PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - Greatest Arizona Athlete of All Time

Episode Date: October 12, 2021

Makayla Perkins is joined by an All-Star panel of PHNX beat reporters to discuss a variety of sports topics in the Valley of the Sun!Shane Dieffenbach, Greg Esposito and Brittany Bowyer give their arguments for greatest Arizona athlete of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome into the Phoenix Sports podcast presented by Drop King Sportsbook America's top-rated sportsbook app. I'm your host, Michaela Perkins, and joining me today is Shane Deepenbach, Brittany Boyer, and Gregory Esposito. That's the first time my whole name has ever been spoken on anything. I love it. I love your full name, and now people know it too so that they can... It's actually Gregory Lewis Esposito if you want to go full full name. Oh, we got the million. We call you Gregito and just like make it a combined name.

nickname I like that what are your guys his middle names I can't I'm contractually obligated that I cannot sit on the on any program at P H&X I don't that I have a really basic white girl mine's Elizabeth so same thing I'm redacted Shane your middle name Paul is nice job Greg how's I'm doing today is everything good yeah it's a good time to be in the valley right now it's cool outside it's not my god 57 when I left my house is That's wild. Asu football practice was gorgeous this morning outside.

Oh, my goodness. I've been waiting for this weather. There you go. I've been in this building all day. It sucks. What it's like. Thank you for that great enthusiastic response, Gregory. All right.

Before we get into our main topic of the day, we're going to do our Valley Sports Temperature check. I think we have to start off with the Mercury. The Mercury are in the WNBA finals for the first time since 2014, which also happens to be the finals that they played the sky. Kind of a weird parallel. Espo, what are your thoughts about the Merck? I know that they lost game one, but game two is coming up tomorrow.

Yeah, if you had asked me on Friday night, I would have told you the temperature check is Mui Caliente. But Sunday's game, not exactly the greatest performance. But that's a schedule loss, right? Right. It sucks to say that in the finals, but they played Friday. They had to turn around and play Sunday. in the middle of the day.

Which also Diana had a baby in between. Yeah. I was actually Diana and his wife had a baby in between. Can you just think about like juggling that to you? I mean just just the the insanity of it all. You know, that that put them in an unenviable position. So game one, fine. You chalk it up to what it is.

But I still believe when you look at that Mercury roster with Brittany Griner, Digginsmith and D.T. there's just too much talent there to bet against them. I look at that and I've said it throughout the playoffs. This is a team where if any of these games are close, you know, they're going to win just based on the kind of players that they have there. So overall,

I think they're in a good spot. They have to win Wednesday evening. That's a must because it's a five-game series. We're not talking to seven. So you can't fall in an O2 hole. You have to wind up winning and then steal one in Chicago to get home court back. And the wonderful Drafking Sportsbook guy doesn't think they're going to fall

and do it to a whole. I believe they're still favorites, right? Yes, I believe so. Yeah, last time I checked, there were four-point favorites. So hopefully that extra vote of confidence can push them over the top to beat the sky. We would love to see that, obviously, for the Merck. It's a big series, and we want to see them. Bring it home.

So hopefully that will. Candice Parker on Chicago, another great star. It won't be easy, but I think they'll get it done. I hope so for their sake and for the Valley's sake. I would love to have a championship again in the Valley. It would be their fourth. Let's go Merck. First time since 2004, an NBA city and a WMBA city have both been in the finals in the same year.

I was going to say how awesome. That would just be one of the most insane years, like rewarding years for diehard basketball fans in the Valley after everything that the last really almost two years is brought for people. Yeah. I just can't imagine. It's a great excitement. They can break the trend because the Rattlers, the sons, both got to the finals, couldn't take it home. So the Merck need to break the money. Let's do it, ladies.

Bring it home. The woman always got to take care of business. Well, it's how it usually goes, isn't it? Yep. It is in my house. All right, well, let's go to ASU. ASEU is 5 and 1. They're first in the Pack 12 South, but they also have the best record in the Pack 12 overall.

Brittany, do you think this is the year that they win the pack? Hell yeah. Sun Devils are bringing the heat. I think the biggest, and Shane and I have kind of been talking about this, you know, the last three consecutive games that they've had rolling into this weekend. UCLA was going to be tough. Stanford was going to be tough. And Utah. And then the rest of the, Herm hates when people say this and he's harped on it at press conferences.

