Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
June 15, 2001, Washington Post

The Greatest?

Everybody is talking about golfer Tiger Woods. He's definitely on a spectacular winning streak. This past year he's won golf's four biggest tournaments: the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA championship. Pro golfer Paul Azinger says Tiger is "probably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports."

I say, hold on a second. Tiger is great, but is he the "greatest athlete of all time"?

I don't know. Sports history is full of incredible athletes doing amazing things. Even more amazing than winning four major golf tournaments in a row.

Here are just a few:

In 1988, Steffi Graf won the four major tennis tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon. That's called the Grand Slam in tennis. And on top of that, she won a gold medal in the Olympics. Not bad for one year!

In the National Hockey League's 1981-86 seasons, Wayne Gretzky averaged 207 points (that's goals and assists) per season. No other player has ever scored 200 points in a single season. No wonder they called Gretzky "the Great One."

Jim Brown was a great running back in the National Football League during the 1950s and 1960s. How great? He led the NFL in rushing yardage in eight of his nine seasons. No running back -- not Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders -- has ever come close.

Basketball had Michael Jordan. With his supernatural hang time and nine National Basketball Association (NBA) scoring titles, you may think he is the best basketball player ever. But check this out: Wilt Chamberlain, who played pro ball from the 1950s to the 1970s, won almost as many scoring titles (seven) and he led the NBA in rebounds for 11 years. There has never been a more dominant basketball player than "Wilt the Stilt."

Another great athlete was Edwin Moses. He was an Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles who between 1977 and 1987 never lost a race. He won 122 races in a row. Talk about a winning streak!

Tiger Woods does not have anything over these past champions, except one thing: Tiger Woods is still doing great things.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company