Evolution of the game... A loaded question.

Time has a way of changing things. Sports are no exception to the rule.

Rules change (no round limit in boxing). Various elements of the game change (i.e. the size of a baseball). And training has improved substantially.

Bottom line, can the legends of yesteryears still shine if they could play at their prime today?

In theory, yes they can. If they did extremely well years ago, and with the advancements made in sports in the present then yes.

But you cant really answer that question at all because there is no way of knowing.

For example, could Babe Ruth hit over 70 homeruns in a single season. Many say yes because of advancement of the ball, lower pitching mound and other factors. Many say no because of amount of players that play now.

Given newer equipment, training techniques, exercise regimes, etc. I feel like classic players could do well if given enough time to adapt to current technology, strategy, and training. Human evolution isn't that fast...the best athletes of today aren't born better, but they have better resources. So yeah, most could. Some couldn't, especially where the game has changed radically from the past (larger football linemen, far more passing, etc.)