My Bobby Orr "Stuff"

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

I'm a huge Orr fan, but I'd find it hard to believe that his popularity would rival Ortiz at this point - after the WS championships, his final season and especially his speech after the marathon bombings, dropping the f-bomb and getting away with it and all.

And that's not to mention another athlete whose popularity might surpass Orr's, Tom Brady... From my viewpoint, Orr would come after those two.

The only problem with this thinking is the fact that Ortiz wouldn't even be the most famous Boston BASEBALL player... With that honour completely owned by Williams. As previously mentioned, the Boston Globe poll found Orr to be even more popular than Williams. And while both Ortiz and Brady are arguably more popular now due to their contemporary careers... as time passes, their stars will fade somewhat. On the other hand, Orr's legacy is completely cemented in Beantown for generations to come.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

The only problem with this thinking is the fact that Ortiz wouldn't even be the most famous Boston BASEBALL player... With that honour completely owned by Williams. As previously mentioned, the Boston Globe poll found Orr to be even more popular than Williams. And while both Ortiz and Brady are arguably more popular now due to their contemporary careers... as time passes, their stars will fade somewhat. On the other hand, Orr's legacy is completely cemented in Beantown for generations to come.

I don't think there's a problem at all, most famous or most popular, I'd be willing to bet that David Ortiz tops Ted Williams for Boston baseball players in a hypothetical poll conducted today. That isn't to say that Ortiz was a better baseball player, just that people would rank Ortiz higher in popularity or fame.

And I don't get why the careers of Brady and Ortiz, one which recently ended and the other which is still going, would fade somewhat while Orr's is completely cemented. Both careers of Brady and Ortiz are hardened more than cement, they've been diamonded (if that's a word). One is considered a candidate for GOAT QB who has more rings than any other player, the other broke the silly "Curse of the Bambino," while serving as the face of Boston's more popular franchise.

No doubt the hockey fanatics in Boston adore Orr, as do I. But the Sox have historically been more popular, with the Patriots currently running in lead as the most popular Boston sports team in recent years (here's a recent poll to support that: http://www.salemnews.com/who-is-your...fd93802d4.html). Combine the popularity of the Sox with Ortiz's role on the team, his media-friendly personality, the era that he played in (24-hour news cycle), the Boston Marathon speech and recency bias (Orr last took the ice for the Bruins more than 40 years ago and the poll listing him above Williams was taken around that time), I don't think it would be even close today between Ortiz and Orr.

The great part is that there is a debate, as these players are all incredible Boston icons and also icons in their respective sports.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

I don't think there's a problem at all, most famous or most popular, I'd be willing to bet that David Ortiz tops Ted Williams for Boston baseball players in a hypothetical poll conducted today. That isn't to say that Ortiz was a better baseball player, just that people would rank Ortiz higher in popularity or fame.

And I don't get why the careers of Brady and Ortiz, one which recently ended and the other which is still going, would fade somewhat while Orr's is completely cemented. Both careers of Brady and Ortiz are hardened more than cement, they've been diamonded (if that's a word). One is considered a candidate for GOAT QB who has more rings than any other player, the other broke the silly "Curse of the Bambino," while serving as the face of Boston's more popular franchise.

No doubt the hockey fanatics in Boston adore Orr, as do I. But the Sox have historically been more popular, with the Patriots currently running in lead as the most popular Boston sports team in recent years (here's a recent poll to support that: http://www.salemnews.com/who-is-your...fd93802d4.html). Combine the popularity of the Sox with Ortiz's role on the team, his media-friendly personality, the era that he played in (24-hour news cycle), the Boston Marathon speech and recency bias (Orr last took the ice for the Bruins more than 40 years ago and the poll listing him above Williams was taken around that time), I don't think it would be even close today between Ortiz and Orr.

The great part is that there is a debate, as these players are all incredible Boston icons and also icons in their respective sports.

With all due respect... I find it beyond improbable that Ortiz would be more popular in Boston than Ted Williams... ever, and under ANY circumstance.
You do make good points about Brady though...

Except the "GOAT" part, which is more a slight on that corny, completely overused and abused acronym than it is regarding Brady's accomplishments or skill level.

I still believe Orr would be the most popular Beantown athlete though...

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

With all due respect... I find it beyond improbable that Ortiz would be more popular in Boston than Ted Williams... ever, and under ANY circumstance.
You do make good points about Brady though...

Except the "GOAT" part, which is more a slight on that corny, completely overused and abused acronym than it is regarding Brady's accomplishments or skill level.

I still believe Orr would be the most popular Beantown athlete though...

GOAT is corny, abused and completely cliche, no doubt, although I'd never outright claim any player deserves it outright - it's always "in the discussion" because I think discussion is more fun. Brady is for sure in that discussion.

And I'm not saying anybody being the most popular is "right" or anything, I just know that a lot of people today seem to be fickle enough that they focus on what is new or most recent, especially if they never got to watch Orr or Williams or some of the greats from the past. I wouldn't be surprised if more people in a large cross-section of Boston sports fans could identify Rob Gronkowski than Bobby Orr. Hence popularity or famous, but this includes a wide swath of fans from the general public. And that doesn't mean I'd rank Gronk over Orr, just the opposite on my list, but I'm talking about the overall Boston fandom population today.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

GOAT is corny, abused and completely cliche, no doubt, although I'd never outright claim any player deserves it outright - it's always "in the discussion" because I think discussion is more fun. Brady is for sure in that discussion.

And I'm not saying anybody being the most popular is "right" or anything, I just know that a lot of people today seem to be fickle enough that they focus on what is new or most recent, especially if they never got to watch Orr or Williams or some of the greats from the past. I wouldn't be surprised if more people in a large cross-section of Boston sports fans could identify Rob Gronkowski than Bobby Orr. Hence popularity or famous, but this includes a wide swath of fans from the general public. And that doesn't mean I'd rank Gronk over Orr, just the opposite on my list, but I'm talking about the overall Boston fandom population today.

I get what you're claiming...
I went to both Boston Sports Collectors shows last year at the Shriners in Wilmington, and while that is no measurement for the general Boston sports fan, I can honestly say that I don't remember seeing ONE Gronk item... I saw a lot of Orr stuff (probably the most for a single player), a lot of Red Sox and Williams items (obviously) and a lot of Brady and Patriot items. Very little Ortiz. To be fair though, I'm probably somewhat biased in what I saw, as I'm much more of a hockey fan. I can also say that the most popular jersey I saw rocked by attendees at the show WASN'T Orr... or Williams .... or Ortiz....
It was definitely Brady. That I remember.

[FourStrikes]

JMO, but I'd put BIRD and Russell up there with Teddy Ballgame, Brady and Orr!

regardless of sport, icons all...

again, JMO.

[jb217676]

Another addition to my Orr collection...