Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 17, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The LA Clippers clinched their first playoff spot in five years.
- The 2012 NFL schedule will be released tonight.
- For the 19th time in the last 22 years, a Kenyan, Wesley Korir, won the Boston Marathon. On the women's side, Sharon Cherop made it a Kenyan sweep.
- Since Bruins goalie Tim Thomas skipped a White House celebration in January, many fans in Washington held up pictures or masks of President Obama to taunt Thomas last night. Boston won anyway 4-3.
2. Criminal Justice
Is the government wasting its time by once again putting Roger Clemens on trial for lying to Congress about steroids? The cynic says why is the government wasting money on such trivia? They spent a fortune going after Barry Bonds and he basically skated. No jail time. America collectively yawned. Same with Lance Armstrong. The feds investigated him for two years and then closed the case, no charges filed. I know the flip side to the Clemens argument. You're not allowed to lie to Congress. But I think the public has moved on from this issue. Clemens is certainly guilty in the court of public opinion. Can't they just issue him a fine or make him go stand in the corner? It would save a lot of time and effort, not to mention money.
3. Selective Justice
Normally they don't fight in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This year isn't normal. The games have been testy and league sanctions have been imposed. Rangers rookie Carl Hagelin was suspended three games for hitting Ottawa star Daniel Alfredsson high with an elbow. Hagelin even texted an apology to Alfredsson. On the other hand, Senators defenseman Matt Carkner was suspended only one game for intentionally going after Rangers center Brian Boyle. Meanwhile, Shea Weber of Nashville was fined but not suspended, for grabbing the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg and slamming it into the glass. And two Pittsburgh Penguins will face hearings over their actions. I'm confused by the wildly inconsistent penalties. But I'm even more perplexed why these games have turned so ugly.
4. Bobby V.
Well that didn't take long. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine had some comments about Kevin Youkilis that were perceived as negative. Valentine then apologized to Youkilis. Dustin Pedroia piped up saying "that's not how we do things around here." Then again, the way things were done last year, the players collapsed. Maybe Valentine is exactly what they need, a feather ruffler.
5. Your Turn
I asked on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," "Why did Yankee Fans boo Tim Tebow at Yankee Stadium Sunday night?"
M.C. Yankee fans have no class. They boo their own team players. (Note: She's a Red Sox fan if you haven't guessed.)
T.B. With few exceptions, my large circle of friends that are Yankees fans tend to be Giants fans.
V.F. It means Yankee fans are atheists, sigh.
D.L. They were Te-booing. (Note: No prizes, but if there were you win!)
Happy Birthday: Former NFL quarterback and current broadcaster Boomer Esiason. 51.
Bonus Birthday: Actress Jennifer Garner. 40.
Today in Sports: The Mick plays his first game and goes 1-4. 1951.
Bonus Event: The Joey Bishop show debuted on ABC with a sidekick named Regis Philbin. 1967.
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