Stallworth suspended indefinitely; plus greatest-athlete poll, D-Wade to White House, road rage, Fightin' Zos, Phelpstache & more

     [Chat: Thanks to all who celebrated our live-chat's move to Wednesdays! Join us every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. or post a question at any time by clicking Chatcity. Twitter: Our latest followers include HurricaneSports, MiamiNewTimes and some local guy. What do they know that you don't? Twitter.com/gregcote]

     Update: NFL commish does what Miami-Dade judge didn't: The NFL late this afternoon suspended Browns receiver Donte Stallworth indefinitely without pay for the DUI-manslaughter guilty plea that brought only a one-month prison sentence from the Miami court system. In NFLspeak, Browns fans, I'm thinking that means half the season. At least. 

     The all-time greatest athlete is...: I say today in this column that it's Michael Jordan leading my list of the top 15 greatest athletes ever. The column is generating a ton of e-mail from readers offering there opinions, so I thought I'd divert the topic to the blog and throw in a poll as well. Note: The poll only allows 10 choices, so I whittled my top 15 to nine plus "other." After voting, drop a comment saying who you picked No. 1 and why.

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     Wade goes to Washington: Don't worry. It's not a trade. The Sun-Sentinel has the story today -- hey, credit where credit is due -- on the Heat's Dwyane Wade getting an invite to meet fly-killing President Obama (see item below) on Friday at the White House. Wade will speak to local youth in D.C. about achieving goals, then participate in a round-table discussion, all geared around Father's Day and responsibility. I suspect a quick game of 1-on-1 on the White House basketball court may happen as well. (Dear Mr. President: If you have time, in between hosting sports stars, could you please fix the economy? Thanks.) 

     Miami loses road-rage crown: Sad news. Miami, after four straight years leading the nation in road rage, has fallen to seventh in the latest poll, with New York, Dallas/Fort Worth and Detroit checking in 1-2-3 for angriest and most aggressive drivers. This is an outrage. How can Miami drivers -- augmented by all the transplanted New Yorkers down here -- not lead the league in tailgating, horns, fingers and guns? I demand a recount!

     Bernie Kosar's financial woes: We hear Bernie Kosar, former UM championship quarterback,  may announce today he is filing for bankruptcy. No jokes on this one.  Sorry to hear it. Bernie is a good guy and a local hero and we wish him well.

     Welcome to Mourning High, home of the Fightin' Zos!: Miami-Dade School Board votes today whether to name a new high school in North Miami after former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno or retired Heat star Alonzo Mourning. Hmm. Now I love Zo and all the community work he does, but Reno, as the nation's first female attorney general, probably deserves the honor more. Who;'ll get it, though? I predict Mourning. Mainly because Reno angered many Miami Cubans by ordering 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez back to Cuba and the school board will pander to that.

     President Obama kills innocent fly: Barack Obama, during an interview with CNBC Tuesday in the East Room of the White House, swatted dead a nettlesome housefly that had lit on his left hand. Click on Swat Team for the video. You know, I always thought it would be fun to be a fly on the wall of the Oval Office. Not so sure anymore. No word yet whether PETA is planning an outraged protest, while a spokesfly (pictured) for the Musca Domestica Linnaeus Anti-Defamation League said that group is investigating the tragedy.

      Michael Phelpstache: Champion Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is cultivating a mustache (pictured). Friends say it may be an attempt to disguise himself and avoid publicity in the wake of that bong photo/marijuana scandal. May we then say that Mike is moving from a stash to a 'stache? Swim experts worry that any facial hair runs counter to the concept of aerodynamics and slows a competitor's time -- one reason why, in the history of Olympic swimming, no medal has ever been won by a Hassidic rabbi.

     The past lives of Craig Minervini: South Florida's enduring sports broadcaster and a fixture on Florida Marlins telecasts, Minervini in the late 1980s went by the stage name Craig DeGeorge and did interviews with WWF's Superstars of Wrestling shows. He is pictured here in that early-career role. In the immortal words of Big Poppa: "If you don't know, now ya know, bloggaz."

