Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 22, 2009 from www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
Pittsburgh Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger cancels a news conference scheduled for tomorrow as the NFL and the Steelers look into a civil lawsuit that charges Roethlisberger with rape.
Commissioner Roger Goodell will rule on Michael Vick's possible return to the NFL in the "near future."
Singer Marc Anthony has joined Gloria Estefan as minority owners of the Dolphins. Anthony will sing the National Anthem before the Jets game on October 12th. Damn, I was hoping for Parcells.
According to TMZ Barry Bonds' wife has changed her mind and wants him back.
2. All Dolled Up
The Dodgers couldn't be happier. Tonight is Manny Ramirez bobblehead night and Dodger Stadium will be sold out. As a result, the team will go over 3-million in combined home and road attendance. They sent out a press release announcing it. What the release didn't mention is that Manny was suspended for 50 games for steroids and that the sponsor of the bobbleheads, a health insurance company, pulled out of the promotion. In a delicious irony, the Manny love-fest nearly got sidetracked. He was hit by a pitch last night, but x-rays were negative. If they weren't, everyone involved would have certainly needed that health insurance instead of his bobblehead.
3. A Wasted Vote
Is there anything as silly as a vote of confidence in sports? Often times you can equate them with kisses of death. The Mets supposedly gave their manager and general manager a vote of confidence. The Yankees didn't do the same for their manager. The truth is none of it matters. Kind of like the votes in an Iranian election.
4. Banner Day
Loved the New York Times bit with "banner day." They used to have the event at Shea, but no more. So the Times invited readers to come up with cyberspace banners. A sampling: "Someone Madoff With the Mets' Season." "Mets fever, catch it With Both Hands." " Little League Ball at Big-League Prices." On the one hand you can say that Mets fans are creative. On the other, they've had years and years of practice.
5. Home Wrecker
Under the heading: hooking up is the oldest sport in the world. A female penguin at the San Francisco Zoo has broken up a 6-year relationship between two gay penguins. Linda had lost her mate and has been on the prowl. She then pried Harry away from his boyfriend. Does that make Linda a penguin-cougar? And did she find Harry on Pdate? Discuss among yourselves.