Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 19, 2009 from
www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
The Phillies took a 2 games to 1 lead over the Dodgers with their
11-0 win last night in Philadelphia.
Today's schedule:
Game 3 Yankees @ Angels (Yankees lead 2 games to 0) 4:13pm ET
FOX
Game 4 Dodgers @ Phillies 8:07pm ET TBS
The Saints go marching on. The Giants crash back to earth getting
thumped by New Orleans (5-0) 48-27.
Back to normal. The Patriots rout the Titans 59-0 as quarterback Tom
Brady sets a record with 5 touchdown passes in one quarter. And did
somebody say "same old Jets?"
Here's lesson number 6-zillion why you shouldn't bet on sports.
After giving up 44 points to the Giants, the Oakland Raiders were 16
point underdogs against Philadelphia. The Raiders, who are offensively
inept, won the game outright.
2. A-Rod, A-Rod
When the Yankee Stadium crowd Saturday night/Sunday morning was
chanting "A-Rod, A-Rod," it didn't exactly roll off the tongue like
say "Reg-gie, Reg-gie." And they'll never name a candy bar after
Rodriguez. But you can put to rest the idea that he's an October bust.
He only hit the biggest home run he's ever hit in pinstripes to tie
the game in the 11th inning. And while he may never have a "Reggie"
moment (3 homers in a World Series clinching game), who will? But
something may actually happen next month that seemed like a fantasy
back in spring training. A Yankee parade up lower Broadway with chants
of "A-Rod" filling the air along with ticker tape. Not even his
"cousin" could concoct a story like that.
3. Name that Quote
So who told the New York Post that the Knicks basically stink? He
said: "This is atrocious. Guys coming down court, just raising up
3-pointers from anywhere. The coaching is horrible. What kind of
coaching is this?"
And that quote comes from, (drum roll please) none other than that
noted basketball scholar Stephon Marbury. Well, when you think about
it, Marbury knows all about atrocious decision making on the court.
4. Living Legend
Maybe it's not so hot to be a living legend. Argentina's greatest
soccer player, Diego Maradona, took on the job of coaching their
national team. He barely escaped a national disgrace as they eked into
the World Cup. After the game, he went on live television and
delivered the following lovely message. "To those who did not believe
in us -- and ladies forgive me -- they can suck my ---- and keep on
sucking it." I'm going out on a limb here, but I think his coaching
career doesn't have legs.
5. Pucker Up
Talk about team spirit, the coach of the Bosnia-Herzegovina national
soccer team has ordered his players to kiss each other on the lips in
order to create a special bond between teammates. And it seems to be
working. They've advanced further than ever in World Cup competition.
Hmm ... now to actually win the World Cup, they'll ... (insert punch
line here.)
Happy Birthday: Former heavyweight champ Evander "The Real Deal"
Holyfield. 47.
Bonus Birthday: Former first daughter Amy Carter. 42.
Today in Sports: Here we go again. Billy Martin is named Yankee
manager for the 5th and final time. 1987. (George Steinbrenner fired
him for the 5th and final time the following June.)
Bonus Event: "And when I touch you I feel happy inside." (The new
theme song of the Bosnia-Herzegovina soccer team?) No. The Beatles
record "I Want to Hold Your Hand." 1963.