The 25 most memorable fictional sports media figures

This short-loved CBS sitcom, starring a post-Seinfeld Jason Alexander, is loosely based on the life of Tony Kornheiser, the ESPN personality and former sportswriter for The Washington Post.  The fictional Tony, a sports columnist and co-host of the talk show Listen Up!, is kind of a poor man's George Costanza. The series lasted only one season but had its moments. Though, Alexander's character tended to be overshadowed by his supporting cast. Most notably presumptuous teenage daughter Megan (Daniella Monet). 

We never got a truly detailed look into Ray's job as a sportswriter/columnist for New York's Newsday. When we did, however, he seemed to make more a fool of himself than during his personal life, which was the obvious focus of the hit sitcom. Like the time when he tried to chat with former New York Mets reliever Tug McGraw during a trip to the '69 Mets autograph session. Still, Ray was a rather popular journalist, who also seemed to have plenty of time off. Not common for a sports writer.

Starring Seann William Scott  and Liev Schreiber, Goon (2011) might not be on a lot of radars when we think of great sports movies. But, it's serviceable enough to keep our attention. Maybe because of McCaudry (played by former NHL announcer Curt Keilback), the voice of the Halifax Highlanders. He's quick and detailed with the action and thinks it's "borderline treasonous" whenever the pregame playing of "Oh Canada" is butchered. 

Cliff (played by the late, great John Candy) was there to witness the young marvel that was Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas). He described it all rather colorfully from the Wrigley Field press box as the Cubs' broadcaster during one of the historic fictional moments in the history of this storied and beloved major-league baseball franchise. Oh yeah, Cliff loved his hot dog and his clichés, too.

As a stalwart reporter/columnist/editor for the West Beverly Blaze, Brandon (Jason Priestley) indirectly went undercover to help break the story of steroid use on the school's track and field team. As a senior, he then penned a controversial column in the wake of the gang-related school shootings at inner-city Shaw High School, the upcoming opponent of the undefeated West Beverly football team. Journalism would remain Brandon's passion in college and beyond.

Throughout the four-season run of this TBS comedy, P.J. (Jordana Spiro) goes from promising sports writer to columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times. P.J. is still learning her craft and is humbly grateful to be in the position she's at. Her work and social life tend to run parallel with each other as most of her friends are guys, much like those covering the Chicago sports scene. Navigating both worlds can often be difficult.

Dan (Josh Charles) and Casey (Peter Krause) are friends and co-anchors of this popular ESPN-like sportscast from the Aaron Sorkin creation that earned solid reviews with critics but managed only two seasons from 1998-2000. Dan and Casey are likable characters, but the focus of the show was more on the individual characters off-camera, which is the point. So, their collective sports knowledge is an afterthought. Yet. they're still worthy of a shared spot on this list.

When we needed an on-field, an in-the-trenches report from The Scooby Doobys, The Yogi Yahooeys, or The Really Rottens. then reporters Snagglepuss or Mildew Wolf are your men. Quick with a question or looking for that "money" quote, these were two of the most underrated athletic media types, who made Laff-A-Lympics a beloved Saturday morning cartoon option for so many, starting in the late 1970s and re-running into the 1980s.

The voice of the Durham Bulls, Teddy is old-school to the core. With the Southern drawl, quick wit, and knack for telling it like it is, Teddy (Garland Bunting) is a true gem. Now, Teddy apparently did not go on the road with the minor league club, but still called games with someone else giving him the info. Not to mention, his homemade crack of the bat by taking a mallet to a piece of wood in the booth. That's genius.

The late David Lander, best known for his role as "Squiggy" in Laverne & Shirley, doesn't have a big role in former co-star Penny Marshall's hit movie and is not even officially credited. But, he has some memorable lines as the "sportscaster" for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League: "Take me home momma and put me to bed. I have seen enough to know I have seen too much." That old-timey voice of Lander's works perfectly with the "feel" of the movie.

When the NHL's New York Rangers trekked up to Alaska to play the speedy and talented boys from Mystery, the league made a big deal about the entire coverage. Meaning, it was time for popular television hockey analyst and amateur funny man Donnie Shulzhoffer (Mike Myers) to make the trip and offer his knowledge of the game and the matchup. Reportedly from Flin Flon, Manitoba, Donnie was also looking for some off-ice action while hanging near the North Pole.

Axley (Ed O'Neill) was a local sports reporter covering Western University basketball. He was also a thorn in the side of legendary Dolphins coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte), who often flew off the handle during post-game media sessions when questioned by Axley. Most notably about the alleged point-shaving incident involving one of his players and then the illegal recruitment of star Neon Boudeaux (Shaquille O'Neal), plus others like Ricky Roe (Matt Nover) and Butch McRae (Anfernee Hardaway).

Actually, we never see Champ (David Koechner ) doing his job. Though, his signature home-run call "Whammy" is quite popular with locals in San Diego. Champ is not particularly bright and is completely inappropriate when it comes to dealing with the ladies. His ideal date includes having some chicken and some sex. Champ is apparently also harboring some deep, personal feelings for co-workers and good buddy Ron Burgandy (Will Ferrell).

