Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 10, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is sentenced to at least 30 years in jail.
- The Bay Area lives! The San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's both stayed alive last night, but both still trail the Reds and Tigers two games to one in their best of five series.
- Let's play four. There's a quadrupleheader of baseball playoff games today. Washington, Cincinnati, the Yankees and A's are all hosting games.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell upholds the suspensions of four New Orleans Saints players for "Bountygate." Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, suspended for the season, tweets "This is not news to me pride won't let him admit he's wrong."
2. End of Story.
Jerry Sandusky's sentence for sexually abusing young boys is 30-60 years meaning the 68-year-old Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his days behind bars. Judge John Cleland told Sandusky, "The tragedy of this crime is that it's a story of betrayal. The most obvious aspect is your betrayal of 10 children... You abused the trust of those who trusted you." Sandusky got up in court and made a rambling 15 minute statement. He said he never did "these alleged disgusting acts," and he described himself as a victim. Oh please. I'm hopeful this is the last we will ever hear of Sandusky.
3. There Used to Be a Ballpark
You know you're old when you watch a playoff game and realize that you've not only been to the old stadium, but two previous ballparks for each team. As the Reds hosted the Giants last night, I mused about watching Cincinnati play at both Riverfront Stadium AND Crosley Field. And then I thought about seeing the Giants play at Candlestick Park AND Seals Stadium, where they played for two seasons after moving from New York. I guess my record is three stadiums for one team, having seen the Mets play at the Polo Grounds, Shea Stadium and Citifield. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, other than thinking that some of you guys must have some interesting ballpark tales as well.
4. One Moment in Time
Monday, on the anniversary of Don Larsen's perfect game, I wrote on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," That I remember where I was when I heard what Larsen had done. I asked "Aside from the 'Miracle on Ice,' what sports event resonates for you with that kind of memory?" The responses covered the gamut of epic sports moments from Bobby Thomson's homer to Joe Namath and Super Bowl III to "It gets through Buckner." The most common answer surprised me. Bobby Nystrom's overtime goal that gave the Islanders their first Stanley Cup in 1980. I remember it well. I was sitting on the set at WCBS-TV in New York getting ready to do a post game show since the game was televised on CBS. It turned out to be live coverage of a wild locker room scene with fellow sportscaster Sal Marchiano. And I liked the post from J.P. "Bobby Murcer's Monday night 5-rbi heroics against the Orioles on ABC after attending (and giving the eulogy) at Thurman Munson's funeral earlier that day." Talk about emotional. I was filming in the stands with tears rolling down the cheeks of fans. An indelible moment for sure.
5. Numerology
Hey numbers lovers, this one's for you. Monday night was the 666th Monday Night Football game. After the Jets lost, Mark Sanchez's quarterback rating fell to 66.6. This season he has thrown 6 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions, His longest pass this year is 66 yards and of course Sanchez wears #6. Shouldn't he play for the Devils?
Happy Birthday: NASCAR's most popular driver nine years running Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 38.
Bonus Birthday: "Retired" quarterback Brett Favre. 43.
Today in Sports: Say it ain't so, Joe. Joe Namath plays his last game. 1977.
Bonus Event: On a roll. A guy named John Wesley Hyatt patents the first plastic billiards ball.
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