Thanks to your numerous and persuasive comments, Confined Space is the winner of the 2005 Koufax Award for the Best Single Issue Blog, beating out previous 3-time winner, Talk Left. The "Sandy's" are given to the best “lefty” (as in Sandy Koufax) blog in a variety of categories. Thanks to all of you who voted for Confined Space:

Best Single Issue Blog

This category has always been dominated by Jeralyn Merritt of Talk Left. She won in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

This year, Jeralyn finished second to Jordan Barab of Confined Space, a blog devoted to News and Commentary on Workplace Health & Safety, Labor and Politics.

Congratulations, Jordan.

How did Jordan unseat the reigning champion?

Susie:

I am a huge fan and cast my vote for Confined Space, because Jordan has so thoroughly documented the deliberate dismantlement of worker protections under the Bush administration.

When those miners were trapped in West Virginia, I knew where to turn for the truth: Confined Space.

Because Jordan has never forgotten the plight of manual laborers, factory workers and the other blue-collar citizens treated as disposable in Bush's America, he is my hero.

Pam Tau Lee:

Confined Space, the blog that truly keeps giving and giving... truth, passion, and solidarity.

Rory O'Neill:

Confined Space - this blog made workplace deaths and disease a scandal. It has changed reporting of the issue in the media, and has started a new debate in the US. Given the US is a world class workplace killer with laughable penalties for safety crimes - see the Sago mine explosion, for example - this is a crucial resource.

Captain Safety:

Confined Space - Changing the workplace for the better, one posting at a time.

As I said in my recent “Blogiversary” message, this whole process (win or lose) was not only extremely gratifying (You like me, you really like me) which keeps me going through the late lonely nights in my dank, gloomy basement, but also educational: Confined Space seems to be filling a void in the health and safety movement.

Finally, the Best Single Issue Blog was not the only category that picked the best of the best. Go check out the winners in the other categories as well:

The winners list:

Best Blog -- Non Professional
Crooks & Liars

Best Blog -- Professional or Sponsored
Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo

Best Blog Community
Daily Kos

Most Deserving of Wider Recognition
Echidne of the Snakes

Best New Blog
Glenn Greenwald of Unclaimed Territory

Best Writing
Digby of Hullabaloo

Best Single Issue Blog
Jordan Barab of Confined Space

Best Expert Blog
Pharyngula by P.Z. Myers

Best Group Blog
Shakespeare's Sister

Best Post
Bag News Notes for Katrina Aftermath: And Then I Saw These

Best Series
FireDogLake for Plame coverage

Most Humorous Blog
Jesus' General

Most Humorous Post Dood Abides for
The Wizard of Oil

Best State or Local Blog
Bluegrass Report and Tennessee Guerilla Women

Best Commenter
Georgia10

P.S. And at some point around 8:30 tonight, Confined Space surpassed a half million hits.

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