re: Hardest position to play out of all major sports would be?

Pro golfer.

If we're just talking team sports, then GK in soccer.

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Striker in soccer

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Nawww.

1. Catcher
2. QB
3. CB- the favoritism rules on rules make this position difficult to play
4. OLine
5. 3B

Considering physicality is a requirment, "golfer" is a laughable suggestion. I present to you John Daly. And plenty of successful forty-somethings still competing at the highest levels. Golf is the LEAST physically demanding of the major sports.

I'd go with starting pitcher, considering the motion is to continually throw your arm out of its socket. And, you have more impact on the game than any other player, so... no pressure there.

Center midfield in soccer is another option. Control the flow of the game, and you have to be in amazing shape. In a game of running, you probably run the most, with key responsibilities at both ends of the field.

Goalies have a mentally demanding job, but it's not that physically demanding. In fact, most of being a goalie is staying sharp when nothing is happening. Because it can change in an awful hurry.

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Much tougher to play midfield than striker in soccer

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Yeah I debated one or the other, I decided on going with the reflexes needed up top, and making the most of the few real chances you'll get. The mid is going to touch the ball a lot more, which takes away from one pressure, and adds another.

Toss up for me though.

This very same thread was started a year or so ago. The overwhelming majority said catcher. I disagree, it's NFL QB.

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You can stand around for most of the game and have a ball deflect off of your thigh and go in the goal and you've done a good job.

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You could make this reduction about any position in any sport though. A WR could never get a catch the game, then he gets an 80 yard touchdown, well done. Etc. Consistent performance is definitely part of it though, pitchers, midfielders have to be good most of the time, not for one moment.

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If you have an athletic kid with no touch, no way you're putting him at center mid but you can become a professional striker... Robbie Findley

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Point taken.

I would say that though the BEST soccer players lately have for the most part been AM's. The game has changed enough to say that CM is a little outdated. Messi, Ozil, etc. All AM's/Wings, which is a difficult position. Less limited than strikers. More responsibility and touches.

The best teams in the world still have a dominant center mid.

I think we would agree that Spain and Germany are the two best teams in the world, right?

Spain is controlled by the play of Xavi
Germany is run by Schweinsteiger


Attacking midfielders are the most fun to watch and they get paid and laid but your holding midfielder is your most important player.

Catcher, Quarterback

There aren't even enough people in the world to fill 32/30 top level starting spots with athletes who excel at those positions.

With QBs there are guys who stick around for years because there aren't enough elite QBs to go around in the NFL. Catcher is the same way, it seems.

If your team doesn't have a quality backup to spell you a few games, I'd say hockey goalie. I'd argue it's the most mentally demanding position in professional sports (not necessarily from a cognitive standpoint like QB, but psychologically) and there can be a lot of tear on the body over a season if you don't get a decent amount of nights off.