1. Allen Iverson
   Michael Jordan
2. Julius Erving
   Charles Barkley

Michael Jordan retired during the prime of his NBA career to play baseball after the death of his father. He returned a few years later, winning three more NBA titles.

1. Emmitt Smith
   Walter Payton
2. Barry Sanders
   Frank Gore

Walter Payton finished his career as the NFL all-time leading rusher. However, that record was broken by Emmitt Smith who still holds the record with 18,355 yards.

1. Gordie Howe
   Martin Brodeur
2. Wayne Gretzky
   Brett Hull

Playing from 1979 until 1999, Wayne Gretzky set a host of NHL records during his career, including most goals and most assists. For his play, he was selected to 18 All-Star games.

1. Cal Ripken Jr.
   Nolan Ryan
2. Barry Bonds
   Rickey Henderson

Cal Ripken Jr. spent his entire MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles. One of his greatest achievements while playing for the Orioles was winning the 1983 World Series against the Phillies.

1. Dennis Rodman
   Karl Malone
2. Patrick Ewing
   Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas was famously left off the 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, which would win gold that year. According to speculation, Michael Jordan had a hand in keeping Thomas from participating.

1. Tracy McGrady
   Vince Carter
2. Yao Ming
   Kevin Garnett

Yao Ming was a physical force on the basketball court, especially in an era with other great big men like Shaquille O'Neal. Injuries eventually slowed him down, and he finally retired in 2011 after only eight seasons in the league.

1. Jim Kelly
   Drew Bledsoe
2. Dan Marino
   Andre Reed

Jim Kelly guided the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls from the 1990 season to the 1993 season. However, his team lost all four games.

1. Earvin "Magic" Johnson
   Byron Scott
2. Jamaal Wilkes
   James Worthy

Earvin "Magic" Johnson initially retired from the NBA in 1991 after finding out he had HIV. He made a return to the league in 1996, playing one season before retiring permanently.

1. John Elway
   Troy Aikman
2. Dan Marino
   Joe Montana

Drafted in 1983, Dan Marino had a successful career as he set a host of records and won numerous awards. However, the elite quarterback never won a Super Bowl.

1. Ozzie Newsome
   Lou Groza
2. Gary Collins
   Jim Brown

Jim Brown went into acting after he left the NFL. He played in such movies as "The Condor," "Dirty Dozen," and "100 Rifles."

1. Johnny Unitas
   Reggie Wayne
2. Dwight Freeney
   Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning suffered a neck injury that forced him to miss the 2011 season. His team went 2-14, the worst record in the league, and earned the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The Colts decided to move on from Manning, drafting quarterback Andrew Luck to take his place.

1. Bart Starr
   Brett Favre
2. Paul Hornung
   Jerry Kramer

Brett Favre started an astounding 297 straight games during his NFL career. That's an NFL record that may never be broken, as no current player is anywhere close.

1. Kobe Bryant
   Earvin "Magic" Johnson
2. Shaquille O'Neal
   Wilt Chamberlain

Kobe Bryant spent the first half of his career playing beside Shaquille O'Neal. However, conflict over who should lead the team forced the Lakers to part ways with O'Neal, as Kobe went on to win two more championships with the Lakers.

1. Jerry Rice
   Randy Moss
2. Terrell Owens
   Deion Sanders

Jerry Rice played beside two Hall of Fame quarterbacks during his career in San Fransisco. He won two Super Bowls with Joe Montana and a single Super Bowl with Steve Young.

1. Dennis Rodman
   Charles Barkley
2. Karl Malone
   Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen was a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. His defensive prowess was evident by his selection to eight NBA All-Defensive First Teams.

1. Sandy Koufax​
   Roberto Clemente
2. Reggie Jackson
   Nolan Ryan

Roberto Clemente was selected to the MLB Hall of Fame the year following his death. His selection was unique because players initially had to wait five years before they could be selected.

1. Ron Santo
   Hank Aaron
2. Ernie Banks
   Andre Dawson

Ernie Banks was so popular among Cubs' fans that he earned the nickname "Mr. Cub." Banks never won a World Series with the team, but he was selected to 14 All-Star games and was twice named the NL MVP.

