Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 30, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The U.S. Open is underway, but is it really open for U.S. players? OK, Serena has a chance, but no American man has won since Andy Roddick 8 years ago. Are we in for an American equivalent of the Fred Perry 75-year drought? He's the last British man to win at Wimbledon.
- Colts star quarterback Peyton Manning has been activated, but it's uncertain when he'll be able to play. He underwent off season neck surgery.
- Tiger Woods has added the Frys.com tournament in Northern California in October to his schedule.
2. The Lightning Bolt
Rules are rules. But what other sport has one strike and you're out? The world's greatest sprinter Usain Bolt was disqualified after a false start. The first big victim of the new rule. In the past, the first false start was charged to the field, and the second false start to the individual. Not anymore. With Bolt's elimination at the World Championships, there's some grumbling about changing the rule again. Maybe they should. They allow two serves in tennis, four downs in football. And Babe Ruth never had to head back to the bench after strike one.
3. M.V.P.?
Can't wait to see the voting for American League MVP. Curtis Granderson of the Yankees and pitcher Justin Verlander of the Tigers are having career years. Pitchers have won MVPs. Bob Gibson, Roger Clemens and Sandy Koufax to name three. The ironic thing, the toughest out in the Yankees lineup is Robinson Cano. And where would they be without Mariano Rivera? Granderson might be the American League's best, but he might not even be the Yankees team MVP.
4. Today in Sports
This is the 32nd anniversary of the craziest tennis match I ever saw. John McEnroe and Ilie Nastase went nuts. Nastase at one point was lying on the court. He then got defaulted and the fans threw garbage. The "default" was overruled and the poor chair umpire, the late Frank Hammond, was replaced. It was sheer pandemonium. But in a weird sort of way, I miss that kind of stuff. Sure the comportment of guys like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is exemplary, but tennis could use a little more goofiness, don't you think?
5. The Name Game
Last week a Top 5 subscriber asked, why limit naming rights to stadiums? With budget shortfalls, you can have for example, the American Express George Washington Bridge. I knew you guys could do better.
*Jeff M. Energizer Battery Park
*Sandy B. The GAP Holland Tunnel
*Eric G has a ton of ideas. The Golden Nugget Gate Bridge. The Tappan Zee Zee Top Bridge. And as a public service, the Red Cross Bronx Expressway.
Note: This is a "hurricane" edition of the Top 5 since I lost power and don't know when it will return. So some of today's stories may not be up to the minute. This is also my last Top 5 before vacation. We'll return Monday September 12th. In the meantime, enjoy the U.S. Open and your Labor Day holiday. And if you'd like to see my one minute video commentaries in the interim, they can be found at www.Buzz60.com.
Happy Birthday: Tennis star Andy Roddick. 29.
Bonus Birthday: A-Rod's girlfriend Cameron Diaz. 39.
Today in Sports: John McEnroe defeated Ilie Nastase at the U.S. Open. Even though Nastase was defaulted for his antics by the chair ump, he was allowed to keep playing by the tournament ref. 1979.
Bonus Event: Talk about a waste of time. South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond set a record with a 24-hour, 27-minute filibuster against civil rights legislation. 1957.
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