Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 10, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Miami eliminates the Knicks in five games. Memphis has forced a sixth game with the Clippers. L.A. leads three games to two.
- Washington forces a seventh game with a 2-1 win over the Rangers. It'll be played Saturday night in New York.
- Mariano Rivera had a blood clot in his calf in addition to his knee problems, but he still says he's coming back next season. Life without Mariano. David Robertson blew the save last night as Tampa Bay beat the Yankees 4-1.
- Fenway public address announcer Carl Beane was killed in a car accident. He was 59.
- In golf the Players Championship is underway.
- They've lit the Olympic flame in Olympia, Greece. It'll make its way to London for the 2012 games.
2. Four Decades and Counting
No surprise that its "wail till next year" for the Knicks. They've been doing that since 1973. During that time New York and New Jersey teams have combined for 20 championships, yet the Knicks drought continues. At least there's now a little more hope for their fans. Maybe Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire can co-exist. Maybe they can find a point guard. Maybe Linsanity is for real. One thing's for sure, Knicks fans will keep showing up, keep chanting "defense," and keep waiting for "next year." Maybe in our lifetime we'll get to experience once again what seems like a distant memory, winning a championship, which they last did 39 years ago today.
3. Taking a Stand
Would the PGA kick the Masters off the schedule in protest of Augusta not allowing female members? What do you think? Tour commissioner Tim Finchem says the Masters is "too important" to take off the schedule, and that the membership isn't doing anything illegal. OK. But let's say for argument's sake that the "East Podunk Open" got some flack over its membership policies. You can bet the PGA would jettison "East Podunk" in a heartbeat. When Finchem says "too important," is that code for "too lucrative?"
4. Let's Go Mets
Has then been a more battered franchise in New York than the Mets? And yet, they woke up today with an 18-13 record, just half a game out of first place after sweeping the Phillies. Historically, this is a franchise where strange stuff just happens. Are we in for something special as they celebrate their 50th anniversary? I know, it's a LONG season. But hey, you never know.
5. The Name Game
When I wrote about Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another, and how he got his name from the owner wanting more cookies from his wife, S.H. wrote on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," "Maybe someone can come up with a horse named Just Say No. Or Just Say Neigh." Well guess what. They did? I found four horses with a variation of Just Say No. A horse named Justsayno had career earnings of $131,000 with a first place finish in 20 starts. I also found a horse Just Say Neigh with one career start, but she finished out of the money. And maybe you'll be interested to know I also found a horse named Just Say Whoa. She was sired by Secretariat. How about that. Seven career races, one third place finish, career earnings of $8,605. Oh well. Having a famous father doesn't guarantee success.
Happy Birthday: Sportscaster Pat Summerall. 82.
Bonus Birthday: Bono. 52.
Today in Sports: The last time the New York Knicks won the NBA title. 1973.
Bonus Event: Bobby Orr's iconic Stanley Cup winning goal for the Boston Bruins. 1970.
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