A new name has entered the history books in The Jungle. Jim Rome crowned a champion on Friday in his 29th annual Smackoff. It came down to three men – Brad in Corona, Mark in Boston and Mark in Hollywood.
As Rome was handing out his final rankings, he made not of all the past winners that participated, including Sean Pendergast of SportsRadio 610 in Houston, better known to the clones as “The Cablinasian.” He finished fifth in 2023.
Brad in Corona won high praise from Rome, who said he may have had the best call of the day. Unfortunately, he was done in by a poor connection.
“Two technical glitches,” Rome said, explaining why he was ranking Brad third. “I made it so clear. You have to have a clear connection.”
In judging the two Marks, Rome noted that he was impressed with the production value that both men put into their calls. He crowned Mark in Boston the winner, because not only was his call excellent, he also traveled halfway across the country to give it some extra oomph.
Mark showed up in Wisconsin at a restaurant called The Lorelei to deliver his call in the face of last year’s winner, Caleb.
“This guy went into the defending champ’s house dressed as a cow unannounced in a different state. Showed up as the enemy and ripped the crown off the champ’s head. That, to me, was the most stand-out moment of the entire day,” Rome said.
The crew then called Mark to celebrate the victory. He said it was good to know that for however long The Jim Rome Show lasts, he is now etched in its history.
“I got to tell you, man, I had this idea the minute Caleb won the crown,” the first-time Smackoff champion said. “I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to take the biggest thing I’ve ever had in my life and if this swing doesn’t land, if I don’t hit it on the laces and get it out of the park, then I’m not sure if I can win it.’ And that feels really damn good to put it over the fence. It feels amazing.”
