Personal Milestone Seasons
WHAT do Drew Brees, Rory McIlroy and Alistair Cook have in common?
During 2011 they all had ‘career’ years in their individual sports. Whilst other athletes they competed against became champions and crowd favourites the New Orleans Saints Quarterback, Northern Irish golfer ranked number two in the world and English opening batsman had three of the most spectacular years in the sporting world and set records in doing so.
Such achievements in sport come along very rarely, and in the modern world we seem to be more obsessed with statistics and records than ever before. In a bid to pay homage to legendary athletes in their ‘career’ years, here are some of the finest singles seasons by sportsmen and women during the course of history…
Novak Djokovic (2011)
Another player who took 2011 by storm, the Serbian tennis star began the year with a win at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Despite winning his second Grand Slam title down under few could have predicted that this would be the start of one of the most impressive seasons in the Open era. He stormed into the next major of the year, Roland Garros, by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final of the ATP at Indian Wells and also in Miami.
Unbeaten to-date in the calendar year, his streak was only broken by an inspired Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Paris tournament, and whilst most felt that the Djokovic bubble had burst, he came back with an epic win in four sets at Wimbledon over Nadal (which also saw him gain No.1 in the world status) before securing his third Grand Slam title of the year with a win over the Spaniard at the US Open.
Djokovic record of 64-3 in 2011 ranks statistically behind that of John McEnroe in 1984 (82-3) but with the increases in demands on professional players 27 years on from the American’s record breaking year, No-Djo has seemed almost unbeatable at times. Time and time again he defeated his closest rivals in the biggest moments and made himself the undisputed highest ranked player going into the season-ending tour championship in London.
Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62)
Chamberlain’s stat line as part of the Philadelphia Warriors speaks volumes about his dominance in the league during his third season: 50.5ppg, 25.7rpg and a percentage of .506 shows you why he became so popular in the city of brotherly love.
If a career was ranked on just statistics then the athletic centre would undoubtedly have made himself the greatest of all time during 61-62 whilst setting or shattering a mark in pretty much every NBA category in the space of twelve months.
Wilt recorded records for ‘Most points per game in a season’ (44.8), ‘Most points in a season’ (4029; breaking a record he set in 60-61), ‘Most points in a game’ (100) and ‘Most points in a half’ (59). The Big Dipper also grabbed 24.3 rebounds per game in he regular season, and topped that with 26.6 rebounds throughout the playoffs as he led the Warriors to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Of all the statistics one stands out the most; Wilt had 45 games in which he scored 50 points or during the season. That’s more than half the total number of games he played and compares to Michael Jordan’s figure of has 39 (including playoffs) throughout his entire career.
Babe Ruth (1921)
Fresh of cursing the Boston Red Sox for 86 long years, Babe Ruth was enjoying his second season in New York as a Yankee when he found himself having a career year that has endeared him to the Big Apple faithful throughout history.
The bambino, stepping up to a new role as a power hitter for the first time, had arguably the finest season of any player, pre-steroids.
Ruth gave consistent performances throughout the year by hitting 59 home runs, batting .378 whilst leading the Yankees to their first championship. In July of the same year, Ruth hit career home run 139, breaking a record by Roger Connor’s record in just his eighth season as a baseball player.
Wayne Gretsky (1981-82)
In his third season as an NHL player, Gretsky was coming off the back of an Art Ross Trophy, and a second straight Hart Trophy. Breaking records left, right and centre, many people would consider 1981-82 season as “The Great Ones” finest.
Gretsky appeared to take his play to a new height throughout the season as he surpassed a record that had stood for 35 years, scoring 50 goals in record time. His 50th goal came in December 30th 1981, in only the 39th game of his season, and in typical fashion the Canadian netted in the final seconds against the Flyers, not only setting a record but also capping a fine performance with his fifth goal in a 7-5 game.
