Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo/Richard Sheinwald
Honorable Mention:
Dana Barros
Hometown: Boston
A skilled point guard that left an impressive legacy form himself at Xaverian and Boston College, Barros was an All-Star during the 1995 season, winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award after averaging 20.6 points per game with the 76ers in 1995.
Mark Belanger
Hometown: Pittsfield
A defensive wizard at shortstop, Belanger was an All-Star in 1976 and won eight Gold Gloves during his 18-year MLB career with the Orioles and Dodgers. Retiring with the highest career fielding percentage by an AL shortstop, Belanger also won a World Series championship in 1970.
John Cena
Hometown: West Newbury
One of professional wrestling’s biggest stars, Cena has won 25 championships, with 16 reigns as a world champion.
Mark Fidrych
Hometown: Northborough
Fidrych was a phenom for the Detroit Tigers in 1976, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award after winning 19 games and leading the AL with a 2.34 ERA.
Billy Gonsalves
Hometown: Fall River
One of the first American-born soccer stars, Gonsalves spent over 25 years playing in various professional leagues, playing for the U.S. in both the 1930 and 1934 World Cup.
Nancy Kerrigan
Hometown: Stoneham
The 1993 U.S. National Champion in figure skating, Kerrigan won silver in figure skating at the 1994 Olympics.
Rabbit Maranville
Hometown: Springfield
An inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Maranville was a slick-fielding infielder that won a World Series title in 1914 and batted .258 for his career.
Joe Morris
Hometown: Ayer
A two-time Pro Bowler with the Giants, Morris posted 5,585 career rushing yards with 52 touchdowns in his NFL career, including a win in Super Bowl XXI.
Kevin Stevens
Hometown: Brockton
A three-time NHL All-Star that won two Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.
Lofa Tatupu
Hometown: Wrentham
A three-time Pro Bowler that finished his career with 549 career tackles, Tatupu earned First-Team All-Pro honors with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
50. Jack Chesbro
Hometown: North Adams
A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Chesbro was a creative spitball pitcher that won 198 games and posted an ERA of 2.68 over an 11-year career. Chesbro put together a season for the ages in 1904, setting an American League record with 41 wins while tossing 48 complete games.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)
49. Wilbur Wood
Hometown: Belmont
A knuckleball pitcher that played for a majority of his career with the Chicago White Sox, Wood finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 1972, losing to Gaylord Perry in a close race. During a stretch from 1971-74, Wood led the American League in wins twice and averaged 347 innings pitched per season.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
48. Scott Young
Hometown: Clinton
A consistent winger that tallied 756 points in his 19 seasons in the NHL, Young won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2002 Olympics and won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1991) and the Colorado Avalanche (1996).
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Peter J. Carroll
47. Tony DeMarco
Hometown: Boston
A local legend that grew up in the North End neighborhood of Boston, DeMarco held the world welterweight title in 1955 and battled Carmen Basilio in two memorable slugfests. Finished his career with a record of 58-12-1 with 33 strikeouts.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive..com | AP Photo / Eric Risberg
46. Mark Bavaro
Hometown: Winthrop
After an All-American career at Notre Dame, Bavaro became a legend in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the New York Giants, as the 6-foot-4 tight end won two championships with the team in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. A two-time All-Pro that earned two Pro Bowl nods, Bavaro finished his career with 39 career touchdowns.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
45. Jim Craig
Hometown: North Easton
An inductee of the International Hockey Hall of Fame, Craig became an Olympic hero as the starting goaltender for Team USA in the 1980 Olympic Games. Craig kept the U.S. in the team’s contest against the heavily favored Soviet Union, stopping 36 of 39 shots in the “Miracle on Ice.” Was in net for Team USA’s gold-medal victory against Finland two days later.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
44. Jimmy Walker
Hometown: Boston
A dynamic guard that played in two NBA All-Star games in 1970 and 1972, Walker averaged 21.3 points per game in 1971 and averaged 16.7 points per game for his career. Had a dominant collegiate career at Providence, leading the nation in scoring (30.4 points per game) during his senior year.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Eric Risberg
43. Alicia Sacramone
Hometown: Winchester
The team captain of the silver-medal U.S. national team in the 2008 Olympics, Sacramone is one of the most accomplished gymnasts in U.S. history, ranking second all-time with 10 career World medals, including four gold medals.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Carlos Osorio
42. Meghan Duggan
Hometown: Danvers
One of the most accomplished women’s hockey players of all time, Duggan has taken gold in seven IIHF Women’s World Championships and five Four Nations Cups as a member of Team USA. A two-time silver medal winner at the Olympics, Duggan also won three NCAA titles at Wisconsin, receiving the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in the nation in 2011.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Peter Southwick
41. Jeff Reardon
Hometown: Dalton
A competitive reliever with a lively fastball, Reardon was a four-time All-Star that led the National League in saves during the 1985 season. A World Series champion with the Minnesota Twins in 1987, Reardon became the MLB’s all-time saves leader in 1992. Reardon currently ranks 10th in league history with 367 career saves.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
40. Paul Pender
Hometown: Brookline
A tenacious boxer that split time between the ring and his other job as a Brookline firefighter, Pender orchestrated one of boxing’s biggest upsets in 1960, defeating legend Sugar Ray Robinson for the world middleweight crown. Retiring in 1963 as the current world middleweight champion, Pender closed out his career with a record of 40-6-2 with 20 knockouts.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
39. Matt Hasselbeck
Hometown: Norfolk
