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20th Century Top 50
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Rank |
Profile |
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1
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Rocky Marciano,
Brockton
Boxing's most relentless brawler won title in 1952; retired in '56 as only unbeaten heavyweight champion.
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| 2
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Doug Flutie,
Natick
Heisman winner and miracle worker at Boston College (1981-84); eight-time CFL Most Outstanding Player; triumphant NFL returnee with Bills.
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| 3
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Patrick Ewing,
Cambridge
The first of Georgetown's string of dominant big men in 1980s; one of NBA's 50 Greatest.
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| 4
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Bobby Carpenter,
Beverly
First U.S. player to jump from high school to NHL (in 1981) and to score 50 goals in a season; NHL All-Star in '85.
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| 5
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Rebecca Lobo,
Southwick
State's alltime leading high school basketball scorer (boys and girls); led unbeaten UConn to 1995 NCAA title.
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| 6
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Alberto Salazar,
Wayland
High school All-America cross-country; won New York marathon in 1980, 81 and '82; won Boston in '82.
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| 7
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Tom Glavine,
Billerica
Baseball and hockey star at Billerica High; has won
two Cy Youngs and 187 games
in 13 seasons with Braves.
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| 8
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Pie Traynor,
Somerville
Top third baseman of 1920s hit .320; whiffed 278 times in 7,559 at bats in 17-year career.
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| 9
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Harry Agganis,
Lynn
Led Lynn Classical to national high school football title in 1946; All-America quarterback at BU; was hitting .313 for Red Sox when he died at 26.
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| 10
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Johnny (the Elder) Kelley,
Arlington
As much a part of Boston Marathon as Heartbreak
Hill; ran race 61 times between 1928 and '92, won twice.
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| 11
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Francis Ouimet,
Brookline
Working-class hero was first amateur to win U.S. Open, in 1913 at the Country Club.
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| 12
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Robbie Ftorek,
Needham
Considered state's best high school hockey player -- broke state scoring record three years in a row; earned Olympic silver
in 1972; was first U.S. player to win pro MVP award.
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| 13
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Tony Conigliaro,
East Boston
Was youngest player (20 in 1965) to lead AL in homers and to hit 100 (at 22); career derailed by beanball in '67.
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| 14
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Howie Long,
Milford
Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end with Raiders; had 84 sacks in 13 seasons.
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| 15
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Mickey Cochrane,
Bridgewater
Two-time AL MVP (1928, '34) and leader of the A's pennant winners from '29 to '31; one of the best-hitting catchers ever.
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| 16
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Pat Bradley,
Westford
Two-time LPGA Player of the Year, in 1986 and '91; has 30 tour wins, including six majors.
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| 17
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Nick Buoniconti,
Springfield
All-America at Notre Dame; undersized middle linebacker was leader of undefeated 1972 Dolphins' no-name defense.
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| 18
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Tom Barrasso,
Acton
Won Calder and Vezina trophies in 1984 and two Stanley Cups with Penguins; shares single-season
record for playoff wins (16).
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| 19
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Gabby Hartnett,
Millville
Cubs catcher hit .297 lifetime; belted 1938 pennant-winning Homer in the Gloaming.
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| 20
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Connie Mack,
East Brookfield
Longtime A's owner managed more games than anyone else (7,755 games from 1894 to '50) and built -- and dismantled -- winners over five decades.
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| 21
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Kelly Amonte,
Hingham
Lacrosse high school
All-America at Thayer Academy; four-time All-America forward and 1996 NCAA women's player of the year at Maryland.
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| 22
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Marvelous Marvin Hagler,
Brockton
Held world middleweight title for six years; had career record of 61-3-2.
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| 23
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Angelo Bertelli,
Springfield
Won Heisman Trophy and national title as Notre Dame quarterback in 1943.
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| 24
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Mike Eruzione,
Winthrop
Captained 1980 U.S.
Olympic hockey team; scored winning goal against Soviets.
