Hockey - Mario Lemieux. Le Manifique! We now have Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin, who are tow of the most exciting players in the NHL.
Pro football - the 1970s Steelers - far and away the best dynasty in the NFL's history.
The Steelers of the 1970s have more HOFers than most NFL franchises have in their respective histories.
Of course, Mel Blount was sly long before MJ did it.
MLB - I would like to say Roberto Clemente. I saw him play in 1968, before I turned five years old. I don't remember much of the game, but I remember being there.
The pre-cocaine Dave Parker was a magnificent player. He hit for average, for power, stole bases and had a rocket right arm. Parker threw out two runners at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game. Then he started with the white stuff and his play deteriorated.
Not a big NBA fan, but the 1980s Celtics-Lakers championships were great series.