Stephen A. Smith Warmly Welcomed to Blogosphere: Our Early Top 10 Comments Ranking

For those of you not in the inner circle of the blogosphere, sh*t done blowed up today because evidence of a Stephen A. Smith blog hath surfaced.

Stephen A. has been one of those rare "mainstream" media personalities who has managed to incur the wrath of sports bloggers around the country. I've only been doing this whole blogging thing for about six months now. During that time, I've learned at least one thing. There is an unspoken bond between those of us who try to capture our rambling thoughts via new media platforms. If you say something derogatory about the lot, beware the fury.

Colin Cowherd was on the receiving end. Philly columnist Bill Conlin has endured similar torment. Those examples should've been ample warning. Don't make blanket statements about bloggers and expect to walk away unscathed. Oh yea, and another tip, don't do that particularly if you intend to someday blog yourself.

Can you see where we're going with this? Uh-oh. So, back a few months ago Stephen A. says the following about sports bloggers:

"And when you look at the internet business, what's dangerous about it is that people who are clearly unqualified get to disseminate their piece to the masses. I respect the journalism industry, and the fact of the matter is ...someone with no training should not be allowed to have any kind of format whatsoever to disseminate to the masses to the level which they can. They are not trained. Not experts."

He continues:

"Therefore, there's a total disregard, a level of wrecklessness that ends up being a domino effect. And the people who suffer are the common viewers out there and, more importantly, those in the industry who haven't been fortunate to get a radio or television deal and only rely on the written word. And now they've been sabotaged. Not because of me. Or like me. But because of the industry or the world has allowed the average joe to resemble a professional without any credentials whatsoever."

Now, the whole blogosphere got a kick out of this and, in particular, SAS's spelling of recklessness. But, now, these same "average Joes" are able to welcome Stephen A. to the online world. Predictably, the hospitality has been warm and gracious with many comments directed at SAS's referral to his "online blog." Our top 10 to date from actual comments to Stephen A. Smith's first blog post (note the names of posters...fantastic):

10. Posted by: Bill Walton January 23, 2008 at 04:52 PM
welcome to the ranks of the "unqualified, untrained, reckless, non-expert non-professionals.".

9. Posted by: Huddy January 23, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I think that riting a blog like this is just wreckless.

8. Posted by: SLAVA MEDVEDENKO January 23, 2008 at 05:56 PM
QUITE FRANKLY I'M AMAZED THAT YOUR BLOG ISN'T WRITTEN IN 50 POINT FONT!

7. Posted by: Al Gore January 23, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Please enlighten us with your expert political views Screamin' A! And remember, the louder you speak, the more correct your opinion. Tenets to live by.

6. Posted by: NHZ January 23, 2008 at 03:51 PM
I find it hard to believe that people exist who wish your voice would expand. Even your written word feels like you're yelling at me. But I'm sold. And I can't wait for entry #2.

5. Posted by: The412 January 23, 2008 at 03:42 PM
To subscribe to the Offline version of the Blog do I need to do anything besides unplug my internet connection?

4. Posted by: lozo January 23, 2008 at 03:50 PM
All these years my blog has been OFFLINE. No wonder those crackers at BallHype never recognized me!

3. Posted by: The Stephen A. Smith Heckling Society of Gentlemen January 23, 2008 at 04:21 PM
This is a great blog, ESPN should have never fired you because you were a terrible talk show host and no one watched.

2. Posted by: Rupert January 23, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I hate you. I mean it...I really, rwally hate you. I hate you more than I've ever hated anything in my life. If I was forced to choose between saving your life and the life of Osama Bin Laden, I'd choose Bin Laden. And then take him out drinking to celebrate your death. So what I'm really trying to say is your an ass and I along with the rest of the world hate you. I hope you get trampled to death by a herd of rampaging rhinos...because I hate you.

1. Posted by: Enrico Palazzo January 23, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I love this "Online Blog." I am reading it on my "PC Computer." When I get home, I will read it on my "Macintosh I Mac." Perhaps I will make it my "homepage website url." No, I think I will limit it to a "bookmark favorite." If I can't find it, I'm sure I could "Google Search" it. I will likely leave many "Reply comments." Thank you, Thanks.

Editor's Note 1/24: Quick one. According to the folks at Deadspin, the comments on Stephen A.'s blog have taken a turn for the worse (we've yet to read those comments and don't plan to). However, we'd like to echo Leitch's sentiments in that we're all for playful ribbing about the online blog and all, but there's no reason to go all nasty and inappropriate.