100 Hall of Famers who spent their entire careers with one franchise

Aikman spent 12 years as quarterback of the Cowboys after being the taken with the first pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. A six-time Pro Bowler, Aikman led the team to three Super Bowl wins, claiming MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. The 2006 Hall of Fame inductee threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns in his career.

Although he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, Bagwell never spent a day away from Houston as a major leaguer. He captured NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1991 and was named MVP in 1994. Bagwell is the Astros' all-time leader in both home runs (449) and runs batted in (1,529).

Nobody was a better player and ambassador on the North Side of Chicago than "Mr. Cub" himself. Banks was an All-Star in 14 of his 19 seasons and was the first back-to-back National League MVP winner, in 1958 and 1959. The Hall of Famer owned the five highest single-season totals for home runs by a shortstop from 1960 to 2001, topping 40 long balls five times between 1955 to 1960.

One of the first great showmen in NBA history, Baylor was a dominant force in the frontcourt of the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor was an 11-time All-Star and made 10 All-NBA First Teams while averaging 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per game for his career.

Bench was the backbone of Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" teams of the 1970s. A 14-time All-Star, two-time MVP and 10-time Gold Glove winner behind the plate, Bench is still considered by many as the greatest catcher in baseball history. He led the Reds to four World Series and back-to-back championships in 1975 and ’76.

The second half of Houston's "Killer B's," alongside longtime teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, Biggio had a uniquely impactful career. He is the only player in MLB history to finish a career with 3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases and 250 home runs. Biggio is also the only player to start an All-Star Game at both second base and catcher.

One of the greatest shooters and competitors in NBA history, Bird defined basketball for Boston throughout the 1980s. Owning career averages of 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists per game, Bird claimed three consecutive MVP Awards from 1984-86 and led the Celtics to three championships. His rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers helped take the NBA to never-before-seen heights.

Bossy was one of the great clutch players in NHL history, often landing the decisive blow for the New York Islanders dynasty of the early 1980s. New York claimed four consecutive Stanley Cup victories with Bossy leading the way. He scored consecutive Cup-clinching goals in 1982 and ’83 and scored four game-winning goals in the 1983 Eastern Conference Final. He also reached 50 goals in nine of his 10 NHL seasons.

Bradshaw led the way as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty of the 1970s. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to win both three and then four Super Bowls in the process, claiming consecutive Super Bowl MVP nods, in 1977 and '78. A fearless presence in the pocket, Bradshaw spent 14 years with the Steelers and played in 19 playoff games overall.

Brett twice led the Royals to the World Series, winning it for the first time in franchise history in 1985. Brett was named AL MVP in 1980 and is one of the four players in history to hit .300 with 3,000 hits and 300 home runs in his career. In 1992, he appeared on 98.2 percent of Hall of Fame ballots — the fourth-most in history at the time.

In his 14 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brooks was elected a Pro Bowler 11 times — 10 coming consecutively. Brooks was the anchor of the fearsome Buccaneers defense of the early 2000s, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Tampa's Super Bowl-winning season of 2002. His pick-six clinched Super Bowl XXXVII for Tampa and was his fifth defensive touchdown of the year.

Although he played only nine professional seasons, Brown crafted a legacy few have matched since. He was Pro Bowler each season of his career for Cleveland, scoring 106 touchdowns on the ground while running for 12,312 yards in his career, both of which were NFL records at the time. A punishing runner, Brown remains the only player to average over 100 yards per game in his career.

Whether it was as No. 8 or No. 24, Kobe spent a record-breaking two decades in the purple and gold of the Lakers. Along the way, he made 18 All-Star appearances and brought five championships to the Staples Center, along with 11 All-NBA First-Team appearances and just about every other honor possible in the sport. Bryant averaged 25 points per game in his career and capped it off with a 60-point performance in his final game.

Butkus’ devastating, unapologetic style created the expectations for middle linebackers to come. Butkus was the hardest hitter of his era and caused countless fumbles, which made him one of the most fearsome players in history. He was a Pro Bowler in eight of his nine seasons and a perennial All-Pro.

