Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 21, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* Major League baseball takes over operating the Los Angeles Dodgers.
* The Lakers and Spurs bounce back to even their NBA playoff series at one game apiece with New Orleans and Memphis.
* In the NHL playoffs, Pittsburgh and Washington both lead their series three games to one after dramatic double overtime wins over Tampa Bay and the Rangers. Detroit is the first team to advance, sweeping Phoenix.
* NFL mediation between owners and players has been adjourned until May 16th.
2. What a Mess
The Dodgers were always one of those "crown jewel" franchises. Not anymore. Major League Baseball has basically fired the owner, Frank McCourt. As you know, the McCourts are going through a messy divorce, the ownership of the team is at stake. Well not only is baseball pushing McCourt aside, they're investigating what went on during his ownership. For one thing he reportedly borrowed $30 million from Fox just to make payroll. Word is McCourt is going to sue Major League Baseball, so McCourt should change his name to BackinCourt. And if he sues, and loses, it doesn't really matter who wins the Dodgers in divorce court, they'd both be out. The biggest twin killing in baseball history.
3. Play Ball
Philliebot threw out the first pitch before yesterday's Phillies/Brewers game. It's a robot designed by the University of Pennsylvania. Here's the video.
Of course, Phillies fans roundly booed the robot for bouncing his toss home.
Under the heading of "that didn't take long," subscriber Micah T. asks "Can the Mets claim PhillieBot off waivers?"
4. Gimme a C
If you wanted to congratulate the Cal State Long Beach national championship cheerleading team, you are too late. They held the title for one week. Then those pesky little rules got in the way, like the cheerleaders actually had to be real students at the school. Turns out they used ringers and they had to forfeit their crown. The coach has been fired. Oh, that "C" you gave me at the start of the story? It wasn't for Cal State, it was for cheating in the NCAA. What else is new?
5. Thrown Under the Bus
The Top 5 is a cliche-free zone. I don't think I've ever used the phrase "thrown under the bus." It's used all the time when a player, or coach disses a teammate. Well last night, the Real Madrid soccer team was celebrating its first Spanish Cup victory in 18 years after beating arch rival Barcelona. And during the victory parade, oops, they dropped their trophy. And yup, it was crushed by the wheels of the bus. Take a look.
They threw their trophy under the bus! That's not the same as "going yard" is it?
Today's birthdays are all about Queens.
Happy Birthday: He was on the mound the last time the Mets were champs, reliever Jesse Orosco. 54.
Bonus Birthday: The Movie, The Queen, had to be about somebody. It was. Queen Elizabeth II. 85.
Today in Sports: Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. Through 1976, a game was rained out only once, on this date. 1967.
Bonus Event: The infamous Rose Ruiz finished "first" in the Boston Marathon. Turns out she didn't run the entire race. 1980.
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