Comments

[r. duke]

#1 Ted Williams Cryogenically Frozen Head without question. Not even a close number two except what I sqeezed off after morning cup of joe...

[r. duke]

I think we would all agree Phelpsy throws best parties. Tom I'm sorry I didn't play Peter Green's Albatross at last Phelpsy "Circus Circus" party but I was trippin' hard and thought if I heard it I'd never come back...

[Iceman]

None of the above. To be considered the greatest athlete of all time you need to at least demonstrate transferability of skills to other sports. All these guys are one trick ponies.

[mike1]

The athletes listed are just for one sport. I'd consider those who played multiple sports. Jim Thorpe comes to mind. I know there have been several athletes who were good in various sports, but had to choose one pro sport to stick with. Therefore,I'm less impressed with Phelps than most of the US.

Any decathlete is better. And I rememnber "The Superstars" ABC program of the 1970's. Twice or 3 times, a soccer player won the entire year.

[r. duke]

Iceman I would say Ted Williams is not even a one trick pony after lab techs dropped and cracked his frozen noggin.

[r. duke]

If only Bo Jackson had stayed healthy to have full baseball and basketball career.

[r. duke]

Whoops FOOTBALL career though he could probably play hoops too. He was extraordinary athlete.

[r. duke]

Bernie Kosar needs to pull a Klinger from Mash and throw himself in front of Donte Stallworth's car and feign injury to get out of debt. In all seriousness I liked Bernie and wouldn't wish bankruptsy on someone like him.

[mike1]

The question should be rephrased as to who was the most dominant in their sport/half-sport...with golf and baseball being half-sports.

[mike1]

On a different subject, Shalalalalala has been signed on to the US committee backing the US bid for hosting the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. Nothing like getting a loser who contibuted to UM's demise, to help us lose the bid.

I fully except England to get 2018 anyway. But now we'll probably lose out to Australia for 2022.

I'm sure Miami would get selected this time to host, much to the dismay of the poor northern Europeans having to play in brutal heat again like they did in Orlando and Dallas in 1994. Would love to see the Final at Michigan stadium. 110K sellout guaranteed.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

was bulgaria/germany in 1994 played in miami? the goal by lechkov was one of the great headers i've ever seen; stoichkov was good, but lechkov ridding the tournament of the krauts was priceless. my ancestral home romania got "bunkered" by the taller,wider swedes after the blondies scored one goal for a spot in the semis. i am blanking on the name of romania's star midfielder at the moment but he was great in 94.

[the shadow knows]

mke1,

hagi, via google.

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

just watched a youtube compilation of stoitchkov goals for barca, i guess; WOW!!!

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

kyle rote, jr. was the soccer player who ran wild on ABC's superstars show; also remember bob seagren, and the buffalo bills' hall of fame slashing runner as winners. will investigate

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

1973-bob seagren (pole vaulter, USC, 68 gold medal mexico city, siver in munich to a pole!!)
1974,1976,1977- kyle rote, jr.
1975- #32 of USC and buffalo bill "fame'

wiki states in the first season joe frazier almost drowned in the 50 meter swimming event!!!

[Jimbo Slice]

Jim Thorpe is an outstanding suggestion R Duke.

[get a life,]

Approx. 40% of the posts placed by a needy, lonesome soul.

[Tom]

Ok who voted for Pele? mike1 or shadow?

r duke Albatross is good, but for a real mind bender Green Manalishi is the way to go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYBQdXv0BhM

Did anyone watch the Artie Lange destruction Joe Buck? Wow that was painful to watch. No not Artie Lange, I mean Joe Buck before Lange took the stage. That show should be required viewing for insomnia.

Did you read the story about Sammi Sosa testing positive for steriods in 2003? I kept waiting to read something I didn't already know. Never did.

