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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 1:25 AM Thursday, July 9, 2009

If you had to decide who would be immortalized on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest athletes of all time — and you could only choose four — who would they be?

My buddy and I were tossing that around after watching another mesmerizing performance by Tiger Woods last weekend. What sets him apart is that he’s not only the most talented golfer alive, but also the most mentally tough (which may be just as much a God-given gift as that mighty swing).

He was an easy choice for our national sports monument, and two others were no-brainers.

Babe Ruth: Out-homered entire teams. Also could have been a top-flight pitcher. Imagine what he would have done without those between-inning hot dogs.

Jim Brown: As big as most lineman while also being able to out-run defensive backs. Left football in his prime for a pedestrian movie career, although “The Dirty Dozen” remains one of my favorite flicks.

Michael Jordan: Too quick to pressure defensively, too good a shooter not to guard tightly. Like Tiger, MJ combined ridiculous skills with an aura that made others crumble.

I considered Wayne Gretzky for Jordan’s spot. I once drove with friends from Dayton to Chicago just to be able to say I saw him in his prime. I guess you have to understand the nuances of hockey (I don’t) to know why he was called The Great One.

I’m sticking with my list.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@coxohio.com

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Agree on Babe&Jim Brown.MJ doesn't measure up to "Big O"career was triple-double.Wilt stats Beyond Belief.Scored & rebounded at will.Russel only rebounded.Tiger is Great for now helped by equipt improvment.Jack in Prime,Tigers equal.Your worst offense!Jim Thorpe should lead any list of Athletes.College allAmerica(when it ment something)The#1 ProFootball player of his time.MajorLeague BB player.Jim Brown nearest player to him.

ezednnv
7:00 PM, 7/9/2009

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What about Jim Thorpe?

Robert
6:03 PM, 7/9/2009

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Muhammadddd ALLLLIIIII !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brandon
5:38 PM, 7/9/2009

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Any such list which does not include Ali cannot be taken seriously.

bertrumm r
2:46 PM, 7/9/2009

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I agree with your picking. I don't agree with someone's comment's about golf. You say that because you don't know about golf. athlete or not is NOT about how much you sweat. Ask Tyson if he can hit the little ball 300 yards away, Charle Barkley surely can't. That's enough power, you don't have to sweat. Golf is the most difficult to win, Tiger only win 29%, Jack Niclause win some 15%. A guy ranked outside 100 can win US open any day. I don't think the 30th NBA team has a chance to win a title.

sean
12:21 PM, 7/9/2009

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