This poll is inspired by the tumultuous weather (mostly, the murky side effects of) endured at All Points West festival this weekend. You know it’s bad when you’ve only been at the concert for two hours and you have a woman’s scarf draped around your neck in the rain in an attempt to influence the blood flowing to your head to keep you warm… and you’re listening to Vampire Weekend. Or, on Day Two, when I was forced to sock @melfi in the right rotator cuff to counteract the agonizing pain in his foot from smearing Purell on an open wound (great moments in staving off infection). Day Three was by far the muddiest (made Friday and Saturday’s terrain look like a white sand beach), but it was also the day I stayed the most dry. Check out the attire (I’m the grey guy)…

(Photo c/o NYHoosier)

I’m no longer the owner of any of this clothing.

On the other hand, All Points West was also completely awesome (Jay-Z, The Black Keys, The National, Fleet Foxes, Tool). Just like the first NFL game I went to see live. Dec. 12, 1993, Foxboro Stadium. The 2-11 New England Patriots vs. the 1-12 Cincy Bengals. Drew Bledsoe leads the Pats to a 7-2 triumph, a combined score that equals the number of layers of clothing my nine-year old self wore to the friendly tin confines of Foxboro that day.

To get there, my dad, my uncles and I piled into a Tioga winne… there’s no amount of antifreeze that would have got that beast started after the game. We had to call in a reserve Minivan for the ride home. Giving up no less than 140 lbs. to everyone, I had the added bonus of sitting between the driver and the shotgun seats on the floor. The moral of the story, the Patriots never looked back. Bledsoe rattled off 4 straight wins to finish ’93 at 5-11.

This week, send me your memory of The Most Treacherous Weather You’ve Encountered at a Sporting Event. I’ll post the best on Friday. Special consideration will be given to submissions with photo evidence of ridiculous, yet element-braving, clothing – not unlike my grey baffoon suit pictured above.

Send submissions here.

Hard to believe, but the U.S. Open is indeed over. This year’s victor Lucas Glover might as well be Crispin Glover in Back to the Future III. His time has passed. Time to move on to real golf entertainment, or at least a tournament that’s guaranteed not to finish up on a Monday while your at work. I’m talking of course about the American Century Championship, held every summer in Lake Tahoe – the land of gambling, skiing, that horrible Piven movie Smokin’ Aces, and a place where no man’s golf game would ever get delayed an extra day.

Every year about 80 celebs escape to the Lake so that they can put their 40-yard slices power-fades on display to be broadcast on NBC. Over the years, friendships have been forged at this event. Charles Barkley already challenged Alonzo Mourning to see who can get the lower score this year (probably be around 125). This year, TAHOECELEBRITYGOLF.COM has decided to enlist the sports blog intelligentsia to help foster new connections of would-be golf prowess. Take a look at the list below of the 2009 participants and select your Fantasy Pairings (could be a twosome, threesome, or foursome), and send me your quote-unquote rationale. Next Week leading up to the tournament, we’ll post the best and vote.

The winner is going get their fantasy pairing printed as a by-line in the 2010 American Century Program, which is a family publication, so keep it less-than offensive. TahoeCelebrityGolf.com will also send free merchandise to the top entries. To enter, either email me here or post a short entry on your blog and link back here. Readers are free to enter as well!

Voting kicks off next Monday and the winner will be decided during tournament week beginning July 13.

For my personal, yet very ineligible, submission I’m throwing out a threesome that no Country Club manager would ever dare try to put pin a single with: David Wells, Chuck Liddell and Brian Baumgartner, who plays Kevin on The Office.

These guys could be brothers if you ask me, the kind of brothers that go drink Budweiser in the garage of their parents house for 6 1/2 hours…and then go play a round. You see why I couldn’t have put Alfonso Ribeiro in this group.

Extra favor or consideration may be given to anyone who makes a case for a grouping that features Carlton from Fresh Prince. Check out the list…

1. Marcus Allen (NFL Hall of Fame RB)

2. Ray Allen (Boston Celtics)

3. Anthony Anderson (Law & Order, Barbershop)

4. Derek Anderson (Cleveland Browns)

5. Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

6. Charles Barkley (Former NBA All-Star)

7. Steve Bartkowski (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

8. Shane Battier (Houston Rockets)

9. Brian Baumgartner (The Office)

10. Tim Brown (Former NFL All-Pro WR)

11. Joe Buck (Announcer)

12. Cris Carter (Former NFL All-Pro WR)

13. Joe Carter (Former MLB All-Star OF)

14. Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs)

15. Chris Chandler (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

16. Vince Coleman (Former MLB All-Star OF)

17. Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears)

18. Jack Del Rio (NFL Head Coach: Jacksonville Jaguars)

19. Vinny Del Negro (NBA Head Coach: Chicago Bulls)

20. Richard Dent (Former NFL All-Pro LB)

21. Trent Dilfer (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

22. Herm Edwards (Former NFL Head Coach)

23. Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills)