Although his career was tragically cut short on the front end by segregation and ended early by an auto accident, Campanella made the most of his time in Brooklyn. The Dodgers catcher was named NL MVP three times and an All-Star in eight of his 10 seasons. After his longtime teammate Jackie Robinson, Campanella was the second African-American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, in 1969.

Clarke totaled more than 1,200 points over 15 seasons with the Flyers, leading the team to Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975. A physical front-line facilitator, Clarke made eight All-Star appearances and won the Hart Trophy three times (1973, 1975 and 1976). The iconic image of his toothless smile holding the Stanley Cup in 1975 is one of the signature images in hockey history.

A trailblazer in every way possible, Clemente changed baseball during his 18-year tenure in the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield. He was one of the game’s first great Latino stars, becoming the first Latin player to win Most Valuable Player in both the regular season and World Series. A 15-time All-Star, Clemente’s 12 Gold Gloves are tied with Willie Mays for the most by an outfielder in MLB history.

The "Houdini of the Hardwood" was one of basketball’s first great showmen, as his ball-handling skills made him the NBA’s first true superstar. Cousy was an All-Star in every full season of his career and led the league in assists eight consecutive seasons. He won an NBA title in six out of seven seasons between 1957 and 1963.

The longest-tenured player with a single franchise in NHL history, Delvecchio spent 24 years with the Detroit Red Wings. He was a three-time Stanley Cup champion, three-time Lady Byng Award winner and 13-time All-Star selection. His 1,549 games stood as an overall NHL record for 32 years and remains a record for forwards. Delvecchio was captain of the Red Wings for 12 seasons, elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974 and was selected to the NHL ‘100 Greatest Players’ in 2017.

The "Yankee Clipper" remains one of the most iconic presences in American sports history. Although he hit .325 lifetime, won nine World Series in his 13-year career and was a three-time American League MVP, DiMaggio's greatest enduring work remains his 56-game hitting streak of 1941. It is a record that remains as one of sports' most unapproachable feats 78 years later.

Although Dryden’s career was a brief one for the Montreal Canadiens, he made an indelible impact. The towering netminder won the Vezina Trophy in five of his seven full seasons as the top goalie in hockey while also raising the Stanley Cup six times. Dryden’s 2.24 GAA, 46 shutouts and 338 total wins are astonishing given the brevity of his on-ice career.

The greatest power forward of all time spent his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs, who selected Duncan with the first pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Duncan played a central role in transforming the Spurs into the most consistent franchise in the game, winning five NBA Finals, two NBA MVPs and three Finals MVPs, and he was on 15 All-Star teams. Duncan is the only player in history to be named simultaneously to 13 straight All-NBA and All-Defense Teams.

In his 16 years as quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Elway reached the Super Bowl five times. In his final two seasons, he won back-to-back Super Bowls and was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway threw for 300 touchdowns in his career, and at the time of his retirement, his 51,475 pass yards were the second-most in NFL history. He won a third Super Bowl as general manager of the Broncos in 2015.

Although his career began with the New York Nets of the ABA, Dr. J never wore another NBA jersey besides that of the Philadelphia 76ers. One of the greatest showmen in basketball history, Erving made 11 consecutive All-Star Games starting in 1977. He led the Sixers to the NBA championship in 1983, won league MVP in 1981 and delivered countless jaw-dropping attacks on the rim along the way.

"Rapid Robert" was ahead of his time in delivering high-octane fastballs for the Cleveland Indians. While his exact speed off the mound is lost to time, it is believed he could touch triple digits in his prime. Feller won 266 games, pitched three no-hitters and led the American League in strikeouts seven times.

Fitzgerald is one of the most consistent pass catchers in NFL history. He is third all time in NFL history in receptions, second in receiving yards and seventh in touchdown catches. In four different seasons, Fitzgerald has gathered in 100 catches and reached double digits in touchdowns in five seasons, making 11 Pro Bowls in the process.

