Athlete who has retired most victorious

[jesusarenque]

If he retires after this year, Roger Clemens.

[2+2 wannabe]

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Bill Russell: 13 years played, 11 Rings.

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thread over.

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tough to disagree

[LBJ]

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Bill Russell: 13 years played, 11 Rings.

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thread over.

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tough to disagree

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Actually, it's quite easy to disagree. The question was what athlete went out on top, with the most talent left. Bill Russell retired after winning 10 NBA titles, but that could've been the case for a lot of players had the Celtics kept them on the team, even the terrible bench players. With less great players back in the 1960s, Russell's numbers are inflated. In his final season, he averaged 9.9 points and 19 rebounds, but averaging that many rebounds was not unheard of back then. He did not go out on top with the most talent left.

The correct answer is Jim Brown.

[jakethebake]

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Marvin Hagler (laugh if u want, but can u name another boxer last 30 yrs who stayed retired w/ more talent)

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Great fighter but was easily over the hill when he retired. Did you even watch his fight against Leonard. Arguable, he should've won, but Leonard was way way over the hill and still gave him a fight. They looked like just what they were; two old men.

[konions]

George Best

[brendons31]

In recent times i would say ZinZan Brook still had a lot of talent when he retired. Lomu still had a lot of telent when his kidney problems hit him. Going back in time I would suggest Don Bradman who averaged an incredible 99 with the bat still had huge amounts of telent when he retired.

[justin D]

I think Barry Sanders still had some good years left.

[fingokra]

Lance Armstrong

[Roy Munson]

I am confused. The subject line asks which athlete retired most victorious. This would be Bill Russell.

The body of the post asks which athlete retired with the most still left in the tank. This would be Jim Brown.

As far as Sandy Koufax goes. Even though he had a tremendous final year, he retired because his arm was close to falling off.

When quoting ERAs from 40 years ago you should be sure to give the league average ERA for comparison purposes. A 2.76 career ERA was great for when Koufax retired, but if a starter retired now with a 2.76 era it would be incredible. There are only two active starters in the major leagues with 1000 IP that have ERAs under 3. Both of them have higher ERA pluses than Koufax. Let's also not forget that Koufax pitched in Dodger Stadium for most of his career which is a pitcher's park, and that's adjusted for in the ERA+ I believe.