How do you rank Jim Spivey among the USA's 1500m greats?

#2

Pretty high. Behind Ryun and Scott, but in a cluster of several with a case for #3.

I would put Centro 3rd with Manzano and Spivey about even for 4th. Spivey was more 1500/5k where Manzano is more 800/1500m. Both have similar 1500m pb's. Manzano silver in OG and Spivey bronze in WC.

I wouldn't put Centro at 3rd. His best times have been 10th place or worse. Manzano and Spivey both go ahead of Centro.

He's below these people (in no particular order) -

Glenn Cunningham

Wes Santee

Jim Ryun

Marty Liquori

Steve Scott

Matthew Centrowitz Jr

Leo Manzano

I was thinking about how he compares to Webb (only considering the 1500m/mile).

Webb is the high school record holder in the 1500m and mile. He broke Jim Ryun's 36 year old high school record in doing so.

Spivey won the NCAA 1500m championships in 1982.

Webb has a faster 1500 and mile PR than Spivey does and is the current american record holder in the mile.

Spivey was a 3 time Olympian, though only two of those occasions saw him contest the 1500 meters (1984, 1992). He made the finals on both occasions and finished 5th & 8th. Spivey was also a member of the 1987, 1991, & 1993 world championship teams. He made the final in 2 of those championships ('87, '93) and finished 3rd and 5th. Spivey has a world championship bronze medal for his performance in the 1987 world championships.

Webb is an Olympian (2004). He was eliminated in the first round of the competition. Webb was also a member of the 2005 and 2007 world championship teams. He made the finals on both competitions and finished 9th and 8th.

Spivey was world ranked by track and field news over the 1500m/mile 7 times. His highest ranking was 5th, which occurred on 2 occasions. His rankings were 9 ('84), 9 ('86), 5 ('87), 7 ('88), 10 ('91), 9 ('92), 5 ('93).

Webb was world ranked by track and field news over the 1500m/mile 2 times. His highest ranking was 6th. His rankings were 7 ('05), 6 ('07).

Webb posted the fastest 1500m and mile times in the world in 2007.

I'd say Spivey deserves the higher ranking.

Top three for sure. Jim was an amazing talent, with text book form and wheels to boot. Would have liked to see him concentrate more on the 5000M but he liked the money and glamour of the mile. He would have been probably the first to break 13:00 if he wanted to. Great guy, friend and 100% clean it's hard to beat that!

Jim Knudsen

Thank you for that. But permit this correction: Spivey was not a three-time Olympian. He failed to make the Olympic team in 1988, though he was 5th in the Olympic 1500m final in 1984 in Los Angeles and 8th in the Olympic 1500m final in 1992 in Barcelona.

Permit YOUR correction…he was an Olympian at 5000m in 1996 as well. 1984, 1992 and 1996. Ironically look the times he posted in 1988. That was a crazy tactical final at the 1988 Olympic Trials in Indy.

Maree, Webb, Lagat, Scott, Manzano, Centrowitz, Spivy/Falcon tie, Wheating, Jennings, Holman

Yes three times. wrote:

Permit YOUR correction…he was an Olympian at 5000m in 1996 as well. 1984, 1992 and 1996. Ironically look the times he posted in 1988. That was a crazy tactical final at the 1988 Olympic Trials in Indy.

OK. As I recall, he ran the fastest 1500m in the world in 1988 (3:31.01, Koblenz) - and failed to make the US Olympic team that year.

The fastest 1500 run in 1988 was 3:30.95 by Steve Cram.

Rankert wrote:

Maree, Webb, Lagat, Scott, Manzano, Centrowitz, Spivy/Falcon tie, Wheating, Jennings, Holman

I think you're missing Ryun and Liquori.

superstore wrote:

Rankert wrote:

Maree, Webb, Lagat, Scott, Manzano, Centrowitz, Spivy/Falcon tie, Wheating, Jennings, Holman

I think you're missing Ryun and Liquori.

Both ranked #1 in the world multiple years in the 1500.

This might help readers to understand how good Jim Spivey was in his era: http://bringbackthemile.com/athletes/detail/jim_spivey

Sadly, the best US collegiate miler ever has not been mentioned in this thread.

Spivey was THE 1500 guy when I was running.

His overall U.S. ranking would be different if 1988 went the way it should.

That was the one time he didn't make the Olympic team but it was the year he set his lifetime PR, which was the fastest US born time until Webb came along.

And considering how all the top guys crapped out that year and he was clearly better than Peter Rono, he very well could have been Olympic Champ that year.

He clearly ranks below Ryun and Scott.

Ahead of Holman.

I'll leave out active runners but Manzano will rank ahead for sure and Centro could challenge Scott depending on what he does.

Some other guys that had an impact on the US 1500/mile

Beatty

Sheppard think he got a mention

Kiviat

Burleson.

For some mid-d guys it is hard to sieve out their valuation looking at pure 1500/mile times ( for their era) and medals

Bernard Lagat 3:29.x 3;48.x might get positive a comment or two.

I'm comfortable putting a master in the career over lets rate him but not kids still on the track today

Without much thought I slotted him #27 all time.