Media Bracket: Hayes vs. Claiborne

by Brad Lee on Jul 21, 2010 8:00 AM CDT

Now that we've got two match-ups pretty much in the books, let's get to some ones that will actually cause some decision making.

As a reminder, this is an ongoing tournament of mainstream media in St. Louis that cover the Blues. It's who you like, who you trust, who you want moving on to face another media person in the next round. We'll probably even let the winner know he (or she) is the king of the hockey Internet in the Gateway City. Maybe we can make a trophy. And I'm also finishing a logo for this thing. We're going to look fancy.

Anyway, polls open for 48 hours. Do some campaigning for your guy in the comments. Another vote this afternoon. And here we go.

No. 4 Seed Bob Burnes Group
Jim "The Cat" Hayes - Host/Reporter for Fox Sports Midwest

Hayes has been a familiar face on Blues television broadcasts for several seasons now. He conducts pre-game, intermission and post-game interviews. He's also been known to host the studio show on occasion as well has produce humorous comedy bits that run during games. Hayes is also one part of the The Morning After radio show currently on KFNS 590 AM. The show has seen multiple incarnations on that station, moving to 1380 and then returning earlier this summer. The New York Native has worked in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Doug Weight accused him on live radio of ween peaking in the Blues dressing room.

No. 5 Seed Bob Burnes Group
Mike Claiborne - Radio host KTRS 550 AM

(could not find photo)

Claiborne is a longtime veteran of sports talk radio in St. Louis dating back to the format's inception in the early 1990s. He was a mainstay at all-sports station KFNS before moving to KTRS in 2006 when the Blues were still broadcast on the station. He was recruited to give more depth to the station's hockey coverage, but that lasted just one season before the Blues returned to KMOX after KTRS was partially bought by the St. Louis Cardinals and started airing baseball games. Claiborne has also worked as a sports agent. He hosts several sports shows on the station and is a primary backup announcer for Cardinals baseball.

***

These 4-5 showdowns are going to be tight, me thinks. Make your case down below in the comments.

Poll

Who wins this match-up of St. Louis sports media?

4. Jim Hayes

147 votes

5. Mike Claiborne

87 votes

234 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Vote for Hayes

I used to like Claiborne when he was on 590. He is a smart guy when he can have his own opinion. 550 strangles any talent that they acquire. 550 continues to fellate the Cardinals every chance they get. Claiborne is knee deep in the fellation.

by NaJaKwa on Jul 21, 2010 8:55 AM CDT reply actions

I voted

for Hayes because he once scored a goal on Panger. (On a Penalty Shot)

Was anyone else there to see this amazing spectacle? It was comedy gold on ice.

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Jul 21, 2010 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

Claibs

has been one of the most knowledgeable hockey guys in this city for a long time. Back when I was in college, he hosted 2 weekly hockey shows on KFNS; my fave was ‘Dropping the Gloves’ with Rob Ramage. Those shows were pretty much the only hockey coverage at the time, and I looked forward to them every week. Great memories for me personally. And he’s a top-notch interviewer. None of those ‘I set them up, you knock em down with a stupid cliche that we’ve all heard a billion times’ questions. I actually came away from his interviews having learned something, which was refreshing and is far too uncommon these days.

And Jim Hayes is a giant tool with a bad hair piece. This is the guy that informed us a few weeks ago that Brendan Ryan was wearing a thong to bust his slump. That’s the kind of in-depth reporting I could do without. Seems like FSN will hire just about anyone these days (see: Paris, Pat), so don’t let his position as sideline reporter for the Blues broadcasts influence your decision. A slightly trained monkey could do his job.

Vote Claibs in 2010!

www.stlouisgametime.com

by Angst vorm Nichts on Jul 21, 2010 1:48 PM CDT reply actions

I think the vote totals

are a “what have you done for me lately” kind of thing. Working for the Cardinals station and not having the Blues on the air, his profile in the hockey community is way down.

www.stlouisgametime.com

by Brad Lee on Jul 21, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Has the vermin's fur on The Cat's head

been identified yet?

I’m going with a dead polecat but when the light’s just right I’m leaning muskrat.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Jul 21, 2010 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

isnt the thing

on the Cat’s head a cat, thought that be how he got his nickname

if it is NOT a cat, then im guessing that it is perhaps it is Stinky’s Mom

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Jul 22, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

My lord

that’s a nasty animal right there.

Just a chew toy for the hockey gods

by spectr17 on Jul 22, 2010 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions

No on Jimmy the Cat

He’s jokey. I remember hearing Claibs, and he was good.

St. Louis Game Time Fact: Morning links are part of a well-balanced meal.

SBNSTL Writing about the Blues in more than one line is tough.

by averagejoe on Jul 21, 2010 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

anyone who can't

out jibe the hungarian can’t get my vote sorry cat. keep up the cardinal second banana fluff though

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Jul 21, 2010 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

Claibs is one of the only

announcer, media, radio-type that I will miss. I recently moved out to L.A. and he is one of the most knowledgeable people in the StL area. Period.

And I will miss Shannon’s drunken stories… a lot…

but I’m glad I don’t have to hear Hrb anytime soon. Al is close to being the biggest tool on the air, close to this guy…

Its weird... half the year my blood is red... but then the other half... it's blue... hm...

by PeacockJac on Jul 21, 2010 9:05 PM CDT reply actions

Hayes.

That’s all.

St. Louis Game Time . . . I need another beer.
And I can also write things in 140 characters or fewer.

by Donut King on Jul 23, 2010 6:12 AM CDT reply actions

Claibs wins pompous ass award over Miklasz

Despite the toupee I’ll vote for Jimmy “pussy cat” Hayes. Jimmy, really… the hair piece aint fooling no one Stevie wonder doesn’t even wonder about it…♬ He just called to say its a toupee ♪

by Mo'FiZZle on Jul 23, 2010 5:25 PM CDT reply actions