1. The Natural – starring Robert Redford, Wilfred Brimley, and Barbara Hershey – Folklore.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark – directed by Steven Spielberg – starring Harrison Ford – Action – Archeology - Facing the wrath of the Lord – Archiving.
3. The Sting - written by David S. Ward – Action/Drama/Comedy – Confidence games.
4. Once Upon A Time in America – starring Robert DeNiro and James Woods – Mafia – Heroine. 'Noodles' in New York.
5. After Hours – directed by Martin Scorcese – starring Griffin Dunne, John Heard and Roseanne Arquette – Black Comedy – Chronological.
6. A Clockwork Orange – directed by Stanley Kubrick – starring Roddy McDowell – Futuristic Psycho-Thriller - science – Psychiatric treatment being implemented within the Prison system.
7. Papillion – starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman – Action/Drama – Plaguerism – Security – Escaping – Edited Versions that were never seen in the Theatres.
8. Mississippi Burning – starring Gene Hackman and William Dafoe – Documentary Drama – White Supremacists.
9. Rocky – starring Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers – Action/Drama – Opportunity and multiculturalism.
10. E.T – directed by Steven Spielberg – Space/Technology – Ethiopia – Sephardiim.
11. Field of Dreams – Written by Ray Kinsetta - starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, and Burt Lancaster – Mystic – Passages – Self realization – Thinking of the dead – immortal.
12. Bull Durham – starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon – Comedy – Tutulage – Manager – Different levels of ability. Knowing your place.
13. Clear and Present Danger – written by Tom Clancy – starring Harrison Ford, James Earl Jones and William Dafoe – Military – Lindu Coffee brand – Cocaine – Americanization – War.
14. The Matrix – written by the Wolcholski brothers - starring Lawrence Fishbourne and Keannu Reeves – Film Noir – Conceptual Philosophy – A controlled environment vs. Zion – Freedom – boundaries that need not be in place.
15. The Outsiders – starring Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, and Emilio Estevez – Film Noir - Drama - The Greasers vs. the Mods.
16. The Godfather Part 2 – directed by Francis Ford Coppolla – starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino – Mafia – Heroine. The decisions made by prominent families within a Mafia in New York City in the Fifties and Sixties.
17. Star Wars – written and directed by George Lucas – starring Harrison Ford – Space/Action Agnostic – Jedi – Empire – Empires – Fundamentalism – Laser – Technology.
18. Shawshank Redemption – starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman – Drama - Tradesmen – Slavery – Identity – Profession - Freedom.
19. Malcolm X – directed by Spike Lee – starring Denzel Washington – Documentary Drama/Theology - 'By Whatever Means'.
20. ‘2001’ – directed by Stanley Kubrick – Futuristic - Does a computer and a child dream.
21. Silkwood – starring Meryl Streep – Documentary Drama - Nuclear Energy – Plague – Radiation.
22. Batman – directed by Tim Burton – starring Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton – Film Noir – Drama - Protagonists – Antagonists – the Super-Ego (restraint).
23. Good Will Hunting – written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck - starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck – Comedy/Drama - Ingenious – Street smarts – Blue collar – School smarts – White collar.
24. Forest Gump – starring Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise – Documentation - Perseverance - Innocence.
25. Moscow on the Hudson – starring Robin Williams – Comedy - Is a Soviet (Russian) legal in New York City in 1985?
26. The Frisco Kid – starring Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder – Comedy – Two distinct cultures; Judeo/Christian.
27. Pulp Fiction – directed by Quentin Tarantino – starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis – Action/Comedy – Doing what you’ve ‘got to do’ to make a living and using refrain (with Biblical reference)..
28. Enemy of the State – starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, and Lisa Bonet – Conceptual/Action – Monitoring the monitors - Who monitors their monitors?
29. Animal House – directed by John Landis – starring John Belushi and Tim Matheson – Comedy – Fraternities and the Military.
30. Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke – written by Tommy Chong, starring ‘Cheech’ Marin and Tommy Chong – Comedy – The liberal dope smoking 70’s – Expanding Consciousness.
31. Fiddler on the Roof – directed by Norman Jewison – Drama/Comedy – Customs changing over time. The day to day life of an Ashkanazi Jew in Russia during the early 1900's.
32. Saving Private Ryan – directed by Steven Spielberg – starring Tom Hanks – Drama - Mandating the survival of a Mother’s geneology.
33. Schindler’s List – directed by Steven Spielberg – starring Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley – Documentary Drama - Industrialists role in fighting Nazi Party regulatory practice. Standing behind your principles.
34. Stargate – starring James Spader and Kurt Russell – Conceptual Archeology – Root History – Derivatives.
35. Die Hard – starring Bruce Willis – Action – Visionary and Terrorism – Crime
36. ‘Cheech’ and Chong’s Next Movie – directed by Tommy Chong – starring ‘Cheech’ Marin and Tommy Chong – Comedy – Expanding Consciousness.
