Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 2, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* Score of the weekend. U-S-A 1, Evil 0.
* In the NBA playoffs, Miami beat Boston 99-90 in game one of their series.
* Memphis knocks off Oklahoma City 114-101 in game one.
* In the NHL, Tampa Bay and San Jose lead 2-games to none in their series.
* If you're scoring at home, starting today, the NFL lockout was still on pending a court decision.
* May Day. The Cleveland Indians at 19-8 have the best record in Major League Baseball.
* British heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper, who once knocked down Cassius Clay, is dead at the age of 76.
2. F-U-M-B-L-E!
I don't blame you if you skip right to #3. Few people want to read about the NFL lockout. It was on, then it was off, now it's on again, subject to change at a moment's notice. ENOUGH! After going through the charade of a draft, now let's do the same at the negotiating table. And let's add an element. A complete news blackout. We don't want to hear from either side until a deal is reached. Just shut up and talk!
If you've stayed with me this far, thanks. Now on to #3.
3. Employment Policy
So if somebody applied for a job at your company, and he was going to stand trial on felony assault charges in the next few months, would you hire him? And what if you heard he was kicked off his college football team because of multiple failed drug tests? I'm guessing your company would take a pass. But your company isn't pro football. The Jets drafted Kenrick Ellis because he's huge and can plug up the middle playing nose tackle. As for those problems he has? The Jets said they're satisfied he doesn't have character issues. Sure, only lousy players have character flaws. Why not be honest and say, "Hey this is sports, and if the guy can help our team win we don't really give a crap if he's a creep."
4. Wordplay
Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell has been suspended two weeks without pay for yelling anti-gay comments at fans in San Francisco. He also threw in some lewd gestures for good measure. This comes on the heels of Kobe Bryant being fined $100,000 for hurling an anti-gay slur at a ref. They say, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Let's put it this way. If you're a superstar, they tend to hurt less.
5. U-S-A U-S-A
It's been far too long since we chanted "U-S-A U-S-A." Oh, we do it every so often. 31 years ago, the Miracle on Ice. 10 years ago, after 9-11, when President Bush threw a perfect strike at Yankee Stadium before game three of the World Series. And last night with the news of Osama Bin Laden's death. At the White House, at Ground Zero, and at the Mets/Phillies game in Philadelphia. In 1980 a hockey team made us forget the news about world politics and gas lines. 31 years later, the news makes us forget the news about world politics and gas prices. So go ahead. Chant "U-S-A U-S-A" today and wave that flag. Nothing beats a big home team win.
Happy Birthday: Soccer star and royal wedding attendee David Beckham. 36.
Bonus Birthday: I'm now on Medicare and I'll cry if I want to, singer Lesley Gore. 65.
Today in Sports: Stan "The Man" Musial, featured in my kids book The 25 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time, hit a record five homers in a doubleheader against the Giants. 1954.
Bonus Event: A 38 year-old comedian made his weekly radio debut. Jack Benny. 1932.
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