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International Left Handers Day: Ranking My Top 5 South Paws Of The Modern Sports Era

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August 13th marks a holiday that most people are likely unaware of: International Left Handers Day. Only about 10% of the population are southpaws, and it is still scientifically undetermined what motivates lefthandedness. It is more likely for someone to be left-handed if they have a lefty parent. However, there is not necessarily a direct correlation. As a lefty, I know being a southpaw has its pros and cons. We live in a right-handed world. The simplest things were clearly not invented for lefties: scissors or a can opener, for example. Having said that, many believe that being a lefty is an advantage in sports. Let’s take a look at my top 5 southpaws in the modern sports era.

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No. 5) Lionel Messi

I know, I know, Messi is a footballer. His hands aren’t really a part of his sport. But the old adage says lefthanded people are in their “right mind”. Being a lefty isn’t just a tangible thing, it’s a way of thinking. Messi is one of the greatest footballers of the modern era, and of all time. If only he was allowed to use his hands on the field; he would be absolutely unstoppable.

No. 4) Nikita Kucherov

In hockey, being left-handed is more typical than any other sport. It’s so wrong, it’s right. The logic is actually kind of backwards, but not really. A “left-handed” hockey shooter holds the stick with the right hand on top. Since about 90% of people are “right-handed”, it makes sense that hockey produces a great deal of southpaws. No disrespect to any other hockey southpaws. Kucherov is just one of the many greats.

No. 3) Raphael Nadal

I think the “being a southpaw in sports is an advantage” stereotype is primarily psychological. Tennis is a perfect example of that. Tennis is a very fast-paced sport, making it very instinctual. Someone serving or hitting from the left side toys with the instincts tennis players develop in primarily playing against “right-handed” people. Nadal is an all-time great tennis player. I think he would be as good were he not a southpaw. But it certainly doesn’t hurt.

No. 2) Randy Johnson

Baseball is another very fast sport. The hitting/pitching dynamic defies the laws of physics. The eye makes up its mind about the pitch before even swinging the bat. It’s crazy when you really think about it. Randy Johnson was bringing in a heater that clocked over 100mph in his prime. However, his signature pitch was the slider that broke down and in to right-handed hitters. I can see how being a left-handed pitcher has a mechanical advantage. However, there is still a large psychological factor.

No. 1) Ray Allen

Ray Allen is not my favorite basketball player of all time, but he’s definitely my favorite southpaw. There is just something beautiful about a lefty jumper. And Ray Allen’s is the smoothest the game has ever seen. The two time NBA champion has been retired since 2014, but I guarantee he could still get a bucket in the league today. Even at 45 years old. I hate to say it, but I think that Steph Curry has surpassed Allen as the best shooter the NBA has ever seen. Regardless, there will never be a stroke more silky smooth than Ray’s.

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