Presidential Fantasy League: Week Twenty-Four Scores

by Max Klinger

Where the avenues of sports and politics meet, there is a mailbox where we deposit a weekly letter; a mailbox called the Presidential Fantasy League (see every PFL ever right here).

In a year where the first four World Series games combined didn't pull as many viewers as a single vice-presidential debate, it should come as no surprise that athletes are more willing than usual to jump into the political soup. In fact, this week, in greater numbers than anytime in the last year, jocks have voiced their opinions about the election—NASCAR legends, baseball teams; near-whole leagues are making their voices heard. But is the race a foregone conclusion? Not necessarily. This guy would argue it's far from over (though this and this are pretty good refutations). Take a look at the accuracy-adjusted polls yourself and bask in the revelry of the moment. In a month all we'll have is Bucks v. Pacers.

TEAM OBAMA:
"Since the White Sox are out of it, I'll root for the Phillies now." —B.O., 10/11/08

"I've said from the beginning that I am a unity candidate, bringing people together. So when you see a White Sox Fan showing love to the Rays — and the Rays showing some love back—you know we are on to something right here." —B.O. 10/21/08

NASCAR FOLK HERO ENDORSES OBAMA: +10
Junior Johnson, icon of the North Carolina racing community, one of NASCAR's first superstars, an ex-moonshiner, the inventor of drafting, subject of the famous Tom Wolfe story, "Great Balls of Fire," and a guy who was pardoned by Reagan for his bootlegging ways, endorsed Obama in a letter sent to friends and family in his home state. A quote from his letter:

"I know what it means to run an aggressive race, but I also know what it means to compete with integrity. Have you gotten one of these pre-recorded calls that are flooding our state smearing Barack Obama's character and questioning his patriotism? That's crossing the line, and North Carolinians deserve better."

6 RAYS ENDORSE OBAMA: +30
Fernando Perez, Carl Crawford, Cliff Floyd, Jonny Gomes, Edwin Jackson and David Price all show up at a rally in Tampa Bay to introduce Obama.

THE ASSOCIATION ENDORSES OBAMA: +30
Well, we knew this, but a recent survey of the NBA tells of some new endorsements:
For Obama:
Etan Thomas (Wizards)
Baron Davis (Clippers)
Derek Fisher (Warriors)
Chris Duhon (Reggie Love)
Chris Paul (Hornets)
Chauncey Billups (Pistons)
Jared Bayless (Blazers)
Channing Frye (Blazers)

For McCain:
Spencer Hawes (Kings)

ACTUALLY, DECENT SPORTS METAPHOR OF THE WEEK: +10
Frank Rich says that if you subtract all the "players" that the McCain campaign has alienated from the Republican Party during this election you won't even have enough "bench to field a junior varsity volleyball team, let alone a serious campaign for the Electoral College."

FRANCO HARRIS IS BACK (AGAIN) THIS TIME WITH ROONEY: +10
This Saturday, the Steelers retired RB and owner Dan Rooney ran a "Steel Blitz" bus tour though Western Pennsylvania visiting the local United Steelworkers and other tough-guy hangouts promoting Obama.

SCORE THIS WEEK: 90

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TEAM McCAIN: "Now, I'm not dumb enough to get mixed up in a World Series between swing states," —J.M.

BUY HIGH, SELL HIGHER: +10
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga thinks Obama is going to double the capital gains tax, says he wants to sell the team before he gets in Office.

THE BACK SPASM EXPRESS: +10
Schilling is stumping in New Hampshire this weekend. An important state, he should know, he's spent most of the fall campaigning for McCain there.

THE TRUEST SPORTS FAN: +20
NBC's political director Chuck Todd tells Sports Business Journal that McCain is a more legitimate sports fan and that he'd probably watch sports "even when it's not an election year." Then there's this, a guy that's covered him for years says he used to tape Suns games and watch them late night on Capitol Hill.

SCORE THIS WEEK: 40

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TOTAL SCORES AFTER 24 WEEKS:
1. Team Obama: 915
2. Team McCain: 760

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Got an issue with the way we're sizing up the candidates? Something we missed? Got an idea for the rules? Send us your thoughts: editor.espnmag@gmail.com

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