Like, the season doesn't get easier. Every game is still a big game. But I think from a fan perspective, those are the games that everybody is going to be a little bit more holding their breath on and kind of like wait and see. And I think after ASU goes on the road to Utah, and if they pull out a solid win, a lot of people will finally be on board because at that point they'll be six and one. Right. They will be pretty close to winning out in the Pact 12 South. I mean, they won't have much to do. And really at that point, I mean, you look at what the rest of the Pact 12 is accomplished so far this year.

And all of the cannibalism, I guess, is the only way to put it because the conference eats itself alive. It's so hard to win the game in the Pact 12. Yeah, it is. And that's something else that. Herm talks about too. It is really hard to win in the PAC 12. It's a weird conference in a lot of ways because football, even though it's such a big moneymaker, is not every university's main focus in this conference. So yeah, temperature check. It's hot. I expected to get hotter though after this weekend. Sun Devils are going to bring the heat up to the red rocks up there.

All right. Well, and you mentioned, you know, ASU versus Utah. Is there anybody else in the schedule that you are concerned about even remotely? I'm terrified of Oregon State. Yeah. Yeah. That one's Shane and I both have said Oregon State the whole time. And I mean, anybody who remembers watching the Sundevils that 2014 year ranked number six going up to Corvallis. And just that was the game that they dressed like marshmallow men in the all white Nike uniforms. Like that game is ingrained. It is like traumatic. Yeah.

It's traumatic. Like I have very not good flashback memories from that game of just being so upset. So yeah, Oregon State is probably the only other game that really from a fan perspective makes me a little bit uncomfortable. And it's not even just because of the team. It's going up to Corvallis and old haunting memories. It's not even anything that has to do with this team. Yeah.

But I mean, if ASU can win the pack and you spoke to like the cannibalism of the conference, doesn't that just add legitimacy of the title that they would win if they can? It does. It does. Because I mean, you have to look at how many other teams have really been talked about going to be great this year and then they end up falling, you know, UCLA looked so hot, and then they ended up dropping in week three to Fresno State, and the only undefeated team, there was no undefeated team remaining at that point. They were the last ones that weren't

defeated. So, you know, you look at things like that and it's, it's tough. It's tough when the conference struggles to look good on a national level, but you know that it's not because of a lack of talent. I just feel like the conference doesn't know how to play on a big stage anymore. I'm going to be 100% honest. I feel like that all roots back to the Pac-12 network.

Just you wait. That U of A game? When ASU is sitting there with a chance at the college football playoff and they find a way to lose to a witness. Oh my God. Don't even speak into existence.

But the Wildcats have notoriously done this to the Sun Devils in the past and held them out of Rose Bowls and like ruined things for them. Fiesta Bowls. This is not a comedy podcast. It's not comedy, but he does raise a good point. No, this is the good point.

Why has everybody forgot that Oregon is still in the Pact 12? Because Oregon sucks, and they lost, and ASU is still going to take them. They're so talented. The Devils are going to have to get past Oregon in that Pact 12 championship game if they went out. Okay, but we're talking about possibly making it even to the Pact 12 championship still, and they don't face Oregon this year. So that takes out the elimination of any sort of fear until they get to the championship game. And then from there, we can start worrying about Rose Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl, X, Y, Z. Sun Bowl, get ready. Enjoy your passion. Okay. Speaking of good football programs, the Arizona Cardinals are 5 and O for the first time since 1974, the only undefeated NFL team left in the league. Shane, same kind of question. Is this the year they bring home the ship?

Well, they're going to take their first L this weekend for sure because they have to travel to Cleveland, not in the game. They're not going to lose the game, but they're going to take an L just by going to This is the third time that they're road underdogs, which I don't get. I mean, Cleveland's sure. They've shown flashes. They're a talented team. Their roster is built up.

Blah, blah, blah. It's cold, whatever. But they're two and a half point underdogs. They've shown nothing to make them two and a half point underdogs. Maybe the books see the game against San Francisco and that they didn't blow out a hobbled team with a rookie quarterback at the helm. But that shouldn't matter. I mean, it's a, it's an NFC West game. All NFC West games are going to be close.

