Posts Tagged ‘poll’

What’s The Greatest Sports Day of Year? (The Results..sort of)

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Thanks to everyone who voted in the What’s The Greatest Sports Day of the Year? poll. The results are in and posted – wait for itat my new posterous blog.

Unnecessary redirect of the year.

But seriously, if you’re up on Posterous you should subscribe to me, and we can communicate as friends in yet another rambunctious internet hippodrome – I plan to post about this year’s zombie pin-up calendar there later on.

One hint, the day that received 47% of the votes partially relates to this event happening soon that’s going to be badass – http://www.secbigeastinvitational.com

Poll: What’s the most treacherous weather you’ve encountered at a sporting event?

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

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.

Contest: Create Your Fantasy Celeb Golf Pairing

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

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)

Blogger Poll: What’s My Earliest Sports Memory?

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

This weekend, I’m making my long awaited return to Fenway Park – a place I haven’t been in over 10 years.



As a young lad, going to Fenway was a yearly ritual. I’m pretty sure my first game was during the 1990 season – the Roger Clemens era, yes, but also the Mike Greenwell and Jack Clark era. That was the season the Red Sox set the record for grounding into the most double plays (174). Now the Sox are better known for records like selling out every seat since 2003.

I’ll never forget that first game though. On the way in, taking the Green Line T from Framingham, MA, my Uncle Ronnie informed me that when someone on the opposing team strikes out you bound out of your seat and yell “Sit Down!” as menacingly and berating as possible. With my hat already nearly pulled fully over my eyes and a glove that may or may not have had velcro capabilities, my uncle probably thought it was more likely that I’d be asleep by the fourth inning.

Well, unless his true intentions were to create the most jawing 6-year old in New England that night, he should have never gave me those instructions. I’m pretty sure the game went into extra innings, and the Redx Sox pitchers K’d the opposition a few times during warm-ups too (how else could I have told no-less than 35 batters to “Sit down!!” – which is what I approximate).


I’m sure there’s backyard whiffle ball or youth league soccer glory from the late-80s documented on a beta-max in the attic, but I can’t really recall that. I remember vividly however giving the Red Sox opponents – let’s call them the Blue Jays (remember how annoying the early-90s Blue Jays were?) – the business though.

In honor of my sure-to-be triumphant return to Fenway…as well as punk little kids everywhere, I’m once again putting the sports blogger intelligentsia to task, and asking bloggers far and wide to send me a brief anecdote on:

My Earliest Sports Memory



I’ll post the best on Friday in A.M. (email: mikeehayes@gmail.com)

While you channel nostalgia check out photos of kids goofing off at sports events or engaged on the little tyke field of battle…



























Poll Results: Top-5 Conan Sports Figure Look-alikes

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Getting outta here a little early today. But before I go, a little unfinished business to attend to. Specifically, honoring the poll winner of our Top-5 Conan O’brien Sports Figure Look-alikes.


With 30% of the popular vote (235), Lil’ Red, the Nebraska Cornhusker mascot, takes the title! A would-be dark horse, polo enthusiast Prince Harry Windsor (182 votes) narrowly edged Vancouver Canuck farm-club goalie Corey Schneider (178 votes). Thanks to all 773 of you for voting!

Now check out some photos of Conan and his new likeness…

Top-5 Conan Sports Figure Look-alikes (poll)

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Conan returns tonight. He’s got a fresh time slot. Fresh studio in Los Angeles. Also, Pearl Jam is playing!! In my opinion, his reemergence once again cements the late night talk show as the TV that everyone sorta likes, and no one seems to hate radically.

Seriously, Conan rules and Jimmy Fallon drools like an invalid. As an honor to his host competency, decided to compare his finer qualities (red hair, translucent skin tone) to some of the sporting world’s finest.

Here are your Top-5 Conan Sports Figure Look-alikes. Hit the poll at the bottom or suggest your own in the comment (the only disqualification goes to Brian Scalabrine – who’d be a contender if he wasn’t already a dead-on for Rapaport)


Robert Swift – our first nominee is all things pale, ginger, and as gangly as the day is long – extra points.




Corey Schneider – he’s not just some random red-headed hockey player I pulled off Google images. This guy is actually the goalie for the Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.

…Mountie Conan says extra points for being in Canada.




Prince Harry – or Harry Windsor, the poloist




Lil Red, Nebraska Cornhuskers Mascot – could have gone down the mascot road with a few candidates (from the Louisville Cardinal to the fire guy from the Beijing Olympics), but I thought this goofball represents best…




Chris Shelton – more like if Conan had a baby with Sloth from Goonies. There just aren’t that many good pale red baseball players (Mark McGwire and Wade Boggs – both retired, too easy, and not to mention both probably currently looking more like giant versions of the red Ooga Booga).





