Derek Jeter Is Most Popular Male Athlete Despite Recent Bad Publicity

Derek Jeter was voted the "Most Popular Male Athlete" according to a just-released Harris Poll.  The New York Yankees shortstop is perched at the top spot for the first time, replacing Kobe Bryant who held the title last year.

Jeter's rise from the No. 3 spot in 2010 to the No. 1 position wasn't influenced too much by his highly-publicized quest for his milestone 3,000th hit because the poll of 2,163 participants were contacted during the week of June 13-20, when Jeter was on the disabled list.

Peyton Manning moved up from No. 5 to the second spot.  The face of the NFL also endorses half a dozen prominent products and his mug is seen on plenty of TV commercials.  The Indianapolis Colts quarterback had a popular faux '70's movie trailer, co-starring his brother Eli, flooding the Internet about the same time of the poll.

Even the NFL lockout couldn't dim the ubiquitous football star's popularity.  He was the most popular athlete polled by Gen-X (ages 35-46).

Michael Jordan, whose final NBA game was eight years ago, still tied for third place with Los Angeles Laker Bryant.  Jordan was the most popular athlete from 1993-2005, when the title was handed over to golfer Tiger Woods.

Surprisingly,  Woods was the most popular this year with the "matures" (ages 66+) according to the Harris Group.  He was number one from 2006-2009.  Still, the shamed and slumping golfer had the biggest drop in the top-ten.

"As his playing woes continue, it is likely that his (Woods) fall will continue next year", said a Harris representative.

Even so, Woods marketing team has to be happy.

Bryant was the most popular among Hispanic and African-Americans in the Harris Poll.

Jeter was big among the Baby Boomers (ages 47-65) even though the The Captain has been in the news a lot lately-- and not for all the most popular reasons.

Jeter's quest for the 3,000 Hit Club was accomplished in grand style last week after he went 5-for-5 and bashed the historic hit into the centerfield stands.  The home run ball was caught by a fan, Christian Lopez, who was immediately whisked out of his seat by Yankees personnel, who--many believe-- overwhelmed the young man into turning the ball over to Jeter for a mere pittance.  Now Lopez is stuck with a whopping income tax bill to cover the season tickets he got as a reward.  Now,  even Yankees fans say that Jeter should foot the IRS bill in exchange for the ball.

After that controversy,  Jeter skipped out on the All-Star Game he was elected to; citing his recovery from a strained calf and preparing for the wear-and-tear of the second half of the season as his reasons.  Many fans didn't think he deserved to be in the Mid-summer Classic in the first place.  He spent the break in Miami with his girlfriend actress Minka Kelly.

Noticeably absent from the Top Ten is Lebron James.  King James "Decision" last summer seems to have turned off more than only Cleveland fans.  James was No. 6 last year.

Besides Woods, another bad boy made the list.  Hines Ward tied with Albert Pujols at the seventh position.  The Pittsburgh Steeler was arrested a couple of weeks ago--after the poll was taken-- for suspicion of DUI.  Ward's "Dancing With the Stars" victory probably pulled in a lot of the ladies' votes, but apparently not as many as Manning.  The QB was the most popular athlete among the women polled.

First timers to the Top Ten included Ward, Pujols, Derrick Rose and Aaron Rodgers.

The top three female athletes were at No. 1, tennis-star Serena Williams followed by her sister Venus and race car driver Danica Patrick.

Judgment Day 2011; Athletes Who Will Be Left Behind

The End is Near.  No, it's not a proclamation by either the NFL regarding the lockout or the GM of the Phoenix Coyotes on the hockey team's future.   It's the Day of Reckoning for Mankind, so say the lunatic members of a doomsday group who predict the world will cease to exist after the earth is rattled by series of earthquakes and tidal waves tomorrow between 5 and 6 p.m. 

New York City has been plastered with ads warning if the upcoming Apocalypse on Saturday July 21 and how God will only spare those who are pure of heart.

So people, you don't have to fret over overdue library books or the vig to your loan shark.  Go ahead, make that nasty, drunken text to your ex because, after tomorrow, it won't matter.   It'll all be over soon.

This presumed "Rapture" will spare the souls of the pure by whisking them into heaven while the rest of mankind will be left to face their doom on the crumbling earth.  Professional athletes--however adored on earth--are not an exception and some won't be making that trip up to eternal happiness.