[r. duke]

Jimbo I didn't mention Thorpe but he was great choice.

[r. duke]

Actually mike1 came up with Thorpe and wins the College Basketball book I never received likely because of my bad behavior

[r. duke]

What type of life shall we get "Herr 9:30PM get a life poster?" Hot flexible 18year old babes, raw oysters, econo-size bottle of Cialis a cooler full of Shark Beer heh heh not my first choice and some absolutely pure adrenochrome synthesized by a highly talented chemist and devout follower of Aleister Crowley? I'm open to suggestions I think we all are...

[anti christ]

Duke, how about make him spend a week with lil ginria or kurt, what are your thought???

[anti christ]

And it would have to be on ginria home planet in the m-51 galaxy...

[Tom]

Dave in VA

Here's a good article on Stallworth.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=4266978

[the shadow knows]

Tom,

no pun, "green manalishi" is a monster, but we love albatross for its beauty, and layer upon layer of exquisite guitar. as lovely a poiece of music as has ever been played.

[the shadow knows]

boys,

the ole shadow voted for muhammad ali, although pele is certainly way up there.

[r. duke]

anti christ we're not even sure we hate him yet...

[r. duke]

Yeah shadow I'd have to go with Ali. So much history and controversy in and out of the ring. From phantom punch against Liston to sticking to his beliefs and going to jail instead of Vietnam--like anyone was going to mess with the champ in jail--his battles with Frazer, outsmarting Foreman, his charisma & humor but most of all his odd coupling with Howard Cosell who he fondly and mockingly referred to as Dracula. Cosell seemed to really enjoy their time together. Then came father time and Larry Holmes devastating jabs...

[r. duke]

S*** Tom, Manalishi just scared my morning constitution all over my nice comfortabe computor chair. Christ he was a brilliant lonely traveler in nightmarish psychological landscape. Bet him and Syd Barret shared a smoke and spot of tea there before going their separate ways...

[r. duke]

OK shadow my fellow "Twilight Zone" fan. Submitted for your approval my all-time favorite Twilight Zone episode. "The Big Tall Wish." In a nutshell the story of an aging boxer--how timely given our both picking Muhammad Ali--and the recipe for True Magic. Unquestionable Faith is how reality is made manifest. Do you recall it?

[mike1]

Tom, I voted for Pele. I consider soccer players to be the best overall athletes. However, after I voted, I changed my opinion to someone across several sports, Jim Thorpe, for example.

[mike1]

Shadow, now I remember. Kyle Rote Jr. I remember his dad, Kyle Rote..NFL commentator, always complaining that his son was playing soccer, not football. He dominated the Superstars. I once saw one of those live at Crandon Park. Saw Dr J; Kareem, and the US 1980 hockey play something Craig I think. It was funny. Kareem had to bend his elbows and legs so much doing the monkey bars. I'm sure I still have photos..I was right there.

I thought there was one other soccer player who won Superstars.

[mike1]

Shadow, the Letchkov goal was awesome..diving header from a long distance to win the game and upset Germany. Don't remember where it was played, but it was not Miami because Miami did not host. Orlando was chosen. oddly, only 9 cities were chosen despite the US having some 100 suitable stadiums and Joe Robbie was considered by FIFA to be the best soccer stadium at the time.

The Romanians had a great, entertaining display beating Argentina 3-1.

[mike1]

Shadow,

US got beaten soundly by Brazil today, but not because of Brazil's greatness but lousy US defense. US has not been doing well on defense in WC qualifying either, giving up a lot of early goal. This is the worst they've been since 1990.

But once again, the refs screwed the US with an ejection that should not have been. Had to play one man down again.

Egypt shocked Italy today. Egypt had been cheated in the last minute in their game against Brazil, losing 4-3 after a nice 2 goal comeback. The refs used a TV monitor to determine a handball in the box and gave Brazil the PK. Video replay is not allowed in soccer. So, TV monitors are now removed from the sideline for the rest of the tournament.