Known as the "Chairman of the Board," Ford spent his entire 16-year career at the front of the New York Yankees pitching staff. Ford won six World Series and made 10 All-Star teams while leading the American League in wins on three separate occasions. With a career record of 236-106, Ford owns the highest winning percentage in modern MLB history, at .690.

After going undrafted in 2003, Gates has become one of the most productive pass-catchers in NFL history. No tight end has reached the end zone more often than Gates, who has reached pay dirt 116 times. Over his 16 years with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, he has made eight Pro Bowls and was a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team.

A legend in every sense of the word, the "Iron Horse" was one of the most predictably dominant hitters in baseball history. Throughout much of his 17-year Yankee tenure, Gehrig was a mainstay in the lineup, running out a longstanding record of 2,130 consecutive games. He hit .340 for his career and was a devastating run producer, leading the American League in RBI five times. The Yankees won six World Series with Gehrig on board, as he formed the most dominant duo in MLB history with Babe Ruth for the first half of his career.

The "Mechanical Man" suited up for 19 seasons at second base for the Detroit Tigers. Gehringer hit over .300 in 13 of 14 seasons, from 1927 to 1940, leading the AL in hitting at .371 in 1937. One of the steadiest two-way players of all time, Gehringer’s all-around impact helped the Tigers to a World Series victory in 1935 and an AL MVP win for himself in 1937.

Owner of arguably the most dominant pitching season in modern baseball history, when he posted a 1.12 ERA in 1968, Gibson endures as one of the most intimidating hurlers of all time. Over his 17 seasons in St. Louis, Gibson was named an All-Star nine times, won two Cy Young Awards and NL MVP in 1968. His 17-strikeout performance in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series remains a single-game Fall Classic record.

One of the greatest second-round picks in NBA history, Ginobili joined the Spurs as the 57^th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and stayed put for the next 16 years. With an unorthodox attacking style, Ginobili won four championships with the Spurs and was twice an All-Star. He evolved into one of the great sixth men in NBA history and led Argentina to Olympic Gold in Athens over Team USA in 2004.

Age was nothing but a number for Green throughout his 20-year career with the Washington Redskins. One of the fastest players in NFL history, Green remained remarkably consistent, making the first of his seven Pro Bowl appearances in 1984 and earning his final selection in 1997. A two-time Super Bowl winner, his 54 career interceptions stand as the most in Redskins history.

Groza is one of two players in football history to spend over two decades with a single franchise. Over his 21-year-career spent with the Cleveland Browns, he was a pioneer in advancing the role of the kicker within the sport. He helped the Browns to eight championships and his 1,608 career points were the most in NFL history at the time of his retirement in 1967. In 1954 he was named league MVP and twice topped 100 points in a season. He played until he was 44 years old.

There was perhaps no more talented pure hitter than Gwynn, who hit .338 over his 20 seasons in San Diego. The aptly named "Mr. Padre," Gwynn won eight batting titles and made 15 All-Star Games for the club and led the Padres to their only two World Series appearances in franchise history. Gwynn never hit below .300 in a full season and remarkably had 2,707 more hits than strikeouts in his career.

There was perhaps no better interior offensive lineman in NFL history than Hannah, who started every game of his 13-year career with the New England Patriots. An equally gifted blocker in both the run and pass games, Hannah made nine Pro Bowl appearances and became the first Patriot elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in 1991.

A silent but deadly pass-catcher for the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison spent the entirety of his 13-year NFL career as one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history. He and quarterback Peyton Manning formed one of the most dynamic pass-catch tandems in football. Harrison twice led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards and posted double-digit touchdown catches in eight consecutive seasons.

"Hondo" played 16 seasons for the Boston Celtics, winning championships in half of them. Havlicek went 8-0 in the NBA Finals and was one of the most versatile players of his era. He made 11 All-NBA appearances and five All-Defense First-Team appearances. A model of consistency, Havlicek remains the all-time leading scorer in Celtics history.

