Who would be considered the best player to come off the bench in sports history?

[chick'sfridge]

I believe the Celtics were the first sports franchise that placed special emphasis on the 6th man concept. If memory serves me, both Jones boys (KC & Sam) were subs for Sharman and Cousy. Of course there was Frank Ramsey, Havlicek, Satch Sanders, Larry Siegfried. I think Bill Walton and Tommy Heinsohn became reserve sparkmen at the end of their careers in the Garden, as well.

 

[Wrigley]

Sonny Jurgenson when George Allen was coach!

For a one time shot it would have to be Clint Longley against the skins on a Thanksgiving day game many moons ago. I know the cowboys were losing big and he led them to victory.

 

[Wrigley]

I almost forgot QB Frank Wright did it in college and the NFL led teams to victory after they trailed big.

 

[RobFunk]

Clip is right, gotta be microwave

heats up in an instant. instant offense.
guy could come right off the bench and bang shots like crazy. it was amazing.

 

[hawkeye171]

I say Earl Morrell. Not only did he come in for injured Bob Griese and lead the '72 Dolphins to most of their 17 victories, but he also guided the '68 Colts to the Super Bowl when Johnny U. went down. Of Course the Colts went down to the Joe Willey led Jets and Griese led the Miami over Washington, but Morrell was great off the bench for long periods of time.

 

[honzie]

You almost need to do this by indiv. sport, basketball's 6th man is closer to a starter than a reserve as compared to other sports.

For the singular moment, it probably has to go to Kirk Gibson as much as I love Havlicek.

 

[Wrigley]

I say Earl Morrell. Not only did he come in for injured Bob Griese and lead the '72 Dolphins to most of their 17 victories, but he also guided the '68 Colts to the Super Bowl when Johnny U. went down. Of Course the Colts went down to the Joe Willey led Jets and Griese led the Miami over Washington, but Morrell was great off the bench for long periods of time.

Seen Earl in some of the old NFL Films he would need to be on the NFL list.

The Vikings had a guy named Bob Lee who was their punter and backup QB and one season when Tark broke his leg Lee led the Vikings to a great season just in time for Tarkenton to come back for the playoffs and lose the playoff game.

Lee then signed with the Falcons that off season or was traded to them.

 

[lander]

Barry Sanders at Ok St. best "backup" ever.

Best role player - dunno.

 

[LucaBrasi]

Hondo was a bit before my time. He was starting by the time I was into the NBA, so I'll say Bobby Jones, although Vinnie Johnson did have a run as the "Microwave" for the Bad Boys there in the late '80's

 

[HiloBoy]

coming off the bench to start? or coming off the bench during a game?

 

[tooran]

danny noonan, after dangerfield hurt his arm

 

[Iceman]

Chuck Nevitt

 

[kermit16]

John Havlicek, A key member of two generations of Celtics, Havlicek provided the spark off the bench during the Celtics' dynasty years of the 1960's. He appeared in 13 consecutive NBA All-Star Games, earned 11 selections to the All-NBA First or Second Team and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team eight times.

wil.

Easily The all time best !

 

[BlackBart]

I say Earl Morrell. Not only did he come in for injured Bob Griese and lead the '72 Dolphins to most of their 17 victories, but he also guided the '68 Colts to the Super Bowl when Johnny U. went down. Of Course the Colts went down to the Joe Willey led Jets and Griese led the Miami over Washington, but Morrell was great off the bench for long periods of time.

He has my vote....also, Don Strock? Jeff Hostettler won a Super Bowl as a backup.

 

[FatTony]

danny noonan, after dangerfield hurt his arm

:lolBIG:


"Hey Smails......a Thousand bucks you slice!!"

 

[MSUSpartans]

I cant beleive no one has mentioned Tom Brady. Doomed to be a career #2 until bledsoe goes down. Leads his team to Super Bowl and takes home MVP. (and 2 subsequent SB's)

 

[Fishhead]

John Havlicek, A key member of two generations of Celtics, Havlicek provided the spark off the bench during the Celtics' dynasty years of the 1960's. He appeared in 13 consecutive NBA All-Star Games, earned 11 selections to the All-NBA First or Second Team and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team eight times.

wil.

This is a no-brainer!

:toast:

 

[Fishhead]

This is a no-brainer!

:toast:

Although George Blanda wasn't to shabby.

 

[WorldNumberOne]

lou gehrig ..

 

[CalState]

I agree with Honzie that this should be taken by individual sport. A 6th man in the NBA can come in and make a huge difference just with his energy. In MLB, a guy can have energy as a pinch hitter, but more times than not, he's going to ground out to end the inning or something of this sort (something nobody remembers). With that said, I think some credit has to go to a guy like Lenny Harris, who has been doing a solid job for years.