2018 Tabloid Cover Derby Round 1.02 Feb 9 through Feb 21

[Benjamin Grimm]

Vote for the tabloid covers that you like the best. You may select up to three choices. Voting will run for seven days.

BUDDY'S BATTLE
New York Post, February 9, 2018.



SUNSHINE BOYS
New York Post, February 11, 2018.



MICKEY'S CLUBHOUSE
New York Daily News, February 13, 2018.



DON'T NEED A HERO!
New York Daily News, February 16, 2018.



BEST KNIGHT EVER
New York Post, February 16, 2018.



FACING THE FUTURE
Newsday, February 18, 2018.



WRIGHTING ON THE WALL
New York Daily News, February 18, 2018.



MAJOR LEAP OF FAITH
Newsday, February 19, 2018.



FOR GOD'S SAKE!
New York Daily News, February 19, 2018.



LEAP OF FAITH
New York Post, February 19, 2018.



MR. MAY
Newsday, February 21, 2018.



THIRD WHEEL
New York Daily News, February 21, 2018.

[Centerfield]

These were better. But no winners in this round either.

I guess we knew in February that Wright was basically done. I don't know why I held out hope as long as I did. I guess I thought he could play on a semi-regular basis at some point in the future.

[batmagadanleadoff]

That Sandy Alderson Monty Hall cover is still the best one.

[Guest 41Forever]

I went for the Tebow Major Leap of Faith cover. I like the word play on that one. You get major for Major Leagues as well as showing that it would a considerable step for him. The leap of faith makes reference to his faith without belittling him for it.

Clearly not going to advance beyond this round, or even win this one. But I like it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think we may see better covers when we get to that 11-1 start in April.

And then after that, well...

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think we may see better covers when we get to that 11-1 start in April. And then after that, well...

I haven't seen the covers from David Wright's last game. If I had to guess, I think the winner will come from that weekend. Or it could be something to do with deGrom and the Cy Young.

The 11-1 start was nice, but it's more of a bittersweet memory. And like the start itself, the cover would not be indicative of the season.

[batmagadanleadoff]

What's the difference? Aren't we supposed to be voting for the best looking covers? The cleverest covers?

[Benjamin Grimm]

There's no specific criteria. It's just "the one you like best" whatever the reason.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Pretty much went with the flow ===> CLUBHOUSE, THIRD WHEEL
and WRIGHTING...

[Centerfield]

41Forever wrote: I went for the Tebow Major Leap of Faith cover. I like the word play on that one. You get major for Major Leagues as well as showing that it would a considerable step for him. The leap of faith makes reference to his faith without belittling him for it. Clearly not going to advance beyond this round, or even win this one. But I like it.

Admittedly I'm not a football fan, but I really don't understand why this guy is such a story. Failed football player trying a second career as a baseball player. Nice story I guess, but worth the cover page?

And no one has ever been able to explain to me why his faith is such a big deal. In every football game there is a huddle of players kneeling and joining hands in prayer. Why is his faith even newsworthy?

Is he really belittled for his faith? I can't see how decent person could stand for that.

[Guest 41Forever]

Centerfield wrote: 41Forever wrote: I went for the Tebow Major Leap of Faith cover. I like the word play on that one. You get major for Major Leagues as well as showing that it would a considerable step for him. The leap of faith makes reference to his faith without belittling him for it. Clearly not going to advance beyond this round, or even win this one. But I like it. Admittedly I'm not a football fan, but I really don't understand why this guy is such a story. Failed football player trying a second career as a baseball player. Nice story I guess, but worth the cover page? And no one has ever been able to explain to me why his faith is such a big deal. In every football game there is a huddle of players kneeling and joining hands in prayer. Why is his faith even newsworthy? Is he really belittled for his faith? I can't see how decent person could stand for that.

Unquestionably, including in this forum.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/06/21/tim-tebow-stunts-backfire-charleston-team-mocks-his-faith/415214001/

http://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7177658/lions-players-disrespected-tim-tebow-faith

https://www.mrc.org/articles/nfl-analysts-tim-tebow-hated-because-his-faith

There are a lot of things that end up on covers that probably shouldn't. Timing and other things going on -- or lack there of -- plays a role.

I think it's a nice story. He was playing well -- at least, better -- before he got hurt. I'm not counting on him for anything, but I wish him well.

[Centerfield]

That's ridiculous. In a sport that is full of actual criminals, they pick on the guy for being too wholesome?

I get that religion is not everyone's cup of tea, but you know, live and let live.

And look, I don't agree with the pro-choice position, but I understand that it's a difficult decision either way. And certainly he has the right to express it.

[Vic Sage]

41Forever wrote: 41Forever wrote: I went for the Tebow Major Leap of Faith cover. I like the word play on that one. You get major for Major Leagues as well as showing that it would a considerable step for him. The leap of faith makes reference to his faith without belittling him for it. Clearly not going to advance beyond this round, or even win this one. But I like it. Admittedly I'm not a football fan, but I really don't understand why this guy is such a story. Failed football player trying a second career as a baseball player. Nice story I guess, but worth the cover page? And no one has ever been able to explain to me why his faith is such a big deal. In every football game there is a huddle of players kneeling and joining hands in prayer. Why is his faith even newsworthy? Is he really belittled for his faith? I can't see how decent person could stand for that. Unquestionably, including in this forum. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/06/21/tim-tebow-stunts-backfire-charleston-team-mocks-his-faith/415214001/ http://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7177658/lions-players-disrespected-tim-tebow-faith https://www.mrc.org/articles/nfl-analysts-tim-tebow-hated-because-his-faith There are a lot of things that end up on covers that probably shouldn't. Timing and other things going on -- or lack there of -- plays a role. I think it's a nice story. He was playing well -- at least, better -- before he got hurt. I'm not counting on him for anything, but I wish him well.

