2024 TABLOID COVER DERBY: YEAR TEN

[Benjamin Grimm]

Today's poll, number 1.26, is the final poll of the first round. We've now seen all 256 of our covers. (95 from Newsday, 87 from the Daily News, and 74 from the New York Post.)



We'll now pause for a week so all of the currently running polls can come to a close. The top six covers will receive a bye, and the remaining twenty winners will compete in ten head-to-head polls in the second round. When the second round is complete, we will have our Sweet Sixteen.



The third round will begin in January, after the Tabloid Cover Derby takes its holiday break.

[Centerfield]

So the JUAN SIGNS cover will be in the 2025 TCD? Got it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yes, in 2025. And hopefully it will be more like JUAN SIGNS than SOTO NO GO.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The third round will begin in January, after the Tabloid Cover Derby takes its holiday break.

You're talking about the St. Olaf's Day holiday, right?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Naturally!



Meanwhile, I have a prediction for the headline if Soto signs with the Mets. Or the Yankees for that matter:



JUAN FOR THE MONEY!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Twenty of our 26 first-round polls have now completed.



No covers have clinched a bye yet, but the covers listed in italics have been eliminated from contention for that bye, and will compete in the second round.



The rankings so far:



1. ONE MORE GAME (Daily News)

2. TALL AT SHORT (Newsday)

3. NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX (Daily News)

4. NO MERCY! (Daily News)

5. PURPLE TRAIN (Daily News)

6. STEVIE NIXED (New York Post)



7. POP IN THEIR STEP (Newsday)

8. THROW BOMBERS FROM THE TRAIN (Daily News)

9. HAIR FORCE WON! (New York Post)

10. KNOCK YOUR SOX OFF! (Daily News)

11. 16 (Daily News)

12. PICCADILLY CIRCUS (Daily News)

13. LUIS ARM STRONG (New York Post)

14. REBORN TO BE WILD (Newsday)

15. STARTING STRONG (Newsday)

16. WAITING FOR A PITCH (Newsday)

17. BLASTOFF! (Daily News)

18. WHAT A MESS (Daily News)

19. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES! (New York Post)

20. YA GOTTA BELONG! (Daily News)





http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_15.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_16.png>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_17.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_18.png>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_19.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_20.png>

[Benjamin Grimm]

The first round is now complete, and our field of 256 covers has been reduced to 26. The Daily News leads with 13 covers, followed by 9 for Newsday and 4 for the New York Post.



There are two covers that feature a City Connect uniform, one with a black jersey, nine where the Met player is wearing a road grey uniform, and nine in their home whites. None with Mr. Met, but one with Grimace. Four have headlines starting with the word NO, but three of those four covers report positive news for the Mets.



Six covers have received a second-round bye:

• ONE MORE GAME (Daily News)

• NO MORE MAGIC (Daily News)

• TALL AT SHORT (Newsday)

• NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX (Daily News)

• NO MERCY! (Daily News)

• PURPLE TRAIN (Daily News)

The matchups for the second round will be:



December 4: REBORN TO BE WILD (Newsday) vs SUPERMANAEA (Newsday)

December 5: STARTING STRONG (Newsday) vs LUIS ARM STRONG (New York Post)

December 6: WAITING FOR A PITCH (Newsday) vs PICCADILLY CIRCUS (Daily News)

December 7: BLASTOFF! (Daily News) vs 16 (Daily News)

December 8: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (Newsday) vs KNOCK YOUR SOX OFF (Daily News)

December 9: WHAT A MESS (Daily News) vs HAIR FORCE WON! (New York Post)

December 10: FLIP THE SCRIPT (Daily News) vs ALONSOMG! (Newsday)

December 11: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES! (New York Post) vs THROW BOMBERS FROM THE TRAIN (Daily News)

December 12: FALL CLASSIC (Newsday) vs POP IN THEIR STEP (Newsday)

December 13: YA GOTTA BELONG! (Daily News) vs STEVIE NIXED (New York Post)

[th]Year[/th]	[th]Daily News[/th]	[th]New York Post[/th]	[th]Newsday[/th]	[th]Total Number of Covers[/th]
	2015		135		124		110		369
	2016		150		117		114		381
	2017		83		58		67		208
	2018		114		84		81		279
	2019		114		111		93		318
	2020		72		83		49		204
	2021		104		70		92		266
	2022		103		77		95		275
	2023		77		64		81		222
	2024		87		74		95		256
[th]Totals[/th]		1,039		862		877		2,778

FIRST-ROUND WINS

[th]Year[/th]	[th]Daily News[/th]	[th]New York Post[/th]	[th]Newsday[/th]	[th]Total[/th]
	2015		13		12		7		32
	2016		17		7		8		32
	2017		6		4		6		16
	2018		14		2		6		22
	2019		15		2		8		25
	2020		6		7		3		16
	2021		12		1		11		24
	2022		18		2		6		26
	2023		10		2		10		22
	2024		13		4		9		26
[th]Totals[/th]		124		43		74		241

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_21.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_22.png>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_23.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_24.png>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_25.png> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_1_26.png>





http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_brackets_001.png>

[Benjamin Grimm]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Meanwhile, I have a prediction for the headline if Soto signs with the Mets. Or the Yankees for that matter: JUAN FOR THE MONEY!