A two-time NL MVP winner in his career, Hubbell won 253 games for the (then) New York Giants. He set an MLB record with 24 consecutive wins and pulled off one of the most impressive feats in All-Star Game history. In 1934, Hubbell struck out five straight future Hall of Famers in Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin.

Hutson was a revolutionary presence in coach Curly Lambeau’s offense, where he is credited with creating the wide receiver position. He set every major receiving record in his era when he retired with 488 catches, 7,991 yards and receiving 99 touchdowns. He became the first receiver in NFL history to top 1,000 yards in a season and helped the Packers to three NFL championships.

The "Playmaker" was one of the most dynamic, big-game pass catchers of all time for the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the early 1990s. Irvin served as the primary receiver on three Super Bowl winners for the Cowboys, once catching a pair of touchdowns 18 seconds apart, in Super Bowl XXVII.

"The Captain" spent 20 years at shortstop for the New York Yankees, ushering in a dynastic return for the club throughout the mid-'90s and late 2000s. Jeter made the postseason in all but three seasons of his career, winning five World Series in the process. He holds 10 MLB postseason records, including most hits, runs scored and total bases. His 3,465 hits are the most by a shortstop in MLB history.

One of the toughest matchups at wide receiver in NFL history, "Megatron" made a habit of making the impossible a reality for the Detroit Lions. With little mystery as to whom Detroit quarterbacks were looking to get the ball to on their often-underwhelming teams, Johnson still thrived, totaling 731 catches, 11,619 yards and 83 touchdown catches in his career. In 2012, he broke Jerry Rice’s single-season yardage record with 1,964 yards, setting a single-season reception record of 122 catches in the process.

Johnson revolutionized the NBA game during his 13 years as point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. His fast-paced "Showtime" style of play changed the way basketball was seen on a national level, with Johnson leading the way with a bevy of no-look, incomprehensible passes. The Lakers won five NBA Finals during the 1980s, with Johnson winning Finals MVP three times and regular-season MVP three times as well. A 12-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA First Teamer, Johnson retired as the all-time assist leader with 10,141.

Although it has been over 90 years since he last took the mound, Johnson is considered in the inner circle of pitchers of all time. He spent his entire 21-year career with the Washington Senators, winning 417 games with a 2.17 ERA, including a record 110 shutouts. His 3,509 strikeouts stood as the MLB career record for over a half century.

Jones started all 180 games of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him with the sixth pick of the 1997 NFL Draft. He made nine Pro Bowl appearances and allowed only 23 sacks in his career. His remarkable dominance came with an incredible amount of discipline as well, as Jones was penalized for holding only nine times in his career.

Kaline spent 22 years in right field for the Detroit Tigers, amassing 3,007 hits and 399 home runs. An 18-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, Kaline made the ultra-rare direct jump from high school to the majors in 1953. He hit .340 as a 20-year-old, becoming the youngest batting champ in MLB history. Kaline passed away earlier this month.

Kelly led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early '90s, behind his fast-paced, “K-Gun” no-huddle offensive scheme. Overall, Kelly led the Bills to eight playoff appearances in 11 years, failing to advance to the next round only twice. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and threw for 35,467 yards and 237 touchdowns.

Known as the "Left Arm of God" for good reason, Koufax enjoyed arguably the top peak performance years of any pitcher in history. From 1962 to 1966, he won three NL Cy Young Awards and led the National League in ERA each season (1.95 cumulative). Koufax threw four no-hitters total in his career, including a perfect game in September 1965.

In his 12 years with the Montreal Canadiens, Lemaire raised the Stanley Cup eight times between 1967 and 1979. One of the most accurate and consistent goal scorers of his time, Lemaire scored at least 20 goals in every season of his career and averaged nearly a point per game.

Largent spent 14 years as a Seattle Seahawk, making seven Pro Bowl teams in his career. At the time of his retirement, Largent held every major NFL receiving record, with 819 receptions and 13,089 yards, becoming the first player in history with 100 touchdown catches.

