E-Mail This Article to a Friend Boston’s top-10 sports icons (active division) BY CHRISTOPHER YOUNG

Friday’s list of top-10 New England sports icons (retired division) generated a fair amount of mail, and it’s likely that today’s list of active-division athletes will provide additional fodder for debate and commentary.

Click here for the rankings we compiled in 2002. That was then; this is now. Without further ado, here is one man’s charting of the 10 most recognizable and stop-in-your-tracks local icons who grace our fields and courts.

10) Paul Pierce. Still often portrayed as a bit of a pouter and a I’ll-do-it-my-way kind of guy, the Celtics forward’s demeanor and game have been a bit rejuvenated by the return to Boston of old pal Antoine Walker. Earlier in the season, it seemed that Pierce would regularly clash with head coach Doc Rivers, but lately things have appeared hunky-dory between the two. Also, Pierce’s penchant for begging for — and then missing at the buzzer — the potential game-winning shot has been transformed into getting and hitting that clutch jumper at the end. The seven-year vet is still not exactly an overwhelmingly endearing figure around here, but in reality, the Celtics have been on the road back to respectability ever since he came aboard in 1998. Thanks to his nightly performances, the C’s have become perennial playoff participants.

9) Manny Ramirez. A World Series MVP and only at number nine? This was a tough call, but perhaps after you’ve seen the rest of the list, you’ll be more inclined to agree. This is Manny’s fifth year in Boston, and if it’s possible to "earn" $20 million a year playing a kid’s game, then Ramirez has provided the goods. He’s consistently a .300 hitter and a 100-RBI/35-homer guy, and now that he’s finally warmed up to the local media, he’s becoming even more of a fan favorite. He still has some making up to do for his churlish and often-questionable behavior from the early years in Boston, but his stat sheet and his WS MVP trophy speak for themselves. Nobody outside of the inner circle really knows what goes on in the future Hall of Famer’s head, but at least he’s a jovial mystery man now, rather than a sullen and reclusive one.

8) Tedy Bruschi. The hard-nosed linebacker does not receive a spot here out of sympathy for his recent medical problems. No, the stroke suffered by number 54 just a week after his first Pro Bowl actually helped people around here better appreciate what Bruschi brought to the Patriots’ defense each and every week. The idea of the world champs without the services of the 31-year-old co-captain conjures up "don’t know what you got till it’s gone" thoughts around Patriots Nation, and that shudder-inducing concept goes way beyond his exploits on the football field. As mentioned in previous columns, there’s a reason why Bruschi’s jersey is the top seller in the Pats’ Pro Shop, and that’s because the defensive back always played over his head in terms of his size, inherent ability, and passion. The affable Bruschi may never play again, but if not, it’ll be because he’ll put his family first and, as always, do what’s smart, and right.

7) Johnny Damon. Sure, our Johnny is definitely getting a bit overexposed, whether it be the hair, the off-season wedding, the media appearances, the book, and now the Dunkin’ Donuts commercial (with Theo Epstein). Still, Damon is one of the nicest ballplayers on the Red Sox or any other team, and he rarely shies away from the tough questions or situations. After his best-ever regular season in Boston last year, the genial center fielder got off to an atrocious start in the post-season, but his feats later — particularly his two homers in the ALCS clincher — have made him more than just a cult figure. Few can dispute that the 10-year veteran is a full-fledged icon on this team and on the city’s sports landscape.

6) Adam Vinatieri. Many around here still feel that Viniatieri’s Super Bowl–winning field goal against the Rams in 2002 remains the most electric moment in local sports lore. Of course, who can forget the other clutch boots that the Pats’ place-kicker converted during his nine-year career, and especially that magical season highlighted by the "Snow Game" against the Raiders at Foxboro Stadium? Two years after the Rams were vanquished, Vinatieri again came through, hitting the game-winner against the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII; many even forget that his kick two months ago provided the margin of victory in New England’s most recent Super Bowl triumph. It’s difficult to imagine the Patriots without the 32-year-old specialist lining ’em up, but the team’s recent difficulty in signing their long-time kicker to a multi-year extension does not bode well for his future here. Still, the memories he has provided to this point are much, much more than could have been reasonably expected from an undrafted graduate of South Dakota State.

5) Jason Varitek. I’ll admit it: I think that the "C" on the Red Sox’ captain’s jersey looks as ridiculous as it did on the Mets uniform of Keith Hernandez in the late ’80s. That being said, no Soxer commands more respect in and out of the Boston clubhouse than the recently re-signed Varitek, who rightly was the organization’s most important free-agent transaction. Tek has never posted the most spectacular offensive numbers, but his value is much more crucial to the world champs’ pitching element. The 33-year-old backstop’s handling of the staff is remarkable, and his output at the plate has been a pleasant bonus — particularly some of his critical hits during last year’s post-season. And then, of course, there’s his run-in with A-Rod that arguably ignited the team’s second-half surge ... As one memorable placard at Fenway said last October, V-TEK IS A BEAST.

4) Bill Belichick. Frankly, I don’t think any examination of the credentials of the three-time Super Bowl–winning coach is necessary. It is what it is.

3) Curt Schilling. A self-promoter? A flair for the dramatic? Who cares? Without Schilling’s solid season-long performance last year and his gutsy stints on the hill during series-turning outings against the Yankees (ALCS game six) and Cardinals (WS game two), Boston (at least from a baseball standpoint) would be Mudville again. None of us will ever know how much pain the surgical procedures on his ankle inflicted last October, but the quiet calmness and the results stand for themselves. Not only was Schilling’s bubbly professionalism a welcome counterpoint to Pedro Martinez’s constant whining and antics, but the burly righty became the undeniable heart and soul of the staff — and his attitude and composure obviously rubbed off on the more impressionable members of the team.

2) David Ortiz. Statue-worthy. Most people are well aware of Big Papi’s huge hits throughout his tenure in Boston — especially during last year’s post-season — but it’s easy to forget some of the lesser-known ones. For me, one of the most important moments of last year’s memorable ALCS against the Pinstripers came in the top of the first in game seven. Johnny Damon had just been thrown out at the plate, and most Red Sox Nationals cursed the heavens in unison, wailing something like, "They got us all the way back to 3-3, and now they’re going to blow it like this?" Yet before the morass got too deep, Ortiz hit the first pitch after the play at the plate for a two-run homer, and the Sox never trailed again — for the entire remainder of the playoffs. Ortiz was and is a certified hero, and worthy of any and all accolades he receives.

1) Tom Brady. Who knew the lanky Pats QB had rhythm, could sing and dance, and had a comic flair? His recent appearance on SNL did have its cringe-worthy moments, but those attributes are hardly why he continues to top this list. Since taking over for an injured Drew Bledsoe in September 2001, Brady has proceeded to go 48-14 in the regular season and 9-0 in the playoffs; engineered "The Streak"; won three championships; and was twice named Super Bowl MVP. As nice a guy as you can find and eminently studly as well, Brady is the Wonder Boy until further notice. His on-field performances have been the catalyst for all that is good on the New England sports scene ever since. There can be no arguing this.

Honorable mentions: Troy Brown, Roger Clemens, Theo Epstein, Nomar Garciaparra, Richard Seymour, Joe Thornton, Tim Wakefield, Antoine Walker.

"Sporting Eye" is posted Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com. Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com