Monday, May 14, 2007

The Number One Number Eight

The Sporting News lists its "Best by Number" rankings, and makes a wise choice on number eight (and I'll leave the debate over whether NASCAR drivers are even eligible "players" to you guys):

8. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

Contender: Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR driver.

This number represents a battle of icons -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the unquestioned face of NASCAR. Ovechkin is fast becoming an icon for the Capitals.

Earnhardt and Ovechkin share more than a number. Each is better than the team that surrounds him. They also have number roots in common. Junior drives the No. 8, as did his grandfather. Ovechkin chose No. 8 because his mother, who played basketball in the Olympics for the Soviet Union, wore it.

We chose Ovechkin over Earnhardt as the best 8 because Ovechkin is more of an elite hockey player than Earnhardt is an elite driver. At the very least, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are better drivers than Junior. There are not four hockey players more talented than Ovechkin.
H/t to Ted's Take on the link.

2 comments:

Jibblescribbits said...

Any list that doesn't list Sakic as #19 (active) isn't worth a damn.. despite their good choice of Ovechkin over Earnhardt Jr.

Then only #19 contender of all time would be Yzerman.. and they are so damn close you can make an argument for either.

Anonymous said...

Matt Kenseth would also rank higer than Jr, and maybe a couple of others as well.