[Aloysius]

Dids - haha really? Didn't know that haven't read Simmons column in a while.

Before I get some hate for my Bill Simmons analogy (hi KBZ) I'll explain myself.

Based on t's description, sounds like Cook was the right guy at the right time, and cannily leveraged Myspace to become incredibly popular. Say what you will about his talent (and again, I know nothing about his act), but he had to strike some chord with America to become the best selling comic in 28 years.

Simmons also leveraged a growing Internet presence and, imo, basically fine-tuned an "everyman Boston fan" persona to get to where he is now. He was also, in the late 90s, giving us an opinion column that seemed fresh and innovative and something most sports fans could connect to - in today's world of the sports blogosphere, it all seems trite and formulaic.

The fact that the Sox and Pats saw a resurgence during his heyday really helped his cause - 100% dumb luck. Although, Simmons was actually interesting, different and great at one point, probably where Cook and Simmons differ.

-Al