Where I Stand — Brian Greenspun: The Greatest, no doubt

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 9:42 a.m.

Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.

I SAW IT twice with my own eyes. I am a believer.

Last month I wrote about a trip to the White House to see the VH1 Concert of the Century. The show, of course, lived up to its billing as one of the best ever assembled and, certainly, the best ever presented at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. What caught my attention and didn't let go, though, was the way in which Muhammad Ali entered that house and captured it and its contents without firing a shot.

That was the substance of what I wrote. What I intended to convey was the way in which the former heavyweight champion of the world and the most recognized person on the planet captivates the crowd and warms its members with his presence. And he does it without even trying. That was the Ali I watched a few weeks ago when he went to Washington.

Last week I saw and heard it again. The first time it might have been a fluke, although I knew it wasn't. The second time -- and every time hereafter -- it was and always will be the real thing. For Ali is just one of those rare people who owns the room when he enters and barely gives it back when he leaves, all without a trace of effort.

This time the room was the cavernous Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks and some of the best boxing ever witnessed in this country. By reputation and by design, it has been the place where grown men have wept and the best teams have withered under the pressure of New York's indefatigable and, shall we say, outspoken fans. Even though they were dressed in tuxedos and gowns for the Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Century Awards last Thursday, the clothes did not and could not hide what they were underneath. New Yorkers demanding the best.

Myra and I went to the Sports Illustrated Awards as guests of our friend, Bernie Yuman. Bernie is best known in Las Vegas as the man who has helped guide the incredible careers of illusionists Siegfried and Roy. As their manager and friend for a quarter of a century, Bernie has harnessed their talent and determination and coupled it with an extraordinary work ethic and his abundant creativity to become recognized as one of the best managers in the country.

As his friend for more than three decades, Ali recognized that the time was right to make Bernie his manager, too. That's what all the newspapers said last Wednesday and that's what the full page ads proclaimed to the world two days later. And that, as they say, is the way it is.

I may forget with time the specific winners in some of the categories for best athletes of the century, but there is something about that night I'll never forget. Nor will the tens of thousands of people who filled Madison Square Garden that evening. There are some winners, like Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth, who were shoo-ins for their respective sports. There were others who beat out some very tough competition to be named the best of the last 100 years. But when Ali walked into the Garden that night and sat down next to MJ, there was no question in everyone's mind that The Greatest was there and it was only a matter of time.

Then it happened, or should I say, didn't happen. Ali was nominated along with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis as the best athlete of the century for individual sports. Each time a winner was announced, the crowd would signal its approval with loud and long ovations. When Nicklaus' name was announced as the winner it was obvious that a stunned crowd, while pleased for the Golden Bear and appreciative of his contribution to golf and sports in general, could not understand what had happened. How could Sports Illustrated have overlooked the greatest athlete of the century? That was the unanimous question.

The answer didn't come for about ten more minutes. That's when one of the greatest comedians of the century took to the podium. Billy Crystal started by saying that Sports Illustrated was going to announce its overall choice of Sportsman of the Century. The crowd's attention drew near to Billy's words. He continued, "I first met Muhammad Ali ..."

Whatever confusion had overtaken the Garden was cleared up in those few words and for what seemed like forever, the crowd started chanting as one, "Ali, Ali." Of course the people did exactly what the producers warned against, taking up precious air time with standing ovations and ad-lib cheering, but they were not to be denied.

Following an indelible impersonation of Ali and the late Howard Cosell, Crystal announced to the people in the Garden and to those around the world through CBS that The Greatest was, indeed, the greatest of the 20th century.

I don't need any more proof that Muhammad Ali is one of a kind and the kind of person that commands respect and attention wherever he goes. He does it with humility and he does it with style. And, while he can't verbalize his feelings nearly as poetically as he once did while floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, he is crystal clear about what he says and how he feels. And I know he feels the warmth from the people, especially the young ones, who flock to his side for pictures, autographs and hugs.

Ali is a man who said a lot during his career as a fighter. And he said it well. Now he is a man who does a lot to advance the cause of peace and tolerance around the world. And he does that equally well.

The proof was in the pudding. Muhammad Ali was named Sportsman of the Century. And Madison Square Garden unanimously approved. End of story.