There's a rather well-known song that states, "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." The, "here," referenced in the song is New York City. This is a city, that takes celebrities, athletes, etc. and turns them into legends of mythical status. There is nothing more desired in sports than to win a championship in New York. Athletes have come from around the globe just to be a part of New York sports lore.
Former NY Rangers' Stanley Cup-winning captain Mark Messier once said, "I won multiple Cups in Edmonton, but this one here in New York is something special." Messier will forever be remembered as the man who led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years. The city takes all-stars and makes them into superstars, and it takes superstars and turns them into legends. This has held true for over a hundred years and will continue to do so for the next hundred plus years.
To avoid talking about an insane number of athletes, I am going to analyze the three biggest New York sports icons of the new millennium.
To be eligible, said player must have played over a decade in New York, and could not have played for another team. Without further ado, here are my picks, in no particular order. Feel free to agree or disagree.
Derek Jeter
A list of New York sports icons is not complete without, "The Captain." Jeter played for the Yankees from 1995-2014, and while he won five World Series titles throughout his illustrious career, only the ones from 2000 onward will count for this list. The Captain won two of his five titles in the new millennium -- 2000 and 2009. Along with those duel titles, Jeter also added numerous other accolades, including 12 of his 14 all-star selections, All-Star game MVP (2000), World Series MVP (2000), five silver slugger awards, and five gold glove awards.
(Jeter was AL Rookie of the Year in 1996). To go along with these accomplishments, Jeter joined the 3,000 hit club in the summer of 2011.
While all of these awards and accomplishments give him an ironclad case to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, they don't tell the full story. Part of the myth that is Derek Jeter, are the moments that will remain etched in the memories of fans for the remainder of the time. Who could forget, "The Flip Play," arguably the most iconic of his career, in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS out in Oakland? His, "Mr. November," home run in Game 4 of that year's World Series against Arizona? Or his dive into the stands on July 1st, 2004 against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium?
And to top it off, in his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium, he did the unthinkable and had the game-winning walk-off single against the Baltimore Orioles. These and many other moments combined to build the legend that is Derek Jeter.
Henrik Lundqvist
The New York Rangers have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL since 2012, and most of that is due to the play of franchise wins leader Henrik Lundqvist. Most hockey players can go their entire careers without garnering mainstream recognition from the public, but Hank is not most players. "King Henrik," as he has been so dubbed by the Blueshirt faithful, has captured the hearts of New Yorkers with his graceful looks, (see his GQ magazine cover), and his sterling play since taking over the starting netminder role in 2005.
Having been to the postseason more often than not, the King has had ample opportunities to grow his legend. While he may not yet have a Stanley Cup championship to his name -- most of the iconic netminders in Blueshirt history failed to attain Lord Stanley's Chalice -- he has nonetheless, been a rock in net for the team.
To go along with his franchise leading wins tally, Henny also holds the distinction of leading the franchise in shutouts, as well as being one of only two goalies in NHL history to win 30 or more games in 11 of his first 12 seasons. His resume also includes 11 All-Star selections, the 2012 Vezina Trophy, and two top-10 Hart Trophy finishes. Last season, though he struggled, he nevertheless managed to record his 400th career victory, placing him among the pantheon of all-time great goaltenders.
Eli Manning
The younger brother of Peyton Manning was often overshadowed by big brother Peyton during their NFL careers, but there is one area in which Eli managed to eclipse him. While both have won two Super Bowl titles, Eli is a perfect two-for-two, and against Peyton nemesis Tom Brady's Patriots no less. Peyton won his two titles in four tries. Even with Peyton being among the career leaders in most Quarterback categories, Eli should not be overlooked. Eli is now Top-10 in passing yards, wins, and passing touchdowns. The Giants have not been a perennial playoff team under Eli, and while the Quarterback does shoulder a fair amount of blame when his team fails, it is criminally under-reported how often his teammates and even coaches were to blame as well.
In a city that turns stars into legends, especially when it involves playing against a team from Boston, the legend of Eli Manning will live on in New York Sports lore forever.
These three New York sports icons are nearing the end of their reign -- Jeter has retired, and Hank and Eli are on the back-nine of their careers -- but they will always be revered in this city for everything they have done.