Monday, February 24, 2014

Mt Rushmore---National Version

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

I can thank ESPN especially Mike & Mike In the Morning for this idea.

They originally just used the NBA Mt. Rushmore, however, I've decided to take this much farther by covering a lot more sports on and off the field.

So lets get started.

NBA:

1. Magic Johnson
2. Larry Bird
3. Bill Russell
4. Michael Jordan

MLB:

1. Ty Cobb
2. Babe Ruth
3. Lou Gehrig
4. Cy Young

NHL:

1. Gordie Howe
2. Wayne Gretzky
3. Bobby Orr
4. Bobby Hull

NFL:

1. Jim Brown
2. Jerry Rice
3. Dick Butkus
4. Joe Montana

NFL QB's:

1. Joe Montana
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. John Elway
4. Brett Favre

NASCAR:

1. Richard Petty
2. Dale Earnhardt Sr.
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Jeff Gordon

NHL GOALTENDERS:

1. Martin Brodeur
2. Patrick Roy
3. Terry Sawchuk
4. Jacques Plante

MLB PITCHERS:

1. Cy Young
2. Walter Johnson
3. Tom Seaver
4. Nolan Ryan

GREATEST COACHES:

1. John Wooden
2. Vince Lombardi
3. Scotty Bowman
4. Don Shula

MEN'S TENNIS:

1. Jimmy Connors
2. Bjorn Borg
3. Pete Sampras
4. Roger Federer

WOMEN'S TENNIS:

1. Chris Evert
2. Martina Navratilova
3. Billie Jean King
4. Steffi Graf

BOXING:

1. Joe Louis
2. Rocky Marciano
3. Muhammad Ali
4. Sugar Ray Leonard

BROADCASTERS PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Vin Scully
2. Al Michaels
3. Dick Enberg
4. Curt Gowdy

COLOR ANALYSTS:

1. Tim McCarver
2. Hubie Brown
3. Joe Garagiola
4. John Madden

WOMEN BROADCASTING PIONEERS:

1. Lesley Visser
2. Hannah Storm
3. Robin Roberts
4. Andrea Kramer

STUDIO HOSTS:

1. Brent Musberger
2. Chris Berman
3. Bob Costas
4. Chris Fowler

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Keith Jackson
2. Brent Musberger
3. Lindsey Nelson
4. Verne Lundquist

COLLEGE FOOTBALL COLOR ANALYSTS:

1. Frank Broyles
2. Bob Griese
3. Gary Danielson
4. Ara Parseghian

MLB PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Vin Scully
2. Jack Buck
3. Curt Gowdy
4. Ernie Harwell

MULTIPLE SPORTS PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Don Criqui
2. Dick Stockton
3. Gary Bender
4. Charlie Jones

NFL PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Pat Summerall
2. Al Michaels
3. Dick Enberg
4. Curt Gowdy

NFL COLOR ANALYSTS:

1. John Madden
2. John Brodie
3. Merlin Olsen
4. Dan Dierdorf

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Brent Musberger
2. Jim Nantz
3. Dick Enberg
4. Verne Lunquist

COLLEGE BASKETBALL COLOR ANALYSTS:
1. Dick Vitale
2. Billy Packer
3. Al McGuire
4. Bill Raftery

NHL PLAY BY PLAY:

1. Dan Kelly
2. Gary Thorne
3. Mike "Doc Emrick
4. Dave Strader

NHL COLOR ANALYSTS:

1. John Davidson
2. Ed Olczyk
3. Bill Clement
4. Darren Pang

ESPN:

1. Chris Berman
2. Bob Ley
3. Tom Mees
4. Dan Patrick

I'm sure I could add even more lists than this, but this is plenty to keep the thinking caps on.

All the four Major Sports were indeed a challenge to come up with the Big Four.

But since ESPN started with the NBA List, I figured I'd do the same and use ESPN to end it.

All I'll say about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird is the NBA's games were on Tape Delay and the NBA was practically broke. Now look where the league is at. I doubt very few people would doubt what they've meant to the league.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.

Detroit's Mt. Rushmore

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
PHOTOS BY CANDICE EBLING

During the past 10 days, I've heard numerous debates in the NBA about what players would be on a Mt. Rushmore.

Have to admit these debates have been interesting and stimulating.

So I've decided to have two blogs.

The first will focus on Detroit Sports then the second will be a National Version. To have four great individuals in a category will definitely make one think especially since we were all brought up in different eras.

It's so easy to get in a debate and I welcome this because it certainly keeps the Wheels Turning. There are no wrong answers.

Sometimes opinions are made just not through history but who we've seen perform.

So lets get started.