Later that season Gretsky broke the overall record for the most goals in a season scoring his 76th in February, and ending the season with 92. His stat line throughout the year was a true show of his abilities. Scoring over a double-century of points, the first ever player to do so, the Edmonton had 120 assists and 212 points to go with his goals in through 80 regular season games. Although the Oilers were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the LA Kings, Gretsky was the first hockey players to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and he was also picked as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.
The accolades continued as Gretsky was voted into the All-Star game as the starting centre for the Campbell Conference All-Stars. He finished the season as Art Ross Trophy winner, Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP of the regular season award) and the NHL’s Plus/Minus Award winner with a rating of +81.
Tiger Woods (2000)
The American golfer may have entered our lives 1996, and won his first major two years later, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Woods began to blaze a trail in the professional game.
Woods started the year with successes at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and equalled a record of six consecutive tournament victories, a record which had been held since 1948.
At the season’s first major, Tiger broke or tied nine US Open records during an incredible fifteen shot victory, and in doing so he became the tour’s all-time career money leader.
Performances continued to come from the American and at the Open Championship he set the lowest victory score in any tournament in history (-19) during an eight-stroke win. At 24 he became the youngest golfer to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
A third consecutive major win followed at the PGA Championship, as he became only the second player ever to achieve a Triple Crown of Golf. By the end of 2000, Woods had thoroughly established himself as the best golfer on the planet, winning nine PGA Tour events and setting or equalling 27 records in a historic twelve months.
His average round tallied 68.17, the lowest in PGA history, and to cap off the year he was named Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year for the second year running, the first and only athlete to receive this honour.
Tom Brady (2007)
Future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady almost bested his career season in 2010 and 2011, but 2007’s achievements rank slightly higher due to the way in which the Patriots swept aside all-comers in the regular season.
Brady’s performances helped those around him become much better with Wes Welker and Randy Moss owing a great debt of gratitude to their Quarterback for helping them succeed so greatly during the campaign.
During their regular season schedule New England went a perfect sixteen for sixteen with Brady leading the charge for an offence which topped 50 points twice, 40 points four times and 30 points on twelve occasions. Brady completed 398 of 578 passes for a total of 4806 yards. He threw 50 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions which gave him a passer rating of 117.2, the second best in history.
Named MVP of the regular season, Brady threw three of more touchdowns in the season’s first ten games and had a treble figure passer rating eleven times. Week-by-week Brady either set, equalled or broke marks including franchise records for touchdowns and regular season wins.
Barry Sanders (1988)
Two years backing up All-American Thurman Thomas gave Sanders the perfect motivation to perform at the highest level during the 1988 college football season.
As well as a premier Running Back for Oklahoma State, Sanders was an important part of his team’s special teams unit, and combining the two roles together, the future NFL player had what is widely regarded as the greatest season in college football history.
Leading the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per carry, with an average of over 200 yards per game, he also posted figures of over 300 yards in four games. As a kick returner Sanders clocked up another 516 yards, and set college football season records with 2,628 rushing and 3,248 total yards.
Other records set by Sanders that year include scoring a total of 234 points, 39 touchdowns (37 of which were rushing), and he was also the proud owner of five consecutive 200-yard games.
The future Detroit Lion scored at least two touchdowns in eleven consecutive games, and on nine occasions he scored at least three touchdowns. After a performance in the holiday bowl which saw him score five touchdowns in three quarters of action, it was no wonder that Sanders won the Heisman Trophy before being picked third in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Barry Bonds (2001)
Many of the stories which later dogged Giants star Barry Bonds have raised questions over whether or not his 2001 season should be counted amongst the greatest individual feats of all time.
Rumours and mis-representations aside, Bonds was king of the home runs in 2001 as he broke both Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire’s records at a blistering rate on the way to recording the highest number of home runs in history.
Bonds had a slugging percentage of .863 and a record of 6.52 bats per home runs. He broke his own personal record with 131-batted innings, and finished the season with a .328 batting average.
His on base percentage, .515, became the best in the National League since John McGraw in 1900, and at 37 he became the oldest player to reach the fifty, sixty and seventy home run plateaus, eventually ending with an incredible 73 homers throughout the season.