A native of Cincinnati, Larkin spent his entire 19-year career at shortstop for his hometown Reds. Larkin helped the club to a World Series win in 1990 and won NL MVP honors in 1995. Overall, he was an All-Star 12 times, a nine-time Silver Slugger winner and a three-time Gold Glove recipient while becoming the first shortstop to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season, in 1996.

Super Mario spent 17 seasons as the heart of Pittsburgh hockey, bringing consecutive Stanley Cups to the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Lemieux did everything there is to do on ice, including win three Hart Trophies, six Art Ross Trophies and two Conn Smythe Awards and he even beat lymphoma. Lemieux’s 0.754 goals per game average is second-best in NHL history.

A charismatic and punishing middle linebacker, Lewis sat at the heart of one of the greatest defensive units of all time with the Baltimore Ravens. The 13-time Pro Bowler won a Super Bowl in 2000, leading a Ravens defense that allowed the fewest points in NFL history, and he authored four shutouts in a single season. Lewis won MVP of Super Bowl XXXV and helped bring a second title to Baltimore 12 years later.

In his 20 years in Detroit, Lidstrom joined the short list of the greatest defensemen of all time and the greatest European players of all time. A seven-time winner of the Norris Trophy for the top defenseman and a four-time Stanley Cup champion, Lidstrom never missed the playoffs in his career, an all-time NHL record.

The iconic center fielder for the New York Yankees, "The Mick" picked up the torch from Joe DiMaggio as the heart and soul of the Bronx. Possessing great power from both sides of the plate, Mantle holds the record for most home runs by a switch-hitter with 536. Mantle reached the World Series 12 times, winning seven, and he was named AL MVP three times in his career.

Considered by many as the greatest passer of all time, Marino was ahead of his time in leading an aerial assault in the NFL. Marino set 40 passing records during his 16 years as a Miami Dolphin, most notably most career passing yards (61,361), touchdowns (420), single-season passing yards (5,084 in 1984) and single-season touchdowns (48 in 1984). The nine-time Pro Bowler and 1984 MVP is considered the greatest quarterback to never win a Super Bowl.

Matthews spent 19 seasons in the trenches with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans as one of the most versatile linemen in NFL history. He started over 15 games at every position on the offensive line and never missed a game to injury in his career. Matthews made 14 Pro Bowls in those 19 seasons.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., Mauer spent his entire 15-year career with the Twins. After being selected with the first pick of the 2001 draft, Mauer went on to become the first American League catcher to win a batting title — which he did three times. A five-time Silver Slugger winner and three-time Gold Glove awardee, Mauer also won American League MVP in 2009.

McHale spent 13 seasons as one of the most bruising and consistent power forwards of all time, pairing with Larry Bird and Robert Parish to form arguably the greatest frontcourt in NBA history. McHale won NBA championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986 and made six appearances on the All-Defensive Team. One of the greatest midgame catalysts of all time, McHale won two Sixth Man of the Year Awards as well.

A fearless triggerman, Miller became one of the greatest shooters in NBA history during his 18 years with the Indiana Pacers. Miller hit 2,560 three-pointers in his career, a record when he retired. He was also known as a prolific trash talker, with his back-and-forth with the rival New York Knicks and director Spike Lee at Madison Square Garden some of the most notable exchanges of the 1990s.

The first great center in NBA history, Mikan changed the way basketball was played during his career. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, he towered above his contemporaries and was a superstar for the Minneapolis Lakers as the club traveled throughout the early professional basketball leagues before ultimately winning the first NBA title in 1950.

Starting in 1959 and retiring in 1980, Mikita was the longtime cornerstone of the Chicago Blackhawks, suiting up in 1,396 games for the club. A skilled two-way player, Mikita led the NHL in scoring four times during the 1960s and was a punishing defender early in his career. Mikita is the only player in NHL history to win the Hart, Art Ross and Lady Byng Trophies in the same season, which he did twice.

Munoz starred at left tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals for 13 seasons, beginning in 1980. He is considered by many as the greatest offensive tackle in NFL history, making 11 Pro Bowl appearances and routinely counted among the top 20 players in league history on many such lists. Munoz helped to push the Bengals to two Super Bowl appearances in his career.