A three-time Pro Bowler with 212 career touchdowns and 36,638 career passing yards, Hasselbeck was the leader of the Seattle Seahawks for close to a decade, leading the team to six playoff appearances — including an appearance in Super Bowl XL. He holds the Seahawks franchise record for games played, pass completions and passing yards for a quarterback.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Paul Sancya
38. Bill Guerin
Hometown: Wilbraham
A four-time All-Star that was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, Guerin ranks 12th among American-born NHL players with 856 career points. Guerin won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, while also winning a silver medal with Team USA at the 2002 Olympics.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Michael Conroy
37. Shalane Flanagan
Hometown: Marblehead
An esteemed long-distance runner, Flanagan holds the American record times in the 3,000m (indoor), 5,000m (indoor) and 15K road race. Flanagan won two national cross-country titles at North Carolina, while also winning the silver medal in the 10,000m at the 2008 Olympics.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com / AP Photo
36. John Thomas
Hometown: Cambridge
An inductee into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame, Thomas was the first man to clear seven feet in the high jump indoors — a feat he accomplished as a 17-year-old freshman at Boston University. He later broke his own indoor record while breaking the outdoor record in the same event three times. Took home the silver medal at the high jump at the 1964 Olympics.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
35. Tim Daggett
Hometown: West Springfield
After a standout career at UCLA, Daggett became a star at the 1984 Olympic Games, helping Team USA win a gold medal for team competition in men’s gymnastics — the first ever for the U.S. An inductee into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, Daggett also took bronze on the pommel horse during the 1984 Games.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
34. Bill Cleary
Hometown: Cambridge
An All-American hockey player at Harvard, Cleary set numerous program records with the Crimson before leading Team USA to a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games. Cleary led the U.S. in scoring during the tournament with 14 points. Coached Harvard from 1971 to 1990, winning a national championship in 1988 while boasting a career coaching record of 324-201-24.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
33. Robbie Ftorek
Hometown: Needham
After a dominant high school career at Needham High School, Ftorek won a silver medal with Team USA at the 1972 Olympic Games before starting up a dominant career in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Ftorek tallied 523 points in 373 career WHA games, becoming the first American-born player in major professional hockey to win an MVP award in 1977.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
32. Tony Plansky
Hometown: South Boston
A versatile athlete that left his mark across numerous sports, Plansky was an AAU decathlon champion in 1924 before becoming a star fullback at Georgetown. He went on to the NFL, earning All-Pro honors with the New York Giants in 1929. Plansky, who also played professional baseball in the Phillies organization, was the cross-country coach at Williams College for 48 years.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Harry Harris
31. Joe Bellino
Hometown: Winchester
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Bellino had a dominant career at the U.S. Naval Academy, culminating in the 1960 Heisman Trophy. Bellino captured the honor during his senior season, with the shifty running back rushing for 834 yards, hauling in three touchdowns and 15 receptions, throwing two touchdowns and contributing on special teams.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
30. Tony Amonte
Hometown: Hingham
A five-time NHL All-Star, Amonte ranks 11th in career points for an American hockey player with 900 points over 17 seasons. Amonte was a star with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring at least 30 goals in six seasons with the team.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
29. Angelo Bertelli
Hometown: West Springfield
A trailblazing quarterback at Notre Dame, Bertelli was the Fighting Irish’s first T-formation signal caller, as well as the program’s first-ever Heisman Award winner. A two-time All-American that only lost three games in his three seasons in South Bend, Bertelli led Notre Dame to a national title in 1943.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
28. Kelly Amonte Hiller
Hometown: Hingham
One of the greatest women’s lacrosse players of all time, Amonte Hiller won two NCAA championships as a player at Maryland, along with winning back-to-back Player of the Year Awards during her tenure with the Terrapins. After a standout career with the U.S. National Team for close to a decade, Amonte has established a powerhouse program at Northwestern — coaching the Wildcats to seven national titles.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
27. Mike Eruzione
Hometown: Winthrop
A skilled and tenacious hockey player at Boston University, Eruzione became an Olympic legend as captain of the U.S. National Team in the 1980 Winter Olympics. One of the chief architects of the fabled “Miracle on Ice,” Eruzione’s iconic game-winning goal against the Soviet Union was recognized by Sportscenter as the greatest sports highlight ever, while Sports Illustrated tabbed it as the No. 1 sports moment of the 20th century.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
26. John L. Sullivan
Hometown: Boston
The “Boston Strong Boy” was one of the first American boxing stars, bridging the gap between bare knuckles and gloved competition within the sport. Recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing, Sullivan also earned the honor as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing. He finished his career with a record of 40-1-2-1 with 34 knockouts.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
25. Tenley Albright
Hometown: Newton
A trailblazer for figure skating in the United States, Albright became the first American female skater to win an Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Albright was also a 1952 Olympic silver medalist and the 1953 and 1955 World Champion.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Keith Sraksocic
24. Tom Barrasso
Hometown: Acton
The first American goaltender to make the jump directly from high school to the NHL, Barrasso made quite the impression in his first season with the Penguins, becoming the youngest winner of the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie at 18 years old in 1984. A two-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic silver medal winner, Barrasso holds the NHL record for most career points from a goalie (48).