It's just how it is in this league. Again, the division play is always weird. So I don't think there's anything to worry about. I think they get the win in Cleveland. And the only thing that's worrying me a little bit is Rodney Hudson will be out. So Max Garcia is going to start in his place most likely. But, I mean, it's hot here in the valley. I mean, even know I'm wearing a coat or a nice draft king sweater.

Shut up. Nice, draft king's sweater. It's hot here in the valley. Cliff Kingsbury is a 500 coach all time in the NFL officially. Nice. Congratulations. So, yeah, it's a good time to be in Arizona. Never been so excited.

Mediocry. 500. It never looked so good. There's no mediocrity in five and L, so you can't get past that. This Cardinals team's on the right track. I mean, there's talent at every position. There's secondary is outperforming what everyone thought. Their wide receiver core is unbelievably deep.

Rondale Moore looks like a bona fide stud. That catch on the side. Unbelievable. Yeah. One of the best catches I've ever seen. One of the best catches for sure. Yeah, so it's a good time to be a Cardinals fan on Valley for sure. Well, even though the Cardinals are not favorites on the Drag Queen Sportsbook app right now against the Browns,

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Use promo code P HNX, bet just $1 on any NFL game and win $100 in free bets. If either team scores a point, that's promo code PHNX on this week's Jack King Sportsbook. an official sports betting partner of the NFL, 21 and up only, Arizona only gambling problem. Call 1,800. Next step. New customers only eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com slash sportsbook for details. All right. How about we get into our topic of the day, which is the greatest Arizona athlete of all time? We are talking goats. I'm really excited for this because I feel like although there may seem to be an overall best option, I think we all have some pretty good, pretty good selections, a good debate on our hands.

I think that we need to definitely start off, though, with Espo and his nomination for the go. You don't want to save the best for last? I feel like we're all just here to play devil's advocate. Yeah, literally devil's advocate. All right, okay. If we want to save the best for last, let's go with Brittany then. Brittany, who is your greatest Arizona athlete of all time? I bring to you my nomination of Pat Tillman because not only is he a Sun Devil legend, not only was he part of one of the best teams that the Sun Devils had in history on the football field.

He went on to become an Arizona Cardinal and won the hearts of many there. But what really, I think, sets him apart from any other athlete that Arizona has had is his willingness to give off of the field and to go and serve. And everybody pretty much knows the story of Pat Tillman died by friendly fire. overseas. You know, he decided to enlist in the army after the September 11th attacks. He felt like it was something that he needed to do to give back and really to just be a leader. And you look at the impact that he's left. There's a trophy, or not a trophy, I'm sorry, a statue of him leading the players onto the field at Sun Devils Stadium. And that's something that's incredibly unique. there's a statue that made it into the Super Bowl commercial previews of him outside of Cardinal Stadium.

And, I mean, he's helped countless people throughout the time since he's passed with a number of different things. I mean, you know, they have the Tillman run every year that raises a ton of money towards his foundation. And they support kids with getting an education and they have the Tillman Scholarship Foundation. And they like to encourage people to continue living in his honor and keep, keep the things that are important to him like community service alive. So yeah, I think Pat Tillman is definitely one of the greatest. And it might not just be because of his accomplishments on the field. But him overall is a person.

He's an icon. He's a legend. And he gets my nomination for goat. Huge, huge impact on Arizona as a whole. I mean, just the thought of him playing football and then going overseas is so heavy and impactful to what it means to be, you know, an Arizona sports fan. And I think it kind of holds true to what everybody sees him as, especially with the statues being everywhere.

I mean, that's one of the coolest traditions in college football, in my opinion. Yeah. And, you know, the crazy thing is he's not the kind of person who would have wanted those statues. But that's why it's important to have those statues because it preserves really what he was all about and his mentality. He was so down to earth, despite the fact that he was a star football player, went on to play in the NFL, you never would have guessed it.

