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Karch's Legacy
January 10, 2006
Denying father time and constant speculation of retirement,
Karch Kiraly is set to make 2006 his 28th season on the beach.
Kiraly's accomplishments during the past 27 seasons include
the record for most career wins (148), most prize money won
($3,159,773) and most MVP awards (6). Kiraly's career can
only be compared to the very best to play pro sports.
Most Valuable Player:
Kiraly has won the AVP MVP six times (1990, 1992-1995, 1998).
Kiraly trails only Wayne Gretzky, Barry Bonds and Tiger Woods
in MVP's won. Gretzky finished his NHL career with nine MVP
awards. Woods has won seven PGA Player of the Year awards
and Bonds has won seven MLB MVPs. Kiraly's six equals the
NBA's best in Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who won six MVP's in 21
seasons. Trailing Kiraly are Michael Jordan and Bill Russell,
who both won five MVPs, and NFL MVP leader Brett Favre, who
has won three.
Karch with the Dig
Big Wins:
The Manhattan Beach Open is the most historic
Beach Volleyball Tournament in the world. With a history that
spans back to 1960 and the winner's name forever engraved in
the Manhattan Beach Pier, there is no tournament bigger than
the Manhattan Beach Open. Like the Masters in Golf, Wimbledon
in Tennis and the Tour de France in Cycling, the Manhattan
Beach Open is the epicenter of its sport.
Kiraly has competed in 17 Manhattan Beach Opens
and taken home the title 10 times. In comparison, Jack Nicklaus
won a record six Masters in 41 tries. Martina Navratilova
won a record nine Wimbledon Titles in 23 tries. Pete Sampras
holds the Men's Wimbledon record with seven wins in 13 tries.
And Lance Armstrong won seven Tour de France titles in 11
tries.
Longevity:
Kiraly won his first Manhattan Beach title in
1980 as a 20 year old. 24 years later, Kiraly would win his
10th at the 2004 Manhattan Beach Open as a 43 year old. Nicklaus
won his first Masters at age 23 in 1963 and won his sixth
in 1986 at 46 years old. Navratilova won her first Wimbledon
in 1978. 13 years later, Navratilova won her ninth and final
Wimbledon title.
Karch shows off his range
Titles:
Kiraly has won 148 Beach Volleyball Titles in his career.
In second place on the career list is Sinjin Smith with 139.
Kiraly has 76 more titles than the all-time women's title
leader, Holly McPeak. Comparing active players, Kiraly has
won 93 more titles than the second active leader, Jose Loiola,
who has 55.
Only Navratilova has captured more individual titles than
Kiraly, winning 157 events. Tennis great Jimmy Connors is
third with 109 titles. Golfers Kathy Whitworth with 88 titles
and Sam Snead with 82 titles are the leading women's and men's
title winners respectively.
As the 2006 season nears and Kiraly starts his 28th beach
campaign, fans across the nation will ponder whether this
is Kiraly's last hurrah. When Kiraly does hang up his pink
hat, he will not only leave Beach Volleyball as its greatest
player, he will leave Pro Sports as one of its greatest athletes.
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