I believe the world must be coming to an end because how can you explain Jason Giambi jacking three home-runs the other night.  Who even knew he was still around?

And what about the Cleveland Indians?  Best team in the majors?  Come on. We're talking about Cleveland here.  That's enough evidence for me.

Tomorrow's Doomsday is just more bad luck for Cleveland all around.  The Cavaliers finally get two top-four draft picks to make up for the left-at-the alter move by LeBron James and BOOM!   No more Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or Dawg Pound.  It's over.  If it makes Cavs fans feel any better, James will be one of the fateful ones slated to be left behind--with no championships.

The Apocalypse will bring some good things.  We won't have to wring our hands about the NFL owners and the NFLPA hugging it out.  They're all on God's naughty list anyway.



And no one will have to care which team ends up on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.  It's a moot point now.  Sorry Detroit Lions, you almost had your day in the sun and games on Monday nights.

Jim Tressel, I wouldn't worry about that whole deal about stipends for college players anymore.  You have bigger sweaters to fill.  Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you God is a Michigan fan.  Know what's worse than an NCAA investigation?  A Grim Reaper named Bo.

There are too many celebrities who won't be spared by the Almighty.  Arnold Schwarzenegger's ticket to heaven has already expired and don't count on any Kardashians taking the V.I.P. elevator up--or members of any reality series for that matter.  If Ahhnold had only waited a few more days before blabbing about his love child.

Tim Tebow won't have to worry.  He's a lock to be Raptured by God.

Lawrence Taylor, now that's another story.  Sorry LT, you'll be joining Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Favre.  There's no room in heaven for wusses or horn dogs.  Did I mention that O.J. will be dodging rocks and waves after hitting the prison chow hall tomorrow night?

Tiger Woods didn't only drop from one big list this week.  The almighty doesn't look down too kindly on bratty golfers or philanderers.  I'm not sure in what order.

Also deserving to be left behind are the "Green Men," team mascots and any prima-donna wide receivers.  Just lump them in one annoying group and let them fend for themselves.

This just in--Lance Armstrong, things aren't looking too good for you right at this moment.  I would get out my mountain bike, it's going to be rough riding tomorrow night.  Wait.  No world Saturday means no "60 Minutes" Sunday.  You're in the clear.  Lucky you.

Jorge Posada will be spared, but the inside dirt from upstairs is that he will be batting ninth.  The Almighty is one manager you don't want to bail on and he (Yup, he's a he) makes George Steinbrenner look like a kitten or a Mets GM.

There is hope for the fallen to be sucked up into the heavenly skies tomorrow.  Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress have paid their debt to society and are deserving of second chances.  And pigeon-loving Mike Tyson will be spared--if only for his cameos in "The Hangover" franchises.  God likes raunchy buddy-movies.

I am taking all this so-called End-of-the-World talk seriously because I have proof that, on Saturday, the earth will crumble and burn.  I know, because I got a sure thing on a horse for tomorrow's 6:20 p.m. start of The Preakness.  Too bad the world ends twenty minutes earlier.  Just my luck.

Tiger Needs More Time Off

Tiger needs moments alone like this.

It's fairly obvious that the cheating scandal and subsequent divorce Tiger Woods has gone through is affecting his golf game. I'm no golf honk, but he's just not right. He had one,maybe two good showings since he came back and now he shoots a 74 (however you calculate that) in the first round at the Bridgestone Invitational. He has fallen and fallen hard.

He's been struggling with his game, missing short putts and butchering the course altogether. I don't watch golf so bear with me. I think this is more mental than what he's letting on. Everything he has gone through has affected him and his glf game in the worse way. He says he intends to play his way on to the Ryder Cup team. I don't think so. He needs to take some time off. Like the rest of the golf season, however that works out. Hit some links at the local muni and get some practice in. Hell, even Allen Iverson thinks you need practice. Knock the rust off and maybe call old swing guru Butch Harmon to get your game back. It's obvious you don't have it right now.

As a sports fan, you keep waiting for the old Tiger Woods to appear. The one that whacked the competiton early in a tournament, or distanced himself from the field on Saturday, or made the late charge on Sunday. Right now, none of that is happening. The only way he gets it back is to clear his mind, because it doesn't seem to be on golf. Maybe not having his mistresses around has also affected his game.        

