One opinion: Ten greatest pro athletes in New York/Brooklyn history [View all]

[Auggie]

Yahoo.com / 8-2-13

Over the years, there have been plenty of great athletes who've played in New York. Compiling a list of the best of all time is no easy task. To make this list, the athlete obviously had to be an elite player. He also had to play the bulk of his career -- or a good chunk of it at least -- in New York. But all the names on this list have something else in common: They all won championships in New York.

In alphabetical order, here is a list of the top 10 athletes in New York professional sports history:

Joe DiMaggio (Yankees, 1936-42, 46-51)

Joltin' Joe. The man had grace on and off the field. His 56-game hitting streak in 1941 is one of the greatest records in the history of the game, one that may never be broken. DiMaggio took the Yankees to 10 World Series, winning nine. He missed three seasons in the prime of his career due to military service but still won the AL MVP Award three times. His best season came in 1937, his second year in the majors. DiMaggio hit .346 that year with 46 home runs and 167 RBIs. Over his 13 years as a Yankee, he batted over .300 11 times. People who didn't get to see him play know how special he was. The late Bob Sheppard, the Yankees' public address announcer, would introduce DiMaggio as "the greatest living ballplayer."

Walt Frazier (Knicks, 1967-77)

To fans today, Frazier is the guy on television who delivers the colorful, insightful commentary during Knicks telecasts. Before that, however, he established himself as the best point guard in franchise history. He played 10 seasons in New York, averaging 19.3 points per game and more than five assists in nine of those seasons. But it was his performance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals that is remembered most. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, Frazier carried the Knicks. He scored 36 points and had 19 assists and five steals. He would also lead New York to the 1973 championship. Off the court, Frazier has always been the epitome of style. He's a perfect fit for the city.

MORE: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ten-greatest-professional-athletes-york-brooklyn-sports-history-123700848.html

Lou Gehrig (Yankees, 1923-39)

Derek Jeter (Yankees, 1995-present)

Mickey Mantle (Yankees, 1951-68)

Mark Messier (Rangers, 1991-97, 2000-04)

Joe Namath (Jets, 1965-76)

Jackie Robinson (Dodgers, 1947-56)

Babe Ruth (Yankees, 1920-34)

Lawrence Taylor (Giants, 1981-93)

Jeter? Really? No Ott? No Mays?