As of noon, balloting closed for this week’s “Punchline” caption contest. Given the widespread skepticism about Ballpark Village, I figured R.J. Matson’s “Lake DeWitt” cartoon would draw a record number of entries. But R.J. reported late this morning:

The Lake DeWitt Punch Line is number 5 on the all-time list. It has
463 captions so far and will almost certainly surpass Charlie the Turtle to reach number 4.

The record was set by the “Steroids and Tony LaRussa” Punch Line of February 29th which got a Ruthian, or should I say, Bondsian, 780 captions. That’s a mark that could stand for a long, long time.

Here are the Top Five.

780 Captions- Steroids and LaRussa, Feb 29, 2008

557 Captions-Majerus/Burke Basketball Camp, January 25, 2008

515 Captions-US Department Of Competence, May 18, 2007

470 Captions-Charlie The Turtle Escapes, September 7, 2007

463 (and counting) Lake Dewitt, April 3, 2008

We’ll vote on the Top Five captions for the Lake DeWitt Punchline and post the finalists this afternoon. The winner will be announced, as always, on Friday’s Commentary Page.