First Pitches, Final Fours and Second Chances

By Tony Mangia

JETER'S FADE AWAY

A jam-packed weekend of sports began with CBS's over-hyped version of "Hoosiers" at the Final Four in Indianapolis, continued with the best sports rivalry in Boston, and ended with apologies and adulation in Augusta, Georgia.

The New York Yankees began the defense of their 2009 World Championship against the Red Sox on Sunday. Some new faces on both squads and some missing on the Yankees. The face of the Yankees--Derek Jeter-- and probably the entire league--even Boston fans find it hard to criticize him-- has finally ditched his infamous "fade' haircut. The Yanks will miss Hideki Matsui's bat but, I doubt the same can't be said about Jeter's coif. It's the same style he brought into his rookie season in 1996 and the same one he displayed winning five championships and the hearts of thousands of adoring women and teenage girls. The non-threatening hairdo came straight out of "The Cosby Show" and, while everyone else was shaving or carving names on the side of their heads, Jeter had the same thatch of hair on top that was slowly pruned away before it reached the top of his ears. It never seemed to change and was always perfect in shape--much like the man himself.

This is the same consistency that Jeter has displayed throughout his career. While slumps and scandals dog other elite players, the 'Captain' collects hits and pushes on towards Cooperstown. How he performs so magnificently and still shows quiet restraint in the soap opera that is the New York Yankees belies the modern professional athlete. I mean the guy is in a contract year and has not turned it into a personal crusade. There hasn't even been a peep by his agent. It's a sure bet the shortstop will end his career in pinstripes.

Jeter is the thinking man's player. Another player I would categorize as "Jeteresque" is Ichiro in Seattle. Both men make the game fun to watch; throwing out runners, stealing a base and slapping singles and doubles around American League stadiums. Don't let their batting averages fool you, both can easily jack one out too. How great would it be if the Yanks had landed the Mariners centerfielder a few years ago. The future hall of famer deserves a championship too.

One other constant the past few years has been the bullpen. It's ugly presence reared its head again at Sunday's opening night against the Boston Red Sox. A tired C.C. Sabathia was left in for the sixth and couldn't hold on to a 5-2 lead. Last year's familiar relief shuffle started and the World Series ticker-tape parade was a foregone memory.

Jorge Posada's passed ball--boy, is it gonna be fun for Jorge catching A.J. Burnett's late-breaking throws this season--cost the Yanks the game. They are but one of the Yankee's odd couples. The other odd duo and festering controversy is between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Chamberlain is the most over-rated pitcher in New York. He has been babied from the start. For every great outing--sometimes he's earned a fist pump--Joba throws a couple of stinkers. Phil Hughes has taken everything he's been handed and should be the eighth inning set-up man. His relief record proves it--in 44 appearances, Hughes is 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA. Compare that with a 8-9 record and 5.22 ERA as a starter. Use Alfredo Aceves as the fifth starter and stick Hughes in the all important set-up position. Chamberlain and Chan Ho Park could be the the answer.

It's a long season. Manager Joe Giraldi has plenty of time to tweak the team. Center fielder, Curtis Granderson, looks like an improvement over Melky Cabrera and, combined with Jeter and Brett Gardner's proven speed, it looks like the the Yanks will run on a lot of teams. Speed and power--what a combination!

RELEASE THE KRACKPOTS!

Another week, another dozen Tiger Woods stories. First, it began with his Kindergarten teacher accusing him of lying about a racial incident almost 30 years ago; then it was a rumor of Tiger possibly changing his name back to the less threatening Eldrick, and now sporting a Malcom X goatee. It continued with the announcement that the Masters has hired 90 extra security guards to protect Woods from his wild and crazy mistresses. There is always the chance that one of those harpies might swoop down on their star attraction. Wouldn't that be a photo op? Finally...whew... Tiger held his mea culpa in front of the press on Monday. All this before anyone teed off.

A new alias might confuse some people but it could be one of the great name changes in sports history. Think of the religious ideals that led NBA star, Lew Alcindor, to forever be known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or the anti-war and anti-slave statement made by boxer Muhammed Ali after changing his name from Cassius Clay. Now comes PGA golfer and sex addict, Woods, monumentally dropping the first name, Tiger, and changing it to the less predatory and way less sexual--and his given name--Eldrick. Funny, you can't spell "dick' without Eldrick.

