Great From The Gate
Some of the world’s most famous athletes were impressive from the start, excelling in their debuts on the big stage
Imagine the unsurpassed pressure: competing in your first big game at the very highest level. The stress of a sports debut has unnerved many, including some of the greatest athletes that ever drew breath. Despite collecting more than 7,200 hits between them in their storied careers, baseball greats Hank Aaron and Derek Jeter each went 0-5 in their first games in Major League Baseball, while legendary swinger Willie Mays managed only one hit in his first seven games. Bill Russell scored a mere six points in his NBA debut, missing eight of 11 shots and all four of his free throws, nothing that would suggest a career that would lead to 11 championship titles in 13 years. A …