Sports Careers: Short Fame or a Long Game
The question that fans debate in bars nationwide is this: Is it better to have a short career characterized by incredible performances– even if it’s an injury that shortens the career? Or is it better to have played for a long time, at a strong but average level. Take these specific examples and decide for yourself. Whose career would you rather have.
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1. NFL RUNNING BACK: BO JACKSON vs WARRICK DUNN
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The Case for Bo: Bo Jackson was one of the most exciting and physically gifted athletes in the history of sports. Jackson was a tremendous baseball player while simultaneously starring as the most dominating running back in the NFL. In only 4 seasons on the gridiron, Jackson accumulated 2,782 rushing yards, was named to one Pro Bowl, and scored 18 total touchdowns, including 16 on the ground. Jackson became a cultural icon as a result Nike’s “Bo Knows” ad campaign and the popularity of the football video game “Tecmo Bowl”, where his virtual recreation was almost God-like. Jackson’s athletic career was cut short as a result of a hip injury, but during the time he played, he was the epitome of greatness.
The Case for Dunn: Warrick Dunn was one of the more productive and under-appreciated running backs of his era. Dunn played 12 seasons in the NFL, entering the league in 1997 and was voted the Offensive Rookie of the Year that season. Dunn complied 10,967 rushing yards, scoring 64 total touchdowns, and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Unlike Jackson, Dunn’s career was prolonged and effective. He finished his career as the 19th ranked rusher in the history of the NFL and made 3 Pro Bowls. Additionally, Dunn has an outside chance at being voted into the Hall of Fame, the highest honor of the football world.
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2. MLB PITCHER: MARK FIDRYCH vs STEVE TRACHSEL
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The Case for Fidrych: “The Bird” was without doubt two things: dominate and corky. On the mound, Fidrych was as well known for talking to both the ball and himself, as he was for winning games and dominating the competition. In Fidrych’s rookie season he was spectacular. As a result he won the Rookie of the Year Award. That season he won 19 games, against 9 losses, posted an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.34, and completed 24 games, including 4 shutouts. Fidrych’s persona and antics immediately made him a pop culture icon around every Major League Baseball town. Unfortunately for Detroit Tiger fans, Fidrych’s career ended as quickly as it started. The following season “The Bird” tore his rotator cuff, which went misdiagnosed for many seasons and eventually forced an end to a once promising career. The Bird was no longer able to fly.
The Case for Trachsel: Many remember Steve Trachsel for his extremely long delay between pitches, but he was an effective pitcher in his career. Trachsel pitched in the majors for 16 seasons, most notably with the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets. While pitching in the steroid era, Trachsel accumulated 143 wins against 159 losses, with a career ERA of 4.39. Trachsel was the textbook definition of an innings eater, a durable pitcher that had both the stamina and skill to work deep into games. In 1996 Trachsel had his best season as a member of the Chicago Cubs. The journeyman posted a record of 13-9 with an ERA of 3.03, including an All-Star game appearance. Durability and reliability are not often recognized by baseball fans, pitchers like Trachsel form the heart of a team’s pitching staff.
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3. MLB PITCHER: MARK PRIOR vs ESTEBAN LOAIZA
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The Case for Prior: Mark Prior was supposed to be the next “big thing” in the baseball world. Prior personified all of the mental and physical characteristics of a great pitcher: an electric fastball, high velocity, pinpoint control, a devastating breaking ball and mental toughness. Unfortunately for Prior, and the city of Chicago, his arm was abused by than Cubs Manager Dusty Baker. Prior’s best season, 2002, was fantastic. He pitched 211 innings, had an Earned Run Average of 2.34, struck out 245 batters, and had an 18 win, 6 loss season. As a result of pitching an exorbitant amount of innings, Prior suffered a succession shoulder injuries that led to the end of his career. Prior eventually mounted a comeback, but was merely a shell of his former self, leaving baseball fans to ponder the question, “what could have been”.
The Case for Loaiza: For the better part of his career, Esteban Loaiza was an average pitcher that showed flashes of supremacy. Loaiza pitched in the big leagues for 14 seasons, accumulating 126 career wins, against 114 losses and a 4.65 Earned Run Average. Loaiza’s career was littered with inconsistency but was able to find dominance as a member of the Chicago White Sox in the 2003 season. In 2003, Loaiza finished second in the AL Cy Young voting, the award given to the best pitcher in the American League, posting 21-9 record with 207 strikeouts and an Earned Run Average of 2.90. Throughout his career Loaiza gave his team a respectable pitching performance with the occasional flash of dominance.