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Bill Chaplis
23. Wayne Millner
Hometown: Roxbury
A member of both the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame, Millner was an All-American at Notre Dame before joining the Redskins in 1936. During his seven seasons in the NFL, Millner hauled in 12 career touchdown receptions and led the Redskins to a NFL championship in 1937. At the time of his enshrinement, Millner was the first Notre Dame player to enter Canton.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
22. Rod Langway
Hometown: Randolph
He didn’t begin playing hockey until he was 13, but Langway proved to be a quick learner, dominating at the University of New Hampshire before winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 1982 and 1983. A six-time All-Star, Langway won a Stanley Cup in 1979 and was eventually voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Eric Risberg
21. Keith Tkachuk
Hometown: Medford
An imposing power forward that bullied his way to the crease, Tkachuk ranks fifth in career points among U.S. NHL players with 1,065 points over 1,201 games. One of just five U.S. players to score 500 career goals, Tkachuk was the first American-born player to lead the NHL in goals (52, 1996-97). Five-time All-Star also won a silver medal at the 2002 Olympic Games.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
20. Gabby Hartnett
Hometown: Millville
A renowned backstop known for both his proficiency at the plate and his strong throwing arm, Hartnett was a six-time All-Star for the Chicago Cubs that won the NL MVP in 1935. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Hartnett retired as the MLB leader in career home runs, RBIs, hits and games played for a catcher.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
19. Alberto Salazar
Hometown: Wayland
A legendary track coach and lauded long-distance runner, Salazar dominated in the 1980s, winning the New York City Marathon three years in a row (1980-82) while also taking first in the 1982 Boston Marathon. Salazar, who held American track records in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, serves as the head coach of Nike Oregon Project.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
18. Pat Bradley
Hometown: Westford
A legend in women’s golf, Bradley dominated the LPGA circuit throughout her career — winning six majors and 25 total LPGA Tour events. In 627 tournaments, Bradley posted 312 top-10 finishes, along with 208 top-five finishes. An inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Bradley was the first woman to win all four modern major golf championships.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Harry Harris
17. Harry Agganis
Hometown: Lynn
A dominant all-around athlete, Agganis first made a name for himself at Boston University, becoming the first All-American football player in school history while also playing baseball and basketball. Despite getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns, Agganis signed a contract with the Red Sox, batting .313 during the 1955 season before suddenly dying of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 26.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Paul Sancya
16. Jeremy Roenick
Hometown: Marshfield
One of the most colorful personalities in the NHL for over 20 years, Roenick was also one of the greatest Americans to ever play professional hockey. A nine-time All-Star, Roenick ranks third amongst US-born players in scoring with 1,216 points in 1,363 games. He scored 513 career goals — good for 39th overall in league history — while accruing three consecutive 100-point seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Dmitri Lovetsky
15. Aly Raisman
Hometown: Needham
One of the top gymnasts in the world, Raisman has made quite the impact for Team USA in the last two Summer Olympics. At the 2012 Olympics, she clinched gold medals in both the team and individual floor competition, while also earning bronze on the balance beam. Returning to Olympic competition as the veteran of the “Final Five” in 2016, Raisman won gold in the team competition while earning the silver medal in the all-around and floor exercise competitions.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / George Marcelonis
14. Marvin Hagler
Hometown: Brockton
Marvelous Marvin Hagler had a dominant run in the ring during the 1980s, holding the title as the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987 — defending his crown 12 times. An inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Hagler was named Boxer of the Decade (1980s) by Boxing Illustrated magazine and boasted a career record of 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
13. Francis Ouimet
Hometown: Brookline
Often regarded as the “Father of Amateur Golf,” Ouimet turned the game of golf on its head in 1913, as the former caddie was the first amateur player to win the U.S. Open. An inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, Ouimet was the first American to captain the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
12. Nick Buoniconti
Hometown: Springfield
The driving force behind the Miami Dolphins’ “No-Name Defense” in the early ‘70s, Buoniconti was a versatile and instinctive linebacker that helped the Dolphins capture two Super Bowl titles in 1972 and 1973. A two-time Pro Bowler and six-time AFL All-Star, Buoniconti was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