He was always one of those people who wanted to continue learning more and really expanding his mind. And he just was a different type of person than a lot of other athletes. His mentality, his focus, everything about his life was just, it's like an old soul almost. I don't know any other way to describe it. And I think these are all valid points. And I think what it comes down to is you're deaf. definition of greatest. If we're talking solely in their sport, it's one thing. If we're talking

most selfless, I'd go as far as saying greatest human being to be an athlete in Arizona. That's Pat Tillman. There's no denying that whatsoever. I mean, his sacrifice, what he did, his impact in the community before he ever went overseas. He was always very much involved in the community here in Arizona during his time with ASU and with the Cardinals. I think where the argument is a little afraid is when we look at his actual football career, you can't say that he was the greatest athlete to ever play at ASU. No. I mean, you could even argue his teammate Jake Plummer was the better athlete to have played at ASU

and then go to the Cardinals even. You know, James Harden, obviously, more decorated as an athlete. So that's where, then that's not taking away anything from who Pat Tillman was or what he did. I think it's just how you frame it. For me, when I, when I heard the question, I went to on field, on court, accomplishments in the sports realm. But beyond that, if you're talking human, it's Pat Tillman. It's hard because it's one of those things where there's a little bit of a debate because it does depend on how you look at it. you know, he wasn't necessarily one of the most successful guys on the field.

I mean, like we said he was a member of that 96 Rose Bowl team. They didn't end up being able to pull off that win, but still, you know, to make it and to be legendary in your own way with that sun devil team and make your own mark on history. Before you even know about five years before September 11th even happens, five years before you even see any of that or even think about any of that, you know, you're a part of this. And then, I mean, who's to say that if he would have had more time to play for the Cardinals, he wouldn't have accomplished more or helped the Cardinals reach a different level of success, you know? So there's so many different factors that go into that too, because I felt like his career did kind of get cut short in a way because of his decision to serve his country. So it's hard. I will definitely agree with you. He's not the most talented athlete that Arizona State's ever had. He's not the best athlete they've ever had. ad. But if we're going to talk all around a goat, I can't think he's someone better to nominate.

Yeah, absolutely. And I also think it's cool, too, that he also played for two Arizona teams. Yeah. From Arizona State to Arizona Cardinals, I mean, I don't think, you know, any of our nominations can say that they did the same. So I think that also adds to his, his case for the greatest Arizona athlete of all time. And regardless of his, you know, he's not being the best athlete to ever come out of ASU, like you said, his character and what he did for our country, definitely puts him up there in that list of greatest of all time. So playing college here and then playing NFL here is is the barometer though. I present you Scooby Wright.

Oh my God. I want to present to you. I know, I want to present to you, I know, Benjamin right back. Oh, boy. All right. Okay. So Brittany is going with Pat Tillman as her nomination for greatest Arizona athlete of all time, which I think is a great one.

Shane, who are you going with for the Arizona Cardinals? I feel like I already know the answer. Well, so if, as both said, if we're talking statistics, there is no better Arizona Cardinal statistic-wise. and it's not even close. It's Larry Fitzgerald. Impact on and off the field. So let me just throw out some of these numbers.

They're just ridiculous. Obviously, leads the Cardinals in every single receiving statistics, and it's not even close. He has over 1,400 receptions, Anquan Bolden's second at 586. He has over 17,000 receiving yards. The second best is under 8,500. He has over 121 receiving touchdowns. The second best is 66. And not only was he incredible,

during the regular season, but there's something about Arizona athletes that when they get into the playoffs, something happens. Either there's an injury or something falls short. Larry Fitzgerald never had that. I mean, he's one of the best receiving, he's one of the best receivers to ever play in the playoffs.

You think 2016 against the Packers when they unfortunately tied that game in the last seconds. Larry said, F that, like, no, this isn't happening. And Carson Palmer threw that pass across the field, and instead of just picking up 25 yards, He ran for 75 yards, got them into scoring position, and then took that shovel pass to score and take this team to win that game. So it's just, it's so impressive when you look at not only in the regular season, but also in the postseason. In nine games, he was able to score 10 times for 942 yards and 57 catches.

And that's just talking about his on-the-field accomplishments. We know how much he's done for Arizona off the field. Walters-Pade Man of the Year in 2017. Just a great guy all around. I mean, when you think Arizona Cardinals, you think Larry Fitzgerald, in general. So that's why I think he's the greatest Arizona athlete of all time. Before we talk about Espo's, because, again, I just don't think it's close. Yeah, I think you left the biggest argument for Fitz out, too.