Perhaps the most underrated great athlete in American sports history, Musial was a 24-time All-Star for the St. Louis Cardinals. He won three World Series and three MVP Awards in the 1940s and was a seven-time batting champion who totaled over 6,000 total bases in his career. Of his 3,630 career hits, Musial had an astounding even home/road split of 1,815.

A 7-footer with a guard’s outside touch, Nowitzki is one of the unique players in basketball history. He is one of six players in history to top 30,000 points and is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history as well. In his 21 years with the Mavericks, Nowitzki helped them to their first and only championship in 2011 and was league MVP himself in 2007, becoming the only German native to win the award.

Ogden, the first draft pick in the history of the Baltimore Ravens, spent over a decade as one of the most well-rounded offensive tackles in the NFL. He never missed a Pro Bowl after his rookie year, garnering 11 consecutive selections. Ogden was a punishing run blocker, paving the way for many of the 2,000 yards that running back Jamal Lewis racked up in 2003.

Although he stood just 5-foot-9, Ott swung a bat that produced results that seemingly would have come from a much larger man. The New York Giants right fielder became the first National Leaguer in history to reach 500 home runs and carried a lifetime average over .300 as well. Ott owns a major league record for most consecutive years leading a team in home runs, with 18.

Palmer pitched 19 years with the Orioles, winning 268 games and three World Series. Along the way, Palmer won at least 20 games in eight seasons and three American League Cy Young Awards between 1973 and 1976. Despite pitching nearly 4,000 innings in his career, Palmer never allowed a grand slam in the majors.

There was only one "Sweetness," and he was a man many consider to be the greatest running back of all time. Payton spent his entire 13-year career with the Chicago Bears, running for then-record 16,726 yards. He was the driving offensive force for the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl championship and 15-1 record. A tremendous person as well, the NFL’s Man of the Year Award is named in Payton’s honor.

Aside from Bill Russell, there was no more dominant player in the 1960s than Pettit. In an 11-year career all spent with the Hawks, Pettit averaged 26.4 points per game and 16.2 rebounds a night. He was a two-time league MVP and a record four-time All-Star Game MVP. Pettit was the first NBA player to top 20,000 points in a career and defeated Russell’s legendary Celtics club for an NBA title in 1958.

Potvin served as captain for the New York Islanders as they won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1984. He won the Norris Trophy on three separate occasions and was the first player at his position to score 300 goals. Potvin’s No. 5 was the first number retired by the team in history.

It has been 45 years since the Knicks won their last title, but when they did last reach the summit of the league, it was upon the back of Reed. Reed won not one, but two titles for New York in his 10-year career. He was named Finals MVP in both appearances, including his legendary limping return to action in the decisive Game 7 in 1970.

The NHL’s first truly prolific goal scorer, Rocket Richard remains one of the foremost legends in the sport. He spent his entire 18-year career with the Montreal Canadiens, racking up a then-record 544 goals. He was the first player to score 50 goals in a season, doing so in 50 games in 1945. Given the puck-shooting legacy of Richard, the annual award for the NHL’s top goal scorer is named in his honor.

Baseball’s iron man, Ripken did the previously unthinkable when he passed Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played, a record he eventually ran out to 2,632 games. Durability aside, Ripken won two AL MVPs and had 3,184 hits, 431 home runs and made 19 All-Star appearances during his 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles.

Rivera’s legacy for shutting the door is unquestionable, as he stands as baseball’s greatest relief pitcher of all time. His 652 career saves are by far an MLB record, as are his 952 games finished. In the postseason, Mo turned it up to yet another level, owning an 0.70 ERA and 42 saves and working a 33.1 scoreless-inning streak at one point.

No player in baseball history spent more time with one club than Robinson did as an Oriole. "Hoover" manned the hot corner for 23 years in Baltimore, making 18 American League All-Star teams. Robinson won 16 Gold Gloves — a record for a positional player — and was AL MVP in 1964. The Orioles won two World Series with Robinson in tow, with Robinson winning World Series MVP in 1970.

