Computer Says Beamon’s Feat Was Third-Rate

The magnitude of sports achievement is an oft-argued question. In fact, argument, to the average and even above-average fan, is the basis upon which sports exists. It just wouldn’t be any fun if everyone agreed on everything.

Putting the variables of sports into a quantifiable form and coming up with an indisputable answer has previously been thought to be impossible. But, two college professors in the Washington area recently emerged from behind their assorted microchips to try and figure out, in as fair a way as possible, what the top performances in sports have been.

Edward Wasil of American University and Bruce Golden of the University of Maryland published a study of this heavy issue in the Sept.-Oct. issue of Interfaces, a publication seldom seen in sports clubhouses.

They broke sports records down to three categories: Season records, career records and single-day records. The formula that was used to determine was “a comparison methodology based on the flexible and widely applicable notion of analytic hierarchies.”

Of course, how else could you figure it?

The results said that Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point basketball performance in 1962 was the greatest single-day feat. They rated Norm Van Brocklin’s 554-yard passing day as second and Bob Beamon’s 29-foot 2 1/2-inch long jump as third.

As for the single greatest season-long accomplishment, Babe Ruth’s .847 slugging percentage in 1920 edged out Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. Chamberlain’s 50.4 point per game average was third and Hack Wilson’s 190 runs batted in in 1930 was fourth.

Interestingly, Johnny Unitas’ 47-game consecutive touchdown pass streak was rated the most remarkable career achievement. Ruth’s lifetime .690 slugging percentage was second followed by Walter Payton’s 16,193 rushing yards. Gordie Howe’s 2,358 hockey points was fourth and and Hank Aaron’s 755 home runs was fifth.