What's that? The list of crappy quarterbacks are threw him the ball to get him there. That's a damn good point. If he had played with a great quarterback that entire time, imagine if he had been on the receiving end of Tom Brady or Payne Manning. No pun intended. And since 2004, he's been here.

And never you can say there was, I mean, Kurt Warner was fantastic. But throughout that whole time, there's never been until now, which, of course, he's not available for, a Kyler Murray peak era.

You just don't know what could have happened. What could have been with Larry? So that's a great point. Max Hall, Ryan Lindley, Stoney case. Kevin Cobb. Kevin Cobb.

You know, Derek Anderson. I mean, the fact that he's, The fact that he's second best all time in the NFL in receptions. Look, as I'm making somebody else's argument. I know, yeah. I'm still confident enough that I'm going to win.

But that in and of itself has always blown my time. Yeah. And Shane alluded to it too, alluded to it too. I mean, his stats on the field are incredible, but he cares so much about the Arizona community. He is so involved with community service. I mean, I feel like any time the Cardinals are out in the community, Larry is there or leading the way. And, you know, he also has a big impact in the sports community in general. Like he's a minor owner in the Sons.

So, you know, his legacy and his impact on the Arizona sports culture is undeniable. I mean, I feel like everywhere you look, it's a Larry thing. So I definitely agree with you that he's got a big impact on the community in Arizona in general. I have a question, though, do you think him not playing this season and like not officially retiring or whatever he seems to be doing has hurt him or his at all? No, just, I mean, he's already done so much. They didn't think he was going to come back last year, and he did. And he performed better than anybody thought he could have. I mean, he owes nothing more to this state.

I mean, at the end of the day, he is going to go down as the greatest receiver in Arizona Cardinals' history. And there's no reason to try to come back for a last, last, last, hurrah, after doing it multiple times, especially with how deep the Cardinals' Receiving Corps is now. Yeah. Where do you think he stacks up all time in the NFL? No. I, I, there, it's such a different game now that it's so hard to kind of rank players. I definitely say he's in my top five receivers of all time.

I may, might even put him in the top three. But I mean, it's so hard to debate wide receivers in this era against Jerry Rice and, you know, Chris Carter era and Randy Moss, even like 10 years ago. It's just, it's a different game. I put him in my top five all time though. He's number one. For you? Just because of the quarterback thing.

Jerry Rice had Montana and Young throw to him Even later in his year it was Gannon and I forget who was in Seattle as well Like he had good quarterbacks his entire run What Larry did with absolutely nothing outside of Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer in those windows I would put him at one Yeah he kind of mean he seems to make yards come out of nowhere He's a magician all right so Shane's going with with Larry Fitzgerald.

Before we get to Espos, because we all know who Espo's going to pick, I actually would like to nominate somebody because I think there's another athlete that's worth having a conversation about, and that, of course, is Randy Johnson for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I mean, he is the entire reason the Diamondbacks have a World Series title.

He is the athlete that brought a championship to the valley, like, on his back. Kind of, but Gonzo also had that final walk off to help. But they're not, they're not there without Randy. No, Randy got that team. to the World Series. And I mean, the things that he accomplished during that entire 2001 season was incredible.

I mean, he has so many accomplishments that I think are worth pointing out. I mean, there's a roughly, since the beginning of time, since baseball started, there's been roughly 1,700 shutouts pitched. Randy has seven shutouts in his career.

One of them coming in game two of the World Series when he pitched that shutout against the Yankees, which getting shut out in a World Series is a- shutting out. Yankees team was pretty impressive too, because let's not forget that was when they were on the start of making their run towards that next dynasty era that ended in 2009. Right. And well, that entire World Series was so emotionally charged because it was the first world championship that had been played since 9-11. And obviously the Yankees coming out of New York. I mean, I'm, I feel like everybody was pro-Yankies except for people who lived in Arizona at that point. Which was the first time ever that that was the case. It was the case because, you know, Yankees are the giant, like the giant in baseball and everyone wants to be a giant. Slayer and taking Yankees down.

