Legendary athletes from a wide variety of sports call Ohio home. Here are nine of the greatest of all time.
Roger Clemens (Baseball)
Born in Dayton in 1962, pitcher Roger Clemens has won a record-breaking seven Cy Young Awards and pitched 4,672 strikeouts. Clemens’s distinctively aggressive pitching style brought him 352 winning games and a career 3.12 earned run average. He is an eleven-time All-Star, and in 1986, he was voted MVP in the American League after he struck out a record-breaking 20 batters in a single game. In 1999 and 2000, playing for the New York Yankees, he won consecutive World Series. After a 24-year career, Clemens retired in 2007.
Larry Csonka (Football)
Famous for his rare combination of size and speed, Larry Csonka was born in Stow in 1946. At Syracuse University, Csonka rushed for 2,934 yards, still the school record. The Miami Dolphins drafted Csonka in 1968, and he led the team in rushing for five consecutive seasons, using his bulk to push through the defensive line like a battering ram. Csonka and the Dolphins went undefeated in 1972, and they won the Super Bowl in both 1972 and 1973. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Sarah Fisher (Car Racing)
The first female team owner in the IZOD IndyCar series, Sarah Fisher opened doors for women in professional racing. Born in 1980 in Columbus, Fisher raced midget cars and karts as a child. At age 19, she became the youngest woman to race in the Indianapolis 500. In 2005, her first full NASCAR West season, Fisher was voted Rookie of the Year. She became a team owner in 2008, leading Sarah Fisher Racing for three seasons before retiring. Now, she writes and speaks to inspire a new generation of female racers.
Scott Hamilton (Figure Skating)
1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton was born in Bowling Green in 1958. He placed fifth at the 1980 Olympic Games, then won four consecutive World Championships from 1981-1984. His athletic skating style and dramatic backflip made him popular with fans as well as judges. After his Olympic victory, Hamilton turned professional, and he founded the Stars on Ice tour in 1986. Hamilton retired from skating in 2001 but continues to commentate and to support young athletes.
John Havlicek (Basketball)
John Havlicek was born in Martins Ferry in 1940. Underrated as a college player, Havlicek shone when the Boston Celtics drafted him into the NBA in 1962. A relentless defender with incredible stamina, Havlicek perfected the “sixth man” strategy, coming off the bench as opponents grew tired. In the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference Championship, Havlicek stole an inbounds pass, winning a legendary game for the Celtics. Havlicek is an eight-time NBA champion and a thirteen-time NBA All-Star. He retired in 1978 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
LeBron James (Basketball)
LeBron James was born in Akron in 1984. A high school star, James appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age seventeen. The Cleveland Cavaliers chose him as the first overall draft pick in 2003. Between 2003 and 2010, James transformed the Cavaliers into perennial playoff contenders. In 2010, James signed with the Miami Heat, and two years later, he led the Heat to an NBA Championship. James is sometimes criticized for his outspoken attitude, but his well-rounded play has made him a three-time NBA MVP.
Edwin Moses (Track and Field)
The winner of 122 consecutive races between 1977 and 1987, Edwin Moses was born in Dayton in 1955. He won gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1976 Olympics, his first international meet. Moses returned in 1984 to win a second Olympic gold medal. He retired after placing third at the 1988 Olympics, having achieved 25 of the 100 fastest recorded times in 400m hurdles. Since then, Moses has devoted himself to social change through sport, leading reform in eligibility rules and drug testing.
Jack Nicklaus (Golf)
Jack Nicklaus, often considered the greatest golfer of all time, was born in Upper Arlington in 1940. He began playing golf at age 10 and won his first Ohio junior title at 12. He joined the PGA tour in 1962 and went on to win 73 PGA tournaments, including six Masters Tournaments and five PGA Championships. Known for his long, straight shots and smart course management skills, Nicklaus remains the most influential man in golf.
Cy Young (Baseball)
Legendary pitcher Cy Young was born in 1867 in rural Tuscarawas County. He played in the major leagues from 1890 to 1911, and the records he set have stood for over a century. He won 511 games, more than any other pitcher in MLB history, and pitched three no-hitters. In 1903, he led the Boston Americans to a World Series win, and he pitched a perfect game in 1904. He died in 1955, but the Cy Young Award, given annually to the best pitcher in baseball, immortalizes his legacy.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]
Cecil & Geiser are dedicated to protecting the state of Ohio. With decades of experience getting clients the results they need, they still treat every client as if they’re the only case in their office. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact them for a free consultation and have the best Ohio law firm in your corner.
[/author_info] [/author]
