TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 24, 2009 from LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle pitches a perfect game against Tampa Bay. He previously pitched a no-hitter in 2007.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made his first public comments about the rape allegations against him. He called them "reckless and false."
The NFL draft isn't long and boring enough, so the league is expanding it from 2 days to 3 next season.
Can't wait for Rickey Henderson's speech Sunday. He and Jim Rice will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Doubles anyone? Roger Federer's wife Mirka gives birth to twin girls in Switzerland.
2. TMI
So we found out yesterday that LeBron James smoked marijuana in high school, former major league pitcher Jim Parque used human growth hormone and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is a virgin. I'm beginning to think it was better in the old days when all they wrote about was wins and losses. No wait, then what would I have to write about?
3. A Word to the Wise
In Malaysia a husband came home late after watching a soccer game, so his wife stabbed him in the chest. The police chief said she was "very angry." Really? Just consider this a helpful hint to my male readers who don't think twice about coming home late from less honorable pursuits than soccer games.
4. Friday Mailbag
From subscriber E.G. "So the Mets assure Minaya and Manuel that their jobs are safe...looking at the schedule, the Mets are going to California in two weeks...I suggest each man packs light..." Editor's Note: If you're scoring at home, California is where Willie Randolph got whacked in the middle of the night.
As for the senior citizen softball team on Long Island making a video to teach the Mets how to execute the basics of baseball, R.M. scoffs: "I'm tired of all this senior citizen softball video crap... If there's anything worse than senior citizen politicians on the boob tube looking for attention then its senior citizen softball players starved for attention." Editor's Note: I take it you're not eligible yet for Medicare?
When I wrote about the first baseball admission costing 50-cents in 1858, J.M. wrote: "Can anything be bought for 50-cents anymore? I'm only 34 but I do remember baseball card packs going for 50-cents. Nowadays that won't even get you in the door of a dollar store." Editor's Note: The only thing 50 Cent is the rapper.
And when I mentioned the young girl who allegedly got pregnant on vacation swimming in the water at the hotel, JL comments in the Huffington Post: "gives new meaning to 'gene pool.'"
5. Athlete of the Week
He is Ed Platzer of Bowling Green Ohio. 15 years ago he had a hole in one as a righty. Last month he had another one, lefty. He may be the first in golfing history to accomplish the feat. So when it comes to
"Athlete of the Week," he's the hands down winner.
Happy Birthday: The All time Home Run Champion******, Barry Bonds, 45.
Bonus Birthday: Jenny from the Block, Jennifer Lopez. 40.
Today in Sports: (Courtesy of subscriber Tom T.) Jason Varitek fights with A-Rod which sparks a Red Sox comeback against the Yankees at Fenway. That moment in time seemed to flip a switch on the fortunes of the two franchises. 2004.
Bonus Event: Oh no! Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis go splitsville. 1956.