The Admiral’s run with the Spurs began two years after he was the first pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, following his service in the U.S. Navy concluding. He would go on to become 1990 Rookie of the Year, a 10-time All-Star, make four All-NBA First-Team appearances and was the 1995 MVP. Robinson was the fourth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game and remains the most recent to accomplish a quadruple-double in 1994.

Robinson breaking the color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 represented one of the most significant cultural turning points in American history. He would instantly establish himself as one of baseball’s most thrilling competitors, becoming the first recipient of Rookie of the Year honors. Over his 10-year MLB career, Robinson played in six World Series (winning in 1955) and was NL MVP in 1949.

A five-time NBA MVP and winner of 11 titles in 13 years, Russell endures as the pinnacle of athletic accomplishment in team sports. An otherworldly shot-blocker and defender, while the statistic did not exist at the time, it is estimated that he averaged over 10 blocks per game at his peak. He is one of two players in history to average 50 rebounds per game in a season and became the first African-American head coach to win a title in North American pro sports in 1966, which he did three times as a player-coach.

One of the most highly regarded captains in NHL history, Sakic spent seven seasons as a Quebec Nordique, before traveling south with the franchise and spending the next 13 seasons as center for the Colorado Avalanche. Overall, Sakic served as the team’s captain for 18 of his 20 seasons and remains atop the leaderboard in nearly all significant offensive categories for the club.

The most thrilling ball-carrier in NFL history, Sanders was a blur of silver and blue for the Detroit Lions from 1989 to 1998. He was a Pro Bowler each year of his 10-year career and led the NFL in rushing on four separate occasions. Sanders became the third player in history to top 2,000 rushing yards in a season and finished just 1,457 yards short of setting the all-time NFL rushing record, when he retired suddenly and still at the top of his game.

Sayers had a brief but brilliant career for the Chicago Bears, establishing himself as one of the premier all-around offensive weapons in NFL history. As a rookie in 1965, Sayers set an NFL record with 22 touchdowns, six of which came in one game. Equally effective as a returner, Sayers averaged a record 30.6 yards per kick return as well.

Baseball’s greatest all-around third baseman ever, Schmidt powered the Philadelphia Phillies for 18 seasons. A three-time MVP and 1980 World Series champion, Schmidt led the National League in home runs a record eight times en route to 548 for his career — a record for a player who spent his entire career with one team. Far from a one-trick pony, Schmidt also collected 10 Gold Glove honors and stole 174 bases.

Over 21 seasons, “Pops” became one of the most highly regarded sluggers in baseball. Stargell helped bring two World Series titles to Pittsburgh. His first came alongside Roberto Clemente in 1971, and in the second he was the driving force behind the "We Are Family" Bucs of 1979. One of the most beloved players of his generation, Stargell’s 475 home runs and 1,540 RBI remain Pirate all-time records.

A thrilling scrambler with a knack for making plays happen when needed, Staubach was the first great star for the Dallas Cowboys. Although his career was delayed due to commitments to the U.S. Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy, Staubach was still a Pro Bowler in six of his 11 seasons and was a two-time Super Bowl champion. When Staubach won MVP of Super Bowl VI, he became one of four players to ever win a Super Bowl MVP and the Heisman Trophy.

Strahan starred at defensive end for the New York Giants for 15 seasons, becoming a seven-time Pro Bowler in the process. He notched six double-digit sack seasons, including setting a single-season record with 22.5 in 2001. In his final season he helped the Giants upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots, notching a sack during the game.

One of the greatest passers and defenders in NBA history, Stockton starred for 19 seasons at point guard for the Utah Jazz. Stockton holds the NBA’s all-time records for both assists (15,806) and steals (3,265) and averaged a double-double for his career (13.1 points and 10.5 assists). Stockton missed only 22 games and held the NBA record for most games with one team until Kobe Bryant surpassed his total of 1,504 in 2016.

