The Biggest Athletes of the Past One Hundred Years

Considering that just about none of us were alive at the turn of the 20th century, it’s hard to write this article without at least a trace of bias.

When we didn’t live to see the impact these athletes made, we can’t fully appreciate what they did for the sports world. Still, their legends have been chronicled and it’s clear that many men during the 20th century were just as big in the world as the current stars of our favorite sports.

With that said, I’m going to do my best to list five of the athletes who I believe had profound impacts on the world and within their sport. Feel free to chime in with your comments if you disagree with these. Here goes.

The first person I’ll mention is a baseball player whose impact could never be felt today like it was a century ago. Ty Cobb was one of the most influential baseball players in baseball history, and is largely responsible for the sport’s popularity.

Next, we’ll rewind by about 40 years and recognize the impact that Muhammad Ali had on the entire world. While boxing isn’t as big today as it was back then, it’s partly due to the fact that no boxer today possesses the blend of talent and character that Muhammad Ali had.

Pele. He did for soccer what Michael Jordan did for basketball and Babe Ruth did for baseball. Probably the greatest soccer player to ever don a uniform, this Brazilian legend will live on forever.

Coming in second is Babe Ruth. How often do you hear someone’s name mentioned as often as the Babe’s, when they haven’t done anything in over 70 years? This is all due to the fact that he was the most recognizable baseball figure to ever live.

Michael Jordan. He completely transformed the game of basketball, and inspired a generation of younger kids to want to be like him. He also has the biggest impact on the sports marketing world in the history of sports.

More about the author: A major sports lover, he also enjoys writing about bathroom light fixtures and ceiling bathroom lights.