re: You could be the top athlete in any sport...which one would you choose?

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Poker player. Party every day. No working out needed.

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technically its not an "athlete", but that's some smart thinking. Physical strain is on your lower back from all the sitting.

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and it's also the easiest of all the high paying professional sports.

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:rollseyes:

Football, golf, baseball, basketball, soccer....what is the easiest?

Baseball closer. They get paid the most per unit of output. Plus because they don't put a lot of miles on their arms, they seem to have longer careers than starters.

On a side note, people who say soccer don't realize that the season lasts 9 months (10 if a World Cup year). I don't know about you, but I like my vacation time.

Golf or Tennis. nice places every week.

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Football, golf, baseball, basketball, soccer....what is the easiest?

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How would you even define "easiest"? Easiest on the body? Mind? Spirit? Collectively less talent than the other sports? Less freak athletes?

Baseball because of this

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no salary cap, get to stay in America.

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and this

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Top guys get what, 10 year contracts? Ridiculous.

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and the fact that they have the most powerful union in sports (and arguably the world).

Plus, their contracts are fully guaranteed. A-Rod signed a 10 year deal in 2007 for $275 million, and he hasn't been a top 20 baseball player since 2008.

Easiest to perform at the highest level. As the top athlete in a sport, where you would be able to make the biggest impact on a team, it would have to be basketball. Take Lebron, has a couple of key teammates that has taken them to the finals four year in a row, winning twice...and he's got plenty left. Guaranteed contracts are a big bonus too.

Now as far as baseball, you have a very limited impact. Kershaw has won 2 cy youngs and hasn't done much from a team perspective. Miggy and Verlander have been to the world series and haven't won it and you know the kinds of years they've been having lately. But, the guaranteed money and HUGE contracts would be a big bonus. Plus, baseball for the most part doesn't take a huge toll on your body...but you play so much injuries can nag for a long time.

Football...Peterson has been the best running back for years and has never accomplished much...it's just too dependent on too many different components. And the toll on your body just wouldn't be worth it for non guaranteed contracts.

Soccer...same thing. You can be the best player in the world and play on an amazing team and there are still no guarantees. Both on an international level and Club level...too many pieces. But it would be sweet to be on the level of christiano ronaldo or messi.

Golf...I guess Tigers career speaks for himself but the game really takes a toll on people. Even the next best players are lucky to win 3 or 4 majors in a career but i suppose if you are one of the top players, the endorsements are probably the most prestigious and lucrative in pro sports.

I'd just have to take basketball...golf would be a close second.

NBA guard.

Arguably the biggest impact on the game and team's success. Highly marketable (big money in endorsements). It's getting more popular overseas (CHINA). Being white and one of the best players in the NBA would be pretty cool these days.

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Easiest to perform at the highest level.

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You do know the NFL has quite a few shitty former basketball players making a massive impact around the league.