Lionel “The Big Train” Conacher is considered by some to be the greatest athlete of all-time.
He was a multi-sport athlete who eventually counted two Stanley Cup victories, a Grey Cup, and induction to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame among his triumphs. In 1921, Toronto sports fans witnessed him capture two different championships in a single day. West enders watched him drive in the winning run to clinch the local city baseball championship. Afterward, Conacher raced across town to the Beaches, where his lacrosse team was trailing in another championship game. He led them to a comeback victory, scoring the winning goal.
A Canadian Legend: Lionel Conacher
- Born 1900, Toronto, Ontario; died 1954, Ottawa, Ontario.
- All-around athlete: he won championships in hockey, football, boxing, wrestling, baseball, and lacrosse.
- Died while playing a charity baseball game on the front lawn of Ottawa’s parliament buildings, having been elected as a Member of Parliament.