37. Stripes – written and directed by Harold Ramis – starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and John Candy – Comedy – Military Training – Authority (Big Toe) – Advancement.
38. ‘48 Hours’ – directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte – Action – Using resources to solve a case.
39. Zodiac – directed by David Fincher, starring Robert Downey Jr. – Psycho-Thriller/Historical – Detective work – Addressing psychotic behavior.
40. De Vinci Code – directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks – Conceptual Theology. Sang Real – Royal Bloodline – Vestige (Mary Magdallan. The Priory Sang – Keepers of the Royal Bloodline – Pagan – Masonic – Opus Dei – Secret division of the Church, the goal being to slaughter the Priory. Symbolism – Sign of Venus Per Se- Cryptic Codes – Anagrams – 10 digit password – Laser print on key – A. Pope. Templars of the Priory – Exist today and were given unlimited power for their duty by Pope Pius iv. Spanish Conquestodors – considered to be High Priests – Robes similar (identical) to KKK Robes. Gatekeepers of heaven and hell.
41. The Godfather – directed by Francis Ford Coppolla – starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and Talia Shire – Mafia – the families’ decisions – Heroine Trade - Clout.
42. Greystroke – Legend of Tarzan – directed by Richard Attenborough - Fictional documentary – The story of Tarzan.
43. The Waterfront – starring Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger – Drama – How hard does life have to be?
44. Jerry McGuire – starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Tom Cruise – Comedy/Drama – An agents role towards his client – Honesty.
45. Meatballs – starring Bill Murray – Comedy – Summer-camps – ‘It just doesn’t matter.’ – pep- speech – guidance.
46. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – starring Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito – Sociology – Are psychiatric facilities voluntary or involuntary by nature?
47. Gandhi – directed by Richard Attenborough – starring Ben Kingsley – Documentary Drama – Theology –Independence. ‘Take the Muslim mans’ son that you killed and as a Hindu raise him to be a devout Muslim.’
48. Nightshift – directed by Ron Howard – starring Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, and Shelley Long – Black Comedy – Prostitution, the world’s oldest profession. Pros – means nothing, tit – tits, tu - two tits, tion – means nothing.
49. Dead Poet Society – starring Robin Williams – Drama – Carpes Diem – Seize the Day – Des Cartes. Following your dreams regardless of the consequences.
50. Death on the Nile – written by Agatha Christie - starring Peter Ustinov – Mystery - Detective work by using deduction through the eyes of Hercule Poirot.
51. Diner – directed by Barry Levinson – starring Mickey Rourke, Steve Guttenberg, Ellen Barkin, and Kevin Bacon – Comedy/Drama – Relationships.
52. Witches of Eastwick – starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Michelle Pheifer, and Susan Sarandon – Comedy – Demonic possession and polygamy.
53. Hoosiers – starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper – Documentary Drama – Coaching, and fathering.
54. ‘Bugsy’ – starring Warren Beatty, Annette Benning, and Ben Kingsley – Historical – Mafia.
55. Lord of the Rings – directed by Peter Jackson – Folklore – Wizardry.
56. Heaven Can Wait – starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie – Comedy/Drama – the afterlife. The possibility of reincarnation in the here and now.
57. Star Wars (The Empire Strikes Back) – written and directed by George Lucas – starring Harrison Ford – Space/Drama – Good vs. Evil – Empire vs. free spirit – Technology.
58. Full Metal Jacket – directed by Stanley Kubrick – starring Matthew Modine – Military – Training techniques – Suicide – War.
59. Midnight Run – starring Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin – Comedy/Drama – Bounty hunters – Tracking – Choices.
60. The Blues Brothers – directed by John Landis – starring Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi – Comedy – The genre of the Blues and fighting those fucking Nazi’s along the way.
61. Beetlegeuse – directed by Tim Burton – starring Michael Keaton, Wynona Ryder, Alec Baldwyn, and Geena Davis – Comedy/Horror – the afterlife. Beetlegeuse, Beetlegeuse, Beetlegeuse.
62. Good Morning Vietnam – directed by Barry Levinson - starring Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker – Historical comedy – Vietnam War.
63. Slapshot – starring Paul Newman – Comedy – Hockey – Scorer vs. Tough-guy. The role of the Owner and upper management at the point of moving a Franchise.
64. Rear Window- directed by Alfred Hitchcock – starring James Stewart – Psycho-Thriller – Solving a crime.
65. Patch Adams – starring Robin Williams – Comedy/Horror – Education and coming off pharmaceutical treatment. The idealism that humor can heal a persons’ psyche.
66. Boyz in the Hood – directed by John Singleton – starring Lawrence Fishbourne and Cuba Gooding Jr. and Angela Bisset – Drama – Combating gang activity – Racism. Tao-ism.
67. The Fugitive – starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones – Action – Innocence – Using science to solve a crime.
