Did he really just say that?

When they aren’t busy boring us with cliches, a fair portion of the world’s sporting elite has spent the electronic entertainment era proving that athletic and intellectual prowess rarely swim in the same gene pool.

This is no condemnation of that rather predictable disparity between physical and mental gifts. This is a celebration of that typical dichotomy.

The cliched are loathed and the creative celebrated, however inane. Forget respect, compassion and humility. Quotability is the ultimate virtue, blandness the deadliest of sins.

Keep your canned responses. Give us more Yogi and less yoga.

New England can have Belichick. Bring on Cowher.

For every Charles Barkley there are a dozen Charles Shacklefords. Pithy, thoughtful quotes might be the goal, but outrageous claims, loquacious drivel and verbal gaffes are pure gold.

So, speak freely, ye sports stars, when the microphone is thrust your way and dare to join our Hall of Fame.

Yogis — A selection of malapropisms that would do Yogi Berra proud:

“Always go to other people’s funerals. Otherwise they won’t come to yours.”

— Yogi Berra. Our favorite offering from the sports world’s Godfather of Droll.

“I’ve always tried to immolate Isiah Thomas.”

— Point guard T.J. Ford during his freshman year at Texas. Ford undeniably was an offensive igniter.

“There are some teams who will try to circumcise the rules.”

— Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. The Mad Mustache is a cut above on the sidelines and on the interview podium.

“Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious.”

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