TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 31, 2009 from LenBermanSports.com .
1. Quick Hits
The New York Times says both Big Papi (or is it now big Popeye?) David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez both tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003.
Today is the trade deadline in baseball. Then again trades still happen anyway, so consider it a "soft deadline."
Michael Vick says he's close to signing with an NFL team.
Boxer Arturo Gatti's death is ruled a suicide in Brazil. His wife is released from custody. Hopefully her "release" headlines are just as large as the "arrested" stories.
2. Drip Drip
So now we add David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez to the list. Previously A-Rod and Sammy Sosa were outed. This is the notorious steroid test in 2003 which netted 103 positive results. They were supposed to be kept secret. So the players are getting screwed here. By the same token
they were cheating. What we need to do is release the entire list and get the public thrashing and teeth gnashing over with. And Yankee fans shouldn't be so quick to say the Curse of the Bambino was broken by steroids in 2004. The 2000 Yankees, their last championship team, had a host of druggies.
3. Taking a Hit
A major blow to curling in Australia. Thieves stole 58 curling stones from a truck. That's one third the total of curling stones in the entire country of Australia. So if somebody tries to sell you a "cheap" curling stone on the street, you'll know it's stolen property. Just another public service courtesy of the "Top 5."
4. Friday Mailbag
On the raging Pete Rose debate, L.L. makes a great point. "I agree with you, Rose should be in the Hall of Fame. If he is not worthy, then take all his artifacts off display in Cooperstown."
M.R. passes along this website offering discounted Mets tickets.
Editor's Note: The Top 5 is really becoming a public service!
When I mentioned the anniversary of William Shea announcing a plan to have a National League baseball team in New York. H.C. wrote: " Um, exactly when might that team arrive?"
In response to Red Sox owner John Henry tweaking the Yankees for using the phrase "Yankees Universe," clearly trying to top "Red Sox Nation," L.D. tweets: " In the 'baseball universe' I think Saturn is
king. By far the most rings!"
Last week I dubbed Ed Platzer of Bowling Green Ohio the "Athlete of the Week" for scoring a hole in one righty and another one lefty. Ed Platzer emailed me to say : "Thanks for the recognition. As a slightly overweight 60 year old I surely did not expect the honor."
Editor's Note: I often write about A-Rod, how come he never emails me?
5. Genius of the Week
A guy was working as a security guard during construction at the home of San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker. (Mr. Eva Longoria.) According to the San Antonio Express News, the guard stole a Michael Jordan autographed jersey valued at $20-thousand. How did they catch the thief? He posted it on Craigslist using his own name. And he got a whole $120-dollars. Maybe he's genius of the year?
Happy Birthday: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. 51.
Bonus Birthday: Harry Potter genius-author J.K. Rowling. 44.
Today in Sports: Holy Cow, Phil Rizzuto is inducted into the Hall of Fame. 1994.
Bonus Event: The beginning of lost luggage. President Harry Truman
dedicates Idlewild Airport. (Now JFK.) 1948.