Sports have their greats, their stars and their most hated. But there is always one group of people who stand out above the rest and those are the ones who influence the sport in new ways. We as a generation have been lucky enough to see greats compete and become childhood heroes because of their pure dominance and raw talent that got them to where they are today. We are also starting to see the end of the greats from our generation through retirement. Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, Floyd Mayweather, David Ortiz, all looked up to throughout their respected leagues because of their accolades and on and off the field achievements. But who truly redefined the games we love to play and watch through the last 20 years?

Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr., what a swing, what a smile, what a guy. Starting his career in 1989 with the Seattle Mariners, Griffey was a threat from the get-go. There was no way to pitch around him as he posted a career .284 batting average through 22 years along with 630 career home runs, which ranks 6^th all time. Winning the 1997 AL MVP with 56 Home Runs and 147 RBI’s with a .304 BA in what most would say to be the best year of his career. Following the turn of the century, the Mariners announced that they’d traded Griffey to the Cincinnati Reds after Griffey stated he wanted to live closer to family in the greater Ohio area. He continued his dominance in the National League for years to come before ending back in Seattle and retiring in 2010. A 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, an iconic swing, and someone who changed the game forever. Will he go in with his hat backwards as well? Guess we have to wait and find out.

Michael Jordan

His Airness, Black Cat, Money, MJ, Air Jordan, it didn’t matter which nickname you preferred, Michael Jordan was the greatest of his time, and is one of the greatest basketball players to ever live. Jordan has 6 rings alongside his name, all coming with the Chicago Bulls. All of which came in two separate three-peats, 1991-1993 and again from 96-98. The 95-96 Bulls, arguably the best NBA team ever won a then record, 72 games. The 5 time regular-season MVP also lifted 6 Finals MVPs and 3 All-Star MVPs, making him one the most decorated player ever in the NBA. MJ constantly put on shows and wowed crowds with his antics, high flying dunks, and clutch shots, leading to the unofficial nickname; the Era to be like Mike.

Lauren Jackson

Lauren Jackson, a prolific scorer, a first of her kind in the WNBA and someone who became one of the most reliable players over her playing time. Jackson, an Australian baller, born to two former Australian National Team players, Gary Jackson and Maree Bennie, started playing basketball at the age of four and from then on, she loved what she was doing. Her first year in the WNBA coming in 2001 proved to everyone that she was the real deal. Averaging 15.2 points in her first year with the Seattle Storm, Jackson came in 2^nd in Rookie of the Year votes. She would go on to win the MVP just two years later in 2003 and 2 more times in years to come (2007, 2010). Alongside the personal accolades she brought two WNBA Championships to Seattle in 2004 and again in 2010. Following injuries and missing the 2012-16 seasons, LJ formally retired in March of 2016. The WNBA named Jackson the greatest WNBA player in celebration of their 20^th season.

Tiger Woods

Who better to associate the color red and black with? Always wearing the black pants and hat along with the red polo you could find Tiger on the golf course. Someone who has changed the way we see Golf in an entirety. Since leaving Stanford University golf in 1996 to turn pro and join the PGA Tour, Tiger has won 79 PGA Tour Tournaments which ranks 2^nd all time. Tiger at a young age re-wrote history books becoming the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam (winning all four major tournaments). He also is the only player to ever win the four major tournaments in a row, spanning from the 2000 season into the 2001 season. Known as the best closing player ever, Woods is 14-1 when leading and heading into the final day of Major Tournaments. Should Tiger never return to full form in the PGA due to injuries there is no forgetting what once was with the loud cheers at his incredible approach shots, to his long distance putts ending with the most iconic fist pump in sports history.

Obviously this list is abbreviated, don’t get me wrong, the most influential athlete of all time in my own mind is Muhammad Ali, but for this article I wanted to include athletes that have or still appeal to the younger generations. Do you agree with the four that I included? Drop a comment below with who you find to be the most influential to you.