Tag Archives: decade of dominance

H2H 93: Dwight Freeney vs. Robert Mathis – Who was Better?

In football, it is imperative for defenses to generate pressure against the opposing team’s quarterback, thus putting a premium on elite pass rushers.  Most teams are fortunate to have one top-tier pass rusher; in the 2000s, the Indianapolis Colts, perhaps best-known for their explosive offense led by Peyton Manning, were blessed with dominating pass rushers from both edges – Dwight Freeney from the right side and Robert Mathis from left end.  With opposing teams having to account for both sides of the line, the fearsome duo frequently posted double-digit sack totals and accumulated over 200 total sacks together with the Colts.  As to the question of whether Freeney was great because he had Mathis on the other side, or vice versa, it is probably a “chicken or egg” type question, but let us compare and ask:

Who was better – Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis?

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H2H 92: Allen Iverson vs. Tracy McGrady – Who was Better?

Scoring points is undoubtedly the most glamorous part of basketball and in the early to mid-2000s, with the exception of Kobe Bryant, perhaps no players in the NBA were more accomplished scorers than Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady.  In fact, over a five-year stretch between 2000-2001 and 2004-2005, the league scoring title was won by either Iverson or McGrady on no fewer than 28 points per game.  As two of the most explosive and talented pure scorers of their generation, each of whom had to overcome their own obstacles on their way to the Hall of Fame (Iverson’s short stature in a game of giants vs. McGrady’s persistent injury issues), let us compare these uniquely talented players and ask the question:

Who was better – Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady?

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H2H 91: Jim Edmonds vs. Andruw Jones – Who was Better?

When you think of center fielders, some of the greatest all-around players in baseball history come to mind: Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr., Ty Cobb, and currently, Mike Trout, just to name a few.  As one of the game’s “glamour” positions, the best center fielders are wizards with both the bat and the glove; during the 2000s, two of the best center fielders in baseball were Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals and Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves.  Both were All-Star and MVP-caliber players in their primes who won numerous Gold Gloves and in full, their careers sit right at the borderline of the Hall of Fame.  In comparing the careers of these two sterling center fielders and their Hall of Fame credentials, naturally this also leads to the question:

Who was better – Jim Edmonds or Andruw Jones?

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H2H 90: Anquan Boldin vs. Hines Ward – Who was Better?

Star wide receivers come in many shapes and sizes – some are big and powerful, others are small but speedy, and yet others are a hybrid of those attributes.  Two of the toughest pass-catchers to come around in recent history are Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward – near carbon copies in terms of their build and playing style, each player was not only a sure-handed receiver willing to go over the middle and make the tough catches, but was also among the best blocking wideouts in the league.  With their comparable elite pass-catching production and unmatched physicality, it is only natural to compare these two unique wide receivers and ask the question:

Who was better – Anquan Boldin or Hines Ward?

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H2H 89: Pat LaFontaine vs. Mike Modano – Who was Better?

While the United States has always been a bit of a little brother to Canada when it comes to hockey talent, the Stars and Stripes have nevertheless produced a number of outstanding NHL players over the years.  Though Patrick Kane has likely assumed the unofficial mantle of best American-born player ever, two of the long-time contenders for the distinction were Pat LaFontaine and Mike Modano, both of whom came of age during one of Team USA’s golden eras in the 1980s alongside the likes of Brett Hull (born in Canada with dual citizenship), Brian Leetch, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, etc.  Between these two Hall of Famers, one holds the American record for highest per-game scoring average and the other is the all-time career leader in goals and points, thus raising the question:

Who was better – Pat LaFontaine or Mike Modano?

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H2H 88: Edgar Martinez vs. David Ortiz – Who was Better?

The designated hitter (DH) was first introduced to the AL in 1973, with Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees becoming the first official DH in MLB history.  In the nearly half-century since then, the DH has been a source of much debate for baseball fans and has often served as a position for sluggers to transition to once they become fielding liabilities.  Nevertheless, some of the most feared offensive players in recent baseball history have been primarily DHs, namely Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners in the 1990s and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox in the 2000s.  With Martinez being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 and Ortiz soon becoming eligible, the comparisons between these two star DHs naturally leads to the question:

Who was better – Edgar Martinez or David Ortiz?

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H2H 87: Dave Cowens vs. Wes Unseld – Who was Better?

Centers are usually the tallest players on the basketball court, seven-foot-tall behemoths who battle for the opening tipoff and spend most of their time scoring, rebounding, and defending close to the basket.  Yet in the 1970s, two undersized centers dominated in the NBA’s Eastern Conference – 6’9” Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics and 6’7” Wes Unseld of the Baltimore/Washington Bullets.  Despite their relatively diminutive sizes, both players towered over the competition on the court as perennial All-Star and MVP candidates who each led their respective teams to titles.  Looking back on this rugged era in the NBA’s history, let us compare the careers of these two contemporary rivals and ask:

Who was better – Dave Cowens or Wes Unseld?

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H2H 86: Derrick Brooks vs. Junior Seau – Who was Better?

When it comes to NFL franchise faces, quarterbacks are often the first players that come to mind, e.g. Tom Brady with the New England Patriots or Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers.  However, for the San Diego Chargers in the 1990s and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2000s, these teams were best epitomized by linebackers Junior Seau and Derrick Brooks, respectively.  Each a native son, Seau and Brooks were both the heart and soul of their team for well over a decade; moreover, they were perennial Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebackers who can each stake a claim to being a top-five player in franchise history.  Looking back on the long and storied careers of these two Hall of Fame linebackers naturally brings about the question:

Who was better – Derrick Brooks or Junior Seau?

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H2H 85: Eddie Collins vs. Rogers Hornsby – Who was Better?

Second base is somewhat of an overlooked position in baseball, literally sandwiched between the power hitting of first base and the defensive importance of shortstop.  However, if you go back to the early 20th century, a number of the game’s elite players manned second base, including arguably the two greatest second basemen in MLB history in Eddie Collins and Rogers Hornsby.  Though their respective playing styles were quite different – Collins was one of the game’s premier table-setters, while Hornsby is one of the purest hitters ever (along with the likes of Ty Cobb and Ted Williams) – each player’s impact was immense and a century later, both remain among the legends of the game.  Thus, between these two goliaths of second base, it is only natural to ask:

Who was better – Eddie Collins or Rogers Hornsby?

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H2H 84: Mike Bossy vs. Pavel Bure – Who was Better?

Like a supernova, the brightest stars do not always shine the longest – such was the case with Mike Bossy and Pavel Bure, two of the most lethal goal scorers the NHL has ever seen.  At their respective peaks, each winger could consistently net 50-60 goals a season, but injuries eventually took their toll and forced both of them to retire in their early 30s.  Despite the premature retirements, each player left an indelible mark on the game of hockey and is top-five all-time in terms of per-game scoring – with both legends taking their rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, let us look back on their scintillating goal-scoring careers and ask the question:

Who was better – Mike Bossy or Pavel Bure?

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