The greater good: Scratch Kershaw from list of legends without a major title
Like Dodger Clayton Kershaw, who just won his first World Series, Trout could retire tomorrow and even his biggest hater would have to consider him one of the greats. A championship or two would cement his legacy as the player of a generation. The L.A. Angels need to put the team in a position to actually make the playoffs, something they have done once in Trout’s career (three post-season games).
The Brazilian soccer star finished as a runner-up at the 2007 World Cup and earned a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics the following year. Marta, 34, and Brazil lost to the United States at the 2011 World Cup in the quarterfinals, and the team was bounced in the round-of-16 in 2015 and 2019. She is the World Cup’s leading scorer — male or female — with 17 goals, but is still looking to hoist the trophy.
Back when they were the San Diego Chargers, Rivers led them to the playoffs five times (plus once as the L.A. Chargers). They made it to the AFC championship game once. Now the 38-yearold is pursuing a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. The eight-time Pro Bowler’s contract will expire after this season. Will anyone hand him the keys to a contender if the Colts don’t win it all this season?
The Swedish goalie has been among the best since he debuted in 2005-06 with the New York Rangers, reaching the playoffs in 11 of 14 seasons, including a 2014 Stanley Cup final loss. His 459 career regular-season wins rank sixth all-time and his .918 save percentage is 12th. While he has won gold medals in the Olympics and world championships, he has never hoisted the ultimate prize in the NHL.
Baker, 71, saw his most recent run at a first World Series (as a manager) end with Houston in Game 7 of the ALCS this year. With the Giants in 2002, his team had a 3-2 lead in the Series before losing in seven games. As the Cubs’ skipper the next year, he endured a Game 7 loss to the Marlins in the NLCS, a night after the Steve Bartman incident (also a loss).