When I make a list like this, I should start out by saying that it’s a really hard thing to do. I wasn’t around to see many of the athletes of the past, and the ones who are fresher in our minds will always seem more meaningful.

If we weren’t around to see these athletes in action, we’ll never really know just how much they meant to the world at the time. Despite the fact that we’ve heard all of the stories, it simply isn’t the same. Having said that, I’m going to do my best to account for this too.

It’s hard to narrow this list down to five, but these are the five men who I think had more meaning to their sports than any others. This is all subject to opinion, and I’d love to hear yours.

The first person I’ll mention is a baseball player whose impact could never be felt today like it was a century ago. Ty Cobb was one of the most influential baseball players in baseball history, and is largely responsible for the sport’s popularity.

Next, we’ll rewind by about 40 years and recognize the impact that Muhammad Ali had on the entire world. While boxing isn’t as big today as it was back then, it’s partly due to the fact that no boxer today possesses the blend of talent and character that Muhammad Ali had.

In the soccer world, most will agree that Pele was the best man to ever play the sport. While soccer isn’t as big in the US, this is the world’s biggest sport. Pele could by and large be considered the most influential athlete in the world.

Coming in second is Babe Ruth. How often do you hear someone’s name mentioned as often as the Babe’s, when they haven’t done anything in over 70 years? This is all due to the fact that he was the most recognizable baseball figure to ever live.

Michael Jordan. He completely transformed the game of basketball, and inspired a generation of younger kids to want to be like him. He also has the biggest impact on the sports marketing world in the history of sports.

More about the author: A major sports fan, he also writes about bathroom light fixtures and bathroom ceiling lights.