Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for June 22, 2009:
1. Quick Hits
The 4th round of the U.S. Open resumed at 9am this morning at Bethpage. At the start of play, Phil Mickelson was 5 shots off the lead. Tiger Woods was 7 back. Wimbledon got underway today, but the tournament took a big hit when defending champ Rafael Nadal dropped out with achy knees. Manny who? The L.A. Dodgers have rolled to the best record in baseball. They are 25-16 since Manny Ramirez's drug suspension. Perennial powerhouses LSU and Texas begin a best of three series tonight to crown the NCAA baseball champion.
2. Void at the Top
What the sports world lacks is true leadership. The definition? A problem arises, and smart decisions are made that benefit all, even the lowly fan. The USGA screwed up last week and told waterlogged Bethpage fans "tough luck," you saw some golf, go away. Fan complaints fell on deaf ears. But surprise surprise, when the N.Y. Attorney General got involved refunds and rainchecks for today were offered. Just once I'd like to see sports honchos not wait 24 hours to see which way the wind's blowin'.
3. A Cold Wet One
Final proof that beer and golf don't mix. According to Newsday all the rain and consumed beer at the U.S. Open on Saturday turned golf fans into.... well, ordinary sports fans at the ballpark. Late in the day, no golfer was spared. One fan yelled to Tiger Woods, "Suck it up, you've got your own video game!" That's the best they could do? He's got his own video game? No mention of his gorgeous wife, his incredible golf talent, or his gazillions? How disappointing. Who would have thought that drunk golf fans can't touch their hockey buddies when it comes to creativity?
4. A-SPN
Regular readers of the Top 5 know that Alex Rodriguez is probably mentioned here more than any other athlete, although Plaxico Burress was giving him a run for his money for awhile. A-Rod is the so-called "best player in baseball," yet he had to be benched for a couple of games this weekend because he's fatigued. How easy would it be to say Kate Hudson is tiring him out? But I'm not gonna do it. We take the high road here.
5. Lemme in Coach
So they were having this little game of dodgeball at an elementary school in New Rochelle New York. A 10-year old kid complained to his gym teacher that he wasn't in the game, and you know how these things go. One thing led to another and the teacher took down the kid and put him in a "choke-hold." The kid is OK. The teacher got arrested. From what I hear, "dodgeball" in prison is tons o' fun.
To read more from Len Berman, visit his website at www.lenbermansports.com.