How well-known are these all-time great sports figures?

[aljurgela]

OK... just thought that I would do the same with my wife... for a different point of view (like the Chinese newspaper perspective) as she is Mexican and in her 40's and lived in the USA for less than 10 years.

I asked another question... who are 5 most important athletes of all time (no pre-established criteria)... Here are the responses:

Ali
Pele
Diego Maradona
Jackie Robinson
Babe Ruth

A bit interesting for me that there were 2 baseball players, although Jackie is probably more important for the social impact. I kindof expected 2 soccer players (and these two specifically) and Ali.

She thought that pretty much all of the good baseball players played for the Yankees.

Her knowledge of Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige are probably due to my collecting focus as well, I would not assume that most wives know these guys!

Also my wife asked if we can open a "support group" for the wives of collectors!

Here are the results on the broader list:

Babe Ruth Yes
Muhammad Ali Yes
Jackie Robinson Yes
Pele Yes
Lou Gehrig No
Mickey Mantle Yes - player for the Red Sox
Joe Frazier No
Roberto Clemente Yes - player for Yankees
Joe DiMaggio Yes - player for the Yankees
Ty Cobb Yes - Player for the Yankees
Shoeless Joe Jackson No
Wilt Chamberlain - No
Bill Russell - No (heard the name)
Jack Dempsey - No
Joe Louis - No
Rocky Marciano - Yes
Jim Thorpe - No
Jack Johnson - No
A.J. Foyt - No
Richard Petty - No
Honus Wagner - Yes - not sure who he played for
Satchel Paige - Yes
George Mikan - No
Rogers Hornsby - No
Christy Mathewson - No
Walter Johnson - Yes - pitcher - not sure of team
Bobby Jones - No
Bronko Nagurski - No
Josh Gibson - Yes
Georges Vezina - No