So, you know, the fact that the Diamondbacks pulled this off in 2001 with all those external factors, obviously being an underdog, they were an expansion team that had nobody cheering for them outside of the people in Arizona. There was just so much working against them. But, you know, Randy Johnson really put that team on his back and he took them through that World Series. He's pitched a no-hitter. He's had an immaculate inning, which only 93 pitchers have ever accomplished in their careers.

He pitched a triple crown, which, you know, is leading the. the statistic areas of wins, Yara, and strikeout. He won the Triple Crown in 2002. And then he had 20 or more strikeouts in a game, which only four pitchers have ever accomplished. And of course, the perfect game, which only 23 of those have ever been pitched. And Randy Johnson has one of them. So he also killed the bird one time.

Yeah. We won't hold it again. You know how savagely, like, awesome. I mean, kind of sort of because the bird died. but like the skill to be able to nail the bird like that. Every time I think of Randy Johnson. No, I know, but every time I think of Randy Johnson, I just think of that video of him hitting the bird with a baseball.

That's the first thing that comes to mind. So to your point, what you were saying about, there's arguments we made for everybody. I mean, the impact, the statistics, Randy Johnson had one of the coolest moments in Diamondbacks history coming into pitch after he had just pitched in that World Series game. I mean, the atmosphere in that stadium could not, be caused by anybody else but the big unit like that.

I mean, he has such a presence. I mean, he was one of the coolest baseball players in the world at that time, if not the coolest. Like, just from a, like, like, a presentable standpoint. It's such a cool moment. He's also currently the only player that's nominated that's in a Hall of Fame. Yeah, I mean, and to your point with him coming in and closing, Pyong Hung Kim had blown a bunch of games.

So they had, they had to turn to him the day after he started a game to save that. I love Max's argument, but you forgot the best part of it. He did all this with a mullet, which says, which is the most impressive thing to me is that somehow he was cool with a moment. Look, I'm just saying that we can't overlook Randy Johnson. I know that he didn't spend, obviously his entire career here. Most baseball players don't spend their entire career with one team, but he is the reason, in my opinion, that the Diamondbacks have a World Series title, and he brought that title

to the value basically on his shoulders. Yeah, you mean the only title that's? They really, the valley really has. Well, I mean, the Mercury have three. I mean, like for the major, like. The four major sports, yes. He's the only title. You could pull off a mullet.

Aren't you kind of already? No. I had a rat tail going in college. I think you were not a rat tail. It was pretty sweet. I think you pull off the mullet. Thanks, man. I bet you.

I just think you'd grow the mustache almost and connect it. It'll be great. Yes, he did. Randy Jotson had a mullet. Go back and. He had like a flow. He had a baseball flow. Fine.

It was his, close to a mullet as we're getting in sports. It was a fun argument. All right. Anyways. But I, you know, going back to Diamondbacks, I don't think, obviously, you know, the Diamondbacks had Kurt Schilling, who's of Hall of Fame pitcher for, you know, wherever you disagree or disagree, wherever you fall on that scale, you know, Kurt Schilling is obviously very talented.

But I can't think of a pitcher that the Diamondbacks have had on their roster that has done what Randy Johnson has done for that team. Absolutely. Or brought the energy to the Valley like he did. Yeah. That was a huge time. And everybody, like, I feel like a lot of. I remember a lot of my classmates being huge Randy Johnson.

Telling it's the cool factor. He was so damn cool. He definitely brought for a new franchise team that was trying to get established in the valley with the youth, he brought that factor that made kids want to get involved. And I think that's a huge thing too. Like the Diamond Backster expansion team and, you know, they haven't been around as long as the Yankees or the Red Sox. And so for them to, they still hold the record of the first, the fastest franchise expansion team to win a championship. So for them to do that when they did, I think.

changed the course of this team in the Valley because, you know, if they hadn't won that World Series, like, who cares about the Diamondbacks? Like, obviously they haven't done it since. So I don't think there's like that emotional investment that people have now that they wouldn't have had if they hadn't won the World Series. And he was in the coolest baseball commercial, which I know that isn't saying. The coolest baseball commercial ever, chicks dig the long ball. Yes. Go back. Youngins, if you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and watch that Nike commercial and you'll understand.

That is an elite commercial. All right. So to summarize so far, Brittany has Pat Tillman, Shane has Larry Fitzgerald, I have Randy Johnson, Espo, lay it on us. None of this matters. Utah Tabusi, the grip. Oh, my God. I almost turned on this.

