Talking Points: Secretariat the athlete

What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:

1

Today’s Kentucky Derby reminds Talking Points of the list of the 50 greatest North American athletes of the 20th century that ESPN released 11 years ago. Topping it were names such as Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth, but if one were to scroll down, he’d see Secretariat at No. 35. Unsurprisingly, this sparked some controversy, the most common complaint being: “He was a horse!” Indeed he was. But he probably should have been higher on that list.

Few if any “athletes” dominated their sport the way Secretariat did, and none shined as brightly on the greatest stage. True, his motivation lay more in getting his post-race bag of oats than it did, say, going down in the annals of history, but still. One of the most famous pictures in sports? Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte staring back at the distant field in the Belmont Stakes. One of the most famous calls in sports? Chic Anderson, also at the Belmont, screaming “he is moving like a tremendous machine!”

Yes, Secretariat was a legend. Not that Talking Points doesn’t feel for Oscar Robertson a little. After all, he finished 36th on that list, one behind a horse.

2

Rashard Mendenhall’s tweets about Osama bin Laden have triggered some discussion whether pro teams should ban their players from using social media. Obviously, Mendenhall’s actions warrant at least entertaining the notion, but if organizations were to take such actions, you wouldn’t see tweets like below.

From Grizzlies forward Shane Battier, while stuck on an elevator:

“As I sit here in the elevator that is stuck between floors and wait for the fire dept. to spring me, it is a good time to reflect on the many blessings in my life. Mainly working elevators.”