We have lots of ways to evaluate success in sports. Wins and losses are the most important metrics in team sports; some would say the only metric.
But we also value individual accomplishments. We have objective, stats-based criteria. There may be some disagreements on scoring decisions but with that exception everyone agrees on which athlete has the most touchdowns, the most home runs, the highest rebound-per-game average.
But there are more subjective barometers. All-Star teams, All-America teams, all-conference, MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year.
All selected by human beings, fallible, inconsistent human beings, a few with an agenda or a bias, most doing the best job they can.