The 50 Greatest Washington Sports Figures

This list of the top 50 greatest 20th-century athletes originally appeared in the Dec. 27, 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated. Have someone to add to SI's list? Click here to submit your choices.

20th Century Top 50 Rank Profile 1 John Stockton, Spokane First Gonzaga player to amass 1,000 points and 500 assists; NBA's alltime assists and steals leader; has played in nine All-Star Games and two Finals. 2 Earl Anthony, Tacoma Six-time PBA Bowler of the Year became first kegler to earn $1 million in a year, in 1982. 3 Phil Mahre, Yakima U.S.'s most successful ski racer won gold medal in downhill slalom at 1984 Olympics; three-time World Cup overall champ. 4 Mel Hein, Burlington Washington State star had eight interceptions in a game against Idaho; played for Giants from 1931 to '45. 5 Ryne Sandberg, Spokane Ten-time All-Star for Cubs hit 277 homers as a second baseman, a major league record. 6 Jim Whittaker, Redmond In 1963 Mount Rainier climbing guide became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 7 Drew Bledsoe, Ellensburg Walla Walla High and Washington State star has thrown for more than 25,000 yards in seven seasons with Patriots. 8 Earl Averill, Snohomish Hit .318 with 238 homers from 1929 to '41; one of two Hall of Famers to homer in first at bat in majors. 9 Michelle Akers, Seattle Three-time All-America at Shorecrest High; midfielder on 1999 World Cup-champion U.S. women's soccer team. 10 Ron Santo, Seattle Nine-time All-Star had 342 homers in 15 seasons and led NL third basemen in assists every year from 1962 to '68. 11 JoAnne Carner, Kirkland Five-time U.S. Amateur golf champ; won 1971 and '76 U.S. Women's Opens as a pro. 12 Ahmad Rashad, Tacoma All-America running back at Oregon; four-time Pro Bowl wideout had 6,831 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns in 10 NFL seasons. 13 Ron Cey, Tacoma Six-time All-Star and co-MVP with Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager in Dodgers' 1981 World Series win. 14 Morris (Red) Badgro, Kent Scored first TD in first NFL Championship Game, in 1933; outfielder with St. Louis Browns in 1929 and '30. 15 Fred Couples, Seattle Two-time PGA Tour player of the year (1991 and '92); won the '92 Masters; has been member of five U.S. Ryder Cup teams. 16 Gretchen Fraser, Tacoma At 1948 Olympics, won U.S.'s first Alpine skiing gold medal; helped found the Flying Outriggers, America's first amputee ski club. 17 Steve Mahre, Yakima Phil's twin got silver medal in downhill slalom at 1984 Olympics; won giant slalom at '82 world Alpine championships. 18 Freddie Steele, Tacoma Won middleweight boxing championship in 1936; retired in '41 with 116-5-9 record. 19 Chip Hanauer, Seattle Owns 61 career hydroplane victories (second alltime) and 11 Gold Cups. 20 Ray Flaherty, Spokane In 1934 Championship Game in New York, All-NFL end suggested Giants switch to basketball shoes to combat icy surface; New York won 30-13. 21 Marv Harshman, Tacoma Won 654 games as coach at Pacific Lutheran, Washington State and Washington from 1946 to '85. 22 Al Hostak, Seattle Two-time National Boxing Association middleweight champ lost title to Solly Krieger in 1938, then won it back the following year. 23 Albert Johnson, Spokane Won Kentucky Derbys aboard Morvich (1922), Bubbling Over ('26); Belmonts aboard American Flag ('25), Crusader ('26). 24 Al Ulbrickson Sr., Spokane Coached at Washington from 1927 to '58; his Huskies eight-oared crew edged Italy to win gold medal at '36 Olympics. 25 Mel Stottlemyre, Mabton Won 164 games for Yankees from 1964 to '74; five-time All-Star; three 20-win seasons. 26 Detlef Schrempf, Centralia German import and Centralia High grad was twice All-Pac-10 at Washington; has averaged more than 14 points in 15 NBA seasons. 27 John Olerud, Bellevue As sophomore at Washington State in 1988 hit .464 and was 15-0 as a pitcher; .301 average in 10 major league seasons. 28 Kasey Keller, Lacey All-America soccer goalie at Portland led U.S. into 1998 World Cup with six shutouts in nine qualifying-game starts. 29 Mark Rypien, Spokane Three-sport all-stater at Shadle Park High; Washington State football star; Super Bowl XXVI MVP with Redskins. 30 Ray Mansfield, Kennewick Lineman played 182 straight games for Steelers from 1964 to '76. 31 Ted Jones, Seattle Revolutionized unlimited hydroplane racing in 1950 with design of Slo-Mo-Shun IV, first hydroplane to reach 160 mph. 32 Pete Rademacher, Yakima Won boxing gold medal in heavyweight division at 1956 Olympics; lost heavyweight title tilt against Floyd Patterson in pro debut. 33 Jack Thompson, Seattle Threw for then NCAA-record 7,818 yards at Washington State from 1975 to '78. 34 Chris Chandler, Everett Averaged 21.5 points in basketball as Everett High senior; led Falcons to 1998 Super Bowl. 35 Doris Brown Heritage, Gig Harbor Only woman to win five straight world cross-country titles, from 1967 to '71; held U.S. record in 440 and 880 yards, and 1,500 meters. 36 Turk Edwards, Mold Helped lead Washington State to 1931 Rose Bowl; four-time All-NFL lineman for Redskins. 37 Harry Givan, Seattle Won 1936 Washington State Open and '42 Northwest Open; five-time Pacific Northwest Golf Association amateur champ. 38 Bob Houbregs, Seattle Hook shot guru and 1953 All-America averaged 25.6 points to lead Washington to '53 Final Four. 39 Gerry Lindgren, Spokane Set national high school two- and three-mile records at John R. Rogers High; set world-record 27:11.6 for six miles in 1965. 40 Hiram Conibear, Seattle Onetime White Sox trainer and "father of Washington rowing" introduced Conibear Stroke in early 1900s. 41 Steve Emtman, Cheney In 1991 Washington defensive end was first Pac-10 player to win Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy; top pick in '91 draft, by Colts. 42 Don Heinrich, Bremerton Led nation in passing in 1950, with Washington; three NFL title games with Giants. 43 Bill Buchan, Seattle 1984 U.S. yachtsman of the year won '84 Olympic gold medal in star class. 44 Randy Myers, Vancouver Lefty's 347 saves is fifth alltime; only reliever to save 30 games for five teams. 45 Janet Hopps-Adkisson, Bellevue University of Seattle women's tennis coach was No. 1 player on school's men's team from 1954 to '56; reached '60 Wimbledon semifinals. 46 Jeff Durgan, Tacoma New York Cosmos defender won 1980 NASL rookie of the year and helped franchise to league titles in '80 and '82. 47 Russell Baze, Granger Jockey has ridden more than 400 winners seven straight years, a national record; has more than 6,700 wins in career. 48 Tom Sneva, Spokane In 1977 became first driver to break 200 mph in Indy 500; USAC driving champion in '77 and '78; won '83 Indy. 49 Deborah Armstrong, Seattle Garfield High MVP in basketball and soccer; gold medalist in giant slalom at 1984 Olympics. 50 Eddie Feigner, Walla Walla Has more than 135,000 strikeouts, 238 perfect games in 54 seasons as barnstorming softball pitcher.

Photograph by Kent Horner/NBAE/Getty Images