You all been waiting for that. No, I mean, come on. It's pretty obvious that Diana Tarazi is where I have to go. And people will argue, oh, no, it's not a, I'll get into it. I've had this debate on Twitter. People like, oh, high school players, a men's high school players could beat Deanna-Sahia. People say that type of stuff on Twitter?

Oh, I could show you. Twitter is the place for fair and balance. Oh, yeah. But look, I mean, there's all these arguments because she's a woman somehow it doesn't count. No, okay, dominant in every single way. The greatest athlete, because, Michaela, your argument with Randy Johnson is won a title.

Diana Tarazi's done that three times and has won five gold medals for a country arguments for fits and RJ are stats as well right Diana Tarazi dominates the entire sport literally the entire sport Larry Fitzgerald longevity in the town

right that was a big part of your argument Diana Tarazzi has played all 17 NBA seasons of her career in Phoenix and has never flirted with leaving. All right. MVP's. Two finals MVP and a WMBA MVP. Ten time All-Star, 10 times first team, all WMBA.

Oh, Hollywood Star, she was in Space Jam 2. You can throw that in there if you'd like. But I think the most telling thing to me about why Diana Tarazi is the greatest Arizona athlete of all time can be in encapsulated in one stat. Over those 17 seasons in the playoffs in a winner go home game, she's 16 and 2. And at 39 years of age, she dropped 37 points in a playoff game earlier this year. She, in game five against the aces in the semifinals in that fourth quarter, put her team on her back and led them to victory. like I just do not understand how there's an argument against her.

I could see saying, hey, her and Larry Fitzgerald 1A, 1B. I can accept that in either order. But look, what she's done, the impact she's had in her sport, and the other night she was named the greatest of all time in her sport. They voted her. She's still playing. And they honored her as the greatest of all time in her sport. That was out of 25 different people who.

who were nominated too. Yes. So I think that's important to hit on. Yeah. And it was a fan vote too. So, I mean, it was fan bases from other teams

from other WNBA fans that voted her too. So. And this is before we even get into the fact that there's a generation of young women in this town that now know that anything is possible. Yes. Because they grew up watching Diana Tarazi do something that up until that point, they really didn't know.

I mean, the WMBA started in 97. here, the Mercury were original team, and they had good teams, good players. But Diana Tarazi and her impact globally showing young women what they could do in sports and beyond is next level. There is no argument that anybody can make that can shake me of this. Diana Tarazi is the greatest athlete in Arizona history. And I'm actually working on a piece for GoPHNX.com about it where I talk to other goats.

in this town, Shane Don and others about why Diana Tarazi is so great. And that's the last piece. Athletes around this town respect the hell out of Diana Tarazi. She's earned their respect as well. There's no argument. If I could drop this mic, I mean. Got goosebumps, but I'm not going to lie. I'm not going to lie. I feel like we have a really solid lineup of four really good individuals that you all could make a case for, but they're each in their own way. Yeah. Significant. And that's why. Yeah, it's hard. It's hard to decide who you want to go for because I like the argument with Larry Fitzgerald. I like it with Randy Johnson. And I really love it with Diana Tarazi, especially. Maybe it's the female factor. But, you know, it's hard. Pat Tillman, like I said, is on another level in a different way as well. I mean, like I said, it depends on how you define greatness. If we're talking about human being, Pat Tillman is that. So you're right. For as few championships as this town has, there have been a lot of great representation across sports and greatness that we've got the opportunity

to witness. So really, there's no losers in this because we all got to watch these athletes do what they do and be proud to call them part of Arizona tapestry here. Sure. Yeah, how crazy it that we have these names that we've all mentioned representing the valley to the best of their possibility. And they are remarkable athletes, they're remarkable human beings, and they've done so much for Arizona. They've done so much for their communities and they've done so much for the sport. I mean, even going back to what Espos said, like, the impact that Diana Trossi has had on young women cannot be understated here because, you know, women's sports are constantly underrepresented, constantly underbroadcasted. They're not given enough attention. And the fact that we have someone

in the Valley who is as significant as Diana Trossi is to the game of basketball, to the WNBA, just across the board, cannot be understated because I, third, I, third, thoroughly buy into Espo's statement of how important Diana Trossy has been to young women growing up in the valley. I mean, even outside of the valley, too. I mean, she is the WNBA. When you think of the