Tiger's, um, Eldrick's(?) press conference went pretty smoothly--as would be expected within the cozy confines of Augusta. Woods, who sounded like a pubescent boy as his voice cracked, "Sure", to the the opening question, "Are you ready?" He opened the Q and A with a uneasy smile and shifting eyes.

Woods pretty much summed up what everyone already knew or could figure out. "I had a busted lip," he answered about the November crash and, "I did everything to the letter of the law," he claimed when asked about driving under the influence of the drug Ambien. He bristled when asked about his wife. " Elin will not be here this week," he snarled at a reporter and quickly turned his frowning face to another question.

On the golf course, there would be "less negative outbursts," he smirked. Those grins disappeared when asked why he used an unlicensed Canadian doctor, Anthony Galea, to help with his rehab. "There was no HGH or PEDs," Woods said, "Only PRP injections."

Lots of illegal substance's initials were mentioned but there was no real substance for the first thirty minutes. Finally, Woods spent the last four minutes happily answering questions about the tournament. He'll play to "win this thing." Afterwards, Woods walked outside to practice in front of 20,000 giddy fans. He actually smiled, reached out and shook hands--maybe he thought some of the women were handing him text addresses? Amazing how 45 days of therapy and three months of bad press can change a surly, entitled adulterer into Mother Teresa. Tiger Woods seemed unscathed in front of his adoring gallery and army of security guards but, he still has a long way to go in his personal life.

CLOSE BUT NO CLASSIC

The NCAA Basketball Championship game between the upstart Butler Bulldogs and, perennial Final Four participant, the Duke Blue Devils was an exciting match-up of similar team styles--fundamentals and shooting-- but to call it a 'classic' is a little overzealous unless you are from Indiana or CBS. It was a close game that could have been won by the underdog, Butler, if the final three-pointer didn't bounce off the rim. That's all. I have to admit that the Bulldog's Gordon Hayward is a fun player to watch--running the floor, shooting and grabbing boards like he was rabid. He reminds me of a bigger Steve Nash; only with defense. Butler makes it to the Final Four next year. Not as Cinderella.

One Man's Opinion

It seems that we've all heard about Tiger Woods' infidelity.Personally,I've had enough of it.I'm tired of women saying he's getting whatever comes to him.Tired of it being called racist since he's married to a white woman, although I do have a take on that.I'm tired of everyone coming out the damn woodworks claiming to have had some hot sexual action with Tiger.
   What he did was wrong from all sides.But you can't blame Tiger for it all.Everyone knows it takes two to tango.And there was some naked twister going on with that tango.I have no explanation for the call girls and women of that ilk he partied and sexed up.But for the "girlfriends",I got something to say.Tiger knew he was married and so did they.It still doesn't make it right and I'm not condoning his behavior.They could've told Tiger no,but they didn't.Know why?Because they fell in love with Tiger's money,not Tiger.They fell in love with his celebrity status and they wanted a piece of that world.Now if it's Willie the clubhopper asking for some action,they'll turn him down,because in they're mind he's a nobody,no matter how much money he has.That's because no one really cares about Willie Clubhopper and no one knows much about him.No celebrity status or anything of that nature.If they cab say no to Willie,they can say no to Tiger when he approaches them that way.But Tiger had status and they weren't gonna tell him no.See,if Tiger is at fault so are the women that let him charm his way into their life.To me they saw dollar signs an are gravy trainers.I know lots of people won't agree with me,but OH WELL!I don't expect anyone to comply to what I say about this topic anyway.

   Now there seems to be a so-called race angle in this.Some say it's similar to what O.J. Simpson went through.White America loved O.J. until he murdered one of theirs.Yes,I said he did it and still think so to this day.They loved Tiger Woods.He was similar to a modern day O.J. without the baggage and pre murder.I'm not saying any of this is racist,but you could see where it could be that way.Remember way back when ,when O.J. used to hawk all kinds of products on television.Now fast forward to now where Tiger was the best golfer in the world.Thought of as pure and wholesome.A major pitchman for many products on television.Now it seems they're dropping him like a hot car.Now here's the race angle.You can be king of the golf course,but not anything else.Stick to entertaining us on the golf course and go back in your hole.It's like how they wanted Muhammad Ali to be but couldn't silence him.Once again,I don't expect anyone to agree with me,but oh well.At least Nike head honcho Phil Knight hasn't abandoned Tiger Woods like the rest of corporate America.