Ranking the 15 Best Sports Stars Who Retired in 2024
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Aaron DonaldRyan Kang/Getty Images
As the stating goes, Father Time is unbeaten.
Throughout the 2024 fiscal year, lots of popular professional athletes have actually called it a profession. Whether we remember them as world champs, gold medalists, All-Pros, All-Stars or something else, they've been vital pieces of the sports landscape for a years or more.
Most just recently, tennis icon Rafael Nadal played his last match. He's the headliner of a really accomplished group.
The ranking is subjective, specifically provided the essential cross-sport factors to consider. The gamers are ranked loosely on distinctions, consisting of MVP honors, all-league acknowledgment and more sport-specific awards.
15-11. Rondo, Cox, Donaldson, Strasburg and Griffin
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Blake GriffinAndrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Images
15. Rajon Rondo, NBA
Rajon Rondo fit splendidly as a pass-first, defensive-minded guard on the Boston Celtics throughout their late-2000s peak. He was a four-time All-Star and All-Defense option, leading the league in helps 3 times and takes as soon as. Rondo won a champion with Boston in 2008 and as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
14. Fletcher Cox, NFL
A stalwart of the Philadelphia Eagles' protective front, Fletcher Cox strolled the interior from 2012-23. He tallied an outstanding 70 sacks however grew as a run-stopping force. Cox made AP All-Pro acknowledgment in 4 seasons and played an essential function in Philly's Super Bowl run.
Josh Donaldson didn't have as much durability, however his peak was impressive. The power-hitting 3rd baseman won American League MVP in 2015 and ended up 4th in 2 more seasons. Donaldson made 2 Silver Sluggers in his period with the Toronto Blue Jays.
12. Stephen Strasburg, MLB
Male, what might have been. Stephen Strasburg handled injury after injury however squeezed in some fantastic years on the Washington Nationals. Most significantly, he landed the World Series MVP when the Nats commemorated their 2019 champion. Strasburg went 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA.
11. Blake Griffin, NBA
Blake Griffin is finest kept in mind as the high-flying dunk artist of the “Lob City” age on the Los Angeles Clippers. He was a well-rounded star who scored 20 points per video game while being an underrated passer. Griffin stacked his prize case with a Rookie of the Year in 2010-11, 6 All-Star journeys and 5 All-NBA groups.
10-6. Pavelski, Rose, Ryan, Gasol, Kelce
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Joe PavelskiCooper Neill/Getty Images
10. Joe Pavelski, NHL
Joe Pavelski is a traditional underdog story. A seventh-round choice in 2003, he became a legend for the San Jose Sharks. Pavelski ranks 72nd in NHL history with 1,068 points. Plus, he leads all American-born gamers with 74 postseason objectives and won an Olympic silver medal in 2010.
