Since it is Family Day in Ontario, I thought I would take the opportunity to speak on the top 5 Families in Sport. Whether they are brothers or sisters, father and son, these family trees have some unbelievable roots.
Top 5 all-time families in sport...
Tie 5. Brent and Wayne Gretzky or Tommie and Hank Aaron or Hugo and Diego Maradona
All these families have one thing in common - one brother just slightly outshined the other. In fact many of you probably haven't even heard on of 3 of the 6 names listed above. Wayne and Brent Gretzky are the leading NHL point scorering brothers with 2861 points - Brent has 4 of them. Tommie and Hank Aaron are the leading MLB home run hitting brothers with 768, Tommie had 13 of them. Diego Maradona captivated the world with his soccer skills and shared the FIFA Player of the Century award with Pele, while his brother Hugo bounced from club to club, even playing for Toronto Italia in 1998.
4. Archie Manning, Eli and Peyton Manning
The list of accomplisments for this first family of football could fill a couple of blogs. The two brothers Eli and Peyton have recently outshined the feats of their father who played in the NFL from 1971 to 1984, most famously with the New Orleans Saints. Eli and Peyton have recently combined for two Super Bowl trophies, one regular season and a Super Bowl MVP and they became the first brother combination to play in the NFL pro bowl.
3. Venus and Serena Williams
These two tennis phenoms took the WTP by storm. Venus going pro in 1994 and Serena following in 1995. Together they have won a combined 17 Grand Slam singles titles, Olympic gold medals, have both been ranked number 1 in the world. The only thing holding them back from being higher on the list is their crazy father.
2. Reggie, Darrell and Cheryl Miller
This famous brother and sister combination of Reggie and Cheryl Miller would kill in a game of two on two on any court. Cheryl is arguably one of the best women's players of all time. Inducted into the basketball HOF, and Women's HOF, she won a gold medal in LA at the 1984. What cemented her legacy was her time at USC. A 3 time Player of the Year, she won 2 NCAA titles, and won the tournament MVP both times. After graduating, she had several offers to go pro but an injured knee got in the way of a professional playing career. Instead she coached at USC and then coached 4 years in WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury. She is now a broadcaster with TNT. All that and she scored 100 pts in game!
Top 5 all-time families in sport...
Tie 5. Brent and Wayne Gretzky or Tommie and Hank Aaron or Hugo and Diego Maradona
All these families have one thing in common - one brother just slightly outshined the other. In fact many of you probably haven't even heard on of 3 of the 6 names listed above. Wayne and Brent Gretzky are the leading NHL point scorering brothers with 2861 points - Brent has 4 of them. Tommie and Hank Aaron are the leading MLB home run hitting brothers with 768, Tommie had 13 of them. Diego Maradona captivated the world with his soccer skills and shared the FIFA Player of the Century award with Pele, while his brother Hugo bounced from club to club, even playing for Toronto Italia in 1998.
4. Archie Manning, Eli and Peyton Manning
The list of accomplisments for this first family of football could fill a couple of blogs. The two brothers Eli and Peyton have recently outshined the feats of their father who played in the NFL from 1971 to 1984, most famously with the New Orleans Saints. Eli and Peyton have recently combined for two Super Bowl trophies, one regular season and a Super Bowl MVP and they became the first brother combination to play in the NFL pro bowl.
3. Venus and Serena Williams
These two tennis phenoms took the WTP by storm. Venus going pro in 1994 and Serena following in 1995. Together they have won a combined 17 Grand Slam singles titles, Olympic gold medals, have both been ranked number 1 in the world. The only thing holding them back from being higher on the list is their crazy father.
2. Reggie, Darrell and Cheryl Miller
This famous brother and sister combination of Reggie and Cheryl Miller would kill in a game of two on two on any court. Cheryl is arguably one of the best women's players of all time. Inducted into the basketball HOF, and Women's HOF, she won a gold medal in LA at the 1984. What cemented her legacy was her time at USC. A 3 time Player of the Year, she won 2 NCAA titles, and won the tournament MVP both times. After graduating, she had several offers to go pro but an injured knee got in the way of a professional playing career. Instead she coached at USC and then coached 4 years in WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury. She is now a broadcaster with TNT. All that and she scored 100 pts in game!
Not to be outdone was her brother Reggie. Reggie went to UCLA and took the team to NIT championship and finished 2nd all time in UCLA scoring behind Kareem-Abdul Jabbar. Reggie then went pro and spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers. A 5 time all star, he finished as the all time NBA leader in 3pters. Reggie also made a splash on the international scene, winning a gold medal and a world championship. Reggie never had a 100 pt. game, but has matched his sister by working with TNT.
The little known third sibling is Darrell Miller who played witht he California Angels from 1984-88. He played in 224 career major league games, batting .241 with 13 doubles, 8 home runs, and 35 runs batted in, in 394 at-bats.
1. Suter Family -Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Rich and Ron
All the Suter family managed to have good to great careers playing hockey, and four of them went on to become coaches or general managers. There must have been something in the water in Winnipeg for this to happen or does it just get to the point where as they are moving up the ranks in hockey that scouts and teams can't ignore them and progress them to the next level? Either way that is one successful family!
Honourable Mention:
The Hull's - Bobby, Dennis and Brett Hull
Doug and Darren Flutie
The Dimaggio's - Joe, Dom, and Vince
Joe and Phil Niekro
Maurice and Henri Richard
Alou brothers (Matty and Jesus) Alou and son Felipe
Marcus and Damon Allen
Gait Brothers - Lacrosse
Gary & Phil Neville
Who would you choose as the best family to ever play?
I cannot believe that you do not have the Hull's number one. Bobby and Dennis both really good players. In the conversation of the best brother combo ever in the NHL (both played for Team Canada). Then you add possibly the best of the family with the next generation in Brett. The only father/son combo to ever score 600+ NHL goals and they are both going to be in the HHOF. Quality over quantity. I think the Manning's should be two and the Sutter’s 3rd. Also how about a shout out to the Boone's. Baseball Royalty.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the Alou brothers? Talk about baseball history!
ReplyDeleteAnd as a Canucks fan...may I submit:
The Sedins
The Coutnalls
The Capuanos!!!!
Bones
Oops...you HAD the Alous...my bad.
ReplyDeleteAs and Expos fan...might I add...
Wilton and Vlad Guererro!!
Bones - i like that many brother/sister combos have played for the Canucks, but I am not certain any of them deserve mention in the top 5. Russ and Geoff Courtnall? Really? I would put the Von Erich wrestling family ahead of them.
ReplyDelete