After a unique period in American sports history, we now enter another unique period in American sports history.
Over the next two weeks, the four major American team sports will launch or re-launch their seasons, beginning with baseball's opening day Thursday. That will be followed in short order by the opening of NFL training camps July 28, the re-start of the NBA season (without the Warriors) July 30 and the re-start of the NHL season (without the Sharks) Aug. 1. Major League Soccer is already playing.
Knowing that there's no guarantee that the seasons will be played to a conclusion, this is as good a time as any to re-examine the most important people in Bay Area sports.
So here we go, with the official power rankings of Bay Area sports personnel (note: Las Vegas Raiders personnel not eligible).
10. Chris Wondolowski, Earthquakes. The greatest player in San Jose soccer history is one of the greatest players in MLS history. That's enough for this list.
9. Joe Thornton, Sharks. Thornton – who may retire this summer – has played for San Jose since 2005, which means he was playing professionally in the Bay Area when 49ers star Nick Bosa was 7. He's the NHL franchise's Willie Mays.
8. Steve Kerr, Warriors. The combination of three championships and his communication skills (he was a top-level analyst on TV, he's brilliant in interviews) make him elite. Players, media and opponents all like him.
7. Matt Chapman, Athletics. A's shortstop Marcus Semien was a finalist for the American League MVP last year, but Chapman is the team's best player. He's a power hitting third baseman with charisma who is also eligible for arbitration (and a big pay raise) next year. That probably means a trade is coming–such is the plight of the A's fan.
6. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers. The quarterback would have contended for the No. 1 spot had he led his team to a Super Bowl championship, but they fell one game short. Playing this position – starting quarterback for the 49ers – is almost a virtual lock for the top 10 (I had Tim Rattay in the top 10 in 2004).
5. Klay Thompson, Warriors. A beloved figure whose apparent disinterest in anything but basketball and his dog make him even more likable. The big question is how he returns for the 2020-2021 season (presuming there is one) after sitting out this year with a knee injury. Don't bet against him.
4. George Kittle, 49ers. He's the best tight end in the NFL and he has a huge personality that fans love. Kittle is the greatest tight end in franchise history and he's 26.
3. Kyle Shanahan, 49ers. He became the 49ers coach at age 37 with big expectations and somehow surpassed them. 49ers fans have seen this before and hope Shanahan is more like Bill Walsh than Jim Harbaugh.
2. Buster Posey, Giants. A three-time champion, Rookie of the Year and MVP is a candidate for the Mount Rushmore of San Francisco Giants players, which is saying something. When Posey elected to sit out this season to protect the health of his adopted premature twins, he moved up in the public's estimation.
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors. The greatest shooter in NBA history. One of the great teammates in NBA history. One of the great face-of-the-franchise players in NBA history. Curry has won three championships. He's the greatest Warriors player ever. He's the No. 1 sports figure in the Bay Area and it's not even close. He's nearing Willie Mays-Joe Montana status as the greatest Bay Area sports figure in history.
Reach Brad Stanhope at bradstanhope@hotmail.com.
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