[ossiblue]

To me, trying to pick a G.O.A.T. from any team sport is an exercise in futility--though it is always a great way to open barroom social gatherings which soon degenerate into shouts of, "Yo Mama" and "Sez you", followed quickly by a left cross. There are just too many variables in team sports to choose a G.O.A.T. without setting down clear criteria.

Golf, Boxing, Auto racing, however, are a bit easier. In these sports, the "Greatest" is working alone against single opponents or fixed standards (golf scores, for example). Given that, the only category on the list on which I have enough interest to make a call is boxing, and I'd have to agree with the others--Ali is the G.O.A.T., and will probably never be surpassed, given the condition of the sport today.