I was wrong.



http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20241209_NSD_02.jpg>



http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20241209_NYDN_01.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20241209_NYDN_02.jpg>



http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20241209_NYP_01.jpg>http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20241209_NYP_02.jpg>

[bmfc1]

I placed this comment in the Suggestion Box at TCB HQ: “Is it my imagination or are your models dressing more conservatively this year? Were you the subject of a harassment suit or was this a directive from HR? Either way, it doesn't diminish the quality of your work.”

[Benjamin Grimm]

We do have a new crop of models, and they're free to choose their own wardrobe. We had to bring in some new faces because our original models, Shelby and Marissa, had been holding out for a big raise. Fortunately, that's been settled, and you can see by their diminished roles that it wasn't in their favor. Don't mess with the home office!

[Benjamin Grimm]

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20240302_NSD_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20240818_NYP_02.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2024/20240903_NSD_02.jpg>



Perhaps there's something about Luis Severino that suggests strength. The word STRONG appeared on three covers this year, and all three featured Severino.



In all previous years of the Tabloid Cover Derby, we've only had two other STRONG covers, both from Newsday:



http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210219_NSD_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2022/20220826_NSD_02.jpg>

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Newsday has no imagination

[Benjamin Grimm]

Today's poll, number 2.10, is the final poll of the second round. The seven polls that are still open will run their course over the next week, and then the Tabloid Cover Derby will take its holiday break.



The sixteen surviving covers will compete in the third round beginning on January 6.

[Benjamin Grimm]

All second-round polls have now closed, and our field is down to sixteen covers. The Daily News leads with nine, followed by Newsday with five and the New York Post with two.



The Tabloid Cover Derby is now in a holiday hiatus, with third-round voting beginning on Monday, January 6, 2025.



Meanwhile, those of you who had a perfect Schaefer voting record this year, remember that you've earned yourself a dance with Maja at the CPF Christmas party. You'll be limited to sixty seconds, and be aware that this limit is strictly enforced!





The matchups for the third round will be:



January 6: FALL CLASSIC (Newsday) vs THROW BOMBERS FROM THE TRAIN (Daily News)

January 7: YA GOTTA BELONG! (Daily News) vs ALONSOMG (Newsday)

January 8: HAIR FORCE WON! (New York Post) vs PURPLE TRAIN (Daily News)

January 9: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (Newsday) vs NO MERCY! (Daily News)

January 10: BLASTOFF! (Daily News) vs NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX (Daily News)

January 11: PICCADILLY CIRCUS (Daily News) vs TALL AT SHORT (Newsday)

January 12: LUIS ARM STRONG (New York Post) vs NO MORE MAGIC (Daily News)

January 13: SUPERMANAEA (Newsday) vs ONE MORE GAME (Daily News)







SWEET SIXTEEN

[th]Year[/th]	[th]Daily News[/th]	[th]New York Post[/th]	[th]Newsday[/th]
	2015		5		8		3
	2016		9		2		5
	2017		6		4		6
	2018		10		2		4
	2019		10		1		5
	2020		6		7		3
	2021		6		1		9
	2022		12		1		3
	2023		6		1		9
	2024		9		5		2
[th]Totals[/th]		79		32		49

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_01.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_02.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_03.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_04.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_05.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_06.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_07.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_08.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_09.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_02_10.jpg>





http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_brackets_002.png>

[Benjamin Grimm]

This message just came over the wire from Sweden:

Crane Pool Forum internationella högkvarter wrote: Gott nytt år från gänget på CPFs högkvarter i Stockholm! Vi vill ta tillfället i akt att påminna er om att årets Tabloid Cover Derby börjar sin tredje omröstning måndagen den 6 januari. Vi är övertygade om att var och en av er kommer att göra vad som krävs för att förbereda er.

Looks like it's something about next Monday.

[Edgy MD]

A good group.



I have no idea which way I'm going in many of these coming matchups.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This message just came over the wire from Sweden: Crane Pool Forum internationella högkvarter wrote: Gott nytt år från gänget på CPFs högkvarter i Stockholm! Vi vill ta tillfället i akt att påminna er om att årets Tabloid Cover Derby börjar sin tredje omröstning måndagen den 6 januari. Vi är övertygade om att var och en av er kommer att göra vad som krävs för att förbereda er. Looks like it's something about next Monday.

Best news of 2025 so far.

[Benjamin Grimm]

We have now seen all eight polls from the third round. When they have all run their course, a week from today, we will have established our Elite Eight.