WNBA, I think you think of Diana Trossy. And I think it's helpful for Phoenix that she's now teamed up with Brittany Griner. Brittany Griner's been an up-and-coming star in the WNBA. And even on the collegiate circuit when she was playing in NCAA basketball, you know, she was somebody that was capturing

the media's attention. Just like Sabrina Yonescu was when she was playing for Oregon. And so, you know, you see the in, I don't know how to say this. I guess the increased growth in attention that's finally being given to sports like women's basketball. And to have a player like Diana Tarazi that's already so established. And then, you know, as that transition was starting to be made, Britney Griner comes in here. And so it's like the mercury are slowly, but surely putting together this team, but it all roots back to the base and that foundation that was set by Tarazi. So it's crazy.

And some people argue Barclay, she's got Barclay's personality, too. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And the quotes, she's got everything that you could want. It's greatness personified. And this is going to be an awkward transition, but you know what also is greatness personified Mac? I'm scared. Oh, no.

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More 4.0 didn't work on my leg hair. I grew it out for four days. Grandma, if you're still listening to this, I'm so sorry. All right. So to quickly recap, just so everybody knows. And we're going to give everyone a chance to vote on Twitter. So make sure you're following us at PHNX underscore Sports. I almost forgot our Twitter handle.

And I'm the director of social media. I know. I know. Okay. Geez. All right. So Britney's nomination is Pat Tillman. Shane's nomination is Larry Fitzgerald.

My nomination is Randy Johnson. And Espos nomination is Diana Tarasi. Like I mentioned, we're going to put a, like I mentioned, we're going to put a pull up on Twitter and make sure you go vote on that and tell us who you think the greatest Arizona athlete is of all time. If we forgot anybody and you want to nominate somebody else, go ahead and do that in the comments. We would love to hear your input as well. All right. So to wrap things up, we're going to do the quick, who won the week? You guys haven't done this yet. So I'm going to start off with ESPO. You have one minute to tell me why you think your team won the week.

And I will tell you who I think won the week after you plead your case. Look, I won the week because I won $250 on a $20 bet at uh James Connor I did it James Connor scoring the first touchdown when I was using draft Kings used that code pH and X got that free money when I started and I've just been rolling on that made that made that great bet got that sweet sweet money on James Connor scoring the first touchdown 250 bucks got to take the misses out I won the week thanks to draft Kings all right that was horrible you already lost Brittany you're We needed a draft. What am I doing?

You're telling me why you think ASU won the week. Oh, okay. Go ahead. I'll tie it in my head. So ASU won the week because they beat Stanford and that's a success in itself. We talked about how hard it is to win a game in the Pact 12 conference because everyone eats each other alive. And yeah, you know, five and one, control their own destiny. Can we make a Rose Bowl appearance.

Great job. Thanks. Shane. Go. It's hard to win the Pact 12. It's harder to win. It's harder to win in the NFL. And the Cardinals have done it five times.

The only reason why they would be losing the week is because they have to travel to Cleveland, as I said earlier. But other than that, they're going to be 6 and 0. They're going to win this week. So I think they're going to win the week in general. And, I mean, the future is so bright. The receiving core has been so good. The defense has looked incredible, way better, way exceeding expectations. The Arizona Cardinals are the best team in the Valley right now.

Maybe the Mercury, if they can pull off to W&H. championship. Other than that, Arizona Cardinals won that. I thought you were going to acknowledge me and say, you're the best team. You're the best. All right, good job, guys. I think Shane won the week, and so did the Cardinals. So I'm going to have to go with Shane on that one. But thank you all so much for listening to this edition of the Phoenix Sports Podcast. Make sure you check out go phnx.com for all of our written content, exclusive video content, and more. If you haven't become a member yet, if you sign up for an annual subscription, you can get a free t-shirt. So definitely check out that. Make

sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel. If you are listening to this on the podcast, go check out our YouTube. If you're watching on YouTube, go check out the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. And we will see you next week. See ya. Ahoy. Hoi-hoi.