68. Apocolypse Now – directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, and Marlon Brando – Historical Time Period – Fighting a war.
69. The Jerk – starring Steve Martin, Jackie Mason, and Bernadette Peters – Comedy – multiculturalism – all it takes is an idea.
70. The Jungle Book - Tarzan
71. Absence of Malice – starring Paul Newman – Drama – Legal issues – Ethics.
72. And A River Runs Through It – directed by Robert Redford – starring Brad Pitt (Narrative by Robert Redford) – Drama – Relationships.
73. Lawrence of Arabia – starring Peter O’Toole – Historical – Sovereignty – Laws of the land.
74. The Titanic – directed by James Cameron – starring Leonardo DeCaprio – Historical – Social classes.
75. Sleepless in Seattle – directed by Rob Reiner – starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan – Comedy – Coping with death in the family.
76. Die Hard 2 – starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeremy Irons – Action – Crime Mastermind. Hero – protagonist vs Villain – antagonist
77. The Fight Club – directed by David Fincher - starring Brad Pitt – Conceptual terrorism – How does a man deal with hate? What is real and what is a figment of a persons’ imagination?
78. Tootsie – directed by Barry Levinson – starring Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, and Bill Murray – Comedy – The rights of a feminist.
79. The Lost Boys – starring Kiefer Sutherland – Film Noir - Conceptual thriller – Vampire’s.
80. Rocky 2 – starring Sylvester Stallone, Meredith Burgess, and Carl Weathers – Action - Re-match.
81. Arthur – starring Dudley Moore – Drama/Comedy – Pompous and not caring vs. defined social classes.
82. Philadelphia – starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington – Social Commentary – The Aids issue in the workplace. What right’s does the individual have? Relationships.
83. Poltergeist – starring Drew Barrymore, and Craig T. Nelson – Sci-fi Horror – Living inside a Television – absolute truth in the confines of an old Indian burial ground
84. Platoon – written and directed by Oliver Stone – starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and William Dafoe – Action – War stories – the Role of a Unit/Platoon.
85. Romancing the Stone – starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito – Comedy/Action – A quest and a love story.
86. The Karate Kid – starring Pat Morita and Ralph Macchia – Action – Mentoring – Martial Arts – Fighting dirty.
87. Raging Bull – directed by Martin Scorcese – starring Robert DeNiro – Documentary Drama – A boxer who is out of control with his personal life.
88. Apollo 13 – directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks – Space/Drama documentary – Technology being maximized to its’ fullest.
89. The Color Purple – starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover – Drama – Slavery – The relationship between an African-American man and woman - Slavery.
90. Angel Heart – starring Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet – Film Noir - Thriller – A soul that is owned by the Devil. ‘Louis Cypher’.
91. Fatal Attraction – starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close – Thriller – A woman that is demonized and willing to torture to get her way.
92. Blue Velvet – directed by David Lynch – starring Dennis Hopper – Film Noir -Thriller – Psychotic behavior in a social context.
93. Johnny Handsome – starring Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, and Forest Whitaker – Crime/Action – The mind of the common criminal and his re-adjustment into society after large-scale plastic facial surgery.
94. Midnight Express – directed by Alan Parker, starring Randy Quaid and John Hurt. Action/Documentary – Cultural differences – Crime and punishment – Scapegoating an American due to politics – personal exodus.
95. Fast Times at Ridgemount High – starring Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, and Forest Whitaker – Comedy – High School in the U.S.A – 80’s.
96. Kramer vs. Kramer – starring Dustin Hoffman – Drama – Parents fighting over the custody of a child – relationships.
97. Risky Business – directed by Jonathon Demme – starring Tom Cruise – Comedic Drama – The average American just before entering Post-Secondary Schooling.
98. American Beauty – starring Kevin Spacey and Annette Benning – Thriller – Doing what it is you want to do with your life.
99. Maximum Overdrive – starring Emilio Estevez – Sci-Fiction – Technology taking over the analog domain. Analog vs. digital.
100. Eight Men Out – starring John Cusack – Documentary Drama – The infamous ‘Black Sox’ of 1919.
101. Do the Right Thing – directed by Spike Lee – starring Spike Lee, John Tuturro, and featuring Samuel L. Jackson – Drama – Will America ever treat African-Americans as equals?
102. Heartbreak Ridge - starring Clint Eastwood and Mario Peebles - Drama - Army Platoons and their role in shaping the lives of those that serve and grow to be men. Adaptation and learning from ones' mistakes throughout a persons' life. The bonding of personnel that are involved in something special. Fighting for what is important in life and never giving up ones' dreams.
103. Chariots of Fire - directed by Richard Attenborough - The story of the sprinters in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Harold Abrahams, a Jewish kid from London, England, was discriminated against in his homeland and won Gold in that Olympics of '24 held in London, England..
104. Frequency - starring Dennis Quaid - The story of a man who communicates with himself in the future (through a ham radio) to insure his son's safety.
