Best Of The 80's

There was, of course, the Great One, the best player to ever lace up skates, but the 1980s were blessed with a bounty of battlers worthy of that sobriquet: the creator of many Magic moments with the Lakers and his Celtics counterpart, Larry Bird; the 49ers' extraordinary Joe; distaff racketeers Martina and Steffi; a Bear known for his sweetness; and a raging bull who terrorized the world's heavyweights until he finally bit off more than he could chew.

1988
BEN JOHNSON
The Canadian sprinter won the Olympic 100 but was stripped of his medal after testing positive for steroids.

80s THE CLASSICS
Who got up higher—49ers receiver Dwight Clark while making the Catch or U.S. hockey players after beating the Russians at Lake Placid? And who's ever been lower than Mary Decker, denied her Olympic medal after tripping on a young Budd?

1982
DWIGHT CLARK

1980
MIRACLE ON ICE

1987
BIRD AND MAGIC

1984
MARY DECKER

1985
NAVRATILOVA AND EVERT
Chris hugged Martina after beating her in the finals of the French Open.

1980
JULIUS ERVING
Doctor J was in full flight against the Lakers during the NBA Finals.

1987
PANCHO CARTER