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4. NBA: MAURICE STOKES vs ROBERT HORRY
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The Case for Stokes: Maurice Stokes is one of the most tragic figures, and talented players, in the history of the National Basketball Association. Similar to Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, Stokes had the ability to play every position in the NBA. During his short career, the big man averaged 16.4 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. In 1958, his last season, Stokes was second in the NBA in rebounds and third in assists. His impact was only surpassed by fellow center Wilt Chamberlain. Stokes career was cut short due to a career-ending injury that tragically resulted in him being permanently paralyzed. In many ways, Stokes was the original Len Bias.
The Case for Horry: Robert Horry is one of the winningest players in the history of the NBA. Horry played 16 seasons, with 5 different teams, winning seven championships. Horry won two championships with the Houston Rockets, three with the Los Angeles Lakers, and two with the San Antonio Spurs. Horry was most valuable impacting games off the bench, often times proving offensive sparks in clutch moments. Throughout his career, Horry played his best when the lights were brightest in the playoffs. In the regular season, Horry averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while averaging 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in the playoffs. While Horry’s numbers are not overwhelming, he was a consistent contributor and occasional hero that has seven championship rings. He has more NBA championships than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving.
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5. MLB HITTERS: TONY CONIGLIARO vs BRADY ANDERSON
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The Case for Conigliaro: Tony Conigliaro was one of the most talented players to ever play the game. He was the Mike Trout of his generation. In 1964, at age 19, Conigliaro made his Major League Baseball debut, hitting .290, with 24 homeruns and 52 Runs Batted In. By the age of 22, Conigliaro became the youngest player in American League History to hit 100 homeruns, and made his first All-Star game appearance. In 1967, Conigliaro’s career took a violent and tragic turn when he was hit in the face by a Jack Hamilton pitch. He lost part of his vision and broke numerous bones in his face. As a result of the injury, Conigliaro’s career would never be the same. “Tony C” returned to baseball a forever changed man. The promising Hall of Famer returned as a shell of his former self. Conigliaro finished his career with 166 homeruns, a .264 batting average, and 516 RBI, a far cry from the promise that he displayed previous to being hit.
The Case for Anderson: Regardless of the steroid suspicion, Brady Anderson was one of the better all-around outfielders of his era. Throughout his 15 seasons in the major leagues, Anderson amassed 1,661 hits, 210 Home Runs, 315 stolen bases, and hit .256. 1996 was Anderson’s best season, he hit .297, 50 Home Runs, 110 RBI, and 21 stolen bases, including making the All-Star game. During his era, Anderson was one of the more productive leadoff hitters in the game making the All-Star game 3 times and showing flashes of brilliance during his long career.
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6. NFL QB: GREG COOK vs TRENT DILFER
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The Case for Cook: “Greg Cook could very well have been noted, or remembered, as the greatest quarterback of all time”. The man that said was Bill Walsh, a man that knows a thing or two about the quarterback position and greatness. He coached Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young. Cook displayed every physical characteristic that a quarterback would need: athleticism, a quick delivery, a rifle arm, pinpoint accuracy, and the ability to anticipate defenses. During Cook’s rookie season he suffered a torn rotator cuff when a defensive player fell on his throwing arm. Unlike in today’s NFL, Cook was cleared by team doctors to play immediately. During the 1969 season, his first as a professional Quarterback, Cook led the American Football League, (AFL) in Passer Rating and won the Rookie of the Year Award. But the damage to Cook’s arm was extensive, ultimately preventing him from regaining his prior dominance. He retired after the 1973 season, leaving Cincinnati Bengals fans with the memory of what could have been.
The Case for Dilfer: Trent Dilfer played 13 seasons in the NFL; and is most clearly remembered by fans as being the Quarterback of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Dilfer’s career record as a starter is relatively average, 58 wins against 55 losses, but he was the starting Quarterback of a Super Bowl winning team. 1997 was Dilfer’s best statistical season, he threw for 2555 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the team to a 10 win season. Dilfer was never flashy and hardly frightened opposing defensive coordinators, but he attained something that Dan Marino, Michael Vick, Dan Fouts, and Jim Kelly didn’t: a championship ring.
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