Bonds would eventually finish his career on 762 home runs, and a substantial amount of his tally were included in his 2001 season when he also claimed his tenth All-Star selection, his ninth silver slugger award, his fourth NL MVP and made his way into the 500 club passing the total career Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson.
Pete Maravich (1969 – 70)
“Pistol” Pete is widely recognised as one of the most talented ball-handlers in NBA history, but it was his final year of college at Louisiana State that helped to cement his place on this list.
Gradually adding to his game exposure throughout his college career, the LSU star started 31 games for the Tigers in his senior year, and averaged 44.5ppg in 1969-70. The 6”5 guard led the NCAA in scoring during his final season in college, and still currently holds records for season-highs in points (1,381), highest points average, games scoring 50 points or more in a season (10), field goals made, and field goals attempted. He also achieved a record by making 30 of 31 free throws in a game against Oregon State in 1969.
His performances were not able to help his team into the NCAA tournament, but they earned Maravich awards including The Naismith Award, AP and UPI All-American and All-South-eastern Conference. In his final act as a player at LSU, Maravich led LSU to a 20-8 record and helped them finish 3rd in the NIT.
Steffi Graf (1988)
Widely regarded as the finest female tennis player of all-time, Graf turned professional in 1982 and won 107 titles in her seventeen-year career. Arguably her finest was 1988 when she had just established herself as world number one with a win at the French Open to claim her first ever Grand Slam title.
Little did the sports world know exactly what Graf would be able to achieve in one incredible and unprecedented calendar year. She started the 1988 season by defeating Chris Evert in an almost flawless performance at the Australian Open in which she lost a total of only 29 games in the entire tournament.
At the French she repeated her success from 1987, defending her title in a stunning final, which lasted 32 minutes with Graf winning 6-0, 6-0 against Natasha Zvereva.
Next up came Wimbledon where the German faced a familiar foe in Martina Navratilova. It looked as though the Czech player was going to get the better of Graf and end her dominance but from 7-5, 2-0 down Graf fought back to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in a terrific contest between two top class players. During Wimbledon Graf also took part in doubles and alongside Gabriela Sabatini she picked up the title, becoming the first player to win both singles and doubles championships at the same Grand Slam in the Open Era.
At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Graf added an Olympic singles gold for West Germany against her Wimbledon doubles partner 6-3, 6-3, and at the final major of the year she completed an incredible Calendar Year Grand Slam, the first since 1970, with another win over Sabatini in a three set final which completed the first ever Golden Slam.
Stephen Roche (1987)
Perhaps the least well known of all the names on this list, Irish cyclist Stephen Roche’s achievements in 1987 were perhaps the greatest of all the previous feats listed.
Making his name as a solid all-round rider, Roche’s finest season was his last among the elite group of cyclists, and battling back from a serious injury the previous season makes his achievements even greater.
Roche’s season started promisingly as he won the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland, his third career victory in the competition, before a second place finish in Liege – Bastogne – Liege. Frustrated at his inability to win a Monument Classic seemed to spur the Irishman on ahead of the Giro d’Italia.
During the race, Roche took three stage wins, and a team time-trial success en-route to overall victory and becoming the first Giro winner from outside mainland Europe.
His win made him favourite for the ’87 Tour de France, and he won the 87.5km individual time trial stage (stage ten) and came second in stage nineteen of the twenty five overall to give himself a chance of victory.
Drama took centre stage during the next leg of the Tour as Roche battled against exhaustion and collapsed after crossing the finish line four seconds behind his closed rival. The yellow jersey continued to change hands over the last five stages, but Roche eventually prevailed in the final leg by turning a half minute deficit into a forty second victory, the second narrowest in Tour history.
He became only the fifth rider to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year, and the first Irishman to win the most famous cycle race in the world.
Roche then attempted to become the second man ever to win the Triple Crown, but entering the World Road Race Championship, and despite poor conditioning and insufficient training he beat off his team-mate Sean Kelly, crossing the line with meters to spare to make history.
