Sam I Am

Pending verification of his eligibility, Samuel Louis Charles, aka Bigsam112, won ESPN's Streak for the Cash game last night, when the Steelers came roaring back late against the Cowboys. Charles, who hails from North Miami Beach, Florida, picked 25 straight wins in the contest, dating back to October 23, when he picked the Rays over the Phillies in the second game of the World Series. 

Last night's pick earned Sam a cool million, and he's still in a position to pick up another $10,000, if his streak holds up as the longest overall before the game ends on December 31.

We Are All Bigsam112

Unbeknownst to me, ESPN has been running an online contest, Streak for the Cash, for fans who think they can pick 25 straight winners from a pool of network-sanctioned matchups. The first person to do so before December 31, 2008 wins a cool million dollars. 

Say what you will about ESPN, but this is an idea I can get behind. I wish I had known about the contest earlier, though, because one participant-- known only as Bigsam112-- is one pick away from a nice pre-Christmas stocking stuffer. 

Bigsam112 has picked 24 in a row, including, for my money, his gutsiest call, the Dolphins over the Broncos, in Denver, at the beginning of November. Most recently, Bigsam112, who started off losing five in a row before his current hot streak, correctly picked the Buccaneers over the Saints for his 24th consecutive winner. He is the third contestant to reach 24, according to the ESPN.com, but, as of this writing, has yet to make his potential million-dollar pick.

I don't know about you, but I'm rooting for the sports geek. I'd love to see him take one from the Worldwide Leader.