Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for March 21, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Peyton Manning gets a five-year $96 million deal from Denver.
- The Jets and Packers are among the teams reportedly interested in Tim Tebow.
- Pittsburgh wide receiver, 36-year-old Hines Ward, announced his retirement after 14 seasons.
- Baylor's Brittney Griner became the second woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament game in last night's win over Florida. Candace Parker of Tennessee dunked twice in a tournament game against Army in 2006.
2. Peyton's Place
Have you ever seen an athlete in better control of his environment? Peyton Manning hit a home run in his introductory news conference yesterday in Denver. He said it's all about hard work and winning. Period. He may be the biggest thing in football but he came off humble, not cocky. While watching his "performance" I could only wonder what's in his future after football? He could coach, own a team, become commissioner, just about anything. I also had the thought that I wish a few presidential candidates could come off as well.
3. Fight Night
Many of you were outraged over the opening faceoff for the Rangers and Devils game the other night. As soon as they dropped the puck an obviously pre-arranged brawl broke out.
R.R. While the NHL broke new ground with that gay marriage proposal (two women on the ice), it can't seem to break old habits as the Rangers and Devils repeatedly pummeled each other in the opening minutes.
J.D. Who was responsible for that nonsense to open the game? Time to ban fighting.
D.S. I find what happened at last night's game barbaric and beyond embarrassing to anyone who views hockey as a great sport. This puts it on a par with ultimate fighting, which to me is the equivalent of human cockfighting.
Editor's Note: For the umpteenth time, when is enough enough? Aside from the injury/concussion factor, doesn't it make the league look downright Mickey Mouse?
4. A Fish Tale
In the new Miami Marlins baseball stadium, the backdrop behind home plate will be a fish tank. Is the glass safe? Well, they had first baseman Gaby Sanchez fire baseballs. His speed reached into the 80s and the tank held just fine. End of story right? Not so fast. Enter the animal activists. They claim the stadium noise is going to "cause a tremendous vibration that will disturb and upset the fish." Someone should tell the activists that baseballs are made of cowhide. The fur will really fly.
5. One Man Show
Mike Tyson is doing a one-man show next month in Las Vegas. It's called Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth -- Live on Stage. One can only hope he sings, as he did on a Brazilian TV show. (Go to the 3:15 mark.) There's talk that if the Vegas show is a hit, Broadway awaits. What will the reviews look like? Knockout? Or, "Tyson Bites Off More Than He Can Chew?"
Happy Birthday: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. 27.
Bonus Birthday: Rosie O'Donnell. 50.
Today in Sports: Bob Cousy scored 50 points (30 free throws, a playoff record that still stands) as Boston Beat Syracuse 111-105 in four overtimes to oust the Nationals in the Eastern Division semifinals. 1953.
Bonus Event: The No Fun League. The NFL passes an anti-celebration rule. 1984.