Let's do a media survey/poll

[GBNF]

Most intelligent: Pat Haden
Biggest asshole: Rod Carew
Most intimidating: Bob Gibson
Most difficult to figure: Barry Sanders, Sandy Koufax (tie)
Classiest: Steve Yzerman
Most competitive: Jerry West
Coolest: deck Butkus

If you don't mind, could you expand on the Koufax point. I'm curious.

 

[bigbadeagle]

Best: Tug McGraw. Funny, funny man. RIP, Tugger.
Worst: Dr. J. Musta been pissed he was stuck in Pissant, USA that day, but lordhavemercy him were a deck.
Coolest: Gonna sound strange, but ... Orenthal James Simpson. Came across as an even keeled dude. Granted, it was 1991.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

It's interesting... I don't doubt Ditka was a nightmare to deal with when he was a coach, but every time I dealt with him from 2002 on, he was just about as nice and accomodating as he could be. He'd call me back, he'd give me multiple numbers where he could be reached...

Also bear in mind that this was the Ditka from '97 to '99, when he was stealin' money from the Saints. During his Bears time, and the interim before his New Orleans arrival, he could be accommodating, kinda funny (in a bare knuckles Aliquippa way), and pretty candid at times.

And I'll always give him, and Buddy Ryan, credit for leading that amazing '85-'86 Bears commando squad, and all the stories they left in their wake.

The late, great Jim Finks for putting the team together.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

Best: Tug McGraw. Funny, funny man. RIP, Tugger.

"So, Tug, do you prefer grass or Astroturf?"

"Dunno. I never smoked no Astroturf."

Epic.

 

[Machine Head]

It's interesting... I don't doubt Ditka was a nightmare to deal with when he was a coach, but every time I dealt with him from 2002 on, he was just about as nice and accomodating as he could be. He'd call me back, he'd give me multiple numbers where he could be reached...

Also bear in mind that this was the Ditka from '97 to '99, when he was stealin' money from the Saints. During his Bears time, and the interim before his New Orleans arrival, he could be accommodating, kinda funny (in a bare knuckles Aliquippa way), and pretty candid at times.

And I'll always give him, and Buddy Ryan, credit for leading that amazing '85-'86 Bears commando squad, and all the stories they left in their wake.

The late, great Jim Finks for putting the team together.

Jim Finks knew his stuff.

 

[fishwrapper]

Most intelligent: Pat Haden
Biggest asshole: Rod Carew
Most intimidating: Bob Gibson
Most difficult to figure: Barry Sanders, Sandy Koufax (tie)
Classiest: Steve Yzerman
Most competitive: Jerry West
Coolest: deck Butkus

If you don't mind, could you expand on the Koufax point. I'm curious.

Don't mind at all:
Sandy Koufax is a sweet, gentle man. I'm not old enough to remember him on the mound and the fierce competitor he was for the Dodgers.
But, for a few decades, he was a recluse (or extremely private). The Dodgers, and especially Peter O'Malley, always wanted to celebrate Koufax. But, Koufax thought the Dodgers undervalued him when he was a player and held a grudge. So, wasn't till after the O'Malleys sold the Dodgers did Koufax start showing up to Spring Training in Vero and an occasional appearance in Los Angeles.
That work?

 

[Sam Mills 51]

It's interesting... I don't doubt Ditka was a nightmare to deal with when he was a coach, but every time I dealt with him from 2002 on, he was just about as nice and accomodating as he could be. He'd call me back, he'd give me multiple numbers where he could be reached...

Also bear in mind that this was the Ditka from '97 to '99, when he was stealin' money from the Saints. During his Bears time, and the interim before his New Orleans arrival, he could be accommodating, kinda funny (in a bare knuckles Aliquippa way), and pretty candid at times.

And I'll always give him, and Buddy Ryan, credit for leading that amazing '85-'86 Bears commando squad, and all the stories they left in their wake.

The late, great Jim Finks for putting the team together.

Jim Finks knew his stuff.

Yup.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

Jim Finks was a sportswriter's dream in these parts back in the day.

Good thing, too, on account of Jim Mora ...

There was little doubt, really, as to who the real leader was then.

And he never started a press conference with "WE SUCKED. OFFENSE. DEFENSE. KICKING GAME ... IT WAS A HORSE ..."

You know the rest.

Sam will vouch for me.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Jim Finks was a sportswriter's dream in these parts back in the day.

Good thing, too, on account of Jim Mora ...

There was little doubt, really, as to who the real leader was then.

And he never started a press conference with "WE SUCKED. OFFENSE. DEFENSE. KICKING GAME ... IT WAS A HORSE ..."

You know the rest.

Sam will vouch for me.

In a heartbeat. Though, funny enough, that Mora rant occurred in Charlotte after the Panthers - complete with some of Finks' and Mora's former players - ran over the Saints.

EDIT: YouTube to the rescue ... piecing together highlights with the rant. Also, kinda interesting who had the fourth-down stand to lock up the game for the home team:

 

[Ice9]

After covering the Bill Belichick years with the Browns, I can honestly say I've never despised anyone on a professional basis more than him. After the last home game in 1994, as Browns fans are in a near riot and the players are crying, Belichick was asked about his emotions. "I was just trying to win the game." forking moron, you're 5-11.

Didn't the Browns win a playoff game that season?

 

[Ice9]

Rex Ryan anyone?

 

[mrbio]

Most colorful characters: Clyde Frazier, Rodman, Djokovic and his on court imitations. Usain Bolt at Beijing. Yannick Noah did the moonwalk during a Davis Cup match vs. Australia.

Most electrifying moment: 39 yr old Jimmy Connors amazing run at 1990 or 1989 US Open. Mike Tyson getting KOed in Tokyo by Buster Douglas. 1980 Lake Placid.