TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 15, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* Court-ordered mediation began yesterday between NFL owners and players. They met for nine hours.
* The NBA Playoffs begin tomorrow with four games scheduled.
* Ka-ching. The Lakers are a money machine. First Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for yelling an anti-gay slur at a ref, and now coach Phil Jackson has been fined $75,000 and the Lakers another $75,000 for comments Jackson made about a possible NBA lockout this summer.
* The Red Sox have agreed to a seven-year, $154 million extension with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The second largest contract in Boston history behind Manny "remember him?" Ramirez ($160 million).
* Is Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki done yet? He leads the majors with seven homers, after decimating the Mets. He went 10-for-16 with four homers and eight RBIs in the 4 game Rockies sweep in New York.
* Golfer Kevin Na set a PGA record at the Texas Open by shooting a 16 on a par four. What do you call that, a "dozuple bogey?"
2. Upon Further Review
Word is that baseball may expand replay next season to cover trapped balls, and fair or foul calls down the line. I never have trouble with this stuff, just the execution. If it takes more than five or 10 seconds to decide, then play on. It should only affect obvious calls, and that means the review should happen instantaneously. Football still hasn't figured it out. I hope baseball doesn't follow suit.
3. For Pete's Sake
The majority of you seem to agree with me, but it was far from unanimous. Pete Rose, who turned 70 yesterday, deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
*Eric G. "Ironic, it's possible that the all-time hit king and the all-time HR king might not be in the Hall. One for being banned, and one for being juiced."
*Jeff M. "If Pete Rose belongs in the HOF, should Shoeless Joe Jackson be let in as well?"
And from Keith R. "If Pete Rose had 'manned up' he would be in the hall [today] basking in all the glory that goes with it."
For sure, Keith. It's never the crime, it's always the cover-up.
4. Friday eMailbag
J.G. on the Barry Bonds verdict. "With Bonds not getting convicted for lying to the grand jury, all I have to say is that the people who serve on juries are people not smart enough to get out of jury duty."
T.R. has some advice for Texas' Josh Hamilton who ripped his coach after Hamilton broke his arm sliding home headfirst. "Support your coach the way a real MVP should, rather than becoming just another in a long line of Most Vocal Complainers."
When I suggested that all teams should set aside some reasonably priced tickets for families, T.J. wrote from Ohio, "The Columbus Blue Jackets have several family plans for tickets including $10 tickets two hours before game time. Of course, with their record, they should probably give them away."
Editor's Note: Simultaneous praising and ripping. Nicely done.
D.A. has a better idea. "Stop watching others play, pick up a ball and do something yourself!"
Editor's Note: Do you work for Nike?
5. Spanning The World
This week's Spanning the World highlight involves a minor league hockey announcer named D.J. Abisalih. When the Lewiston MAINEiacs took the lead, D.J. lost it. Go to the :30 mark.
I think he was shouting "The Giants win the pennant." But I could be wrong.
Happy Birthday: Mr. Angie Harmon. Former Giant cornerback Jason Sehorn. 40.
Bonus Birthday: That Mona Lisa guy, Leonardo Da Vinci, was born on this date in 1452.
Today in Sports: A momentous day in the history of sports. Jackie Robinson plays his first Major League game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 1947.
Bonus Event: A momentous day in the history of fast food. The first McDonald's opens in Des Plaines, Illinois. 1955.
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