Having the same birthday as another person is coincidence that leads to some very interesting conversation pieces. To share a birthday with someone famous, one is able to flaunt that little piece of trivia over all their friends. Many times a specific day will be label as “the birthday of so-and-so,” but in in reality there happen to be several stars with that same birthday. When multiple stars share the same birthday, it makes for some very fascinating combinations. In the world of sports there are several days throughout the year that are the birthdays of many prominent figures, which leads to a debate about what is the best day in sports to have a birthday. There are several days that pair up sports stars, but the best combinations match sports icons with several other stars. On Thursday of this week, many famous sports figures will be celebrating their birthday. This group includes New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter, NFL quarterbacks Michael Vick and Chad Pennington, and NBA guards Deron Williams, Raymond Felton and JJ Barea. This star-studded day is certainly in the discussion of the best birthday in sports, but where does it rank on the top 10 list of the best birthdays in sports?
[new page = September 29]
10. September 29
September 29 is the birthday of Kevin Durant (1988), Calvin Johnson (1985), Shelley Duncan (1979) and Jake Westbrook (1977). Durant is an NBA star with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the 2014 MVP Award. Johnson, a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions, set an NFL record in 2012 with 1,964 receiving yards. Duncan and Westbrook are both baseball players in the Major Leagues.
[new page = February 12]
9. February 12
February 12 is the birthday of Bill Russell (1934), Robert Griffin III (1990) and Dominic DiMaggio (1917). Russell won 11-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 1960s. Griffin, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, is currently the quarterback for the Washington Redskins in the NFL. DiMaggio played with the Boston Red Sox and was the younger brother of New York Yankee great Joe DiMaggio.
[new page = March 24]
8. March 24
March 24 is the birthday of Peyton Manning (1976), Chris Bosh (1984) and George Sisler (1893). Manning has won a record five NFL MVP awards and is currently the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. Bosh is a basketball star, who has won two NBA Titles with the Miami Heat. Sisler is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He won two batting titles and recorded 257 hits in the 1920 season.
[new page = May 6]
7. May 6
May 6 is the birthday of Willie Mays (1931), Chris Paul (1985) and Martin Brodeur (1972). Mays, one of the best baseball players of all-time, hit 660 home runs in his 22-year career. Paul is an All-Star point guard in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. Brodeur, a standout goalie with the New Jersey Devils, has won the most games in NHL history (688).
[new page = January 17]
6. January 17
January 17 is the birthday of Muhammad Ali (1942), Dwyane Wade (1982) and Don Zimmer (1931). Ali is considered one of the greatest boxers of all-time. Wade has captured three NBA Championships with the Miami Heat and was named Finals MVP in 2006. Zimmer was a baseball-lifer, who spent 65 years in professional baseball between playing and coaching.
[new page = April 19]
5. April 19
April 19 is the birthday of Maria Sharapova (1987), Candace Parker (1986), Joe Mauer (1983) and Troy Polamalu (1981). Sharapova is a star tennis player, who has won five Grand Slam single titles. Parker, who won two NCAA championships at Tennessee, became the first player in WNBA history to win MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same year. Mauer has won three batting titles and one MVP award in his 11 seasons with Minnesota Twins. Polamalu, one of the best safeties in NFL history, has helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win two Super Bowls.
[new page = June 26]
4. June 26
June 26 is the birthday of Derek Jeter (1974), Michael Vick (1980), Deron Williams (1984), Chad Pennington (1976), Raymond Felton (1984), and JJ Barea (1984). Jeter, a five-time World Series champion, is the New York Yankees’ all-time hits leader, with more than 3,300 hits. Vick and Pennington have both played quarterback in the NFL. Williams, Felton and Barea were all born on June 26, 1984 and are all guards in the NBA.
[new page = February 17]
3. February 17
February 17 is the birthday of Michael Jordan (1963), Jim Brown (1936), Buster Olney (1964) and Danny Ainge (1959). Jordan, who won six NBA Titles with the Chicago Bulls, is considered the best basketball player of all-time. Brown, a Pro-Football Hall-of-Famer, retired from the NFL with the most rushing touchdowns in a career (106) and currently ranks fifth. Olney has covered baseball for ESPN and the New York Times. Ainge, a two-time NBA Champion, is the president of the Boston Celtics.
[new page = October 13]
2. October 13
October 13 is the birthday of Paul Pierce (1977), Jerry Rice (1962), Jerry Jones (1942) and Trevor Hoffman (1967). Pierce guided the Boston Celtics to their record 17th NBA Championship in 2008. Rice, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is the NFL all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, all-purpose yards and touchdowns. Jones is the long-time owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Hoffman ranks second in career saves with 601 (123 more than third place).
[new page = December 30]
1. December 30
December 30 is the birthday of Tiger Woods (1975), LeBron James (1984), A.J. Pierzynski (1976), Grant Balfour (1977) and Laila Ali (1977). Woods, a professional golfer, has won 14 major championships, the second most all-time. James, considered one of the best basketball players on the planet, has won four MVP awards in the last six years. Pierzynski and Balfour are both professional baseball players currently in the MLB. Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, is a retired professional boxer.