Ovechkin makes SI Most Memorable list

(By Toni L. Sandys - TWP)

'Tis the time of year for 2010 retrospectives, and while many folks in our humble sports department look down their noses at such things, I think they're great. Certainly more interesting than radio transcriptions.

I'm going to do some sort of year-end D.C. sports list on Thursday, but there's already a year-end list that demands our attention: Alex Ovechkin was named to Sports Illustrated's Ten Most Memorable Athletes of 2010 list.

Now, this list doesn't appear to be primarily based on athletic accomplishments. It was actually put together by legendary photographer Walter Iooss Jr., and the qualifications seemed to be some mixture of success and mystery.

"There's a certain aura about all great athletes," Iooss told the magazine for its introductory essay. "I don't know if it's because you know they're great or they know they're great. But there's something that you sense as soon as they walk in the room."

Aside from Ovechkin, the list includes Manny Pacquiao, Landon Donovan, Drew Brees, Kevin Durant, Kelly Slater, Tim Lincecum, Shaun White, Kim Yu-Na and Dustin Johnson.

Asked about Ovechkin, Iooss said this: "I wanted to shoot Ovechkin because of his face. It's perfect for a photographer, one of those can't-miss faces."