DIBIASE: Ranking the best SportsCenter anchors
Justin Dibiase
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports
11 p.m. For most of the country, this time of day has special meaning. At 11 p.m., Americans put their kids to bed, grab a bag of chips, settle into their favorite recliner in front of the TV and wait for the day's top sports stories on the one and only "SportsCenter." Often imitated but never replicated, "SportsCenter" has been a staple of American culture for over 25 years. As the years have passed, "SportsCenter," like a young LeBron James, has matured before our very eyes. Sets, music and segments have come and gone, but the one thing that will always keep "SportsCenter" the media giant it is today is its anchors. There have been the good, the bad and the ugly in front of the Bristol, Conn., cameras. As they critique and report on the athletes of today, here's a stab at categorizing the anchors of today and yesterday.
Kings of All the Land
Scott Van Pelt: Besides hair, Van Pelt has it all. His enthusiasm and love for all sports make him an easy choice to top this list.
Memorable quote: "Useful shot, that. Useful!" (done in a British accent during golf highlights).
Kenny Mayne: The king of dry humor, Mayne has been a mainstay on "SportsCenter" since 1994. Mayne has also embarrassed himself on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," where he cha-cha'd his way to the losers' circle.
Memorable quote: "That must be a Homer, Simpson, 'cuz the pitcher just said 'D'oh!'"
Dan Patrick: The recently departed "SportsCenter" anchor had his share of good shows on ESPN. In the '90s, Patrick teamed with Keith Olbermann - a team that in its heyday was better than Jordan's Bulls. He has the look of a serious journalist and the gift of gab that allows him to excel in an environment such as "SportsCenter."
Memorable quote: "You can't stop him; you can only hope to contain him."
Rich Eisen: The now-NFL Network star was a joy to watch during his time on ESPN. Working alongside Stuart Scott, Eisen is best known for his impersonations and his ESPN reality show "Beg, Borrow & Deal."
Kings of All the Land
Scott Van Pelt: Besides hair, Van Pelt has it all. His enthusiasm and love for all sports make him an easy choice to top this list.
Memorable quote: "Useful shot, that. Useful!" (done in a British accent during golf highlights).
Kenny Mayne: The king of dry humor, Mayne has been a mainstay on "SportsCenter" since 1994. Mayne has also embarrassed himself on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," where he cha-cha'd his way to the losers' circle.
Memorable quote: "That must be a Homer, Simpson, 'cuz the pitcher just said 'D'oh!'"
Dan Patrick: The recently departed "SportsCenter" anchor had his share of good shows on ESPN. In the '90s, Patrick teamed with Keith Olbermann - a team that in its heyday was better than Jordan's Bulls. He has the look of a serious journalist and the gift of gab that allows him to excel in an environment such as "SportsCenter."
Memorable quote: "You can't stop him; you can only hope to contain him."
Rich Eisen: The now-NFL Network star was a joy to watch during his time on ESPN. Working alongside Stuart Scott, Eisen is best known for his impersonations and his ESPN reality show "Beg, Borrow & Deal."
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