Victory in the final race of the year also guaranteed first place in the Super Prestige Pernod International.
During 2011 they all had ‘career’ years in their individual sports. Whilst other athletes they competed against became champions and crowd favourites the New Orleans Saints Quarterback, Northern Irish golfer ranked number two in the world and English opening batsman had three of the most spectacular years in the sporting world and set records in doing so.
Such achievements in sport come along very rarely, and in the modern world we seem to be more obsessed with statistics and records than ever before. In a bid to pay homage to legendary athletes in their ‘career’ years, here are some of the finest singles seasons by sportsmen and women during the course of history…
Novak Djokovic (2011)
Another player who took 2011 by storm, the Serbian tennis star began the year with a win at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Despite winning his second Grand Slam title down under few could have predicted that this would be the start of one of the most impressive seasons in the Open era. He stormed into the next major of the year, Roland Garros, by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final of the ATP at Indian Wells and also in Miami.
Unbeaten to-date in the calendar year, his streak was only broken by an inspired Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Paris tournament, and whilst most felt that the Djokovic bubble had burst, he came back with an epic win in four sets at Wimbledon over Nadal (which also saw him gain No.1 in the world status) before securing his third Grand Slam title of the year with a win over the Spaniard at the US Open.
Djokovic record of 64-3 in 2011 ranks statistically behind that of John McEnroe in 1984 (82-3) but with the increases in demands on professional players 27 years on from the American’s record breaking year, No-Djo has seemed almost unbeatable at times. Time and time again he defeated his closest rivals in the biggest moments and made himself the undisputed highest ranked player going into the season-ending tour championship in London.
Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62)
Chamberlain’s stat line as part of the Philadelphia Warriors speaks volumes about his dominance in the league during his third season: 50.5ppg, 25.7rpg and a percentage of .506 shows you why he became so popular in the city of brotherly love.
If a career was ranked on just statistics then the athletic centre would undoubtedly have made himself the greatest of all time during 61-62 whilst setting or shattering a mark in pretty much every NBA category in the space of twelve months.
Wilt recorded records for ‘Most points per game in a season’ (44.8), ‘Most points in a season’ (4029; breaking a record he set in 60-61), ‘Most points in a game’ (100) and ‘Most points in a half’ (59). The Big Dipper also grabbed 24.3 rebounds per game in he regular season, and topped that with 26.6 rebounds throughout the playoffs as he led the Warriors to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Of all the statistics one stands out the most; Wilt had 45 games in which he scored 50 points or during the season. That’s more than half the total number of games he played and compares to Michael Jordan’s figure of has 39 (including playoffs) throughout his entire career.
Babe Ruth (1921)
Fresh of cursing the Boston Red Sox for 86 long years, Babe Ruth was enjoying his second season in New York as a Yankee when he found himself having a career year that has endeared him to the Big Apple faithful throughout history.
The bambino, stepping up to a new role as a power hitter for the first time, had arguably the finest season of any player, pre-steroids.
Ruth gave consistent performances throughout the year by hitting 59 home runs, batting .378 whilst leading the Yankees to their first championship. In July of the same year, Ruth hit career home run 139, breaking a record by Roger Connor’s record in just his eighth season as a baseball player.
Wayne Gretsky (1981-82)
In his third season as an NHL player, Gretsky was coming off the back of an Art Ross Trophy, and a second straight Hart Trophy. Breaking records left, right and centre, many people would consider 1981-82 season as “The Great Ones” finest.
Gretsky appeared to take his play to a new height throughout the season as he surpassed a record that had stood for 35 years, scoring 50 goals in record time. His 50th goal came in December 30th 1981, in only the 39th game of his season, and in typical fashion the Canadian netted in the final seconds against the Flyers, not only setting a record but also capping a fine performance with his fifth goal in a 7-5 game.
Later that season Gretsky broke the overall record for the most goals in a season scoring his 76th in February, and ending the season with 92. His stat line throughout the year was a true show of his abilities. Scoring over a double-century of points, the first ever player to do so, the Edmonton had 120 assists and 212 points to go with his goals in through 80 regular season games. Although the Oilers were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the LA Kings, Gretsky was the first hockey players to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and he was also picked as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.
