My Top 10 Sports Heroes

Here are my own personal top sports heroes. These players have proven their worth time and time again. Without these spectacular sports players, the world of sports would not be what it is today. Their contributions have given us many memorable sports events and achievements.

1. Steve Garvey - My childhood baseball hero. One of two players to have started in an All-Star game as a write-in vote in 1974. Four time Golden Glove recipient. Set a NL record of 1207 consecutive games from September 3, 1975 to July 29, 1983. 1308 career RBIs.

2. Manny Ramirez - A present day power player. 9 time Silver Slugger award. 2 time Hank Aaron award winner. Lead the AL in home runs in 2004. One of the best players in baseball right now.

3. Tom Brady - The best quarterback of the decade. 3 time Super Bowl Champion. 2 time Super Bowl MVP. 2005 Sportsman of the Year (SI). 2007 NFL MVP. Holds the record for most touchdowns in a year (50). Brady holds numerous NFL records and continues, despite injuries, to break them. He is also the New England Patriots all-time leader.

4. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. - Best Nascar driver ever. Won 7 championships and is tied for the all-time record with Richard Petty. Earned the nickname "The Intimidator" for his aggressive-style of racing. Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2002.

5. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. - The best L.A. Laker ever! L.A. Lakers from 1979-1991, 1996. 5 time NBA Champion. 3 time NBA MVP. 12 time All Star. Played for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team also known as "The Dream Team".

6. Brett Farve - Brett is a true football hero. The only player to win the AP Most Valuable Player 3 consecutive times (1995, 1996, 1997). Led the Green Bay Packers to 7 championships. 10 time Pro Bowl selection. 5 time All-Pro. 5 time NFC Player of the Year. 1997 Super Bowl Champion. 277 consecutive starts. 480 career passing touchdowns.

7. Michael Phelps - Greatest swimmer of all time. By August 2009, Phelps has broken 37 world records in swimming. 14 career Olympic gold medals. 8 Olympic gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games breaking Mark Spitz's record of 7 gold medals in a single Olympics. 6 time World Swimmer of the Year. 8 time American Swimmer of the Year.

8. Bill Shoemaker - One of the greatest jockeys. Won 11 Triple Crown races. 4 time Kentucky Derby winner. 5 time winner of the Belmont Stakes. 2 time winner of the Preakness Stakes. United States Champion Jockey by earnings for 10 years. 1981 Eclipse Award for outstanding Jockey. Inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958.

9. Seabiscuit - The best horse in America. The horse that gave so many Americans hope and inspiration. His victory over "War Admiral" in 1938 named Seabiscuit the Horse of the Year. Winner of the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap.

10. Troy Aikman - One of NFL's best quarterbacks. 6 time Pro Bowl selection. 3 time Super Bowl champion. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. 1997 Walter Peyton Man of the Year. Won the 1988 Davey O'Brien Award at UCLA.