105. The Philadelphia Experiment - A movie about time travel, through the premise of a laboratory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
106. This is Spinal Tap - directed by Rob Reiner, starring Michael McKeon. A movie of a fictitious 'Heavy Metal' rock band called 'Spinal Tap'. Paradigm jokes of strange occurances within early bands of the 'Heavy Metal' movement. Thick Britainers within the American realm of the rock and roll dream.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
African American Ownership of Sports Franchises in North America -by Moses
N.B.A
1. Julius Erving (DR. J) - Philadelphia 76ers
Qualifications - Julius Erving was one of the greats of the 70's, playing for the New Jersey Nets of the A.B.A and re-locating to the Philadelphia 76ers of the N.B.A in the mid-seventies. Many have called Erving the greatest transitional player of all-time as he could play the Small Forward and Point Guard positions at the highest level. He was duly named to the Basketball Hall of Fame during his first ballot.
2. Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
Qualifications - Russell played during the same time as Wilt Chamberlain, and their head to heads were infamous. Russell went head to head with Chamberlain in the finals in every year in the sixties neigh one year. Russell's Celtics won every battle except for one (1967). Russell holds the one game record for rebounds in a play-off game posting 41. He is second to Chamberlain for the all-time mark (again posting 41), of 42. Russell is also second on the all-time list (again to Chamberlain) in career rebounds per game and second in the single season rpg mark. Bill Russell became the first African-American to become Head Coach in the N.B.A, when he took over the reigns from the legendary Red Auerbach. Russell became the first African-American Head Coach (as player/coach) to win the N.B.A Championship. Was a first ballot Hall of Famer.
3. Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
Qualifications - Nothing needs to be said of his qualifications as he is a current Owner in the N.B.A (Washington Wizards and now the Charlotte Bobcats).
4. Isiaah Thomas and Joe Dumars - Detroit Pistons
Qualifications - The two were the lifeline for the Pistons in the late eighties and early Nineties winning back-back championships. As the starting point guard and shooting guard, Thomas and Dumars were both inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on their first ballots. Both have worked in Front-Office positions, namely General Managers and Thomas almost became Owner of the Toronto Raptors.
5. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers
Qualifications - All three were first ballot Hall of Famers. Although Baylor never realized the seventies dynasty Lakers, he was instrumental in building that franchise to that point, winning the Championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1972. At the point of Abdul Jabbar and Johnson teaming together, they became the dynasty that won 5 Championships throughout the eighties. All three have been largely responsible into transforming the Lakers organization into New York Yankees' class. Prior to these three players, the last Laker' team to win the Championship was in the late forties when they were the Minneapolis Lakers. Elgin Baylor is currently the G.M of the Los Angeles Clippers.
National Football League
1. Tony Dungy – Indianapolis Colts
Qualifications - First African-American Coach to win the Superbowl, when he took the Colts to the big dance and won it all in ‘07. Took his Tampa Bay Bucaneers to the Playoffs three years in a row. His son, at Eighteen years of age, committed suicide on December 23rd, 2005.
2. Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers
Qualifications - Three greats of the Seventies and Eighties. 'Mean' Joe Greene is considered by many to be the greatest Defensive End of All-Time. Was part of the Steel Curtain that went on to win 4 Super-Bowls (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) and was one of few players whose career spanned into three decades (1969-1981). Won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, and won AP Defensive Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974. In 1979 Joe Greene won the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Greene was first team All-Star on five occasions and was named to 10 Pro-Bowls (every year neigh 1977, 1969-1979).
Lynn Swann - Won four Super-Bowls alongside 'Mean' Joe Greene. Was named to 3 Pro-Bowls, and was widely considered to be the one of the best Wide Receivers of his time alongside; teammate John Stallworth, Drew Pearson, Harold Carmichael, and Art Monk.
Franco Harris - Won 4 Super Bowls during the same years as the others, and was named to nine consecutive Pro-Bowls from 1972-1980. In 1975 during the Steelers' first Superbowl run, Harris made the reception known forever as the 'immaculate reception'. With his Steelers down late in the fourth quarter (against the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game), Harris made a fourth down catch with no time on the clock, and took it to the house to take his Steelers to the Superbowl.
3. Art Shell – Oakland Raiders
Qualifications - First African-American to become a Head Coach in the NFL when he was named Coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Took the Raiders to the Playoffs in 3 of his first Six years there. His playing career was truly standout as he won eight Pro-Bowls as Offensive Tackle for the Oakland Raiders (later L.A) under Head Coach greats John Madden and Tom Flores. Won two Super-Bowls with the Raiders, Superbowl XI and XV.
4. Tony Dorsett – Dallas Cowboys
Qualifications - Won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 and also won the N.C.A.A National Championship that year with the University of Pittsburgh. Was the Rookie of the year in 1977 with the Dallas Cowboys. Took the boys’ to the Super Bowl in both ’78 and ’79, winning the Super-Bowl in 1978 against the Denver Broncos. Played alongside famed great Roger Staubach, and played under the wing of legendary Head Coach Tom Landry. Their rivalry against the Pittsburgh Steelers was paramount during Dorsett's playing career.
5. Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns
Qualifications - Was known as the greatest Running Back of his day. Many have said Jim Brown was the best back of All-Time. He ranks in the top six of all-time alongside; Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, O.J Simpson, and Bo Jackson. Won the Rushing title with regularity in the Sixties. His surname is Brown and he played for the ‘Browns.
6. Jerry Rice - San Francisco 49ers
Qualifications - Won 3 Super-Bowls with the 49ers in the late eighties - early nineties alongside fellow Hall of Famer Joe Montana (although Montana had left for the Chiefs a couple of years before the 49ers last win in 1995 - replaced by Steve Young). Had 100 or more receptions in a season 4 times, and led the league in Yardage 6 times over his storied career. Had 80 or more receptions 12 times in his career. Had 1549 career receptions and 197 touchdowns (both records for Wide Receivers). Won 10 first-string selections and was named to 13 Pro-Bowls. Rice excelled the most during the Super-Bowls in which he played, taking home the Player of the Game Award once, in Super-Bowl XXIII. In his first Superbowl with the Oakland Raiders in 2002/03, he caught a TD pass, making four games in which he received at least one TD/game. Rice amassed an NFL leading 22895 yards from scrimmage, the most of any player of All-Time.
7. Mike Singletary - Chicago Bears
Qualifications - Mike Singletary was the pinnacle of the stingiest defense in Pro-Football as an inside linebacker, and in 1985 he won NFC Defensive Player of the year. The Bears won the Super-Bowl, and the Fridge was a household name. Alongside the ever classy Walter Payton, Singletary was known in Football circles to be the most knowledgeable and studious of all American Footballers.
In memory of; Gene Upshaw – Oakaland Raiders - August 15, 1945 - August 20, 2008
Was the first African-American to work in a Management role of a Professional Sports League. As the head of the NFLPA (a paradigm to the players’ choice of Commissioner) for over twenty years (through three Owner Tenancies), Upshaw was also a tremendous player with the Oakland Raiders winning 5 Pro Bowls X1 throughout his storied career. He is the only NFL'er to appear in a Super-Bowl in 4 Decades {Beginning in the late 60's). Was a part of 2 Super-Bowl wins; XI and XV. Gene Upshaw’s younger brother Willie Upshaw, played Professional Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays.
MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association /NLBPA Negro League Baseball Players Association - New Owners under Affirmative Action)
1. Henry Aaron - Atlanta Braves
Qualifications; Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for a total just over 20 years. President of Baseball Operations of the Atlanta Braves for 20 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include a .305 Avg, 755 Home-Runs and one MVP Award. Has one World Series Ring to his name. Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Other notable statistics; greatest one year Home-Run total - 47
Hammered 44 Home-Runs in a season 4 times.
2. Frank Robinson/Joe Morgan - Homestead Grays (Greatest Negro League Team of all-time)
Qualifications; Frank Robinson - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Became the first African American Manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1976. Has Managed in the Major Leagues for roughly 30 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include 586 Home-Runs and he's the only Major Leaguer to ever win an MVP in both the National and American Leagues. Has two World Series rings to his name. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; Won the World Series with both an American League and National League team.
Qualifications; Joe Morgan - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Has been a Baseball Commentator for 25 years. Played with the expansion Houston Colt 45's, later the Houston Astros before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds (a team Robinson played on likewise). Won the MVP trophy twice (in 1975 and 1976), where he likewise won two World Series rings. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; 1976 Stats - .320 avg 27 Homeruns 111 RBI 60 SB 11 CS
3. Willie Mays/Willie McCovey/Barry Bonds - San Francisco Giants
Qualifications; Willie Mays - Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Is known as the Greatest Center-Fielder of all-time. Won 12 Gold Glove Awards and three MVP Awards. His lifetime playing statistics also include 660 Home-Runs, a .302 Avg and one World Series ring. Has a Grandstand at the Giants Park in San Francisco named after him. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; Hit 50+ Homeruns in a year twice. Had 2 30HR/30SB Campaigns.
Qualifications; Willie McCovey - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Was known to hit the ball further than any man in the Majors when he played. At San Francisco's home park, they named beyond the Right-Field Grandstand McCovey Cove (the water in which the balls end up, if hit far enough). His lifetime statistics include 1 MVP Award and 521 lifetime Home-Runs. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; MVP Campaign of 1969 - .320 avg 45 HR 126 RBI.
Qualifications; Barry Bonds - Played in the Major Leagues for just over 20 years.
