Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 21, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- LeBron James scored 40 points leading Miami to a 101-93 win over Indiana in Game 4. The series is tied at two. San Antonio polished off the Clippers in four straight games.
- In the NHL playoffs, Phoenix stayed alive beating Los Angeles 2-0. The Kings lead three games to one.
- That was easy. In a 48 hour period Los Angeles playoff teams went 0 for 4 in the Staples Center. (Clippers, Lakers, Kings.)
- Former NBA and Olympic basketball star Bob Boozer is dead at the age of 75.
2. 2 Down 1 to Go
Now that was exciting, a carbon copy of the Kentucky Derby. Bodemeister led the entire Preakness until he was caught at the wire by I'll Have Another. I'm just sorry we won't see Bodemeister in the Belmont. The last time we had a Triple Crown winner, 34 years ago, Affirmed nosed out Alydar in all three races. Will Bodemeister's absence fail to bring out the best in I'll Have Another?
3. Who's Your Daddy?
When it comes to interleague play, the National League is the "junior circuit." The American League has won every season since 2004. This past weekend, the American League had the edge 24-18. Is the American League just better than the National League or is it the DH factor? The N.L. DHs by comparison are weaker than in the A.L., and perhaps National League pitchers have a tougher time getting through an American League lineup. This is all conjecture, but what happens next season when there's at least one interleague game virtually every day? Shouldn't the rules be standardized? Shouldn't teams be built equally? The players union will never sign off on losing the DH, it would cost jobs. But while the "purists" would scream bloody murder, is the only sensible answer to expand the designated hitter to both leagues?
4. On the Clock
With all the talk last week about slow play in men's golf, a slow play penalty reared its ugly head on the ladies side. Morgan Pressel had just taken a three-hole lead in the semifinals of the Sybase Match Play Championship in New Jersey, when she was told she took way too long playing the 12th hole. The penalty is loss of hole. So instead of leading by three, her lead shrunk to one. The match had turned and she went on to lose to Azahara Munoz of Spain, who went on to win the title. Both players had been warned about slow play. The question is, should such a heavy penalty be assessed? Might fines be more appropriate? Delay of game in football costs you five yards. Rarely, if ever, does it decide the game.
5. Update
Last Friday I wrote about Lawrence Taylor's Super Bowl XXV ring being auctioned off. It was assumed that this was the latest unhappy chapter in the off the field career of L.T. It turns out L.T. gave the ring to his son and he wasn't aware it was being auctioned off. The ring was bought for $230,000 which includes the buyer's premium. Peanuts compared with a 1920s Babe Ruth worn road jersey which went for over $4.4 million. And by comparison, they built Yankee Stadium in the '20s for $2.5 million.
Happy Birthday: Former Notre Dame football coach Ara Perseghian. 89.
Bonus Birthday: I pity the fool who doesn't wish Mr. T. a happy 60th birthday today.
Today in Sports: Two thirds home. Seattle Slew wins the Preakness. 1977.
Bonus Event: Clara Barton and some associates established the American Red Cross. 1881.
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