Thank You, Sports Guy

Whenever I am searching for anything to write about in this here blog, I can usually go to two places that are guaranteed to generate some ideas: any Bill Simmons Column on Page 2 of ESPN.com, and the Hot Clicks section of SI.com.  The lasest inspirtation comes from Simmons' latest mailbag, which can be accessed by clicking on the link.

Q: Do you ever shorten the first names of famous people? I find it very fun, and think that if someone like Russell Crowe had decided to be known as Russ Crowe his career would be different. How about Scott Pippen, Shaq O'Neal or Mike J. Fox. Do you think your life would be different if you had gone by Will Simmons? Yes, it would have.
-- Kevin, Philadelphia

SG: You're talking to the guy who believes Joey Harrington's career would have been completely different if he had gone by "Joe." Not necessarily a bad thing. I liked your other suggestions and would add: Bob Parish, Will Mays, Pey Manning, Bob Orr, Al Ovechkin, Jim Foxx, Len Wilkens, Jim Worthy, John Bench, Walt Payton, Dave Robinson, Carl Fisk, Charlie Barkley, Rob Gibson, Rob Cousy, Ron Lott, Jack Robinson, Marv Hagler, and my personal favorite, Gay Perry. By the way, I think "Will Simmons" would have put me on the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars. Not that I'd object.

Thats a pretty good starting list, and I thought I'd throw it out to my readers to come up with some good ones in any walk of life.  Off the top of my head, they missed: Mike Jordan, Anfernee Hardaway, Will Parcells, Will Mays Hayes (Major League CF), Ben "The Jet" Rodriguez (The Sandlot), BG Legend Tony Daniels, Pat Roy, Chuck Woodson or Charlie Woodson, and my favorite, Mr. Ass Will Gunn. 

So if you are looking to spend a good hour thinking of names to add to my admittedly time constrained list, then feel free.  I know there are some gems out there, so lets hear em'.

And Never Run The Toss Sweep

Coach Deuce