Played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. Won 8 Gold Gloves. Hammered 762 lifetime Home-Runs, the all-time mark. Deserved a World Series Ring in 2002, when his Giants were winning the 6th game (that would have won them the Series), yet ended up losing games 6 and 7 to the Anaheim Angels. Won 7 MVP Awards in his storied career. Barry Bonds Godfather is Willie Mays. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; 1 40HR/40SB season. 5 30HR/30SB seasons. 73 HR in 2001.
4. Cito Gaston/Dave Winfield - Toronto Blue Jays
Qualifications; Cito Gaston - Played in the Major Leagues for almost ten years. Served as Batting Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays under Bobby Cox in 1983. Was instrumental in orchestrating perhaps the best offence in the Majors in his time there. Was promoted to Manager in 1989 and proceeded to guide the Jays to the playoffs in 4 of his first 7 years as Manager. Returned as the Blue Jays Manager for the 2009 after a 14 year hiatis. Gaston became the first African-American to win the World Series as a Manager (and has won two rings as Manager to date). He will surely be enshrined into Cooperstown once his Managerial Career ends.
Other notable statistics - Helped Dave Winfield enormously when Winfield joined the San Diego Padres in 1974. Gaston was picked as a representative of the Padres in the 1970 all-star game.
Qualifications; Dave Winfield - Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Played a storied career which encompassed tours in 5 cities including Toronto in 1992. 1992 was the year Winfield won his only World Series ring, playing under former teammate Cito Gaston. Winfields' lifetime statistics include 465 Home-Runs and 5 consecutive 100+ RBI campaigns with the New York Yankees. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics - Finished his playing career with his hometown Minnesota Twins.
5. Ozzie Smith - St. Louis Cardinals
Qualifications; Played in the Majors for around 20 years almost exclusively with the Cardinals. Was, ironically, traded after his rookie season in San Diego for a fellow shortstop, Gary Templeton (most people thought that San Diego got the better of the deal). As he left the Padres in the trade to St. Louis, he dispelled the sentiment of being the lesser shortstop and went on to win 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. He won 1 World Series ring with St. Louis, and was duly inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics - Stole 30+ bases in 11 separate campaigns.
6. Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. - Seattle Mariners
Qualifications; Ken Griffey Jr.- Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Won 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards with the Mariners from 1990-1999. Griffey Jr. won the American League MVP in 1997 and finished his career with 632 Home-Runs. Many would argue that Griffey Jr. was as great a Center-Fielder as Willie Mays.
Other notable statistics; Hit 40+ HRs in 7 of eight seasons between 1993-2000.
Qualifiucations; Ken Griffey Sr. - Played in the Majors for about twenty years and won two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976. Won the N.L Batting Title in 1977. Played on the same team as his son with the Seattle Mariners in 1990/1991, the first time Father and Son were teammates in the 'bigs.
1. Julius Erving (DR. J) - Philadelphia 76ers
Qualifications - Julius Erving was one of the greats of the 70's, playing for the New Jersey Nets of the A.B.A and re-locating to the Philadelphia 76ers of the N.B.A in the mid-seventies. Many have called Erving the greatest transitional player of all-time as he could play the Small Forward and Point Guard positions at the highest level. He was duly named to the Basketball Hall of Fame during his first ballot.
2. Bill Russell - Boston Celtics
Qualifications - Russell played during the same time as Wilt Chamberlain, and their head to heads were infamous. Russell went head to head with Chamberlain in the finals in every year in the sixties neigh one year. Russell's Celtics won every battle except for one (1967). Russell holds the one game record for rebounds in a play-off game posting 41. He is second to Chamberlain for the all-time mark (again posting 41), of 42. Russell is also second on the all-time list (again to Chamberlain) in career rebounds per game and second in the single season rpg mark. Bill Russell became the first African-American to become Head Coach in the N.B.A, when he took over the reigns from the legendary Red Auerbach. Russell became the first African-American Head Coach (as player/coach) to win the N.B.A Championship. Was a first ballot Hall of Famer.
3. Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls
Qualifications - Nothing needs to be said of his qualifications as he is a current Owner in the N.B.A (Washington Wizards and now the Charlotte Bobcats).
4. Isiaah Thomas and Joe Dumars - Detroit Pistons
Qualifications - The two were the lifeline for the Pistons in the late eighties and early Nineties winning back-back championships. As the starting point guard and shooting guard, Thomas and Dumars were both inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on their first ballots. Both have worked in Front-Office positions, namely General Managers and Thomas almost became Owner of the Toronto Raptors.
5. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers
Qualifications - All three were first ballot Hall of Famers. Although Baylor never realized the seventies dynasty Lakers, he was instrumental in building that franchise to that point, winning the Championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1972. At the point of Abdul Jabbar and Johnson teaming together, they became the dynasty that won 5 Championships throughout the eighties. All three have been largely responsible into transforming the Lakers organization into New York Yankees' class. Prior to these three players, the last Laker' team to win the Championship was in the late forties when they were the Minneapolis Lakers. Elgin Baylor is currently the G.M of the Los Angeles Clippers.
