Great Moments in Sports Journalism

I’m not going to suggest that this is the greatest lede in the history of journalism, but I will submit that this is the greatest lede in the history of journalism:

I was listening to the San Diego Chicken give a speech the other day …

It gets arguably better right about … here!

After all these years, I still get a charge when I first spot the San Diego Chicken — that same visceral reaction you get when you see a very pregnant woman walking down the sidewalk — her innie now an outtie. You poke whoever’s next to you — “Hey, look!” — as if you’re about to witness a miracle, pay attention.

I’m not quite sure whether the San Diego Chicken is like a pregnant woman or like a pregnant woman’s navel, but I find it impossible to disagree with either position.

What I do know is that anyone Googling the search terms “San Diego Chicken” + “pregnant” + “navel” will wind up first at the L.A. Times and then here. And that’s the greatest gift of all.

(Impregnation of gratitude: BBTF)