Top 10 Athletes of the Decade

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Yes, that's right. I am going to make a top ten list of athletes from the last DECADE. An impossible feat you say? Why of course it is, which is what will make it that much fun.

First of all, I must state my opening criteria for making this list. When I say athletes of the decade I think to myself, who were top game in 2000 and are STILL top game in 2009.

So those athletes that burst onto the scene early and faded late (Lance Armstrong, Ronaldo) or those athletes that just started touting their stuff (Lionel Messi, Michael Phelps), these athletes are not eligible.

I'm looking for the athletes that dominated for 10 whole years. Let it begin.

10. Alex Rodriguez

Since he first appeared on the professional diamond, A-Rod has been a feared hitter.

His mega-deal to sign with the Yankees back in 2004 skyrocketed his career to heights few have ever accomplished (or was it the steroids?).

9. Albert Pujols

Pujols is the most dominant, non-cheater (fingers crossed) in the game. Since his rookie season in 2001, Pujols has been touted as the best slugger in the game.

While I do not pretend to say that the No. 9 spot is a low spot on an athlete of the decade list, he could have been much higher had he won more titles with the Cardinals.

8. Thierry Henry

Henry's domination began with Arsenal in 2000 (1999 to be exact, but ehh) where he was widely considered the best forward in the game. He scored 174 goals for Arsenal before moving to Barcelona in 2007.

In this decade he has won three domestic league titles, four domestic cup titles, and one champions league title.

Currently, he is a key player in Barcelona's world class offense, which by the way, won six trophies in 2009.

7. Kobe Bryant

If it weren't for his title last season, Kobe Bryant would not be on this list. However, the Black Mamba earned his fourth NBA title this decade in dominating fashion.

Kobe has consistently been the NBA's top player, even when he wasn't on the NBA's top team.

His statistics are out of this world, and his pure basketball ability may be among the best we've ever seen.

6. Peyton Manning

There is no denying Peyton's place on this list. In this last decade, we have seen one of the most impressive NFL careers of all-time. While Brett Favre owns all the passing records now, they are Manning's to break.

A career as impressive as Manning's (eight seasons, ahem, nine, making the playoffs) deserves a higher spot, no?

But with only one Super Bowl title to show for it, I'm afraid Manning will have to strive for a higher spot next decade.

5. Martin Brodeur

The greatest goalie in NHL history. That is saying something.

Brodeur was as dominant as you could be in a team sport. His best seasons came early in the decade (back-to-back best goalkeeper awards).

But it wasn't until 2007 that the "magical golden years" began. Since then, Brodeur has broken all the records of the legendary Patrick Roy.

He also holds a number of goalie playoffs records.

However, he only has two Stanley Cup victories this decade. I pondered long and hard debating whether Manning deserved to be No. 5 over Brodeur. But, then I discovered that Brodeur had won a gold medal while on international duty at the Olympics.

Sorry, Peyton.

4. Tom Brady

Tom Brady really was 17 seconds away from cracking the top three, perhaps even top two.

A 19-0 season and fourth Super Bowl ring would have cemented him as the greatest quarterback of all-time. Care to argue?

Well, coulda, shoulda, woulda. Nope.

Still, Brady's sudden rise to fame and subsequent domination of the NFL AND NFL playoffs earns him a spot in my top five.

Three Super Bowl titles and a career QB rating of 93.5 puts Brady in elite company.

Really, now that I stop to think about it, how badass do you have to be to make a top five in this list, EVEN WHEN YOU MISS A WHOLE SEASON?

Tom Brady Bad.

3. Ryan Giggs

One of the greatest and most legendary football players of all-time gracefully enters my top three.

Since his first appearance back in 1991 to his most recent one last week, Ryan Giggs has been a force to be reckoned with. His sheer ability and fitness is unbelievable.

Giggs carries with him six domestic league titles this decade to go along with two domestic cups and a Champions League trophy.

He also has a few nice individual accolades in his collection.

But, what really sets Giggs apart is that he is 36 years old and STILL in his prime. Football stars fade once they turn 30, but Giggs has remained the same playmaker and continues to make the younger, more athletic players look foolish.

In my opinion, Ryan Giggs is one of the most mythical football players of all-time.

2. Tiger Woods

I hate to do this, I really do. Not because of Tiger's recent...umm...personal developments.

But because I am not, and have never been, a Tiger Woods fan. I am not drinking the Tiger Woods Kool-Aid (should I put Gatorade? Don't want any legal problems...), and I am certainly not the biggest golf enthusiast.

Having said that, Tiger Woods simply dominated the PGA tour from top to bottom. Making all kinds of money and winning more titles than I'm sure he ever dreamed of.

With Woods here at No. 2, I am sure you can all guess who is next.