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| 25
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Tony Plansky,
South Boston
Perhaps state's best all-around athlete: AAU decathlon champ
in 1924, star fullback at Georgetown and All-Pro running back with Giants.
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| 26
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Tenley Albright,
Newton
Two-time Olympic figure skating medalist; first
U.S. woman to win skating gold, in 1956.
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| 27
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Joe Bellino,
Winchester
Football, baseball and basketball star at Winchester High; 1960 Heisman winner
as Navy running back.
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| 28
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Rabbit Maranville,
Springfield
Feisty infielder with six teams from 1912 to '35; renowned
for consistent glove, durability.
|
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| 29
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Rod Langway,
Randolph
Twice won Norris Trophy; three-time NHL All-Star; captain of U.S. Canada Cup team in 1987.
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| 30
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John Thomas,
Cambridge
Was first to high jump more than seven feet; set world indoor record as Boston University freshman in 1959; four-time All-America; won Olympic bronze in '60, silver
in '64.
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| 31
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Jeff Reardon,
Dalton
Eleven straight 20-save seasons from 1982 to '92; first closer with 350 saves.
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| 32
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Jeremy Roenick,
Marshfield
Has more 100-point NHL seasons (three) than any other U.S. player.
|
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| 33
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Bill Cleary,
Cambridge
All-America forward at Harvard; led U.S. to first Olympic hockey gold in '60; coached at Harvard from
1968 to '90.
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| 34
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Wilbur Wood,
Belmont
Knuckleballer won 20 games each year from 1971 to '74;
was three-time All-Star with White Sox.
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| 35
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Charlie Brickley,
Everett
Star running back at Everett High; Harvard All-America in 1912 and '13; considered best dropkicker ever
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| 36
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Jack Chesbro,
North Adams
Spitballer had perhaps best season of any pitcher this century, in 1904: modern record 41 wins, 48 complete games.
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| 37
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Paul Pender,
Brookline
Beat Sugar Ray Robinson for middleweight title in 1960;
held belt until '62.
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| 38
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Jim Craig,
North Easton
Goaltender on 1980 gold medal Olympic hockey team; made 39 saves in semifinal
win over Soviets.
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| 39
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Leo (the Lip) Durocher,
West Springfield
Made three All-Star Games in 17-year career as shortstop for four teams; three-time Manager of the Year won World Series with Giants in 1954.
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| 40
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Keith Tkachuk,
Medford
Has two 50-goal seasons
and second-most goals in NHL over last six seasons.
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| 41
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Jim Hegan,
Lynn
"When you can catch like Hegan, you don't have to hit," Bill Dickey said; Hegan was five-time All-Star who hit .228.
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| 42
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Stuffy McInnis,
Gloucester
First baseman in the A's $100,000 Infield of 1910-14; in '21, set major league season record for fielding average (.999) and fewest errors (one).
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| 43
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Mark Belanger,
Pittsfield
Orioles' graceful shortstop from 1965 to '81 won eight
Gold Gloves.
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| 44
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Tony DeMarco,
Boston
Won welterweight championship title in 1955; lost it two months later to Carmen Basilio in one of greatest welterweight bouts; career record of 58-12-1, 31 KOs.
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| 45
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Billy Gonsalves,
Fall River
Forward was member of 1930 U.S. World Cup soccer semifinal team.
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| 46
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Nancy Kerrigan,
Stoneham
Earned Olympic figure
skating silver in 1994
despite an infamously injured right leg; also won a bronze medal in '92.
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| 47
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Chris McCarron,
Dorchester
Alltime top money winner among jockeys; two victories in each Triple Crown race.
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| 48
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Mark (the Bird) Fidrych,
Northborough
National phenomenon in summer of 1976 talked to baseballs, won 19 games and was AL Rookie of the Year
for Tigers.
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| 49
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Henry Picard,
Plymouth
Won Masters in 1938, PGA in '39; 26 tournament victories.
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| 50
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Senda Berenson Abbott,
Boston
"The mother of women's basketball" introduced game to students at Smith College in 1892; her rules governed women's game until 1960s. |
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