24. John Elway (NFL Hall of Fame QB)

25. Mike Eruzione (Captain, 1980 US Hockey Captain)

26. Marshall Faulk (Former NFL All-Pro RB)

27. Grant Fuhr (NHL Hall of Fame Goalie)

28. Trent Green (NFL All-Pro QB)

29. Anfernee Hardaway (Former NBA All-Star)

30. Rodney Harrison (NFL All-Pro Safety)

31. AJ Hawk (Green Bay Packers)

32. Dennis Haysbert (24, The Unit, Major League)

33. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens)

34. Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement)

35. Brett Hull (Former NHL All-Star)

36. Dan Jansen (Olympic Gold Medal Speed Skater)

37. Dale Jarrett (NASCAR Driver)

38. Dick Jauron (NFL Head Coach, Buffalo Bills)

39. Michael Jordan (NBA Legend)

40. Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)

41. Pierre Larouche (Former NHL All-Star)

42. Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals)

43. Mario Lemieux (NHL Legend)

44. Chuck Liddell (MMA Fighter)

45. Kenny Lofton (Former MLB All-Star)

46. Neil Lomax (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

47. John Lynch (Former NFL All-Pro Safety)

48. Dan Marino (NFL Hall of Fame QB)

49. Tino Martinez (Former MLB All-Star 1B)

50. Chris McDonald (Happy Gilmore)

51. Bruce McGill (Animal House)

52. Jim McMahon (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

53. Bode Miller (World Class Skier)

54. Alonzo Mourning (Former NBA All-Star)

55. Kevin Nealon (SNL)

56. Daniel Negreanu (Professional Poker Player)

57. Terence Newman (NFL All-Pro CB: Dallas Cowboys)

58. Jonathan Ogden (Former All-Pro OL)

59. Paul O’Neill (Former MLB All-Star OF)

60. Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals)

61. Digger Phelps (ESPN Analyst, Former Notre Dame Basketball Coach)

62. Wade Phillips (NFL Head Coach: Dallas Cowboys)

63. Maury Povich (Television Host)

64. Dan Quayle (Former U.S Vice President)

65. Dan Quinn (Former NHL Center)

66. Rick Rhoden (Former MLB All-Star Pitcher)

67. Alfonso Ribeiro (Fresh Prince of Bel Air)

68. Jerry Rice (Former NFL All-Pro WR)

69. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

70. Jeremy Roenick (San Jose Sharks)

71. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers)

72. Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond)

73. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)

74. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

75. Mark Rypien (Former All-Pro NFL QB)

76. Bret Saberhagen (Former MLB Pitcher/World Series MVP)

77. Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche)

78. Matt Schaub (Houston Texans)

79. Mike Schmidt (MLB Hall of Fame 3B)

80. Mike Shanahan (Former NFL Head Coach)

81. Sterling Sharpe (Former NFL All-Pro WR)

82. Emmitt Smith (NFL All-Time Rushing Leader)

83. Ozzie Smith ( MLB Hall of Fame SS)

84. Steve Spurrier (Univ. of South Carolina Football Coach)

85. Darryl Strawberry (Former MLB All-Star OF)

86. Wally Szczerbiak (Cleveland Cavaliers)

87. Lawrence Taylor (NFL Hall of Fame LB)

88. Vinny Testaverde (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

89. Joe Theismann (Former NFL All-Pro QB)

90. Billy Joe Tolliver (Former NFL QB)

91. Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)

92. Jack Wagner (The Bold and The Beautiful)

93. Antoine Walker (Former NBA All-Star)

94. Wes Welker (New England Patriots)

95. David Wells (Former All-Star Pitcher)

96. Ken Whisenhunt (NFL Head Coach: Arizona Cardinals)

So I was sitting around watching Norbit (for the second time) on HBO Comedy this weekend. When the plot intricacies became too much to bear, my mind wandered and I started to think (appropriately) about other things that suck. Specifically, things that I own.

Pretty high up there on this list of contraband is a signed black and white 8×10 of Mo Vaughn from his days on the Red Sox.

The Hit Dog was pretty beloved in Boston before his unceremonious departure. He left in 1998, signing the richest contract in the league at the time to go to the Angels, where he was plagued by injury. After that, he went to the Mets – where baseball players go to die – and was never seen or heard from again.

Regardless, I prominently display this autograph atop a stereo cabinet that has three of four – minus the woofer – speakers blown out. Mo has taken a few tumbles during Number the Beast (I keep dryer sheets in a more sturdy, in tact location).

Which leads us nicely to this week’s sports blogger poll…

What is the worst piece of sports memorabilia that you own?

