Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 19, 2009 from www.LenBermanSports.com
1. Quick Hits
Brett Favre (yawn) signed with the Minnesota Vikings. I'd be more excited if George Brett ended his retirement.
Jets coach Rex Ryan fired another salvo at Patriots coach Bill Belichick. A few months ago Ryan said he didn't come to New York to kiss Belichick's rings. Yesterday he said "I'm not intimidated by him." He added the Jets aren't going to tiptoe around the Patriots. Take that Mr. Hoodie!
A Buffalo grand jury is expected to announce charges today against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. He allegedly attacked a cabbie when he didn't have 20-cents change. Lovely.
2. Enough Already
Is anyone else Favred out? He retires, unretires, plays for the Jets, retires, unretires, signs with the Vikings. Is this the classic "I won't quit until they tear the uniform off my back?" Hey he's free to do whatever he wants. It's his legacy. Tarnish away.
3. Jail Birds
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb says he wouldn't be opposed to adding Plaxico Burress to the roster. He could catch passes from Michael Vick. Now, if only they could coax O.J. Simpson out of retirement.
4. Crunching the Numbers
Subscriber Eric G. already has his defense lined up should anyone accuse the Yankees of "buying a championship." He says the highest payrolls that have won a World Series are the 2007 Red Sox, followed by the 2004 Red Sox, then the 2008 Phillies. He asks, "how come nobody complains about the Red Sox buying their last two championships?" We have the makings of a new TV reality show here: "Battle of the Network CPA's"
5. Target Audience
Advertisers know their audience. Beer commercials during NFL games, feminine hygiene commercials on Lifetime. And during the Little League World Series? I'm told they ran commercials for Extenze, an all natural male enhancement tablet. Well, what Little Leaguer wouldn't want to have a larger penis?
Happy Birthday: Former Mets pitcher and current announcer Ron Darling. 49.
Bonus Birthday: Bubba himself, Bill Clinton. 63.
Today in Sports: The first car race was run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Speeds reached over 50 mph!) 100 years ago today. 1909.
Bonus Event: Google first appeared on the New York Stock Exchange offered at $85 a share. Now it's around $445. 2004.