Fame: From Bryce to Big Mac

Part III of our countdown of the 50 Most Famous Baseball People of the last half-century.

Today we’ve got Part III of our 50-in-50 series of the Most Famous Baseball People of the Last 50 Years. As a reminder, I ranked them using a squiggly formula based on various “fame” components, such as All-Star voting, pop culture references and times they’ve appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Then, you ranked them using a little Tom Tango-inspired game where you were given two players and you decided which one was more “famous.”

For the most part, our choices more or less aligned. But there are a few instances where our orders were very different, which is obviously to be expected. Anyway, we wrap up this series tomorrow.

Quick note: If you go to the JoeBlogs homepage—and I know most of you never do—you’ll find a new sidebar where I list special options, such as the preorder offer to get WHY WE LOVE FOOTBALL signed and inscribed (ends Sunday!). This is part of a makeover I’m unveiling over the next few weeks to make JoeBlogs a better experience.

No. 26: Bryce Harper

“Bam Bam” “The Chosen One”

“When I hit the ball, I do want to hurt it” —Bryce Harper

Baseball prodigy who lived up to the superstardom that was predicted for him at age 16. Combined a disciplined hitting approach with immense power and an awe-inspiring flair for the moment. Two-time MVP.

Where you ranked him: 28th.