 Classic SI photo by George Tiedemann/GT Images |
Oversized Impact
Despite being the second-smallest state in the union, Delaware has always been a big player in stock-car racing. Known as the Monster Mile, Dover International Speedway has hosted two races a year since its opening in 1969. Each race weekend brings in an estimated $45 million to the Delaware economy.
|
|
GREATEST ATHLETES |
Randy White, Wilmington
Co-MVP of Super Bowl XII went to nine Pro Bowls in 14 seasons (1975-88) with Cowboys.
|
|
|
Judy Johnson, Wilmington
Pittsburgh Crawfords third baseman was two-time Negro leagues All-Star in the 1930s and 1975 Hall of Fame inductee.
|
|
Delino DeShields, Seaford
High school All-America in baseball and basketball; has 393 steals in 10 seasons with Expos, Dodgers, Cardinals and Orioles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLASHBACK |
1984: He'll Tackle Anything
The Cowboys', and perhaps professional football's, top player is veteran defensive lineman Randy White, who goes nonstop on field -- and stream
To all those who labor in the shadows that others might shine, let it be known that the folks in Dallas -- knowledgeable fans and Cowboy management alike -- have come to this conclusion: The best player on their team is a lineman.
FULL STORY
|
|
|
|
HARRIS POLL RESULTS |
Who do Delawareans root for? SI asked the First State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
Philadelphia Phillies | 42% |
Baltimore Orioles | 14% |
New York Yankees | 8% |
Favorite NFL team
Philadelphia Eagles | 41% |
Washington Redskins | 8% |
Green Bay Packers | 5% |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 5% |
San Francisco 49ers | 5% |
Favorite NBA team
Philadelphia 76ers | 42% |
Los Angeles Lakers | 6% |
Washington Wizards | 4% |
No favorite | 33% |
Favorite NHL team
Philadelphia Flyers | 53% |
New York Islander | 3% |
Washington Capitals | 3% |
No favorite | 29% |
Favorite announcer
Harry Kalas | 23% |
John Madden | 18% |
|
Favorite pro team
Philadelphia Eagles | 23% |
Philadelphia Phillies | 9% |
Philadelphia Flyers | 8% |
Washington Redskins | 6% |
Philadelphia 76ers | 6% |
Favorite college team
Delaware football | 21% |
Penn State football | 15% |
Notre Dame football | 4% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a team in your state
Rich Gannon | 35% |
Randy White | 18% |
State's biggest sports rivalry
Delaware-Delaware State | 17% |
Eagles-Cowboys | 7% |
Delaware-Villanova | 6% |
Eagles-Redskins | 4% |
State's biggest rival
Pennsylvania | 25% |
Maryland | 10% |
New York | 10% |
|
Favorite sports to watch on TV?
Football | 73% |
Summer Olympics | 46% |
Winter Olympics | 43% |
Baseball | 39% |
Basketball | 36% |
Auto racing | 35% |
Multiple responses allowed | |
Favorite sport to participate in
Bowling | 15% |
Basketball | 13% |
Fishing | 13% |
Golf | 13% |
Swimming | 13% |
Baseball or softball | 10% |
Which is more important to you - sports or sex?
Sports | 17% |
Sex | 55% |
Decline to answer | 28% |
FUN FACT | |
Forty-seven percent of Delawareans surveyed have prayed for their team to win. Fifty-two percent have taken part in a Super Bowl betting pool. | |
|
* Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 400 Delaware residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/- 4.9%.
|
|
|
Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
|
|
|
|
STATITUDES |
|
140,000 Capacity of grandstands at Dover International Speedway, nearly 1/5th the state's population.
2 Number of NASCAR Winston Cup races each year at DIS.
400 Distance, in miles, of each race.
1.0 Distance, in miles, of one lap around the track.
July 6, 1969 Date of first race at DIS, won by Richard Petty.
2,030 Points scored at Delaware by Mike Pegues, most in school history.
1980 Year Delaware alum Dallas Green managed the Philadelphia Phillies to World Series win.
12th Pick in the first round of 1987 baseball draft with which Montreal Expos selected Delino DeShields.
|
|
ENEMY OF THE STATE |
Jerry Jones
As Philadelphia Eagles fans, Delawareans don't have much love for the Dallas Cowboys' owner. Nor are they crazy about Talley, who coaches Blue Hens football rival Villanova. The state's most hated opponents: the Cowboys (25%), Villanova (16%) and the New York Giants (12%).
Jerry Jones | 9% |
Andy Talley | 8% |
George Steinbrenner | 8% |
|
|
FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: Dec. 7, 1787 (1st state)
Area: 2,489 square miles
Bird: Blue hen chicken
Capital: Dover
Economy: Agriculture -- Poultry, nursery stock, soybeans, dairy products, corn. Industry -- Chemical products, food processing, paper products, rubber and plastic products, scientific instruments, printing and publishing.
| |
Flower: Peach blossom (Prunus persica)
Nickname: First State
Population: 783,600 (45th)
Pro sports teams: None
Major college programs: Delaware Blue Hens, Delaware State Hornets
|
|
|
|
|
|