National Football League
1. Tony Dungy – Indianapolis Colts
Qualifications - First African-American Coach to win the Superbowl, when he took the Colts to the big dance and won it all in ‘07. Took his Tampa Bay Bucaneers to the Playoffs three years in a row. His son, at Eighteen years of age, committed suicide on December 23rd, 2005.
2. Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers
Qualifications - Three greats of the Seventies and Eighties. 'Mean' Joe Greene is considered by many to be the greatest Defensive End of All-Time. Was part of the Steel Curtain that went on to win 4 Super-Bowls (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) and was one of few players whose career spanned into three decades (1969-1981). Won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, and won AP Defensive Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974. In 1979 Joe Greene won the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Greene was first team All-Star on five occasions and was named to 10 Pro-Bowls (every year neigh 1977, 1969-1979).
Lynn Swann - Won four Super-Bowls alongside 'Mean' Joe Greene. Was named to 3 Pro-Bowls, and was widely considered to be the one of the best Wide Receivers of his time alongside; teammate John Stallworth, Drew Pearson, Harold Carmichael, and Art Monk.
Franco Harris - Won 4 Super Bowls during the same years as the others, and was named to nine consecutive Pro-Bowls from 1972-1980. In 1975 during the Steelers' first Superbowl run, Harris made the reception known forever as the 'immaculate reception'. With his Steelers down late in the fourth quarter (against the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game), Harris made a fourth down catch with no time on the clock, and took it to the house to take his Steelers to the Superbowl.
3. Art Shell – Oakland Raiders
Qualifications - First African-American to become a Head Coach in the NFL when he was named Coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Took the Raiders to the Playoffs in 3 of his first Six years there. His playing career was truly standout as he won eight Pro-Bowls as Offensive Tackle for the Oakland Raiders (later L.A) under Head Coach greats John Madden and Tom Flores. Won two Super-Bowls with the Raiders, Superbowl XI and XV.
4. Tony Dorsett – Dallas Cowboys
Qualifications - Won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 and also won the N.C.A.A National Championship that year with the University of Pittsburgh. Was the Rookie of the year in 1977 with the Dallas Cowboys. Took the boys’ to the Super Bowl in both ’78 and ’79, winning the Super-Bowl in 1978 against the Denver Broncos. Played alongside famed great Roger Staubach, and played under the wing of legendary Head Coach Tom Landry. Their rivalry against the Pittsburgh Steelers was paramount during Dorsett's playing career.
5. Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns
Qualifications - Was known as the greatest Running Back of his day. Many have said Jim Brown was the best back of All-Time. He ranks in the top six of all-time alongside; Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, O.J Simpson, and Bo Jackson. Won the Rushing title with regularity in the Sixties. His surname is Brown and he played for the ‘Browns.
6. Jerry Rice - San Francisco 49ers
Qualifications - Won 3 Super-Bowls with the 49ers in the late eighties - early nineties alongside fellow Hall of Famer Joe Montana (although Montana had left for the Chiefs a couple of years before the 49ers last win in 1995 - replaced by Steve Young). Had 100 or more receptions in a season 4 times, and led the league in Yardage 6 times over his storied career. Had 80 or more receptions 12 times in his career. Had 1549 career receptions and 197 touchdowns (both records for Wide Receivers). Won 10 first-string selections and was named to 13 Pro-Bowls. Rice excelled the most during the Super-Bowls in which he played, taking home the Player of the Game Award once, in Super-Bowl XXIII. In his first Superbowl with the Oakland Raiders in 2002/03, he caught a TD pass, making four games in which he received at least one TD/game. Rice amassed an NFL leading 22895 yards from scrimmage, the most of any player of All-Time.
7. Mike Singletary - Chicago Bears
Qualifications - Mike Singletary was the pinnacle of the stingiest defense in Pro-Football as an inside linebacker, and in 1985 he won NFC Defensive Player of the year. The Bears won the Super-Bowl, and the Fridge was a household name. Alongside the ever classy Walter Payton, Singletary was known in Football circles to be the most knowledgeable and studious of all American Footballers.
In memory of; Gene Upshaw – Oakaland Raiders - August 15, 1945 - August 20, 2008
Was the first African-American to work in a Management role of a Professional Sports League. As the head of the NFLPA (a paradigm to the players’ choice of Commissioner) for over twenty years (through three Owner Tenancies), Upshaw was also a tremendous player with the Oakland Raiders winning 5 Pro Bowls X1 throughout his storied career. He is the only NFL'er to appear in a Super-Bowl in 4 Decades {Beginning in the late 60's). Was a part of 2 Super-Bowl wins; XI and XV. Gene Upshaw’s younger brother Willie Upshaw, played Professional Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays.
MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association /NLBPA Negro League Baseball Players Association - New Owners under Affirmative Action)
1. Henry Aaron - Atlanta Braves
Qualifications; Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for a total just over 20 years. President of Baseball Operations of the Atlanta Braves for 20 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include a .305 Avg, 755 Home-Runs and one MVP Award. Has one World Series Ring to his name. Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Other notable statistics; greatest one year Home-Run total - 47
Hammered 44 Home-Runs in a season 4 times.
2. Frank Robinson/Joe Morgan - Homestead Grays (Greatest Negro League Team of all-time)
Qualifications; Frank Robinson - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Became the first African American Manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1976. Has Managed in the Major Leagues for roughly 30 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include 586 Home-Runs and he's the only Major Leaguer to ever win an MVP in both the National and American Leagues. Has two World Series rings to his name. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; Won the World Series with both an American League and National League team.
Qualifications; Joe Morgan - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Has been a Baseball Commentator for 25 years. Played with the expansion Houston Colt 45's, later the Houston Astros before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds (a team Robinson played on likewise). Won the MVP trophy twice (in 1975 and 1976), where he likewise won two World Series rings. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; 1976 Stats - .320 avg 27 Homeruns 111 RBI 60 SB 11 CS
3. Willie Mays/Willie McCovey/Barry Bonds - San Francisco Giants
Qualifications; Willie Mays - Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Is known as the Greatest Center-Fielder of all-time. Won 12 Gold Glove Awards and three MVP Awards. His lifetime playing statistics also include 660 Home-Runs, a .302 Avg and one World Series ring. Has a Grandstand at the Giants Park in San Francisco named after him. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; Hit 50+ Homeruns in a year twice. Had 2 30HR/30SB Campaigns.
Qualifications; Willie McCovey - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Was known to hit the ball further than any man in the Majors when he played. At San Francisco's home park, they named beyond the Right-Field Grandstand McCovey Cove (the water in which the balls end up, if hit far enough). His lifetime statistics include 1 MVP Award and 521 lifetime Home-Runs. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; MVP Campaign of 1969 - .320 avg 45 HR 126 RBI.
Qualifications; Barry Bonds - Played in the Major Leagues for just over 20 years.
Played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. Won 8 Gold Gloves. Hammered 762 lifetime Home-Runs, the all-time mark. Deserved a World Series Ring in 2002, when his Giants were winning the 6th game (that would have won them the Series), yet ended up losing games 6 and 7 to the Anaheim Angels. Won 7 MVP Awards in his storied career. Barry Bonds Godfather is Willie Mays. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics; 1 40HR/40SB season. 5 30HR/30SB seasons. 73 HR in 2001.
4. Cito Gaston/Dave Winfield - Toronto Blue Jays
Qualifications; Cito Gaston - Played in the Major Leagues for almost ten years. Served as Batting Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays under Bobby Cox in 1983. Was instrumental in orchestrating perhaps the best offence in the Majors in his time there. Was promoted to Manager in 1989 and proceeded to guide the Jays to the playoffs in 4 of his first 7 years as Manager. Returned as the Blue Jays Manager for the 2009 after a 14 year hiatis. Gaston became the first African-American to win the World Series as a Manager (and has won two rings as Manager to date). He will surely be enshrined into Cooperstown once his Managerial Career ends.
Other notable statistics - Helped Dave Winfield enormously when Winfield joined the San Diego Padres in 1974. Gaston was picked as a representative of the Padres in the 1970 all-star game.
Qualifications; Dave Winfield - Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Played a storied career which encompassed tours in 5 cities including Toronto in 1992. 1992 was the year Winfield won his only World Series ring, playing under former teammate Cito Gaston. Winfields' lifetime statistics include 465 Home-Runs and 5 consecutive 100+ RBI campaigns with the New York Yankees. Was inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics - Finished his playing career with his hometown Minnesota Twins.
5. Ozzie Smith - St. Louis Cardinals
Qualifications; Played in the Majors for around 20 years almost exclusively with the Cardinals. Was, ironically, traded after his rookie season in San Diego for a fellow shortstop, Gary Templeton (most people thought that San Diego got the better of the deal). As he left the Padres in the trade to St. Louis, he dispelled the sentiment of being the lesser shortstop and went on to win 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. He won 1 World Series ring with St. Louis, and was duly inducted into Cooperstown.
Other notable statistics - Stole 30+ bases in 11 separate campaigns.
6. Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. - Seattle Mariners
Qualifications; Ken Griffey Jr.- Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Won 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards with the Mariners from 1990-1999. Griffey Jr. won the American League MVP in 1997 and finished his career with 632 Home-Runs. Many would argue that Griffey Jr. was as great a Center-Fielder as Willie Mays.
Other notable statistics; Hit 40+ HRs in 7 of eight seasons between 1993-2000.
Qualifiucations; Ken Griffey Sr. - Played in the Majors for about twenty years and won two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976. Won the N.L Batting Title in 1977. Played on the same team as his son with the Seattle Mariners in 1990/1991, the first time Father and Son were teammates in the 'bigs.
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