11. Mickey Cochrane
Hometown: Bridgewater
One of the greatest catchers in baseball history, Cochrane was a two-time AL MVP that won three World Series titles with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers. Batted .320 for his career — a higher mark than other catching legends like Mike Piazza, Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk and Joe Mauer.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
10. Bobby Carpenter
Hometown: Peabody
A trailblazer for U.S. hockey, Carpenter holds the distinction as the first American-born hockey player to be taken in the first round of the NHL Draft (3rd overall, 1981), as well as the first player to join the NHL directly from high school. Labeled the “Can’t-Miss Kid” as a high schooler by Sports Illustrated in 1981, Carpenter was the first US-born player to score 50 goals in a season, tallying 728 points over 18 NHL seasons.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
9. Johnny Kelley
Hometown: Medford
Tabbed “Runner of the Century” by Runner’s World in 1999, Kelley was a Boston Marathon icon, winning the race in 1935 and 1945 while finishing second seven times. During his lengthy and storied career, Kelley finished the Boston Marathon a remarkable 58 times — placing among the top-10 finishers 18 times. The first road runner elected into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, Kelley also participated on three U.S. Olympic teams.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
8. Tony Conigliaro
Hometown: Revere
A hometown product that was one of the brightest young stars in baseball, Conigliaro made an immediate impact with the Red Sox at 20 years old, leading the American League in home runs (32) during the 1965 season. An All-Star in 1967 that saw his career derailed by a pitch that struck him in the face, Conigliaro stands as the youngest player to reach 100 career home runs in American League history.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Ben Margot
7. Howie Long
Hometown: Charlestown
One of the most dominant defensive ends in NFL history, Long became a legend during his 13 years with the Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders, tallying 84 career sacks and leading his team to a win in Super Bowl XVIII. An eight-time Pro Bowler that earned All-Pro honors three times, Long posted a career-high 13 sacks in 1983.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo
6. Pie Traynor
Hometown: Framingham
Considered the greatest third baseman of his era, Traynor led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series title in 1925 and batted .320 for his career with 2,416 hits. A complete player that ranks fifth all-time among third baseman in putouts (2,289), Traynor was the first third baseman ever elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1948.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Elise Amendola
5. Doug Flutie
Hometown: Natick
After a standout career at Natick High School, Flutie became a legend at Boston College — winning the Heisman Trophy in 1984. After a lauded collegiate career highlighted by his miraculous Hail Mary pass against Miami, Flutie was the CFL Most Outstanding Player of the Year a record six times.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Elise Amendola
4. Rebecca Lobo
Hometown: Southwick
After setting the state scoring record during her tenure at Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, Lobo led UConn to a 35-0 season and a NCAA championship in 1995. During her senior season, the skilled center was named the 1995 NCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year. A member of the WNBA’s inaugural All-Star team, Lobo also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Olympics.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / John Bazemore
3. Tom Glavine
Hometown: Billerica
Glavine was one of the most dominating southpaws in baseball for over 20 years, accruing 305 career wins, along with two Cy Young Awards in 1991 and 1998. A 10-time All-Star that won a World Series title with the Atlanta Braves in 1995, Glavine was also a standout hockey player at Billerica High School — ultimately drafted ahead of Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille in the 1984 NHL Draft.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com | AP Photo / Morry Gash
2. Patrick Ewing
Hometown: Cambridge
One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Ewing was the face of the New York Knicks for 15 years, averaging 21 points per game and earning 11 All-Star nods. The 7-foot center won two Olympic gold medals at both the 1984 and 1992 Games while also leading Georgetown to three consecutive NCAA Championship games.
Conor Ryan | cryan@masslive.com
1. Rocky Marciano
Hometown: Brockton
One of the greatest to ever step into the ring, Marciano dominated boxing in the 1950s, holding the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. A relentless brawler lauded for his strength, stamina and will to win, Marciano defended his heavyweight title six times — besting boxing legends like Jersey Joe Walcott and Joe Louis during his career. Finished his career with a perfect record of 49-0, including 43 knockouts.