Blogdom's Best: San Francisco 49ers

It might not — yet — have the online fanaticism and cachet of baseball, but the NFL and its fans are starting to catch up in the world of team-devoted blogs. To this end, Deadspin salutes these modem-addled souls and proudly presents Blogdom's Best, given to the most outstanding blog for each NFL team. There are fewer than there are for baseball, but they're out there, if you look. If you would like to nominate a blog (yours, even) for selection, just let us know at [email protected]. Today: The San Francisco 49ers.

First of all, we'll have none of this Monster Park nonsense. It's Candlestick, and anyone who says different will end up with that other failed corporate stadium name, 3COM — extinct. It was at Candlestick Park that Dwight Clark made The Catch — the TD grab against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1982 NFL Championship Game that propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl. Four more world championships followed, leaving the 49ers tied with the hated Cowboys for the most in the history of the NFL. Of course, those with real credentials as 49ers fans once attended games at Kezar Stadium, the ancient fortress adjacent to Golden Gate Park that featured Y. A. Tittle, Hurryin' Hugh McElhenny and, by the fourth quarter, a couple of seagulls in the empty seat next to you. But these days, there is no joy in San Francisco. The late Herb Caen once dubbed this city Baghdad By the Bay, and at the time he meant it as a compliment. Today it's also appropriate, at least where the football team is concerned. On Dec. 5, San Francisco meets Arizona in a very important game — the loser may very well earn the NFL's top draft pick. Many 49ers fans will thus be rooting for the Cardinals that day, a notion that would have Steve Young spinning in his grave, if he were in fact dead. Here are three of the best 49ers blogs in the business: 3. Niner Fanatic. Prolific blog dedicated to "The Greatest Sports Organization in the History of Civilization," which may be an overstatement, but there's no denying this guy's sincerity. 2. Mining the Gold Rush. Mike Polhemus should get some kind of an award for tenaciousness — it's not like this team is going anywhere. Good writing. 1. 49ers News. Latest headline: "One step Closer to #1 Pick." That's looking at the bright side.

(Wednesday: New England Patriots)