SAM SMITH MEMORIAL SPORTS BLOGGER TOP 20 TOUTED: AOL’s Jamie Mottram and former ESPNer Dan Shanoff, in response to SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Top 20 most influential online sports figures list, have created a list of the Top 20 most influential sports bloggers, excluding themselves.

Top Five:

1. Will Leitch, Deadspin: Simply put, he has more influence on mainstream sports coverage than anyone in mainstream sports media.

2. Tyler Bleszinski, SB Nation and Athletics Nation: President of the top sports blogging network, which should be bought for millions any day now.

3. Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Acquired and hired by ESPN, giving inspiration to bloggers everywhere.

4. Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog: Redefining how traditional media can cover sports through blogging.

5. MJD, The Mighty MJD and Deadspin: Pound-for-pound the most talented writer among sports bloggers. The next Bill Simmons?

Click on Jamie or Dan’s blog to see the rest.

And yes, like you, I’m disappointed I scared up nary a nude photo of the esteemed, aforementioned sports bloggers.

Perhaps I’ll inquire to Sam Smith about his private piccie collection, via Pony Express telegram, since he seems to have remarkable insight into their method of undress.