Don’t forget to cast a vote…



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Make an ULTRA-lazy New Year’s Resolution

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

Closing out the year with a little reader survey here. I’d like to hear some of your ideas for an…

ULTRA-LAZY 2009 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION.

As with most things slothful, I have a personal success story I can provide as an example. This past year, I made the resolution to get exactly zero haircuts in ’08. Photo evidence after the jump…

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What is the Worst Sports Memorabilia You Own?

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

As you might have seen on here last week, my inspiration for this blogger poll came from a signed b&w 8×10 of Mo Vaughn.

I’d now like to publicly and humbly apologize to Mo. Not only did he win a MVP way back in ’95, but a autographed photo of his is not even in the same stratosphere as what some members of the sports blog intelligentsia were willing to claim ownership of.

Check out some of the best, and help select the piece de resistance by voting in the comments.

Alana G (AlanaG.com)

I jokingly bid on this [1992 Dream Team Raft] from ebay after I saw a blog post about it during the Olympics on Fourth Place Medal. As it turned out I was the only bidder, so now I own it. As advertised, it has a slow leak, so is not usable as a float. I thought about making my living room a little Nacho Cheesier by hanging it on my wall, but I simply can’t decide which side to display: Scottie Pippin’s head or David Robinson’s armpits…

Michael Rand (Randball)

That’s an easy one: this summer, I went with some friends on our annual baseball road trip. This year included a stop in Kansas City, where we were the “lucky” recipients of Larry Gura bobbleheads on his special night. Career record of 126-97, mostly for the late 70s-early 80s Royals. But hey, it was a bobblehead. So I kept it.

Matty I (Phinsider)

About 13 years ago, there was a Sports Authority opening in my town. They advertised that a “Nets player” would be at the opening. It turned out to be Armen Gilliam. So I got his autograph on a basketball…which is now stuck in my garage somewhere.

Isaac (World of Isaac)

I’m just gonna go ahead and post our gchat conversation for this one…

Isaac: I own a Fennis Dembo autograph
he was one of the most useless NBA players of all-time
but he won a championship with the Pistons

me: who in god’s name is Fennis Dumbo?

Isaac: star college player out of wyoming
played on the bad boys
he’s a janitor now

me: that’s pretty sweet

Isaac: its easily the most useless thing I own

Chris Illuminati (Nine to Fried, Hugging Harold Reynolds)

About ten years ago, my uncle went to a celebrity golf event and John Elway was one of the participants. My uncle ran into him on the course and got him to sign a hat. He gave it to me along with the guest pass that allowed my uncle all-access to the celebs. My uncle gave me the pass as proof he was there and it’s really John Elway’s signature. First off, I’m not an Elway fan. I mean it would have been cool if I met Elway but someone else meeting him does NOTHING for my life story. Second, I can’t prove Elway signed. My uncle’s word of honor does nothing for me in the world of eBay and memorabilia selling. I can’t send it away to get authenticated because it’s not on a ball or jersey or something recognized as an object that sports stars would autograph. It’s a freaking hat. So it sits in my closet next to a small framed picture/sports card of Elway that my mom bought me to go along with the hat. All of these mementos for probably my 143 favorite player of all time. I guess it’s payback for the Super Bowl against the Giants when as a 9-year-old child I kept screaming on every Giants’ defensive stand to ‘break Elway’s legs!’

Steve Melfi (NY Hoosier)

You’re going to be flabbergasted when you find out what this is. That is a signed Nordstrom’s bag with the Hancock of a one Khalid El-Amin, former UCONN point guard. He totally wrote 99 Champs! on it too.

Blogger Poll: What is the Worst Sports Memorabilia You Own?

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

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.

Remembering Starter Jackets

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Let’s cut to the chase, nobody thinks these jackets are cool anymore. These days, you might find a vintage 49ers pullover in a TJ Maxx. But I don’t think you could convince Steve Young’s 11-year nephew to wear it. If you attempt to check out the merchandise on Starter’s website, you get punted over to Walmart.com! (Man, that’s not a good sign).

Alas, not every fashion statement gets to be transcendent. Which leads us to today’s blogger poll…

A bunch of sports bloggers – who probably still have these things hanging in their closets (no matter what the wife might say, right Adam Tracey?) – remember the hey-day of the Starter pullover.

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