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by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

Last Post 1 hour Ago


Who's the best Boston athlete of all time? Bobby Orr, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Ted Williams or Tom Brady? I ask because with a win on Sunday...Brady will have won four Super Bowl rings joining Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to accomplish the feat. Now I know there are other great Boston athletes like Rocky Marciano, Yaz, Harry Agganis etc. But I'm narrowing the list for this blog. Who do you feel is the best ever and why? Feel free to throw out stats or some other comparative analysis and HAVE FUN! There are no wrong answers here.

My answer? Bobby Orr, he revolutionized the game. The total package, as adept offensively as he was defensively...and no one's ever been better at both ends of the ice. His end to end rushes were legendary as well as his pirouettes at the point and he was a lot tougher than many people think. Russell, Bird, Williams and Brady all are outstanding athletes...but for me, number 4 is the best.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 9
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JoshS read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 6:53 AM

What's up Ock...always a good topic of conversation. For me it's an absolute no-brainer. I might only be 26 but I don't see how Russell isn't the only option here. The undersized center won 11 titles in 13 seasons including 8 straight and if that's not enough he won back-to-back titles in college at the University of San Francisco and to top it off a gold medal in the '56 Olympics. If the team accolades aren't enough he was also a five-time MVP and a phenomenal defensive player. I know there's no right or wrong answer but I just don't see how anyone can say that Russell is not the correct answer.

FoxFan67 read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 8:14 AM

BOBBY ORR ....no question or explanation needed.

Graham_Cracker read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 8:53 AM

I can see what you guys are saying, but for me personally there's been no Boston athlete that's given me more thrills than Larry Bird. The '86 Celtics are a very fond memory for me and my circle of friends.
I have many memories of watching those unbelievable games at my house with all of my buddies, and I never cared less about bowls of upturned snacks all over the carpet in my life. Larry Bird always delivered. He was absolutely surreal to watch. He had these mind-blowing plays that made us all think he possessed some kind of super-human ability.
I'm too young to have seen Bill Russell, and I was just a tot when everyone at my grandmother's house was screaming about Bobby Orr, so I've got to throw my support behind Larry Bird.

Chip read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 9:22 AM

Ock...great question!! I'm "pleadng the 5th"!! I say we give them all our gratitude for wonderful play....

By the way..Larry Legend has not been given his due by Boston, I think!!

7lenny7
Jan 29, 2008 | 3:10 PM

Bad timing Ock, That is the reason that Brady lead's in this pole. You are correct in your choice. The most amazing athlete I have ever seen. BOBBY ORR #1

Happyg read my blog
Jan 29, 2008 | 3:43 PM

Over the years Boston sports fans have been blessed with some extremely gifted and talented athletes who dedicated themselves to the games which they played.Maybe it's because I'm a little over fifty, but far and away I vote for Bobby Orr. There has never been any one player who could dominate the flow of a game such as he did. I truly believe that if he wasn't such a charitable guy, for 60 minutes he'd be the only one carrying the puck.One only has to view the penalty killing highlight where while killing the penalty he dropped his glove, continued on into the opposing zone, circled their net, weaved around, came out to center ice and picked his glove up in full stride.Even the opposing team rattled their boards.Unbelievable!!!

JoshS read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 4:58 PM

I know Orr was amazing but I feel like I'm missing something here. Russell won 11 titles in 13 seasons with the Celts and also won 5 MVP awards. Is that not the most dominant run an athlete has ever had whether Boston or the world?

If we're talking about the most captivating athlete we've ever seen in person I would have to say Pedro. For a short period he made all of his starts a must-see and was by far the best pitcher I have ever seen during my 26 years.

Mark_Ockerbloom read my blog view my photos
Jan 29, 2008 | 6:35 PM

JoshS,

Good points all...and it can be argued Russell revolutionized the center position. I agree Pedro was must see TV too. And for all you Orr fans who want to relive his greatness...check out the highlights of him on Youtube...and hear what some of the greats had to say about him. Great stuff!

Enjoy,

Ock

Chopp143 read my blog view my photos
Jan 30, 2008 | 12:36 PM

Not only did Bobby Orr dominate his sport and revolutionized the way the game was played, he dominated the Boston sports scene in a way that may never be matched. Think back, for those of us old enough, how many hockey rinks were built to accomodate the surge in youth hockey that was directly a result of Bobby Orr's standing in Boston.

Bill Russell should hold a place next to Orr as another athlete that impacted his sport in a way that had never been seen before.

As for Larry Bird, I had the greatest respect for how he played the game. He is the only player I know of that sold out the Boston Garden for a non game (Larry Bird night).

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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Member Since: 10/17/2006