TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for February 18, 2011 from Len Berman at ThatsSports.com. 1. Quick Hits
* The NFL and the Players Association agree to federal mediation for their contract dispute. * Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was arrested in Florida for DUI. He had a drunken incident during a critical series in 2009. * Mets owner Fred Wilpon tells reporters his family will be "vindicated" in the Bernie Madoff scandal. 2. Upon Further Review It's nice that the NFL and the players are going to mediation. But it's not like the mediator is a referee who will decide "possession" and "down and distance." It's kinda like going to a marriage counselor. Both parties will get advice, but they're still going to have to make it on their own. When the two sides agree to binding arbitration, then will we have a "score." 3. Name Game You guys are good. When I mentioned Joe Montana's son playing for the University of Montana, here's what you came up with. *Guy K. Defensive back Ken Houston played for the Houston Oilers. *Mitch S. Dave Philley played for the Phillies. * Several of you mentioned that Jim Brown of course played for the Browns. Paul Brown coached the Browns. *Steve M. asked, "Does this mean Jerry Rice's kid will be catching TD's for the Rice Owls?No. Jerry Rice Jr. plays for UCLA. *And Mark T. adds: "And Miguel Cairo failed to play in Egypt." 4. Friday eMailbag Subscriber M.T. makes a good point. "I know that the NFL is tripping over itself in its attempt to mollify the seating mess that it created. I wish it felt the same way with the abomination which occurred during the singing of our National Anthem." With Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez dating a 17-year old, all perfectly legal, G.L. writes, "Sanchez and the local chick (Greenwich Ct.), the sentiment, even around here, is :"eeeeee-wwwww"Editor's Note: I think that's Connecticut-ese for "gross." With Bill Murray winning at Pebble Beach, L.N. writes on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," "I am surprised Murray can keep his sense of humor with him being a Cubs fan." And with the Mets approaching Donald Trump about buying part of the team, subscriber M.M. sees the marketing possibilities. "They could give away 'Bobble-Hair' dolls!" 5. Spanning The World This week's Spanning the World highlight comes from Indianapolis. A lucky fan won $50,000 with a one in a million hockey shot. Before he took the shot, he said if he made it, he'd donate the money to charity.
Not so fast. The insurance company said he took the shot from in front of the designated line, so they wouldn't pay off to the "charitable fan." To save face, the team's owner said he'd make a "contribution" to two charities on the fan's behalf.
Happy Birthday: Long time Dodgers coach and pinch hitter supreme Manny Mota. 73.Bonus Birthday: Mr. Saturday Night Fever himself, John Travolta. 57. Today in Sports: A sad day in the sports world, ten years ago today. Dale Earnhardt Sr. dies after crashing on the final lap of the Daytona 500. 2001.Bonus Event: Finally sports events can end. The fat lady sings. The first opera is performed in the U.S. 1735. To order a "Len Berman's That's Sports" hat, click here!
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