Who are the best sports journalists?

by user Shrubbery

Recently we talked about the most annoying ESPN personalities and it seems clear Jim Rome was the dubious winner. Now let's talk about the best from all of sports broadcasting. We'll break it down by category...

Best studio analyst: Tom Jackson, Howie Long, Charles Barkley, Jay Bilas, Joe Morgan, Barry Melrose, Peter Gammons

Best studio host: Bob Costas, Greg Gumble, Bryant Gumble, Chris Berman

Best play-by-play guy: Gary Thorne (hockey), Al Michaels, Vin Scully, Jim Nantz, Keith Jackson

Best color commentary: Bill Clement, John Madden, Phil Simms, Bill Raftery, Troy Aikman

Feel free to nominate others or crucify my nominees.

• Update:

Oops, left out a few categories...

Best debate personalities: Mike Wilbon & Tony Kornhieser

Best writers: Bill Simmons, Woody Paige, Mitch Album, John Feinstein

Also, who's the one journalist/commentator you enjoy watching the most? For my money, Tom Jackson is just about the best in the business, followed closely by Bob Costas. But man do I miss Charlie Steiner on Sportcenter.

• Update #2: How could I forget about Peter Gammons and Troy Aikman? I'm such a silly bitch! And Keith Jackson was the best!

Date

Wed 07/12/06, 7:07 am EST

BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 1

Not a bad list overall but I have to rip Jay Billas, if its not Duke basketball he he has no idea what he's talkign about, Im also not a fan of Phil Simms at all, if you want former QB's go with Troy Aikman, also dont like the Gumbels add on James Brown formerally of Fox

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ASwaffAll-American

1236 days ago

Score 0

I also really like Steve Young in the booth. He knows what he's talking about, and he doesn't pull any punches.

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TartanVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 2

I've got some different picks.

Best Studio Analyst: Harold Reynolds and Kirk Herbstreit

Best play-by-play guy: Keith Jackson

Best Color Commentary: Joe Morgan

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PeanMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

joe morgan? are you serious?

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TartanVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 2

I like Joe Morgan for some reason, don't know why. Fine Myron Cope then, how's that for color commentary

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TartanVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 5

Peter Gammons Peter Gammons Peter Gammons

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DNLLegend

1236 days ago

Score 0

Peter Gammons.

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ShrubberyVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 0

Yup, my bad for such a glaring ommission.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Harolod Reynolds has made himself into a great analyst and yeah Peter Gammons I cant believe we all forgot about him a legend.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1236 days ago

Score 1

I wish Ralph Wiley and hunter Thompson weren't dead...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

* dammit! - great article, even with some omissions, it's a great topic

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 1

Best studio analyst: Peter Gammons

Best studio host: Bob Costas Best play-by-play guy: Tom Hamilton Best color commentary: Matt Underwood Best debate personalities: Mike Wilbon & Tony Kornhieser Best writers: Terry Pluto

The one journalist/commentator you enjoy watching the most: Kenny Mayne

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 3

Kenny Mayne makes watching horse racing almos interesting (it's MUCH better live!)

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Jgov05All-American

1236 days ago

Score 0

Chris Berman and Tom Jackson are the best ever. They make Primetime an entertaining show.

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UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

1236 days ago

Score 0

John Madden...Dennis Miller...just kidding.

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ChristofMVP

1236 days ago

Score 0

I think Madden is on the serious decline. He is still good, but not great any longer.

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FriskysmanVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 1

Terry Pluto makes my list for writers.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Berman no, but Jackson is great. And didnt see it but good job Shrubbery for throwing in John Feinstein as a writer, often times over looked but very talented writer.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Madden is starting to show his age I think. But with Al Michals at his side he can be saved for a long time. Michals is great and can do every sport.

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TartanVarsity Captain

1236 days ago

Score 0

Hal McCoy is a very good sports writer. He's been covering the Reds for 25 years, he was inducted into the HOF 3 years ago. He writes for the Dayton Daily News.

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

1236 days ago

Score -2

I HAVE TO SAY THAT STEPHEN A SMITH MAKES SOME GREAT AND RELEVANT POINTS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THATS ALL YOU NEED TO HAVE!!!!!!! Seriously, I enjoy Al Leiter on YES, Mike Lupica in the NY Daily News, and good old Marv Albert.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Marv Albert is the most fun to immitate.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 2

Best radio announcer: Bob Uecker.

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Anonymous Fanatic #3

1236 days ago

Score 1

as much as i hate the cowboys, i think aikman is a great guy in the booth

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UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

1236 days ago

Score 2

has anyone ever listened to Colin Cowherd? I like him and Dan Patrick. Also, I cant get enough of the Stephen A. heckling video.

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

1236 days ago

Score 0

Nice, those are my friends heckling him. Pat and Martin from Brooklyn.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Im not a fan of Colin Cowherd the Dan Patrick show is still a solid program though

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Awrigh01All-Star

1236 days ago

Score 0

I would say the best sports journalists are the users of ArmchairGM. I find their stuff to be more entertaining, insightful, and human than any of the writers listed above.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

Aww, that's sweet.

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UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

1236 days ago

Score 0

+'s for awrigh

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score -2

except for Manny Stiles!

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score -2

crap, I forgot to put that in as 'anonymous'

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score -1

I like how the list went from journalists to announcers! Chaos theory, you never fail us!

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CshimkinWaterboy

1236 days ago

Score -1

Bob Costas is the only one on the list I would consider a great journalist. He might not be the best, but Jonathan Passan, Yahoo's baseball writer, is a pretty good young writer. Oh, for the days of Jimmy Cannon!

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Djcfla1Varsity

1236 days ago

Score 1

Since we're now at announcers, where's Marv Albert?

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OpinionatedLittle Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

As far as sports radio goes, The Big Show with Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann is hands down the best. They were also the best Sportscenter duo, IMHO. Olbermann is one of the most read and knowledgeable guys you'll ever listen to.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

I have to admit Im just not a Marv Albert fan. Not that he's bad, but hes just not great. Outside of his "Yess" He doesnt do it for me, maybe it had something to do with the mugshots.

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Kil the FantasticTee-Baller

1236 days ago

Score 0

Bill Simmons should either a) be given his own show (possibly in place of Around the Horn) or b) join a crew like NBA Tonight. He is informed, intelligent, well-spoken, and hilarious. If you don't know who he is, check out ESPN's page 2. If you do, which I hope is most of you, wouldn't you watch a weekly dose of the Sports Guy?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score 0

But have you EVER heard him speak? I like his work, but I can't take him seriously when he talks... Since he moved to LA, he is "Entertainment Guy" now...

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

1236 days ago

Score -1

Bill Simmons should go write for the Boston globe or any other Northeastern publication and leave the rest of teh world alone. I will take any of the writers from Around the Horn over him, even that hack Marriotti.

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Jgov05All-American

1236 days ago

Score 0

I personally enjoy DJ Gallo's work more than any other writer. If you don't know who he is go to sportspickle.com.

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Anonymous Fanatic #4

1158 days ago

Score 0

Overall, this isn't a bad list of personalities. However, Charles Barkley and Phil Simms? I can understand Phil Simms I guess, but Steve young is far more deserving than Phil Simms, and I do agree that I hate Cowboys, but Aikman is a good commentator. Charles Barkley though, Charles is a moron, he may be funny, but I'm usually laughing at him and not with him.

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AWeiner18Varsity

1146 days ago

Score 0

Can someone please say Rick Reilly from Sports Illustrated? Or Jason Whitlock? How about some Michael Rosenberg from the Detroit Freep Press? Very good columnists.

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