The accolades continued as Gretsky was voted into the All-Star game as the starting centre for the Campbell Conference All-Stars. He finished the season as Art Ross Trophy winner, Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP of the regular season award) and the NHL’s Plus/Minus Award winner with a rating of +81.
Tiger Woods (2000)
The American golfer may have entered our lives 1996, and won his first major two years later, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Woods began to blaze a trail in the professional game.
Woods started the year with successes at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and equalled a record of six consecutive tournament victories, a record which had been held since 1948.
At the season’s first major, Tiger broke or tied nine US Open records during an incredible fifteen shot victory, and in doing so he became the tour’s all-time career money leader.
Performances continued to come from the American and at the Open Championship he set the lowest victory score in any tournament in history (-19) during an eight-stroke win. At 24 he became the youngest golfer to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
A third consecutive major win followed at the PGA Championship, as he became only the second player ever to achieve a Triple Crown of Golf. By the end of 2000, Woods had thoroughly established himself as the best golfer on the planet, winning nine PGA Tour events and setting or equalling 27 records in a historic twelve months.
His average round tallied 68.17, the lowest in PGA history, and to cap off the year he was named Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year for the second year running, the first and only athlete to receive this honour.
Tom Brady (2007)
Future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady almost bested his career season in 2010 and 2011, but 2007’s achievements rank slightly higher due to the way in which the Patriots swept aside all-comers in the regular season.
Brady’s performances helped those around him become much better with Wes Welker and Randy Moss owing a great debt of gratitude to their Quarterback for helping them succeed so greatly during the campaign.
During their regular season schedule New England went a perfect sixteen for sixteen with Brady leading the charge for an offence which topped 50 points twice, 40 points four times and 30 points on twelve occasions. Brady completed 398 of 578 passes for a total of 4806 yards. He threw 50 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions which gave him a passer rating of 117.2, the second best in history.
Named MVP of the regular season, Brady threw three of more touchdowns in the season’s first ten games and had a treble figure passer rating eleven times. Week-by-week Brady either set, equalled or broke marks including franchise records for touchdowns and regular season wins.
Barry Sanders (1988)
Two years backing up All-American Thurman Thomas gave Sanders the perfect motivation to perform at the highest level during the 1988 college football season.
As well as a premier Running Back for Oklahoma State, Sanders was an important part of his team’s special teams unit, and combining the two roles together, the future NFL player had what is widely regarded as the greatest season in college football history.
Leading the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per carry, with an average of over 200 yards per game, he also posted figures of over 300 yards in four games. As a kick returner Sanders clocked up another 516 yards, and set college football season records with 2,628 rushing and 3,248 total yards.
Other records set by Sanders that year include scoring a total of 234 points, 39 touchdowns (37 of which were rushing), and he was also the proud owner of five consecutive 200-yard games.
The future Detroit Lion scored at least two touchdowns in eleven consecutive games, and on nine occasions he scored at least three touchdowns. After a performance in the holiday bowl which saw him score five touchdowns in three quarters of action, it was no wonder that Sanders won the Heisman Trophy before being picked third in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Barry Bonds (2001)
Many of the stories which later dogged Giants star Barry Bonds have raised questions over whether or not his 2001 season should be counted amongst the greatest individual feats of all time.
Rumours and mis-representations aside, Bonds was king of the home runs in 2001 as he broke both Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire’s records at a blistering rate on the way to recording the highest number of home runs in history.
Bonds had a slugging percentage of .863 and a record of 6.52 bats per home runs. He broke his own personal record with 131-batted innings, and finished the season with a .328 batting average.
His on base percentage, .515, became the best in the National League since John McGraw in 1900, and at 37 he became the oldest player to reach the fifty, sixty and seventy home run plateaus, eventually ending with an incredible 73 homers throughout the season.
