While it could have made the list, I decided the time was right to eschew any further discussion of Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson.
#5: Musical introductions for players coming to bat.
This has been on my list for several years, dating back to media days in Denver. When covering the Rockies in their pre-competitive seasons, outfielder Larry Walker would always arrive at the plate accompanied to the strains of "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne. Once a game is OK. Twice, we're stretching. Walker was up 5 times on this particular evening. Five times I heard a portion of a melody that can't hold a candle to "Iron Man", and from which the MLB royalty check likely helped pay for the latest acting/singing/dancing lessons and liposuction treatments for daughter Kelly.
This tradition, once abolished, can only be reinstated if a Boston Red Sox player has the courage to step to bat amidst the melodic wafting of Barry Manilow's "Weekend in New England".
#4:The NBA All-Star Game Dunk Contest.
When the last memorable entry in any such competition can be traced to Michael Jordan, Spud Webb, or a player who has to wear a Superman insignia and cape to get attention, there can be only one conclusion. This once anticipated event, now on an entertainment par with Charles Barkley one-liners, only serves as a marvelous anachronism of what was once something unique and capable of striking genuine thunder in every arena.
Judging by what I've seen the last few seasons when it comes to thrills and being shocked at what many NBA players can do, the greater entertainment value would come from a free throw shooting contest.
#3: The current NASCAR Sprint Cup points system.
There's nothing more important for any sport than having rules even the casual fan can understand. And as a died in the grease pan fan of motorsports since the days of Richard Petty and the #43 Dodge, I keep hoping that NASCAR will come up with a simplified points system that doesn't need a slide rule, a spread sheet, the IBM "Deep Blue" computer, and a degree in quantum physics to decipher.
#2: The WNBA
It has nothing to do with the skills of the players. I have no doubt some of the WNBA players could even give a few NBA players a run for their bloated salaries.
But when a professional sports league that is 13 years old trumpets a rise in attendance for their last season by noting the average was just over 8,000 fans per game, an increase over the previous season of 1% (yes, you read correctly), then a case could be made it's time to consider yourself something less than major league.
And I see more fathers bringing their daughters to an NBA game despite the WNBA promoting itself as the place to teach young girls about equality in sports, and no barriers to their dreams of playing professional basketball.
Or being part of the dance team.
#1: The NFL Pro Bowl
When the highlight of a meaningless game is the even more meaningless player who changed his last name merely for the ego boost, brags about receiving the participation $45,000 check merely to pay off his various fines from the season, (all dished out for his being more reprobate than receiver), and then escapes criticism for insulting those of specific heritage by claiming to be "the first Mexican" to play in the game, then the evidence is clear.
Thank you to the former Chad Johnson for transforming Arthur Fonzarelli's shark-jumping to minor league status.
And proving once again the real value to Pro Bowl Sunday.
Reminding those of us who always forget to get those tires balanced and rotated in winter.
This is a short version, and the entire column can be read at Ed Berliner's commentary page. Ed Berliner is represented by Entourage Management.