DETROIT TEAMS:

1. Gordie Howe
2. Al Kaline
3. Barry Sanders
4. Isiah Thomas

DETROIT TIGERS:

1. Al Kaline
2. Ty Cobb
3. Hank Greenberg
4. Mickey Lolich

DETROIT RED WINGS

1. Gordie Howe
2. Steve Yzerman
3. Terry Sawchuk
4. Nicklas Lidstrom

DETROIT LIONS:

1. Bobby Layne
2. Barry Sanders
3. Lem Barney
4. Dick "Night Train" Lane

DETROIT PISTONS:

1. Dave Bing
2. Bob Lanier
3. Isiah Thomas
4. Joe Dumars

DETROIT COACHES/MANAGERS

1. Scotty Bowman
2. Sparky Anderson
3. Chuck Daly
4. Jim Leyland

DETROIT FRONT OFFICE EXECUTIVES:

1. Bill Lajoie
2. Ken Holland
3. Dave Dombrowski
4. Jack McCloskey

DETROIT BROADCASTERS:

1. Ernie Harwell
2. George Kell

3. Bruce Martyn
4. Bob Ufer

DETROIT TV COLOR ANALYSTS:

1. Mickey Redmond
2. Greg Kelser
3. Syd Abel
4. Al Kaline

DETROIT RADIO COLOR ANALYSTS

1. Jim Brandstatter
2. Charlie Sanders
3. Paul Carey
4. Paul Woods

PRINT MEDIA:

1. Joe Falls
2. Charlie Vincent
3. Mitch Albom
4. Tom Gage

As I said earlier, this is an easy group to omit people, but when the time comes that Mt. Rushmore has five presidents instead of four, then it will make it a tad easier to add another name.

Some names that could have been added to these lists include the likes of Jim Campbell (Tigers) George Blaha (Pistons/MSU), Jim Devellano (Red Wings), Ken Kal (Red Wings) and Bo Schembechler from the Michigan Wolverines.

But oh well, it is what it is.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Meadowlands Mauling, Seattle VS Denver

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

A week ago, I went out on the limb and predicted that the Denver Broncos would defeat the Seattle Seahawks 31-19 in Super Bowl XLVIII.

I wasn't alone. Sixty eight percent of the action chose Denver over Seattle. I figured the score would be a double figures outcome, just the wrong team. Going into the game, the Broncos led by future Hall of Fame signal caller Peyton Manning, scored 606 points.

But in any major championship game, there is one thing that decides the outcome.

Mistakes.

Denver committed four turnovers while Seattle had zero. Seattle led in time of possession 31:53-28:07. It doesn't help when your team ends up in the record books for all the wrong reasons.

Seattle took a 2-0 lead by causing a safety 12 seconds into the game which was the fastest score in Super Bowl History.

It was the start of a long night which led to a 43-8 Seattle thrashing over Denver to capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

For whatever it's worth, this is the second time Seattle whipped Denver. During the preseason. Seattle ripped the Broncos on August 17, 2013 at home 40-10.

As for Manning, he's 11-12 all-time in the postseason. The Broncos suffered their fifth loss in the Super Bowl, the most in NFL History.

Manning was seeking to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl for two different teams.

Instead, Seattle Coach Pete Carroll joins Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as the only coaches in NFL History to win a College National Championship and Super Bowl title. Carroll used to coach the New York Jets. Have to wonder what the Jets fans were thinking when Carroll was celebrating in their stadium.

During this match-up featuring the top defense versus the top offense, Seattle's masterful defensive effort proved that a great defense does win championships as it has throughout Super Bowl History. Offensive football does win regular season games, but during a two-week period to prepare, coaches adjust for the Super Bowl.

It was fitting to see a defensive player Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith win the MVP Award. He returned a Manning interception for a touchdown, plus added 10 tackles, six were solo.

In 2008, former Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril endured a 0-16 season. He played a big part in the Seahawks win over the Broncos and has a championship ring to show for his efforts.

I couldn't be happier for Seattle for a couple of reasons.

First, several years ago, I covered a game around Christmas time in the now demolished Seattle Kingdome and under that concrete dome, the fans were loud. That's when I learned about the 12th Man.

Second, during Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005 on a 59 degree night in Jacksonville, FL., a Seattle Seahawks Public Relations lady was able to get me out of the Press Tent and into the contest, 15 minutes prior to game time when a New York Times reporter didn't show up. She told me to stay near her by the table then signaled me over when word came down from the league. She told me with a smile I'm good to go.

The New England Patriots won the contest 24-21.

There is a much bigger connection between these two cities than most people realize.

The Seahawks and Broncos were division rivals in the AFC West from 1977-2001. Seattle moved to the NFC West in 2002.

In 1993-94, a No.1 seeded Seattle Supersonics (63-19) squad lost to the No.8 Denver Nuggets (42-40) in a five game series during the Opening Round 3-2 of the playoffs. This was the first time in NBA history that a top seed lost to the lowest one.

Speaking of the Supersonics, they were the last Seattle franchise to win a title in 1979 when they defeated the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals.

As I summarize the Super Bowl, despite the 49 degree temperatures being the third lowest in Super Bowl History, New York/New Jersey caught a major break with no snow. Actually, the snow came on Monday.

It seems like they put on a good show.

But the NFL awards cities that build new stadiums and did so in this case. The NFL did the right thing by holding a Big Event since the unfortunate events of September 11, 2001.

Call it a sentimental pay back.

I think the NFL dodged a bullet with the weather and don't foresee anymore Cold Weather Super Bowls in the near future.

But now the question is, will Seattle's defense repeat and how much better will their second year quarterback Russell Wilson get?  These will be great story lines to follow during the off-season.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.

Gloor’s Road To New Orleans

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH One of the things that I’ve enjoyed doing prior to FAU’s Men’s Basketball Games is interview the oppositions announcer. ...