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20th Century Top 50
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Rank |
Profile |
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1
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Ralph Kiner,
Santa Rita
Hall of Fame outfielder led National League or tied for lead in home runs first seven years of his career (1946 to '52).
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2
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Al Unser Sr.,
Albuquerque
Patriarch of auto racing's first family won Indianapolis 500 in 1970, '71, '78 and '87.
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3
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Nancy Lopez,
Roswell
In 1969 won New Mexico women's amateur golf title at age 12; has won 48 titles and more than $5 million on LPGA tour.
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4
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Kathy Whitworth,
Jal
Seven-time LPGA Player of the Year; had 88 career titles, a record for both men's and women's tours.
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5
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Bobby Unser,
Albuquerque
First auto racer to exceed 170 mph in a piston-engine machine; won Indy 500 in 1968, '75 and '81.
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6
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Everett Bowman,
Hope
World champion all-around cowboy in 1935 and '37; won eight other world titles from '29 to '38.
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7
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Jim Everett,
Albuquerque
Threw for more than 34,000 yards in 12-year NFL career (1986 to '97).
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8
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Al Unser Jr.,
Albuquerque
Two-time Indy 500 winner and CART's alltime prize-money leader; set record for career starts in Indy car racing in July.
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9
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Mike Smith,
Roswell
Won Eclipse Award as top jockey in 1993 and'94; rode record 67 stakes winners in '94.
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10
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Ralph Tasker,
Hobbs
After 53 years of coaching basketball -- 49 at Hobbs High -- retired in 1998 with record of 1,122-291 (.794).
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11
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Johnny Tapia,
Albuquerque
Won WBO super flyweight title in 1994; made 13 successful defenses.
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12
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Trent Dimas,
Albuquerque
In 1992 became first American in 60 years to win Olympic gold on horizontal bars.
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13
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Ralph Neely,
Farmington
Stalwart on Cowboys offensive line for 13 seasons; played on 1972 Super Bowl championship team.
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14
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Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman,
Albuquerque
In August 1978 these three amigos became first balloonists to cross Atlantic, in 137 hours and 18 minutes.
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15
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Rosie Jones,
Albuquerque
Won New Mexico junior golf title in 1974, '75, '76; has won 10 LPGA tour events and more than $4 million.
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16
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Tom Brookshier,
Roswell
Defensive back turned sportscaster intercepted 20 passes in seven seasons with the Eagles (1953 to '61).
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17
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Duane Ward,
Farmington
Fireballing reliever for Blue Jays led American League with 45 saves in 1993; played on two World Series championship teams.
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18
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Bob Foster,
Albuquerque
Light heavyweight champion successfully defended his title 14 times from 1969 to '74.
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19
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Cathy Carr,
Albuquerque
First New Mexican to win an Olympic gold medal got two in 1972, in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 4x100 medley relay.
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20
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Robby Unser,
Albuquerque
Youngest son of Bobby (#5) was Indy Racing League's 1998 Rookie of the Year.
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21
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Steve Ontiveros,
Las Cruces
Pitched in 204 games, had 33-30 record and 3.62 ERA in nine-year major league career (1985 to '95).
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22
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Tommy McDonald,
Albuquerque
Starred in football and basketball at Highland High, and won five gold medals in 1953 state track meet; NFL receiver from '57 to '68.
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23
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Bob Crosby,
Kenna
Won Roosevelt Trophy in 1925 as top all-around cowboy at both Cheyenne Frontier Days and Pendleton Round-Up.
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24
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Notah Begay III,
Albuquerque
Stanford teammate of Tiger Woods won two events and more than $1 million as 1999 PGA Tour rookie.
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25
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Charmayne James,
Clayton
Riding on Scamper, she won 10 straight world barrel racing titles from 1984 to '93.
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26
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Bill Bridges,
Hobbs
Was leading scorer in ABL (29.8 ppg) when it folded midway through 1962-63 season; played with Hawks, 76ers, Lakers and Warriors; scored more than 11,000 points.
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27
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Conrad Hamilton,
Alamogordo
All-state as defensive back and outfielder at Alamogordo High; now in fourth year with Giants.
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28
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Roy Cooper,
Hobbs
World champion steer roper and all-around rodeo champion in 1983; second cowboy to earn $1 million in prize money.
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29
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Shane Andrews,
Carlsbad
Cubs third baseman has hit 72 home runs in 1,499 at bats.
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30
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Sean Murphy,
Lovington
Golf medalist (1982 and '84) and first-team all-state punter at Lovington High; Nike tour's second alltime money winner.
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31
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Danny Romero,
Albuquerque
After 127-5 amateur career won IBF super flyweight title in 1995; lost belt to fellow New Mexican Johnny Tapia (#11) in '97.
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32
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Terry (Tito) Landrum,
Albuquerque
Hero of 1983 ALCS for Orioles with 10th-inning home run that won game and clinched series; nine-year career as outfielder.
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33
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Larry White,
Hobbs
First All-America football player at New Mexico, in 1954; drafted by Chicago Cardinals but attended dental school instead.
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34
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Timmy Smith,
Hobbs
MVP of Super Bowl XXII ran for record 204 yards on 22 carries for Redskins.
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35
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Chuck Hill,
Albuquerque
Three-sport star at Albuquerque High set or shared four NCAA records as a New Mexico kick returner from 1949 to '51.
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36
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Ronnie Black,
Lovington
Two-time state high school golf champ has won more than $2 million in 18 years on PGA Tour.
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37
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Sam Etcheverry,
Carlsbad
Scrambling quarterback threw for 1,982 yards in 28 NFL games with Cardinals in 1961 and '62.
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38
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Brian Urlacher,
Lovington
Thorpe Award finalist and All-America safety at New Mexico this season; led nation in tackles with 178 in 1998.
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39
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Bobby Newcombe,
Albuquerque
Football, basketball and track star at Highland High; backup QB and second-leading receiver for Nebraska this season.
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40
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Bob Breitenstein,
Farmington
Played in 58 games from 1965 to '70 as offensive lineman with Broncos, Vikings and Falcons.
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41
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Carlos Etheredge,
Albuquerque
State discus champion and all-district in basketball at Del Norte High; tight end for Miami in early 1990s; played one season with Colts ('94).
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42
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Rod Nichols,
Albuquerque
Star pitcher for Highland High and New Mexico in 1980s; won 11 games in seven seasons with Indians, Dodgers and Braves.
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43
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Frank Giddens,
Carlsbad
Starred at tackle for New Mexico before playing 25 games in NFL with Eagles in 1981 and '82.
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44
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Larry Harlow,
Aztec
Outfielder had .248 average in six seasons with Orioles and Angels from 1975 to '81.
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45
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Toby Roybal,
Santa Fe
Four-sport athlete at Santa Fe High (1948 to '50); leading scorer for New Mexico's basketball team in '54 and '56.
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46
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Dewey Bohling,
Albuquerque
Thirteenth-round pick in 1959 draft scored nine touchdowns as running back in 26-game NFL career.
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47
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Dave Sherer,
Carlsbad
Had 42.1-yard punting average in two years with Colts and Cowboys (1959 and '60).
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48
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Stan David,
Tucumcari
Texas Tech star played 16 games as linebacker for Bills in 1984.
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49
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Jeff Taylor,
Hobbs
Star forward at Texas Tech (1979 to '82); played 56 games with Rockets and Pistons.
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50
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Gary Johnson,
Albuquerque
The state's current governor lettered in pole vault his senior year at Sandia High, routinely won triathlons in New Mexico in 1980s; climbed Mount McKinley, highest peak in North America; was first U.S. governor to compete in an Ironman Triathlon. |
