8 Professional Sports Talk Analysts We Can't Help but Love

Whether they make memorable appearances on TV programs, make us laugh with their witty insight during radio spots and interviews or have a flair for the dramatic, some sports talk analysts are just hard not to love.

ESPN arguably changed the face of sports when they introduced SportsCenter back in 1979. You could now find out the results of major sports competitions the day of.

Before ESPN began reporting on sports news via television, one had to rely on word of mouth or local news stations. If neither could provide adequate information, one had to wait for the newspaper tomorrow morning.

SportsCenter changed the role the media played in sports, especially regarding local sports.

It also changed the role of those who reported the sports news. No longer were they merely a name above an article. They became stars themselves, adopting unique personalities, and entertainment became as crucial as accuracy of analysis.

Today there are countless television and radio analysts who have made a name for themselves as sportscasters. Sports Media Monitor has compiled a few lists ranking the best analysts, announcers, etc., but our list here isn't about good or bad. It is about lovability.

The eight persons to follow might be loosely defined as "sports talk analysts," as they may primarily be more accurately described as "color commentators" or simply "talk show hosts." Regardless, all have qualities that make them an enjoyable watch and listen to viewers.

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley is the wild card of sports talk right now. You can literally never tell whether he is going to provide first-hand, experience-derived insight into gameplay or if he is going to drop a bomb.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barkley has been fined as much as a television personality than as a player. It is his zero-filter attitude that keeps viewers coming back for more. He has made questionable comments (like the video above) and flipped a bird on live television but also has fun on set.

He certainly is never shy about sharing his opinion, even if he has no reason to.

Woody Paige

Woody Paige, the long-time panel member of ESPN's Around the Horn, sounds like he is going to have a heart attack every time he speaks. Even Snoop Dogg couldn't handle the intensity with which Paige delivers his responses.

Another reason he is lovable is because it seems like every episode at every chance they get, the other members of the show do their best to tick him off.

He has apparently made it to his 2000th show on Around the Horn, which is a testament to his longevity and popularity.

Follow Woody Paige on Twitter.

Lee Corso

It all started in 1996. Lee Corso somehow got Ohio State to let him borrow Brutus the Buckeye's mascot head. It began a tradition that the 78-year-old Corso has kept going to this day.

ESPN's College GameDay had been a television program since 1987, but once Corso began the tradition nine years later, it became an event. Students gather behind the podium where the hosts sit, awaiting Corso's decision.

And rightfully so.

According to the video above, Corso has been right almost 70% of the time, including a perfect 15 for 15 when picking the USC Trojans.

A senior citizen running around as the Oregon Duck, dressing up as Benjamin Franklin, or putting on a purple cow head...it's like co-host Kirk Herbstreit says in the video above, "Only he could do that."

Bill Simmons

We can't help but love Bill Simmons. Not because he has a stellar personality (frankly, he is monotony in all its glory) like most everyone else on this list. We can't help but love Bill Simmons because he is a self-made man.

He has become the envy of every sports blogger in the world...because up until 2011 when he launched Grantland.com, he was just some guy who wrote for ESPN.com. Grantland seamlessly integrates pop culture with sport analysis and has become very popular for its novel angle.

Since 2012 he has been a part of the NBA Countdown pregame show, replacing Chris Broussard

Follow Bill Simmons on Twitter.

Tim Kurkjian

Players love imitating Tim Kurkjian's quirky voice and uncanny ability to pull statistics from every which direction. Viewers love watching him.

Whenever Kurkjian is featured to give his insight or expertise, it really looks like the guy enjoys his job. People love quirkiness (kurkiness?) and honestly, and Kurkjian has both with a side of smarts.

His stats knowledge is so extensive that Baseball Tonight even had a segment called "Kurk Gems" (a pun on the previously established "Web Gems") which featured Kurkjian and his numbers in all their glory.

Follow Tim Kurkjian on Twitter.

Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith has received both praises and jeers for his no-filter, no-b.s. style of analysis.

As the co-host of ESPN's First Take, maybe Stephen A. finds himself on this list because of how polarized viewers are when it comes to his co-host Skip Bayless. Perhaps Stephen A. is so likable because he gets to yell at Bayless all the time and we all want to have that job.

He also co-hosts The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show on ESPN Radio New York 98.7 FM and is a featured columnist for ESPNNY.com.

Follow Stephen A. Smith on Twitter or catch him on First Take on ESPN2 weekdays, 10 a.m. ET.

Dan Le Batard

Dan Le Batard, the king of post-game rants!

At 3:34 in the above video, "Doodle Jump" comes from a commercial Kevin Durant did for Sprint in the weeks leading up to the NBA Finals. There is no reason for Le Batard to scream it, but somehow it makes sense and only makes me laugh more every time I hear it.

He has done a rant on his radio show The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz for every big win that the Miami Heat have had. It all started with the rant after team president Pat Riley got LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade back in 2010, which gave us such gems as "New York, welcome to another decade of irrelevance," "Cleveland's owner is a crazy person," and "Riley got 'em all, discounted!"

Le Batard also hosts Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable on ESPN2 with his father, Gonzalo Le Batard, and Bomani Jones and has made multiple subbing appearances on Pardon the Interruption.

Follow Dan Le Batard on Twitter.

Dick Vitale

Dickie V baby!

The former coach, now-college basketball guru has been adding to our vocabulary ever since he joined ESPN in 1979 to co-announce their first-ever college basketball game, DePaul vs. Wisconsin.

His catch phrases include but are not limited to "diaper dandy," "dipsy-doo dunk-a-roo," "P.T.P." and "dishing the rock." He is, for all intents and purposes, the king of college basketball. His voice is synonymous with exciting March Madness play, and his idioms are unforgettable.

He has authored many books, makes spot appearances on ESPN sports talk shows and even has a Twitter. His opinion is one of the most trusted in college basketball.

By the way, his Vitales and my Vitales have no relation that I know of.