Send your submissions to me here. The best (crappiest) of the best (rubbish) will be posted Friday in A.M.

Even though I’ve pretty much fazed video games out of my life, I can appreciate this. EA and NBA 2K9 announced a concert tour this week, that will feature a troupe of rap artists touring in support of the new game.

Go to Pitchfork and check out the tour dates; whether you’re a premiere team in the West or a mediocre team in the East (or you live in Aspen), they should be coming to a town near you. Check out some of the artists that’ll be seen on the 2K Sports Bounce Tour….

The 2K Bounce Tour kicks off November 5 in the Cool Kids hometown of Chicago

Q-Tip (http://www.myspace.com/qtip)
The Cool Kids (http://www.myspace.com/thecoolkids)
DJ Scratch (http://www.myspace.com/djscratch)
the Knux (http://www.myspace.com/theknux)

Tech leaders back sports blog network (via Busted Coverage)
Guitar Hero vs. Rock Band (Gunaxin)
Top 11 things we have learned so far in the NFL this year (Epic Carnival)
DETROIT NEWS WRITER ROB PARKER FABRICATES STORIES? (The World of Isaac)
The seven: Vampire movies with eye candy (Cuzoogle)
The Simpsons Spoof The Mad Men Intro (via Pop Candy)
Deron Williams, Chris Paul Wilderness Survival Guide, Video (NESW Sports)

A taped broadcast of the the 2008 USA Rock Paper Scissors Championship airs tonight on Fox Sports Net (check your local listings). Broadcasting renaissance man Master Roshambollah to provide commentary. (via Deuce of Davenport.)

Last October, Henry Paulson said a bailout wouldn’t be necessary (via The Big Lead)
Top 50 Sports Blogs (The Sports Dollar)
Coachella Moves 2009 Dates Up Two Weeks (via Pop Candy)
So, this is Seth Petruzelli? (Epic Carnival)

I’m teetering on the verge of a morbid fascination of tonight’s impending trainwreck. Go here to get your Palin Bingo sheets for tonight’s debate!

The Knicks City Dancers did a photo shoot (EPIC CARNIVAL)
September Traffic Rankings For Sports Blogs (MOONDOG SPORTS)
HBO eyes series on U.S. exodus (SOUP)
‘The Office’: Jim’s Best Pranks! (via Pop Candy)
NFL Punchlines: Is T.O. Ruining His Relationship With Another Quarterback? (The Sports Point)

Baroness has been described as the musical equivalent of bodyblow-bodyblow-uppercut. You ever get in the mood to just listen to metal? I do, frequently.

Blogger Interview: Hugging Harold Reynolds (The Big Picture)
Wee Man Picks Shaq Up Off the Ground, Video (NESW Sports)
David Stern renames NBA teams due to boredom (Cuzoogle)
Jets Flight Crew got new unis; Sterger still employed (on205th)
10 Hottest Actresses in Sports Movies (InGameNow blog)
These Go To Eleven: Hottest Cartoon Characters (Brahsome)

…that’s a masterful post by Brahsome, by the way. Speaking of which, Baroness was a pretty hot G.I. Joe character herself.

I’m competing this week in Hugging Harold Reynold’s IRON REF. When I agreed to do this, HHR told me I could hand select my opponents. So when I sent in that photo of me admiring fine arts in Paris with my bio, I indicated I’d like to face-off against the creator of Soveryposh.com and my buddy J Dot Domingo, who once had a blog about his fake ex-girlfriend. Since The Chief doesn’t appear to be interested in me rigging the contest, why not go for broke I thought?

Go vote for my post about Michael Phelps, Lil’ Wayne, and divine intervention – sounds like a campaign you could stand behind, right?

Even if you morally object to what I have to say, there’s more Weezy over there where this came from to…

Reminding you to drink responsibly this Labor Day, and always buckle up…

Norm Macdonald Tells Nastia Liukin: Olympic Judging Is ‘Commie Gobbledygook’ (FANHOUSE)
Six Types of Sports Bloggers (The Sports Dollar)
LaDainian works the Kenmore frost-free heavy bag (Kissing Suzy Kolber)
Michael Phelps To Host Season Premiere of ‘Saturday Night Live’ (FANHOUSE)
7 of the Worst Basketball Related Songs I Care to Remember! (The Hoops Doctor)
Sign Language (Hugging Harold Reynolds)

Here’s Radiohead at Lollapalooza last week (Seeing them tomorrow at All Points West! Huzzah!)

Gina Carano, Cris Cyborg to Fight (Not Each Other) at Next CBS EliteXC Show (Fanhouse)
In Case You Forgot, There Are Sports at the Olympics (FanIQ Blog)
A Blogger’s Schedule (The Sports Dollar)
Winnie Cooper wrote a book! (Cuzoogle)
“Pineapple” Breaks Wednesday Record (The Zaz Report)