Another great role for legend Robert Duval. Mercy was one of the first people to see how great of a baseball talent a young Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) can be. The two reunite years later when Hobbs, still dealing with that gunshot to his abdomen, gets a real shot with the New York Knights. Mercy eventually remembers him, but still seems leery that Hobbs can be a great player. Mercy is a typical cynical reporter, trying to bring down players he doesn't like for good copy through the power of the pen. 

Dunn (played by the great character actor M. Emmet Walsh) is a local sportswriter in Charlestown, covering the Chiefs. He's tight with player-coach Reg Dunlop (Paul Newman), and has been known to try to "capture the spirit" of the game when detailing the Chiefs' mediocre play. He also thinks there are a lot of "shysters" in Florida when Dunlop tells them some investors from the state are interested in buying the Chiefs franchise.

The "Voice of the Armadillos." Neiderman (Rob Schneider) is the public address announcer for Texas State football games. He's kind of like a stand-up comic in the press box. Goofy observations, somewhat witty player nicknames (Manumana "the Slender"), and enjoyed a one-man party in the booth after the heavy-underdog Armadillos stunned the top-ranked Texas Colts in one of the biggest upsets in fictional college football history.

Most of the personalities on this list are likable in one way or another. Not Ranch Wilder (Jay O. Sanders), the antagonistic broadcaster for the California Angels (circa 1994). Ranch, a former major-league player, and manager did not have a positive history with current Angels manager George Knox (Danny Glover), so even though he has a strong knowledge of the game, he never misses a chance to gripe about his arch-rival. The biggest question within the realm of this film is why the club kept him employed?

Beloved veteran actor Paul Dooley is great in just about every role he's played. Perhaps his most underrated -- and forgotten -- is rather brief. Credited only as "Hyannisport Announcer," in this classic hockey comedy, Dooley's character brilliantly delivers the details as the famed Hanson Brothers fight with the Hyannis crowd: "The fans are standing up to them! The security guards are standing up to them! The peanut vendors are standing up to them! And by golly, if I could get down there, I'd be standing up to them! Look at that. You can't see that, I'm on the radio." Simply superb.

Most remember Sam Malone as the former big-league pitcher, proprietor of Cheers, and well-known ladies man. But there was also that weeklong stint Sam (Ted Danson) did as a fill-in sports anchor for buddy Dave Richards (Fred Dryer). It's a good thing Sam had a relatively safe day job, because he wasn't a good fit behind a sports desk, especially when it came time for a nightly commentary. That said, we had plenty of laughs watching a guy who knows what's like to have a "groin injury" flail on local Boston television.

The Flint Tropics might have been a mess on the court, but their broadcast team of Dıck Pepperfield (Andrew Daly) and Lou Redwood (Will Arnett) was top-notch. If we're talking dysfunctional comedy. The banter between the mild-mannered, yet dry-humor-laden, play-by-play voice Pepperfield and the often inappropriate, chain-smoking, scotch-swilling analyst Redwood is highly entertaining and much better than the action on the floor.

The most prominent of among the media types showcased in Slap Shot is Charlestown Chiefs' broadcaster Jim Carr (Andrew Duncan). Not only does Carr call the action over the radio, but he hosts a radio talk show and promotes the game of hockey on television, as well. Carr is also known for his in-game interviews, though not all go as planned. Maybe because he's really not that prepared -- like when Dave "Killer" Carlson and Ned Braden stop by the booth.

Can't watch the American Dodgeball Association of America (ADAA) International Dodgeball Competition in Las Vegas without Cotton (Gary Cole) and his "partner in crime" Pepper (Jason Bateman) calling the action on "The Ocho." Cotton is a quality play-by-play man ("I've even witnessed a grown man satisfy a camel") sport do, while Pepper is completely spacey, but good for some comedic analysis ("right in his beak"). Certainly a highlight of a fairly funny movie.

If there's anybody who can make watching a dog show exciting, it's Buck Laughlin (Fred Willard). The voice of the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Now, Buck is not big on etiquette but provides some unique coverage in a highly entertaining way. Like asking why the bloodhound doesn't wear a Sherlock Holmes hat and sport a pipe? Buck will also veer off topic at times, as he did when asking highly knowledgeable straight-man analyst Beckwith (Jim Piddock) how much he thinks his play-by-play partner can bench press. Credit Beckwith for keeping his composure -- and a straight face through it all.

Jim Brockmire (Hank Azaria) was not a role model to young, wannabe baseball broadcasters. Unless they wanted to abuse drugs and alcohol and lose a prestigious gig calling games in a respectable major-league market (Kansas City). However, after losing said job, following an on-air tirade in the wake of his wife's infidelity, Brockmire eventually found his way back into a broadcasting booth -- calling games for the Morristown Frackers. Sure, he still wore his heart -- and booze -- on his sleeve and was inappropriate on and off the air, but we enjoyed the comeback ride so much.

This really isn't close. The former major-leaguer and longtime radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers Bob Uecker was a perfect fit to play the hilariously surly Cleveland Indians' broadcaster in the Major League franchise of films. Harry tells it like it is, without much care for any ramifications, and likes to enjoy a few cocktails during a broadcast. He's quick with his creative descriptions ("just a bit outside"), and observations and noted stats ("this guy once threw at his kid during a father-son game"). One of the great fictional sports characters of all time.