CF, Tebow's faith is a story because he MAKES IT ONE. He wore bible verse citations on his eye black in college; he'd shill for right-to-life groups in ads, and writes books to perpetuate his "ministry". Many players are religious, and some do a group prayer after or before the game, or do a quick look up to god after they score, but Timmy makes a meal out of it, publicly, constantly. It's not just his faith, it's his BRAND. And when people say "yo, dude, keep it in your pants", he goes all wide-eyed, like a good martyr, and others respond as if it's an anti-Christian crusade.

Look at the threads 41 just linked to -- the first is a story about a minor-league mascot who made fun of Tebow (the way mascots do) by wearing the bible-verse eye black and by "Tebowing" (which became an internet meme because Tebow did it so often). The second is from 7 years ago during his football days. And the 3rd is from the "media research group", a right-wing FOX-like site which isn't worth responding to (though it doesn't surprise me that 41 is a fan). None of it mocks his faith, and all of it mocks his marketing of his faith, as in "Jesus ain't a brand, dude. Keep it in your pants."

[Guest d'Kong76]

Centerfield wrote: Why is his faith even newsworthy?

It's not, but that's what things become. He's a Kardashian with a small butt.

[Guest 41Forever]

Not a "fan" of that site. Never heard of it, actually. Just googled for articles about Tebow being mocked and that came up. The Charleston stuff went beyond the mascot's eye black stickers.

Whatever. To each his own. I just liked the cover.

[Vic Sage]

41Forever wrote: Not a "fan" of that site. Never hear of it, actually.

I thought you were involved in politics? Brent Bozell's site has been attacking any reporting of facts as "liberal bias" for over 30 years and is one of the tools of the modern conservative movement to detach itself from objective reality, calling into question all reporting of facts with which it disagrees, and laying the groundwork for the modern Republican Party.

[G-Fafif]

Weird to be reminded Matt Harvey/The Dark Knight was still a thing in 2018.

[Guest 41Forever]

Vic Sage wrote: 41Forever wrote: Not a "fan" of that site. Never hear of it, actually. I thought you were involved in politics? Brent Bozell's site has been attacking any reporting of facts as "liberal bias" for over 30 years and is one of the tools of the modern conservative movement to detach itself from objective reality, calling into question all reporting of facts with which it disagrees, and laying the groundwork for the modern Republican Party.

I worked for a much more moderate crowd. I fielded questions from a lot of the fringe websites, but I don't recall that one.

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: Admittedly I'm not a football fan, but I really don't understand why this guy is such a story.

Tebow the phenomenon, as opposed to merely Tebow the person or Tebow the athlete, is largely a creation of ESPN.

[Centerfield]

I read an article about the "Tebowing" phenomenon. I guess the issue is more nuanced than originally presented.

I stand by my statement that an athlete's faith should not be something that's mocked.

That being said, an exception is certainly justified if that player uses his faith as "marketing" or a "brand". Faith should certainly not be used for self-gain. And if that's done, then I think it's not about faith, but about dollars. For instance, those crooked televangelists are fair game in my book.

I guess, for me, it's unclear whether or not Tebow is genuine in his faith, or if it's a marketing tool. I would have to spend more time catching up on the specifics. And frankly, I don't care enough to dig in any further to find out.

I haven't seen the pro-life ads, but I'm perfectly fine with an athlete using his platform to speak on issues important to him. I have no problem with a pro-choice athlete speaking out in support of women's rights. In theory (without seeing the ads themselves), I support an athlete's right to take the opposite position, even if the views differ from mine.

[Lefty Specialist]

Wow. None of the above.

[Vic Sage]

I guess, for me, it's unclear whether or not Tebow is genuine in his faith, or if it's a marketing tool.

These things are not mutually exclusive.

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: I guess, for me, it's unclear whether or not Tebow is genuine in his faith, or if it's a marketing tool. I would have to spend more time catching up on the specifics. And frankly, I don't care enough to dig in any further to find out.

No, his faith is genuine. He was born in the Philippines* to missionary parents who were doing their work there at the time.
I don't recall him marketing his faith much as a player. Now he certainly did nothing to hide it but, aside from the standard hero athlete "writing" a book on his then (23?) year old life experiences, I
don't recall a lot of 'selling' involved.

The thing about his religion (or anyone's for that matter) is that it became a focal point for both sides to the point to where you couldn't have a legitimate debate over his merits (or lack thereof) as a pro
QB (following a stellar college career) without one side complaining that his image was the only thing getting him consideration while those on the other saw every criticism of him as stemming from him
as a Christian rather than as a player.

IIRC, the pro-life ad -- him and his mother relating that by NOT choosing abortion when some suggested she should ... and look what a fine boy she had instead -- was a one-off which ran during the SB
pre-game.


* (one L, two Ps ... who knew?)

[Benjamin Grimm]

I never paid much attention to Tebow, but I recall reading that he's "saving himself" for marriage. I can barely imagine how many opportunities he's had. Not only was he an NFL quarterback (which I believe makes it somewhat easy to get laid) but his publicly announced virginity must have induced many women to take on the challenge of being his first.

I have to figure that either:

1. He's lying about his virginity.
2. He has an enormous amount of willpower.
3. He has an extraordinarily low sex drive.

I see that at 31, he's still single.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'd put even money on his having knocked up a half dozen cheerleaders.

And maybe a few bucks on his being a big ol homo (nttawwt)