The next poll to be posted will be on Tuesday, January 21, when the fourth round begins.

[bmfc1]

I see a few new models this year (are they called "models"?) and some we've seen before. Are the ones who have been with the company longer on a different pay scale? Do they have different job titles?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Shelby and Marissa, our two original models, were holding out for a raise, so we had to deepen our bench. They eventually caved, and now have to share the spotlight with our newcomers.



Stockholm plays hardball!

[Benjamin Grimm]

The third round of the tenth Tabloid Cover Derby is now complete, and we are down to eight surviving covers. Our "Elite Eight" is more evenly distributed among the three tabloids than ever before, with three covers each from the Daily News and Newsday, and two from the New York Post. In our most lopsided year, 2022, the Daily News had seven of the eight, but the lone exception, Newsday's MISERY, held on to be the winner.



All three of Newsday's covers are from the postseason, and all of the remaining postseason covers are from Newsday. The aforementioned MISERY is the only postseason cover to ever win the TCD; 2015's YES-PEDES and 2016's CES BOOM BAH! were both from regular-season games.



Another fun fact: Four of the eight remaining covers feature players with their mouths wide open: ALONSOMG! (Pete Alonso), LUIS ARM STRONG (Luis Severino), HAIR FORCE WON! (Jesse Winker) and SUPERMANEA (Sean Manaea). If NO MERCY! had prevailed in its close race against CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', it would have been five of eight.



Fourth-round voting will begin tomorrow, January 21.



ELITE EIGHT

[th]Year[/th]	[th]Daily News[/th]	[th]New York Post[/th]	[th]Newsday[/th]
	2015		4		4		0
	2016		5		1		2
	2017		3		1		4
	2018		4		2		2
	2019		4		0		4
	2020		4		2		2
	2021		3		0		5
	2022		7		0		1
	2023		3		1		4
	2024		3		2		3
[th]Totals[/th]		40		13		27

The matchups for the fourth round will be:



January 21: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (Newsday) vs NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX (Daily News)

January 22: PICCADILLY CIRCUS (Daily News) vs HAIR FORCE WON! (New York Post)

January 23: LUIS ARM STRONG (New York Post) vs ALONSOMG (Newsday)

January 24: SUPERMANAEA (Newsday) vs THROW BOMBERS FROM THE TRAIN (Daily News)





http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_01.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_02.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_03.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_04.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_05.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_06.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_07.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_03_08.jpg>







http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_brackets_003.png>

[bmfc1]

2 of the 8 are from the same 2 game series (Mets @ NYY).

[Benjamin Grimm]

Fourth-round voting has now ended, and we have established our Final Four, which is a repeat of last year's alignment: Two covers from Newsday and one each from the Daily News and the Post. In 2023, it was the one Daily News cover, THEY DON'T GOT IT, which would go on to claim the title.



On Monday, February 3, we will post the two polls that will determine our finalists.



ALONSOMG (Newsday) vs HAIR FORCE WON! (New York Post)

SUPERMANAEA (Newsday) vs NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX (Daily News)





FINAL FOUR

[th]Year[/th]	[th]Daily News[/th]	[th]New York Post[/th]	[th]Newsday[/th]
	2015		3		1		0
	2016		2		1		1
	2017		2		1		1
	2018		2		1		1
	2019		2		0		2
	2020		2		1		1
	2021		2		0		2
	2022		3		0		1
	2023		1		1		2
	2024		1		1		2
[th]Totals[/th]		20		7		13

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_04_01.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_04_02.jpg>

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_04_03.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_04_04.jpg>









http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/images/2024/2024_brackets_004.png>

[bmfc1]

Lindor, the Mets best player last year, didn't make any of the final 4 covers.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Shoulda gotten more photogenic hair then

[Benjamin Grimm]

We have our finalists! Much to the dismay of a vocal minority, Newsday's ALONSOMG! has won a narrow victory over the Post's HAIR FORCE WON! Newsday also notched a victory in our other semifinal poll, with SUPERMANAEA edging the Daily News' NO SLEEP TILL THE BRONX by an even more narrow margin.



This marks the first time in our ten years of Tabloid Cover Derbies that the Daily News was not one of the finalists. It's also only the second time that we've had two finalists from the same publisher. In our inaugural TCD, the Daily News won both slots, with YES-PEDES earning the victory over CON4TO!



Though the final winner is yet to be determined, Newsday is assured the honor of being represented behind Maja's desk in Stockholm. This will be Newsday's fifth title, tying it with the Daily News.



Voting for the sixth and final round will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

All-Newsday final makes me want to hurl. They don't even get what a back cover is supposed to be

[kcmets]

This is an outrage! Preposterous, I tell ya...

[Centerfield]

Just went back through the thread. I can pick out 3-4 covers I like better than the finalists.



What can you do. That's TCD Suzyn...

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was a big fan of PICCADILLY CIRCUS, but it got eliminated a few rounds ago.