Greatest Comeback In Sports

[Diehardblues]

One word.. Tiger

 

[Diehardblues]

This is a moment not only in golf but sports that will be remembered for ages to come.

And when you consider it wasn’t known if he’d ever compete in the game again after numerous surgeries I’m not sure there’s a greater comeback story in all of sports.

 

[Miller]

I texted my brother 500 times..no joke..we do it every major! I paced for 5 hours. Cried at end

 

[darthseinfeld]

 

[visionary]

Agree

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Not even close IMO. Lance Armstrong came back from Cancer to win the Tour De France, among other championships.

Braddock winning the World Title after having lost due to hand injuries earlier in his career. Out of boxing, on welfare and taking odd job work on the docks during the depression, Braddock came back to beat Max Bear for the World Heavy Weight Title.

Ali, banned from boxing for a period of 3 years, came back to not only win the Heavy Weight Title but did it twice more and defended it several times, beating Smokey Joe and George Forman, among other great, great all time Heavy Weights.

Hell, Ben Hogan suffered a terrible car crash that almost killed him, certainly cause life threatening injuries to him, Doctors weren't even sure he would survive, much less walk again. He came back and won multiple PGA titles and had a fantastic career.

To me, there are lots of much greater comeback stories but because it's Tiger........

So no, not even close.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Not even close IMO. Lance Armstrong came back from Cancer to win the Tour De France, among other championships.

At the time certainly, but in hindsight, not really. I guess some would argue that *everyone* was cheating, but hard the doping takes away everything for me.

 

[kskboys]

This one is just more recent.

Plus, it's hard for me to call something a comeback when the downfall was self induced.

One of my favorite comebacks is pitcher Billy Wagner. Got hit so hard by a batted ball that it broke his jaw. Wasn't out all that long, and when asked about it, replied that it didn't scare him at all. Tough guy.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

At the time certainly, but in hindsight, not really. I guess some would argue that *everyone* was cheating, but hard the doping takes away everything for me.

Guy had testicular cancer and brain cancer. I mean, getting on a bike and riding around the block would be a hell of a comeback. Just beating cancer is a hell of a comeback to me.

I understand your point of view. To me, it doesn't really matter because it is true, they all dope. It's a dirty sport at it's core.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Recency bias at work.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Here's a couple others to consider:

Jim Hurtubise: Disfigured in fiery crash in 1964, he was told by doctors his hands would have to be permanently fused into a fixed position. His response - "Just make 'em so I can hold a steering wheel." In 1966, he won the Atlanta 500.

Bethany Hamilton: Lost her left arm up to her shoulder in a shark attack in 2003. One month later she was back surfing and won a championship two years later.

 

[JayFord]

I mean what about the Sox being down 0-3

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Guy had testicular cancer and brain cancer. I mean, getting on a bike and riding around the block would be a hell of a comeback. Just beating cancer is a hell of a comeback to me.

I understand your point of view. To me, it doesn't really matter because it is true, they all dope. It's a dirty sport at it's core.

People survive cancer, and it's certainly great and worthy of celebration when one does, but to then inject "poison" into your body is a slap in the face to everyone who wasn't as fortunate

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

People survive cancer, and it's certainly great and worthy of celebration when one does, but to then inject "poison" into your body is a slap in the face to everyone who wasn't as fortunate

Yeah, that's why they all do it I guess.

 

[Diehardblues]

This one is just more recent.

Plus, it's hard for me to call something a comeback when the downfall was self induced.

One of my favorite comebacks is pitcher Billy Wagner. Got hit so hard by a batted ball that it broke his jaw. Wasn't out all that long, and when asked about it, replied that it didn't scare him at all. Tough guy.

So, you don’t count 8 surgeries including 4 on his back as a comeback? Especially since before his last back infused surgery they weren’t certain he’d ever play golf again much less professionally.

Yea, I guess you can call it self induced. If he hadn’t played golf so vigorously he might not have needed all of those surgeries.

 

[Diehardblues]

Not even close IMO. Lance Armstrong came back from Cancer to win the Tour De France, among other championships.

Braddock winning the World Title after having lost due to hand injuries earlier in his career. Out of boxing, on welfare and taking odd job work on the docks during the depression, Braddock came back to beat Max Bear for the World Heavy Weight Title.

Ali, banned from boxing for a period of 3 years, came back to not only win the Heavy Weight Title but did it twice more and defended it several times, beating Smokey Joe and George Forman, among other great, great all time Heavy Weights.

Hell, Ben Hogan suffered a terrible car crash that almost killed him, certainly cause life threatening injuries to him, Doctors weren't even sure he would survive, much less walk again. He came back and won multiple PGA titles and had a fantastic career.

To me, there are lots of much greater comeback stories but because it's Tiger........

So no, not even close.

I’ve mentioned Ali’s comeback in similar fashion although he didn’t have to overcome all of the physical challenges multiple surgeries presented but a worthy mention nevertheless.

And Hogan’s amazing comeback story is phenomenal . Another worthwhile mention.

It’s not really fair to say Tiger is greatest comeback ever. I lived thru the Ali situation in which I was a huge fan. He was despised by a large segment of the public for his personal passions and public outburst in a similar fashion as Tiger.

I don’t recall everyone writing Ali off like they did Tiger. Afterall it hadn’t been as long for Ali to regain his title. But your point is taken.

I was caught up in the emotions of the moment but still I’d argue one of the greatest comebacks if not the greatest which it is subjective to place one above all others leaving this comment open for criticism.

 

[Cattle_Rancher]

Ted Williams went to WW2 then to Korea saw combat crash landed a plane and came back as arguably the best baseball player ever

 

[csirl]

Guy had testicular cancer and brain cancer. I mean, getting on a bike and riding around the block would be a hell of a comeback. Just beating cancer is a hell of a comeback to me.

I understand your point of view. To me, it doesn't really matter because it is true, they all dope. It's a dirty sport at it's core.

Greg Lemonds come back from being shot was better - won the TDF with a useless team and a pellet still lodged in his heart.

 

[csirl]

What about Niki Lauda winning the Formula 1 Championship after being burnt alive in a crash?

 

[csirl]

If we're talking teams, we had it this week - Liverpool beating Barcalona 4-0 in the Champions League semi.