Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for November 29, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Tis the season. The Atlanta Braves reel in Tampa Bay free agent outfielder B.J. Upton: Five years, $75 million.
- Louisville heads to the ACC to replace Maryland. U-Conn wasn't asked to join.
- Security! The New Orleans Saints team bus was pelted by eggs thrown by airport workers when they arrived in Atlanta for tonight's game.
- Winning isn't everything. They haven't won a championship in 40 years, but the Knicks lead the NBA in jersey sales.
2. Hall of Shame
The new baseball Hall of Fame ballots are out. And for the first time the writers will get to vote on Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens just for starters. This is the first major test of the steroid era. Are they both Hall of Famers? Absolutely. Will they eventually get in? I think so. Will the writers send a message this first year? For sure.
3. Fan Fare
Oh to be a football hero. Here's what the Jets heard as they left the field trailing 35-3 at halftime Thanksgiving night. Amidst the profanity, one "fan" called out: "Don't even come out after halftime." I'd like to point out that en route to their 49-19 shellacking, the Jets outscored the Patriots 16-14 in the second half. I'm a glass-half-filled kind of guy.
4. Fan Fare Swaziland Style
At least the Jets escaped with their clothes. In the African nation of Swaziland, the normally successful Mbabane Highlanders soccer team is slumping. After a humiliating 5-1 loss the players were chased to their mini-bus by enraged fans. Along the way, Mfanufikile Ndzimandze had his soccer shoes stolen. He is urging angry fans to please return them. Got shoes?
5. Vin Scully
It's rare that you have unanimity in sport. Often times it's two sports fans, three opinions. Except when it comes to the voice of the Dodgers. I've never ever heard a discouraging word about Vin Scully. Tell me another sportscaster who everyone agrees is first-rate? Several years back I had a program on NBC called Sports Fantasy. Average viewers realizing their dreams. One viewer got to bat against a Dodgers pitcher. (Yes he struck out). I had Vin call the play-by-play. As usual, he handled it perfectly with the exact right inflection and enthusiasm. Happy 85th birthday today to the great voice of the Dodgers, the best he is at what he does and still going strong, Vin Scully.
Happy Birthday: Yankees star reliever Mariano Rivera. 43
Bonus Birthday: The great Vin Scully. 85.
Today in Sports: Free agent Reggie Jackson signs a 5-year $2.96 million contract with the Yankees. 1976.
Bonus Event: The Beatles released "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in Great Britain. 1963.
Spanning the World airs on the Today Show tomorrow morning in the 8:30 a.m. half hour.
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