As the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated.

Throughout the 2024 calendar year, dozens of well-known athletes have called it a career. Whether we remember them as world champions, gold medalists, All-Pros, All-Stars or something else, they've been essential pieces of the sports landscape for a decade or more.

Most recently, tennis icon Rafael Nadal played his last match. He's the headliner of a very accomplished group.

The ranking is subjective, especially given the necessary cross-sport considerations. The players are ranked loosely on accolades, including MVP honors, all-league recognition and more sport-specific awards.

15-11. Rondo, Cox, Donaldson, Strasburg and Griffin

15. Rajon Rondo, NBA

Rajon Rondo fit wonderfully as a pass-first, defensive-minded guard on the Boston Celtics during their late-2000s peak. He was a four-time All-Star and All-Defense choice, leading the league in assists three times and steals once. Rondo won a championship with Boston in 2008 and as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

14. Fletcher Cox, NFL

A stalwart of the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive front, Fletcher Cox roamed the interior from 2012-23. He tallied an impressive 70 sacks but thrived as a run-stopping force. Cox earned AP All-Pro recognition in four seasons and played a key role in Philly's Super Bowl run.

13. Josh Donaldson, MLB

Josh Donaldson didn't have as much longevity, but his peak was outstanding. The power-hitting third baseman won American League MVP in 2015 and finished fourth in two more seasons. Donaldson earned two Silver Sluggers in his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays.

12. Stephen Strasburg, MLB

Man, what could have been. Stephen Strasburg dealt with injury after injury but squeezed in some brilliant years on the Washington Nationals. Most notably, he landed the World Series MVP when the Nats celebrated their 2019 championship. Strasburg went 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA.

11. Blake Griffin, NBA

Blake Griffin is best remembered as the high-flying dunk artist of the "Lob City" era on the Los Angeles Clippers. However, he was a well-rounded star who scored 20 points per game while being an underrated passer. Griffin stacked his trophy case with a Rookie of the Year in 2010-11, six All-Star trips and five All-NBA teams.

10-6. Pavelski, Rose, Ryan, Gasol, Kelce

10. Joe Pavelski, NHL

Joe Pavelski is a classic underdog story. A seventh-round pick in 2003, he developed into a legend for the San Jose Sharks. Pavelski ranks 72nd in NHL history with 1,068 points. Plus, he leads all American-born players with 74 postseason goals and won an Olympic silver medal in 2010.

9. Derrick Rose, NBA

In a different universe, we're celebrating Derrick Rose as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He certainly had that upside early on with the Chicago Bulls; Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2008-09 and league MVP just two years later. Injuries derailed his career and turned Rose into a journeyman, yet he still retired with 17.4 points per game.

8. Matt Ryan, NFL

Even if Matt Ryan doesn't receive a Hall of Fame call—and I lean toward he should—he put together an outstanding 15-year career. As of 2024, the ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (62,792) and ninth in touchdowns (372). Ryan, the 2008 Rookie of the Year and 2016 MVP, is the most accomplished quarterback in Atlanta Falcons history.

7. Marc Gasol, NBA

Between his international and NBA accolades, Marc Gasol is a legend. The center excelled in Europe prior to spending 13 seasons in the United States, where Gasol rose to prominence with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He also earned two Olympic silver medals and two FIBA World Cup golds for Spain.

6. Jason Kelce, NFL

While his popularity has skyrocketed post-retirement, Jason Kelce was long revered as one of the NFL's best offensive linemen. He started 193 of the 211 possible regular-season games during his 13-year career. Along with helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, Kelce was a six-time first-team AP All-Pro. He's fully expected to become a Hall of Famer.

5. Joey Votto, MLB

You could make an argument that Joey Votto should not be a Hall of Famer. Your argument would be wrong.

Sure, his counting stats are not overwhelming. Votto was not remotely close to 3,000 hits or 500 homers, two totals historically viewed as benchmarks for induction. He retired with 2,135 and 356, respectively.

Focusing on that would be silly.

Votto, who played all 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, led the National League in on-base percentage seven times. His career .409 OBP is a top-50 mark in MLB history. Throw in his 2010 NL MVP, 2011 Gold Glove and six All-Star teams, and Votto is a baseball icon.

4. Alex Morgan, Soccer

Alex Morgan starred both in domestic and European leagues, but the spotlight shined brightest on the international stage.

The left-footed striker was a fixture of the United States' national team, netting 123 goals in her 224 appearances. She ranks eighth all-time in international goals scored.

Morgan won gold at the 2012 Olympics—where she famously buried the extra-time winner in the epic semifinal against Canada—and bronze in the 2020 Summer Games. Additionally, she helped the USWNT win gold at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

At the club level, Morgan won titles with the Western New York Flash (WPS), Portland Thorns (NWSL), French power Lyon and San Diego Wave (NWSL).

3. Aaron Donald, NFL

One of the most terrifying defenders to ever play, Aaron Donald is a sure-fire, absolute no-doubt Hall of Famer.

The defensive tackle won Rookie of the Year in 2015, then settled into a nearly permanent spot as a first-team All-Pro. He landed that top-tier recognition in every season from 2016-23, save for the 2022 campaign when an injury sidelined him for a handful of games.

Donald brought home Defensive Player of the Year honors in three seasons and racked up 111 sacks in 10 seasons.

Most memorably, his pressure forced a game-sealing incompletion to help the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI.

2. Candace Parker, WNBA

It almost feels improper to summarize the enormous list of Candace Parker's accomplishments.

Within the WNBA alone, she amassed two league MVPs, one Finals MVP and three championships. Parker collected All-WNBA recognition 10 times, including seven first-team honors. She brought home the Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year.

That doesn't even include her dominance in college at Tennessee—where she became the first woman to dunk in NCAA tournament history—or as a professional in Russia during the WNBA offseason.

Parker, also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will undoubtedly be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

1. Rafael Nadal, Tennis

Rafael Nadal is nothing short of a legend.

Throughout his brilliant career, the Spanish tennis star won 22 Grand Slam titles and a pair of Olympic gold medals. Novak Djokovic is the only player with more Grand Slams in history.

The king of clay courts—he set a record with 81 victories in a row on the surface—Nadal won the French Open a staggering 14 times. On three different occasions, he conquered Ronald-Garros in at least four straight years.

Nadal collected 92 titles and posted an amazing 82.6 winning percentage over 24 years of playing professionally.