I'm not in a league with Faulkner, Hemingway, or Fitzgerald.  Nor do I want to be, what with it being a league of dead guys.  Dead white guys are getting really bad press these days anyway, and college lit students are going around saying things such as,   "Shakespeare is like, so, 1590." which is because they are like, so, uneducated. 

But there is a solution.  FOX has put a "spicy premium chicken" logo next to the names of all the NGS finalists.  It also has a pepper by the logo so you will know that our blogs are "hot".  (I'm trying to keep a straight face when I write that and it's not working).  So, I'm thinking what we could do to revive interest in really good authors like Shakespeare, Milton, and Homer (quick, which two made it to the majors*) is to put out a list with something like a flaming skillet by their names.

Since that isn't likely to happen, instead I'd like to point you toward some really good writers I frequently read here on the FOX blogs.  One thing I've found since I've been in this NGS II contest is that it brings you more readers and comments.  The contest is a really good advertisement for your blog.  So, this is a chance to use that ad space to encourage you to read some bloggers who aren't in the contest.  (I won't mention the guys like SoCal, ShooterB, NorCal, Mustang, Ty, and Sleepless because most everyone already knows their blogs).   It's also my way of saying thanks to them and the other  people who have been so encouraging about the contest before they come and take the logo down (which could be any minute now). 

In the words of the Amazon reviews, if you like this blog you might also enjoy:

http://blogs.foxsports.com/GerbilSportsNetwork  This is what "The Onion" magazine aspires to be on it's best days.  Con Chapman is from Bawston, is a published author, and writes one of the funniest and most literate blogs you can find anywhere on the internet.  For example, his most recent post is entitled "ICL Moves to Rein In Chess Goons."  Need I say more.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/The_Sports_Intellectual  It appears he has at least temporarily disappeared, and if so it's our loss.  The guy must be a professional writer or comic.  His use of language is on the order of someone like George Carlin.  An off the charts genius.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/MCLioness MCLioness is the resident expert on all things Detroit, especially the Lions.  During the inevitably long Lions off season (what with them normally being eliminated from the NFC Central race sometime about the 3rd preseason game) she is the best tennis writer in our little corner of the world.  She manages to get people interested in a sport that isn't front and center in the headlines everyday which is no small accomplishment (and I'm just kidding about the Lions, who I think are going to break out this year).  An effortlessly good writer who brings depth to a subject without staying too long.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/HalfBaked  Half Baked is a Notre Dame grad who can write with authority on just about any sports topic.  You usually find something in his blog that you hadn't thought about before and his ability to find fresh angles to sports stories is truely remarkable.  An early candidate for NGS III stardom.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/ellesie99-Laura's blog is, for reasons not revealed, by Ellesie99.  This is an exceptional blog for coverage of a single team or region.  She sticks with the Mavs and Rangers for the most part and it is because of her that I know anything at all about the NBA finals.  It's a fan's perspective on a team and when you string the posts together over a season you get a real inside look at a team like the Mavericks that you don't even get reading national columnists.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/Metswon-Similar to Laura's Blog in that it works around a particular region (New York).  He branches out into other sports than just baseball, but is really at his best writing about the Mets.  You should go there if for no other reason than to see a truely freightening photo of Felix Millan in his May 7th post.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/CarolynT-Carolyn T is a Mets fan, but her current mission is to convert us to soccer fans.  It takes considerable nerve to even want to try, and even more writing ability which she has in spades.  I pound words into submission, she lets them flow like a mountain brook.  There is insight and good humor in her writings and she has already developed a following among FOX blog readers.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/MeanDovine-Maybe he doesn't belong in this list because he's already well known.  He is to writing what Hank Aaron's swing was to hitting.  You know there had to have been hard work put into it but it seems effortless  He has a gift for writing, which he has graciously given over to covering those of us in NGS II.   His NBA posts are gaining alot of attention and hopefully he'll branch out soon into other areas.  If 'Dime' is paying attention they ought to sign him up now.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/ShoelessSchmo-Do we have a category for "blog noir"?  Black and white photos, references to Marilyn Monroe (the early years) and an Al Pacino avatar that somehow evokes memories of Edward R. Murrow.  What's not to like?

http://blogs.foxsports.com/IowaGirl-NASCAR is big on FOX and has a surprisingly large group of bloggers.  They tend not to spill over into other sports.  Iowa Girl is probably the best example.  What she doesn't know about NASCAR probably isn't worth knowing anyway.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/canyondave-Anyone who starts off a blog entry-"Dallas, Texas, the town that killed Kennedy" isn't playing around. The focus is on Texas and it reads like it was written by a Texan.  No bull.  Manages to be hard sports coverage and an interesting style all at once.

http://blogs.foxsports.com/demonicume-It is what it says it is-"Shots From the Dark Side".  A challenging, but very intelligent read.  Not your father's sports blog.

It's 84 degrees and sunny in Greensboro.  Too nice a day to stay inside blogging.  Hope y'all have a great weekend.  

*The answer is one.  Eric Milton with the Reds.  I thought there was a Shakespeare (3b) with the Dodgers, but he must have stopped in the minors.