Bonds would eventually finish his career on 762 home runs, and a substantial amount of his tally were included in his 2001 season when he also claimed his tenth All-Star selection, his ninth silver slugger award, his fourth NL MVP and made his way into the 500 club passing the total career Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson.
Pete Maravich (1969 – 70)
“Pistol” Pete is widely recognised as one of the most talented ball-handlers in NBA history, but it was his final year of college at Louisiana State that helped to cement his place on this list.
Gradually adding to his game exposure throughout his college career, the LSU star started 31 games for the Tigers in his senior year, and averaged 44.5ppg in 1969-70. The 6”5 guard led the NCAA in scoring during his final season in college, and still currently holds records for season-highs in points (1,381), highest points average, games scoring 50 points or more in a season (10), field goals made, and field goals attempted. He also achieved a record by making 30 of 31 free throws in a game against Oregon State in 1969.
His performances were not able to help his team into the NCAA tournament, but they earned Maravich awards including The Naismith Award, AP and UPI All-American and All-South-eastern Conference. In his final act as a player at LSU, Maravich led LSU to a 20-8 record and helped them finish 3rd in the NIT.
Steffi Graf (1988)
Widely regarded as the finest female tennis player of all-time, Graf turned professional in 1982 and won 107 titles in her seventeen-year career. Arguably her finest was 1988 when she had just established herself as world number one with a win at the French Open to claim her first ever Grand Slam title.
Little did the sports world know exactly what Graf would be able to achieve in one incredible and unprecedented calendar year. She started the 1988 season by defeating Chris Evert in an almost flawless performance at the Australian Open in which she lost a total of only 29 games in the entire tournament.
At the French she repeated her success from 1987, defending her title in a stunning final, which lasted 32 minutes with Graf winning 6-0, 6-0 against Natasha Zvereva.
Next up came Wimbledon where the German faced a familiar foe in Martina Navratilova. It looked as though the Czech player was going to get the better of Graf and end her dominance but from 7-5, 2-0 down Graf fought back to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in a terrific contest between two top class players. During Wimbledon Graf also took part in doubles and alongside Gabriela Sabatini she picked up the title, becoming the first player to win both singles and doubles championships at the same Grand Slam in the Open Era.
At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Graf added an Olympic singles gold for West Germany against her Wimbledon doubles partner 6-3, 6-3, and at the final major of the year she completed an incredible Calendar Year Grand Slam, the first since 1970, with another win over Sabatini in a three set final which completed the first ever Golden Slam.
Stephen Roche (1987)
Perhaps the least well known of all the names on this list, Irish cyclist Stephen Roche’s achievements in 1987 were perhaps the greatest of all the previous feats listed.
Making his name as a solid all-round rider, Roche’s finest season was his last among the elite group of cyclists, and battling back from a serious injury the previous season makes his achievements even greater.
Roche’s season started promisingly as he won the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland, his third career victory in the competition, before a second place finish in Liege – Bastogne – Liege. Frustrated at his inability to win a Monument Classic seemed to spur the Irishman on ahead of the Giro d’Italia.
During the race, Roche took three stage wins, and a team time-trial success en-route to overall victory and becoming the first Giro winner from outside mainland Europe.
His win made him favourite for the ’87 Tour de France, and he won the 87.5km individual time trial stage (stage ten) and came second in stage nineteen of the twenty five overall to give himself a chance of victory.
Drama took centre stage during the next leg of the Tour as Roche battled against exhaustion and collapsed after crossing the finish line four seconds behind his closed rival. The yellow jersey continued to change hands over the last five stages, but Roche eventually prevailed in the final leg by turning a half minute deficit into a forty second victory, the second narrowest in Tour history.
He became only the fifth rider to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year, and the first Irishman to win the most famous cycle race in the world.
Roche then attempted to become the second man ever to win the Triple Crown, but entering the World Road Race Championship, and despite poor conditioning and insufficient training he beat off his team-mate Sean Kelly, crossing the line with meters to spare to make history.
Victory in the final race of the year also guaranteed first place in the Super Prestige Pernod International.