1. Phil Simms
   Harry Carson
2. Lawrence Taylor
   Tiki Barber

Lawrence Taylor revolutionized the linebacker position in the NFL. He was particularly great at getting after the quarterback in passing situations, racking up 132.5 sacks throughout his career.

1. Kevin McHale
   Larry Bird
2. Charles Barkley
   Patrick Ewing

Larry Bird had a successful career as a player and later as a coach and executive. His success was evident by his three NBA MVP awards, an NBA Coach of the Year award, and an Executive of the Year award.

1. Barry Bonds
   Satchel Paige
2. Jackie Robinson
   Bo Jackson

Jackie Robinson came into the league as an immediate star, earning the Rookie of the Year award in 1947. Two years later, he won the NL MVP, cementing his legacy as a great player.

1. Oscar Robertson
   Jerry West
2. Elgin Baylor
   Moses Malone

In 1971, Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to the franchise's only NBA championship. Robertson won the title after averaging 18.3 points and 8.9 assists in the playoffs.

1. Franco Harris
   Lynn Swann
2. Joe Greene
   Terry Bradshaw

Joe Greene was part of the "Steel Curtain" defensive line that dominated the NFL throughout the 1970s. As a leader on the defense, he was a centerpiece in the Steelers' four Super Bowl victories during that era.

1. Stan Musial
   Earl Weaver
2. Barry Bonds
   Lou Brock

Stan Musial helped the Cardinals win the 1942 World Series. Deputing at the end of the 1941 season, 1942 was his first full season in the league.

1. Larry Bird
   Bob Cousy
2. Bill Russell
   Elgin Baylor

Bill Russell was instrumental in breaking down racial​ barriers in the NBA. His hiring as the first black NBA head coach was particularly important for the development of the league.

1. Willie Mays
   Barry Bonds
2. Pete Rose
   Frank Robinson

Willie Mays was elected to 24 All-Star games, a record he shares with Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. His first All-Star selection came in 1954, the same season he won the NL MVP.

1. Alex Rodriguez
   Derek Jeter
2. Mickey Mantle
   Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth changed the game of baseball in the 1920s by continuously pushing the home run bar further and further. He finished his career with 714 home runs, a record that wouldn't be broken until Hank Aaron came along.

1. Manu Ginobili
   Tim Duncan
2. Tony Parker
   David Robinson

Tim Duncan played the early part of his career alongside David Robinson. Known as "The Twin Towers," they were a dominant force underneath the basket.

1. Willie Mays
   Ty Cobb
2. Ted Williams
   Carl Yastrzemski

Ted Williams left baseball to serve in WWII and the Korean War. During both wars, Williams served as a naval aviator.

1. Bobby Orr
   Maurice Richard
2. Ted Lindsay
   Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe played 26 seasons in the NHL, which is the longest career span of any player in the history of the league. 25 of those seasons were spent with the Detroit Red Wings.

1. Bobby Orr
   Bobby Hull
2. Mario Lemieux
   Mark Messier

Bobby Hull had a level of athleticism that few other NHL players could match. He was often a defensive nightmare and opposing teams would assign players just to guard him.

1. Kurt Warner
   Isaac Bruce
2. Torry Holt
   Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk was a centerpiece in a Rams' offense that was known as "The Greatest Show on Turf." The offense also included quarterback Kurt Warner along with receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

1. Elvin Hayes
   Moses Malone
2. Karl Malone
   Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in the NBA. He also finished third on the list of all-time rebounds, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

1. Hank Aaron
   Chipper Jones
2. Greg Maddux
   Tom Glavine

Chipper Jones was taken by the Atlanta Braves with the first overall pick in the 1990 MLB draft. Jones spent his entire career with the​ organization, helping the team win a World Series in 1995.

1. Lou Gehrig
   Joe DiMaggio
2. Mickey Mantle
   Yogi Berra

Lou Gehrig's career was cut short by his battle with ALS. Two years after his retirement, the disease took his life.

1. Maurice Richard
   Mark Messier
2. Guy Lafleur
   Al MacInnis

Al MacInnis had a very lengthy playing career that lasted 23 seasons in the NHL. He also played on Canada's international team, winning gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics.