Many famous athletes perfect their craft in team sports, where teammates and coaches aid their greatness.
But how great would Babe Ruth have been without fellow Bronx Bombers like Lou Gehrig to keep pitchers honest? Would Michael Jordan have won six NBA titles and GOAT recognition in basketball if he had not played with Scottie Pippen or been coached by Zen master Phil Jackson? And would Jerry Rice’s career soared to the same heights without two of football's greatest quarterbacks, Joe Montana and SteveYoung, tossing passes his way?
True dominance in sports can best be measured by athletes who compete alone. While these athletes may owe a debt of gratitude to coaches, trainers and others who help pave their way to glory, they proved their greatness against the best in the world as individuals.
They are the most dominant individual sport athletes of all time.
Note: We're focusing on athletes who dominated in annual events, so this list excludes great Olympians whose dominance was most visible every four years.