Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 23, 2009 from LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
Can you imagine, it was Manny Ramirez bobblehead night in L.A. but Manny didn't start with a sore hand. Oh, he pinch hit a grand slam homer as the Dodgers won. He's eclipsing A-Rod as a headline maker.
Busy day for the Red Sox, they pick up first baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh and drop two games back of the first place Yankees.
"Forbidden videos" of LeBron James being dunked over finally surfaced yesterday. The Zapruder film they ain't.
2. Testing 1-2-3
Major League Baseball uses DNA testing in spots. The New York Times had a front page story yesterday describing how that will be illegal come November. It's been used to try to keep some Latin players honest. For example 19-year old Esmaillyn Gonzalez turned out to be 23-year old Carlos David Alvarez Lugo. And 17-year old Jose Ozoria was really 20-year old Wally Bryan. Players lie to appear younger, and DNA testing sorts out who the real parents are with real birth certificates. But federal law doesn't want employers nosing around in people's personal lives. Too bad. In some limited cases it seems
perfectly reasonable.
3. Radio without Pictures
Sorry to see the Islanders cheaping out. No more radio announcers. They'll do an old fashioned simulcast. The TV call, will be heard on radio. That's a big mistake. When the TV guys are talking specifically about the replays the radio listeners will be lost. In 1974, I spent a season simulcasting Boston Celtics games with the legendary Johnny Most. What a disaster. It's bad enough that the Islanders play in a minor league arena, they don't need their broadcasts sounding bush
league as well.
4. Back to the Future
Mets fans take heart. This season may be lost, but there's always the farm system. Hmm let's see. Their Triple A team, the Buffalo Bisons, are in last place. Their Double A team, the Binghamton Mets, are in last place. Their Appalachian League team, the Kingsport Mets, are in last place. Is this 2009 or 1962? And isn't the VP for player development Tony Bernazard doing a swell job?
5. Intergalactic War
I always thought it was dopey when the Yankees came up with the phrase "Yankees Universe." It was clearly trying to one-up the established "Red Sox Nation." Well Red Sox owner John Henry has had enough. He tweeted: "News from Yankees Universe, big upsurge in membership. Apparently coming mostly from Pluto. Not doing nearly as well on Mars." Well, duh. News has yet to reach Pluto that the Yankees are ringless since 2000.
Happy Birthday: Nomah. Mr. Mia Hamm, Oakland infielder Nomar Garciaparra. 36.
Bonus Birthdays: Harry Potter (Actor Daniel Radcliffe.) 20. The one the only, Monica Lewinsky. 36.
Today in Sports: Shea Stadium hosts a 3 hour and 39 minute rain delay. What a moment. The Giants beat the Mets 4-2. 1994.
Bonus Event: Miss America, Vanessa Williams, turns in her crown after nude photos of her surface. 1984.