In a sports world that is driven more and more by the Internet, it is evident that the digital divide between white and black sports fans still exists. That gap gets narrower by the day, but ESPN’s Sports Mount Rushmore’s for each state was compiled from website submissions and discussions on respective state/region’s conversation pages at ESPN.com.
By the way, Rob King, an African American, is editor-in-chief of ESPN.com. But the results for most states seem to overlook many black athletes’ accomplishments. Missouri is no different.
The four figures on Missouri’s Sports Rushmore are below:
Lamar Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) – The AFL founder as well as the Chiefs’ founder and owner is credited with naming the “Super Bowl.”
Stan Musial (St. Louis Cardinals) – The three-time NL MVP led the Cardinals to three World Series titles before becoming a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jack Buck (St. Louis Cardinals announcer) – The Cardinals announcer for almost 50 years, Buck also called many Super Bowls and World Series.
George Brett (Kansas City Royals) – Brett played 21 seasons with the Royals and was the 1980 AL MVP. He also won three batting titles and is a member of the Baseball HOF.
Maybe the biggest surprise based on the past season is the fact that Kurt Warner didn’t make it.
Nothing against either of these four gentlemen, but ignoring the following black and Hispanic athletes is absurd.
Lou Brock (St. Louis Cardinals) – Most SB in NL history, 6-time all-star, won 2 World Series in 15-plus seasons.
Marshall Faulk (St. Louis Rams) – 2000 NFL MVP, 4-time Pro Bowler with Rams, helped lead Rams to win in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cardinals) – 2-time Cy Young winner, 1968 NL MVP, won 2 World Series titles in 17 seasons.
Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals) – 2001 NL Rookie of the Year, 2-time NL MVP, 7-time all-star, led STL to 2006 WS title
Ozzie Smith (St. Louis Cardinals) – 14-time all-star, 13 Gold Gloves, member of Baseball of Hall of Fame
Derrick Thomas (Kansas City Chiefs) – NFL Hall of Famer (posthumously), 9-time Pro Bowler, Chiefs’ leader in sacks, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries
Satchel Paige (All-time Negro League great with the Kansas City Monarchs and MLB’s Kansas City Athletics).
Also, how could you possibly overlook Curt Flood? The man had more influence on sports than any of the four who would grace Missouri’s Sports Rushmore.
A top 10 greats
Bonneville St. Louis Radio Group’s new Sports/Talk station WXOS 101 ESPN is celebrating Black History Month with special programming honoring African-American athletes, their legacy and contributions to the history of sports.
The program series titled “101 ESPN’s Salute to Black History” is hosted by Alvin A. Reid, city editor of the St. Louis American and 101 ESPN’s Brian Stull, and features a review and discussion of the 10 most-influential African-Americans in sports history.
Each show will focus on the achievements of the Top 10 athletes of color, featuring sound bytes of each person profiled. The series will also include a roundtable panel who will share their thoughts and opinions of these moments in African-American and sports history. This roundtable panel will consist of noted St. Louis athletes, media personalities, and 101 ESPN air talents – St. Louis Post-Dispatch Columnist and “Paris & Burwell” Co-Host Bryan Burwell; KSDK-TV Sports Director and “314 Sports” Host Rene Knott; and Former St. Louis Ram and Co-Host of “The Fast Lane” D’Marco Farr.
“101 ESPN’s Salute to Black History” continues from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 15 and Sunday Feb. 22.