire National League in a season while drinking and smoking...and being fat.
And if you buy that story, we should talk business. I have a few bridges for sell in southern Florida that I'm trying to unload for pennies on the dollar.
revolverjgw
Member
Offensively, Lemieux and Gretzky are a wash. If Lemieux was healthy, he would have scored more goals, less assists, and about the same amount of points.
But there's too much emphasis on offensive stats. Neither of them are as good as Orr was. It's such a shame that he was basically done at 27. He would have only been 31 when Gretzky debuted and 36 when Lemieux debuted. If he was healthy, we would seen an NHL with Gretzky, Lemieux and Orr at the same time.
A prime Orr would have scored about 150 points a year in the 80s. He was 80% as productive as Gretzky and Lemieux, 300% better defensively and 300% tougher.
But there's too much emphasis on offensive stats. Neither of them are as good as Orr was. It's such a shame that he was basically done at 27. He would have only been 31 when Gretzky debuted and 36 when Lemieux debuted. If he was healthy, we would seen an NHL with Gretzky, Lemieux and Orr at the same time.
A prime Orr would have scored about 150 points a year in the 80s. He was 80% as productive as Gretzky and Lemieux, 300% better defensively and 300% tougher.
Crazymoogle
Member
I understand the argument for Lemieux but I'll stick with Gretzky and his body of work. Even in his lesser seasons, he had that Jobs-like reality distortion field where players felt they were better simply because they were playing on the same team. He had insane, elite scoring years where he nearly embarassed the league, he had years where he single-handedly gave the league US relevance, and his wedding was covered basically as if he was a member of the Royal family.
And 84-85, well, damn. Difficult to argue with winning the scoring race by 70 points, winning almost every major award possible and getting the NHL to make a rule in your name.
And 84-85, well, damn. Difficult to argue with winning the scoring race by 70 points, winning almost every major award possible and getting the NHL to make a rule in your name.
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