[the shadow knows]

r. duke,

"bolie!!" yes i recall that episode with ivan dixon as the boxer who wouldn't believe. looked in "the twilight zone companion" which stated that archie moore was supposed oplay bolie, but he couldn't keep up with the pace of the production. "the old mongoose" was used by rod serling when he made the film version of "requiem for a heavyweight".

[the shadow knows]

mike1,

willloke up the details of egypt/italy; the wealth of soccer stuff on youtube is overwhelming!!

[dolphin fan in portland]

kay everybody, pay attention; If you want to know who is the greatest ATHLETE ever, check out the life of BABE DIDRIKSON. No one is even close. From hitting 5 hr in a childhood baseball game, to being an all-american in basketball, to being a gold medal winner in multiple track and field events, to becoming one of the greatest female golfers (she also played in 3 PGA events,through qualifying matches, not sponsor exemptions ala Michelle Wie. She also won 17 straight amateur golf tourneys( Tiger never could do that). I could go on..
Check wikipedia if you want to learn more.

[dolphin fan in portland]

Also, do not forget Dave Winfield. He is one of two people to be drafted by all three major sports leagues. NFL- Drafted by Vikings. MLB- Padres. NBA- Atlanta Hawks. He was even drafted by the ABA, the Utah Stars (remember, Dr.J began his career in the ABA). Michael Jordan could not get out of AA ball, yet you vote him the greatest ATHLETE ever. Greatest basketball player, absolutely.Greatest ATHLETE? No. Didrikson, Winfield, Thorpe and even Bruce Jenner were all better overall ATHLETES.

[dolphin fan in portland]

Thorpe and Carl Lewis are the only names you should have on your list, if you aren't going to have Didrikson, Winfield or Jenner.

[r. duke]

shadow great memory. ivan dixon was perfect as the aging boxer, as was the kid and everyone else in that episode. Sad that doubt is often every bit as solid as concrete.

[r. duke]

and shame on you Cote. I bet you thought I was just bad language and foul imagery. I can be quite the sentimental guy when I'm not pissed off.

[Stu Coward]

Best Athlete ever? Gordie Howe. 20 years in the 6 team NHL. Second? Willie Mays. Best "5 tool" baseball player. How can anyone consider a basketball player a great athlete? Remember why it was invented in the first place- to keep REAL athletes in shape during the winter by doing something "light" that they wouldn't get hurt at.

[r. duke]

anti christ ginrai just called and left this message. I believe it's from ginrai's planet in the m-51 galaxy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jqa201ZDgM

[ifeeltheheat]

Thorpe or someone else.

[mike1]

Shadow, Youtube is great. They have the theme song of NBC Football from the 1970's; may favorite football tune ever. Showing Miami Dolphins getting suited up in the locker room, interchanged with action shots.

I also see great goals from George Best; so much cool stuff. I see the highlights now from World Cup qualiying games all over the world, from the 70's and 80's that I only had read about in those days.

Not to mention...you can see virtually every theme song to every show; back in the days that theme songs actually represented the theme of the show. You can also see just about every top song you ever knew. I just watched "Venus" and "Send Me a Postcard" by Shocking Blue and Marisa Veres. Also, "Georgie Girl" by the
Seekers.

Look up "Hawaii 5-0" by the Ventures. An old clip; they're performing in the middle of the dessert. Ok, maybe not actually..but still looks cool.

[r. duke]

I don't think Jim Thorpe really existed. He was invented to pacify Native Americans for Manifest Destiny. Plus the guy in photograghs looks Italian...

[r. duke]

"photographs!" goddamn my diploma from "Jethro Bodine High School."

[Jimbo]

What about Hulk Hogan for best rassler??!!!!

[r. duke]

Jimbo I gotta go with George "The Animal" Steele. He was great in Ed Wood. Depp is a funny MF.

[Jimbo]

duke,

agreed