Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 16, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Jury selection begins today in Washington in Roger Clemens' trial for lying to Congress about steroids.
- It looks like Giants closer Brian Wilson is out for the year. He's expected to undergo elbow surgery.
- Former Florida star and nine-year NBA veteran Dwayne Schintzius is dead at the age of 43. He had battled leukemia.
- The eighth seeded L.A. Kings have taken a shocking three games to none lead over the top seed Vancouver. Philadelphia leads three games to none over Pittsburgh in their Stanley Cup series.
- They're running the 116th Boston Marathon today.
- Tim Tebow got booed at last night's Yankees game. Are Yankees fans Giants fans or just partial to Mark Sanchez?
- Eli Manning will host Saturday Night Live May 5.
2. Extra Extra, Read All About It.
The headlines blare. "Sexual Abuse." Do the retractions ever blare just as loud? Zach Tomaselli, one of those who accused former Syracuse Assistant Basketball Coach Bernie Fine of sexual abuse, says he made the whole thing up and was not abused by Fine. Whichever news organization ran with the original Tomaselli headline now has the obligation to run the retraction just as prominently.
3. Diminished Returns
So what was your reaction to Alex Rodriguez tying Ken Griffey, Jr. for fifth on the homer list with his 630th? Next up, Willie Mays at 660, and then the Babe. As a kid, 714 was a magic number. Babe Ruth's total. I even remember Hank Aaron's 755. But Barry Bonds, the all-time home run king? I have to look it up. I guess it's a mental block. It's hard to accept "enhanced" milestones. When A-Rod gets to 661 surpassing Mays, it'll just be a number. Not a big cause of celebration. And in a way it only "enhances" the Say Hey Kid's total.
4. Hopkinton
Tiny Hopkinton, Massachusetts gets its 15 minutes today. Much like February 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But unlike the groundhog deal, this one isn't a trumped up little gimmick. I always loved going to the start of the Boston Marathon the morning of the race. Of all the sports events I covered, it seemed the most real and unadorned. The stars of the race lined up in front, and you could just walk up to a Bill Rodgers for example and say "hi." The day after Bill won his second of four Boston Marathons in 1978, we went jogging for a TV interview. That would be like hitting balls with Roger Federer the day after he won Wimbledon. Not happening.
5. RSVP
For the Closing Ceremony to the London Olympics, the organizers have asked members of The Who to perform. They reached out to drummer Keith Moon. Not sure if Keith got the invite, he died in 1978.
Happy Birthday: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 65.
Bonus Birthday: The current Pope, Benedict XVI. 85.
Today in Sports: Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller pitches the only no-hitter on opening day. 1940.
Bonus Event: Michael Jordan plays the final game of his NBA career. He scored 15 points as Washington lost to Philadelphia 107-87. 2003.
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