Is Meb Keflezighi the Best Ever?
I have to tackle this question after the preposterous remarks by American marathoner Meb Keflezighi, who stated after his 2nd place finish at the ING New York City Marathon that he really believes that he is America's greatest distance runner... ever!
I have to disagree.
I understand that running produces endorphins that contribute and could possibly create the sensation of a "runner's high", but it's about time that Keflezighi gets off cloud nine. I will forgive Meb's ignorance on American distance running, given that he is a foreigner from Eritrea. I will allow for him to have had a fleeting memory of Frank Shorter, the one name he did not mention in his post-race interviews. He goes on to disrespect Alberto Salazar and even Bill Rodgers in the Palm Beach Post article.
So, who is America's greatest distance runner? Feet forward, it has to be Frank Shorter. Why? Frank Shorter was a winner. Period. Frank Shorter won 6 out of the 9 marathons he entered (if memory serves me correctly). Meb couldn't even win the USA Olympic Trials (Shorter was a 2-time Trials winner in '72 and '76, also winning the Trials 10,000m in those years). Shorter WON the 1972 Olympic Marathon and won Silver at the 1976 Olympic Marathon. He was a 5-time 10,000m National Champion (Meb has only won 3 times), and a 4-time National Cross Country Champion (Meb, again, only twice). Shorter also placed 5th in the 1972 Olympic 10,000m race, setting an American Record in the semi-finals and again in the finals, running 27:51. Meb's best finish in the Olympic 10,000m race is 12th place and 2nd American. Shorter also won the Fukuoka Marathon (the 1970's version of today's Chicago or London Marathons) FOUR freaking times! I don't even think Meb has ever WON a single marathon event!
If we compare times, personal bests, than Meb wins-out. But running is not all about times. It's about winning, dominating, being the best in your moment and era. Shorter did that. Let's consider 5000m by Track & Field News. How about the 10,000 meters? Frank was ranked in the U.S. the following years: 1969 (3rd), 1970, 1971, & 1972 (1st), 1973 (5th), 1974 & 1975 (1st), 1976 (2nd), 1977 (1st), 1979 (3rd). That's a decade of rankings. Meb has the following US rankings: 1998 & 1999 (5th), 2000 (1st), 2001 (2nd). Frank Shorter was the #1 Ranked American Marathoner from 1971-1974 and again in 1976.
But let's forget about the US. How was Frank Shorter ranked in the World over the Marathon? He was the #1 Ranked Marathoner in the World by Track & Field News in 1971, 1972, & 1973! He was ranked #2 in 1974 & 1976. Keflezighi, granted his youth, has yet to be ranked in the Top 10 as of 2002, but I'll give him a Top 5 ranking for 2004 behind Stefano Baldini and perhaps the undefeated Evans Rutto. How about the 10,000m? Shorter was ranked #2 in the world in 1970 & 1975, was #5 in 1972 & 1974. Meb was #9 in the 10,000 in 2002.
Both were American Record holders over 10,000m, but Frank Shorter was also the American Record holder in the Marathon, whereas Meb is not.
I truly think the argument is moot. The ONLY way that Meb would equalize or at least be considered on the same homestretch as Frank Shorter is if he ante's up and WINS the 2008 Beijing Marathon Gold Medal. Then, and only then, will I consider Meb in the same light as Frank Shorter.
I have to disagree.
I understand that running produces endorphins that contribute and could possibly create the sensation of a "runner's high", but it's about time that Keflezighi gets off cloud nine. I will forgive Meb's ignorance on American distance running, given that he is a foreigner from Eritrea. I will allow for him to have had a fleeting memory of Frank Shorter, the one name he did not mention in his post-race interviews. He goes on to disrespect Alberto Salazar and even Bill Rodgers in the Palm Beach Post article.
So, who is America's greatest distance runner? Feet forward, it has to be Frank Shorter. Why? Frank Shorter was a winner. Period. Frank Shorter won 6 out of the 9 marathons he entered (if memory serves me correctly). Meb couldn't even win the USA Olympic Trials (Shorter was a 2-time Trials winner in '72 and '76, also winning the Trials 10,000m in those years). Shorter WON the 1972 Olympic Marathon and won Silver at the 1976 Olympic Marathon. He was a 5-time 10,000m National Champion (Meb has only won 3 times), and a 4-time National Cross Country Champion (Meb, again, only twice). Shorter also placed 5th in the 1972 Olympic 10,000m race, setting an American Record in the semi-finals and again in the finals, running 27:51. Meb's best finish in the Olympic 10,000m race is 12th place and 2nd American. Shorter also won the Fukuoka Marathon (the 1970's version of today's Chicago or London Marathons) FOUR freaking times! I don't even think Meb has ever WON a single marathon event!
If we compare times, personal bests, than Meb wins-out. But running is not all about times. It's about winning, dominating, being the best in your moment and era. Shorter did that. Let's consider 5000m by Track & Field News. How about the 10,000 meters? Frank was ranked in the U.S. the following years: 1969 (3rd), 1970, 1971, & 1972 (1st), 1973 (5th), 1974 & 1975 (1st), 1976 (2nd), 1977 (1st), 1979 (3rd). That's a decade of rankings. Meb has the following US rankings: 1998 & 1999 (5th), 2000 (1st), 2001 (2nd). Frank Shorter was the #1 Ranked American Marathoner from 1971-1974 and again in 1976.
But let's forget about the US. How was Frank Shorter ranked in the World over the Marathon? He was the #1 Ranked Marathoner in the World by Track & Field News in 1971, 1972, & 1973! He was ranked #2 in 1974 & 1976. Keflezighi, granted his youth, has yet to be ranked in the Top 10 as of 2002, but I'll give him a Top 5 ranking for 2004 behind Stefano Baldini and perhaps the undefeated Evans Rutto. How about the 10,000m? Shorter was ranked #2 in the world in 1970 & 1975, was #5 in 1972 & 1974. Meb was #9 in the 10,000 in 2002.
Both were American Record holders over 10,000m, but Frank Shorter was also the American Record holder in the Marathon, whereas Meb is not.
I truly think the argument is moot. The ONLY way that Meb would equalize or at least be considered on the same homestretch as Frank Shorter is if he ante's up and WINS the 2008 Beijing Marathon Gold Medal. Then, and only then, will I consider Meb in the same light as Frank Shorter.
posted by Gabriel Rodriguez at 4:23 PM
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