Monthly Archives: November 2019

H2H 46: Jimmie Foxx vs. Lou Gehrig – Who was Better?

When it comes to a discussion about the greatest first basemen in MLB history, the shortlist usually includes names like Albert Pujols, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, etc.  In particular, with Babe Ruth helping to usher in a new age of baseball post the dead-ball era, offense exploded in the 1920s and 1930s. At the vanguard of this renaissance were Jimmie Foxx and Lou Gehrig, two first basemen who are closely linked to Ruth: Foxx was arguably the second-greatest power hitter of the era (after Ruth), while Gehrig protected Ruth as the cleanup hitter in the New York Yankees’ lineup for a decade.  Between these two legendary sluggers, as fans continue to debate their careers and places in history, we ask the question:

Who was better – Jimmie Foxx or Lou Gehrig?

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Countdown 15: Top 10 Defensemen in NHL History

Who are the top defensemen in NHL history?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 45: Edgerrin James vs. Ricky Williams – Who was Better?

Note: Updated for Edgerrin James’ 2020 Hall of Fame selection.

In the 1999 NFL Draft, the first three picks overall were quarterbacks – Tim Couch to the Cleveland Browns (bust), Donovan McNabb to the Philadelphia Eagles (very good career), and Akili Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals (bust).  Then, with the fourth overall pick and having traded away star running back Marshall Faulk, the Indianapolis Colts were in a position to draft a running back; though Ricky Williams had just won the Heisman Trophy, the Colts surprised many by drafting Edgerrin James instead.  This led to a domino effect where Mike Ditka and the New Orleans Saints essentially traded away their entire draft to take Williams at fifth overall, thus forever intertwining the careers of James and Williams. Both running backs had productive careers and in comparing the two in hindsight, the question is:

Who was better – Edgerrin James or Ricky Williams?

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Countdown 14: Top 10 Third Basemen in MLB History

Who are the top third basemen in MLB history?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 44: Manu Ginobili vs. Tony Parker – Who was Better?

While the retirement of David Robinson at the end of the 2002-2003 season marked the end of the “Twin Towers” era in San Antonio, it would also usher in the beginning of a new one – together with stalwart power forward Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker would form a “Big Three” that would lead the Spurs to four NBA titles, including three in five years.  Without a doubt, Duncan was the lynchpin of the dynasty and arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history, but the wily Argentine and the speedy Frenchman were likewise invaluable members of these championship teams. In playing and winning together for 15+ years, despite their different backgrounds and playing styles, it is only natural to ask:

Who was better – Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker?

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Countdown 13: Top 10 Women’s Tennis Players of All Time

Who are the top women’s tennis players of all time?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 43: Mike Piazza vs. Ivan Rodriguez – Who was Better?

Throughout baseball history, there have been great catchers in every era in different shapes and forms, from Mickey Cochrane to Bill Dickey to Yogi Berra to Johnny Bench to Carlton Fisk to Gary Carter, etc.  In the 1990s and 2000s, MLB’s catching landscape was dominated by two figures, Mike Piazza in the NL and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez in the AL. As different as the two were, Piazza being the big slugger with at-best average defensive skills and Rodriguez being the all-around hitter and Gold Glover backstop, each was a dominant player at the position for well over a decade and has been immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Given their overlapping and highly accomplished careers, it is only natural to ask:

Who was better – Mike Piazza or Ivan Rodriguez?

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Countdown 12: Top 10 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History

Who are the top dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 42: Paul Pierce vs. Dwyane Wade – Who was Better?

Note: Updated for Paul Pierce’s 2021 Hall of Fame selection.

In April 2019, in his capacity as an analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown and much to the chagrin of his co-hosts, Paul Pierce boldly proclaimed that he had a better NBA career than Dwyane Wade.  Reaction from all corners was swift and merciless, as many pundits and fans ridiculed his statements and Heat fans chanted “Paul Pierce sucks!” at a Miami home game.  Despite the relatively one-sided response to Pierce’s assertion, let us take a closer look at this head-to-head comparison and analytically and objectively answer the question:

Who was better – Paul Pierce or Dwyane Wade?

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