But he is one of the game's greatest characters and was a popular player in his day because of it (that, and he was a Hall of Fame pitcher).

Personality brought to the Game - Only fans of baseball's history and some of the older readers probably know Dizzy Dean, which is why he won't appear on this list. Respect as a Man - Pat Tillman will be appearing on this list, and it isn't because he was an amazing safety. Love for an athlete always begins with how they play the game. It isn't because he was a model citizen (he wasn't) or a good teammate (we're talking about practice!), but he gave you everything he had every time he stepped on the court, throwing his body around and making ridiculous plays. Respect as an Athlete - My favorite athlete ever is Allen Iverson.

If any of the above bothers or offends you, feel free to not mention it. Hence, you won't find any Rugby or Cricket players on this list. Note: This is mostly written from an American perspective, so while the inclusion of foreign athletes does take into consideration the love they receive worldwide, it is primarily concerned with how their worldwide status has parlayed into popularity in the States. So who are the most beloved figures in sports history?

One way or the other, these men resonate with us, and we find ourselves cheering them on, even when they don't play for our squad. Truthfully, some are loved for their talents alone, while others are embraced for their intangibles or the legacy they've created off of the field. Sports is full of such players, beloved figures we choose to emulate. He is the sort of player we would want to be. In Philadelphia, we like his style, and we relate to his work ethic. In the past four postseasons for the Phillies, he has been a source of clutch hitting. He calls a smart game and has earned the respect of his all-world pitching staff. He is a gritty, hardworking player who leaves everything he has on the field. One of the most beloved players on the Philadelphia Phillies is catcher Carlos 'Chooch' Ruiz, which might seem to be a conundrum, as he is about the 10th most talented player on the team.īut there is more to it than talent.

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