Regarded by many as the greatest defensive player in NFL history, Taylor spent 13 seasons as a terrifying pass rusher for the New York Giants. A 10-time Pro Bowler and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor totaled 132.5 sacks during a career in which he redefined the outside linebacker position. He was a driving force in two Super Bowl championships, in 1986 and 1990.

A Pro Bowler for the Kansas City Chiefs in each of his first nine seasons, Thomas was a terrifying edge rusher for his entire 11-year career. Thomas reached double-digit sacks seven times, including 20 in his second season. He totaled 126.5 sacks and 41 forced fumbles in his career. Tragically Thomas’ life was cut short in a traffic accident in February 2000.

Thomas' hard-nosed, drilling style of play made him one of the fieriest competitors of the 1980s and '90s, leading the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons to two consecutive NBA titles, in 1989 and 1990. Thomas made 12 straight All-Star teams and famously scored 25 points in one quarter, despite a severely sprained ankle, in Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals.

No double-play duo in MLB history spent more time together than Trammell and Whitaker, who populated the Detroit Tigers middle infield for 19 seasons. The two combined for 11 All-Star appearances, seven Gold Glove Awards and 4,734 hits (2,369 for Whitaker and 2,365 for Trammell). Trammell, already in the Hall of Fame, was the 1984 World Series MVP, while Whitaker scored six runs and should get in at some point.

In his 19-year career in which he became the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves, the ever-affable Jones was one of the most respected ballplayers of his era. NL MVP in 1999 and batting champion in 2008, Jones is the only switch-hitter in MLB history to hit .300 for his career with more than 400 home runs.

A man known variously as "The Logo," "Mr. Clutch" and "Zeke from Cabin Creek," West was the first great perimeter star in NBA history. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA pick and averaged 27 points per game throughout his career — without the benefit of the three-point line. West made nine straight appearances in the NBA Finals, winning in 1970, and he remains the only player to win Finals MVP on a losing team when he averaged 38 points per game vs. the Boston Celtics.

A .344 career hitter, 19-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP, Williams was a six-time batting champion and owns the most recent season of hitting .400 in MLB history — in 1941. Among his many records, Williams has the highest career on-base percentage at .482. He connected for 521 career home runs despite missing four years to military service during both World War II and the Korean War.

A seven-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, Worthy was a dashing finisher at the rim alongside Magic Johnson during the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s. True to his calling, "Big Game James" regularly took his game to another level in the playoffs, where he won NBA Finals MVP in 1988 and averaged over 23 points per game in three different playoff runs.

For 23 years, Yastrzemski was a mainstay at Fenway Park, accumulating 3,419 hits, 452 home runs and 18 All-Star appearances. A seven-time Gold Glove winner and three-time batting champ, Yastrzemski’s most enduring legacy came in 1967 when he led the Red Sox to their first World Series appearance in over 20 years. He won AL MVP and completed the Triple Crown, becoming the last player to do so until 2012 when Detroit's Miguel Cabrera did it.

Yount joined the Milwaukee Brewers at age 18 and spent the next 20 seasons with the club. He became the only player in MLB history to win MVP as both a shortstop (1982) and later as a center fielder (1989). In 1982, he led Milwaukee to its only World Series appearance in history and 10 years later joined the 3,000-hit club, finishing his career with a 3,142.

One of the most respected and revered leaders in NHL history, Yzerman is the longest-tenured captain in NHL history, wearing the C for the Detroit Red Wings for over 1,300 games in his 22-year career. He helped bring the Stanley Cup to the Motor City three times, becoming a 10-time All-Star and scoring 1,755 points in the process. Yzerman’s point total is the second-most in history with one team, and he is second all time in seasons and games played with one team.

Zetterberg entered the NHL as the 210th pick in the 1999 draft and quickly became one of the great steals of all time. He developed into a dominant two-way forward, spending his entire 15-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings. Zetterberg contributed 27 points during the club’s Stanley Cup-winning postseason of 2008 and totaled 960 regular-season points in his career in full, fifth-best in Red Wings history.