Not only are there American athletes that are famous, there are other worldwide athletes that are just as famous. I would like to know who the top ten most famous athletes in the world are.
123390
Mohamed Ali\nMichael Jordan\nPele\nDiego Maridona\nBeckham
604420
The Classic will NEVER become more popular than the World Cup.\n\nSoccer is the world's sport, baseball is America's.
485265
I agree that other countries are pretty much on the same level as the United States when it comes to baseball.  I don't think it's embarrassing at all.  It's just the normal evolution of the game world wide.  It had to happen one day.  Just look at basketball, another American game.  We don't dominate basketball either on the world circuit anymore.  There are great athletes all over the world in all sports.  One day I'd like to see a real world series.  The champions from all the leagues across the world play in a world championship tournament and crown a real "World Champion."
574092
I've yet to understand the popularity of baseball myself but hey to each there own.  When I ask my family about world cup and I have to tell them it's soccer. They roll their eyes and yawn.  To those that never played the game it is rather boring and you can catch all the action on the highlight reel of the late night news.  When you get down to it, when one doesn't know someone that's actually playing it's hard to spark interest.  Baseball players, basketball etc...have become household names and hence an increase of popularity.
267736
they want to be the best, and without doubt, u.s. is the best place to train. It doesn't annoy me, b/c it takes the competition to the next level. Less fortunate athlete can achieve their dreams for their own countries.
55838
This is one of the biggest problems in America today. He's a golfer, why do we care if he's a Republican or Democrat? Same with other athletes, singers, actors, etc. Just because someone is famous, doesn't mean they're opinion is worth anything in the political arena. In fact, I tend to believe that their opinion is far less valid than the average American because they don't live in the real world.
617571
Okay no offense but there are going to be stupid people on here that say they are famous and they aren't. They pretend to be someone else. So why did you even ask this question? Good luck with it.
622602
We lost because we don't have the talent that the other countries have. As to stop calling it the "World" Series I should mention that the best players in the world play MLB even though they're not from the US. The World Series does in fact imply the "World" because of the diversity of players in MLB, even though it's played only in North America.
608599
I am 12 and I play baseball. But I have a question for YOU: why did you post this on an INTERNATIONAL thing? People all over the world read this and they won't travel 2,000 miles just to go out with someone. This is one of the most pointless questions ever.
159649
I think in order to be considered "best," you should be able use both feet if not equally well..pretty close. Yes those guys a good but I can think of people that names arent as high on the radar that I consider much better. No one can touch Maradona..or Pele to me..that is soccer. The tricks of today are nice but that was pure soccer
48123
I thought I read they took the Bronze.\n\nAnyway.....  Many NHL Players are from Canada & Europe now.\nFor example, the Devil's Goalie Martin Brodure is from Canada and was the Canadian Goalie. \nSo having NHL Players in the Olympics helps many countries not just the USA!
309299
I work at a major airport so I freqently see pro athletes who are traveling. Some of them are really cool and will talk to you nicely if you tell them you're a fan, but others are jerks. It's a mixed bag. Just be respectful of their space if you run into one out in public. Don't go interrupting their meal or their phone call just to say how big a fan you are.
586649
Greetings from inside the Yahoo Brain in New York City!\nHope you're catching the live webcast at: http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html !\n\nAndy won this the same way Michael Jordan won ESPN's SportsCentury greatest player over Babe Ruth and Wilt Chamberlain--he played more recently.  These polls are always skewed towards the most recent times so they can garner the interest of younger fans/viewers.  And if those fans are allowed to vote, forget it--then it will be all players who play currently!\n\nHope this helps!\n\n--J.
607939
ITS TOO HARD TO POINT OUT A SINGLE PERSON.\n\nEVERY GAME HAS SOME LEGENDS.\n\nCRICKET----------- DON.\n\nFOOT BALL-------- PELE.\n\nTENNIS-------------- ASH.\n\nAND SO ON ...
355770
You know, every country goes through a period of rebuilding once their champion players retire or begin to wind down. It's not fair to expect to produce champions at every turn. We in Oz have never had the pleasure that others have had with multiple champions or choices of them. We have produced some great players though, some of the best, just not all at the same time. Just be grateful that no matter where the players herald from that we still get to see fantastic tennis. I know what you are saying in relation to representative tennis. Sadly a lot of players do put their personal careers ahead of country. Although I personally find that a little sad ( as none seem to mind the chance at Olympic Gold) They have the right I guess to limit their matches and games if it's the Grand Slams that they have their eyes on. We tend to have unrealistic expectations of our players. Maybe it's just that other players are finding form or new players making their mark. I'm sure they are trying. They wouldn't want their fans to be disappointed in them.
186054
Cricket, darts, and curling are very popular sports in areas outside the USA.  Yahoo Answers does have an international audience, so I see why these are listed individually.\nI guess that Yahoo can't put all of the sports in their own category.\nLacrosse would probably need to have quite a few questions being asked, or have a national/worldwide craze to get its own category.\nI love the sport - wish I grew up in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast area so I could have played in high school.
270928
Kobe is the most famous. He is probably not the most loved. Not the best attitude. Probably the most skilled, but everything in life isn't always perfect.