Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for November 18, 2009 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
Kansas City pitcher Zack Greinke wins the American League Cy Young award despite winning only 16 games. Then again, Kansas City only won 65 games.
The Buffalo Bills fire coach Dick Jauron after a 3-6 start. Eric Mangini is still coaching the Cleveland Browns.
The Olympics that never end. A middle distance runner from Bahrain was stripped of his Beijing gold medal for doping. An Italian cyclist was busted earlier this week, losing a silver medal.
The long nightmare for Lakers fans is over. They finally break their impossibly long 2 game losing streak as Kobe Bryant scores 40 points for the 100th time in his career. (Only 171 more to catch Wilt). They beat Detroit 106-93.
2. Mariano Rivera, Sigh Young
So another American League Cy Young Award has been handed out, and again Yankee reliever Mariano Rivera comes up empty. He didn't get a single vote for first, second, or third. CC Sabathia of the Yankees finished fourth in the balloting. What is the meaning of Cy Young? The best pitcher? The most valuable? Where would the Yankees be without Mariano Rivera? They wouldn't have 5 championship rings since 1996, that's where. Before Rivera retires, he needs to be treated like an Oscar ceremony. Give him a "Lifetime Cy Young Achievement Award." Oh yeah, they call that the Hall of Fame.
3. Un P.C.
I stirred things up yesterday by advocating that St. John's goes back to calling its sports teams Redmen, as opposed to Red Storm. Subscriber Hal L. said "Picture the Brooklyn Yids, with a caricature of a Hasidim with a big nose and funny hat. How would that make you feel." But St. John's alum Gene S. says the origin of "Redmen" evolved from the team's colors, much like Orangemen in Syracuse. Gene says "Each year the alumni of SJU approach me for a donation. Each year my answer is the same. I'm a 'Redman' not a 'Red Storm' man. Call me when the Redmen return."
Sis boom bah!
4. Sign Me Up
On Monday I mentioned the Abe Stark sign at Ebbets Field that read "Hit Sign, Win Suit." Tom M. asked me at Facebook (Len Berman's Top 5) "Does anyone know how many suits Abe Stark had to pony up?" Apparently very few. The sign was under the scoreboard in right center field, and if the right fielder was any good, he would stop the ball from hitting it.
According to baseball historian Stan Isaacs, the sign was hit maybe once a year. With Carl Furillo playing right for the Dodgers, the sign was safe. Furillo told Isaacs, "I don't recall a ball ever hitting the sign when I was in right field. I asked the man for a pair of pants or something for guarding the sign, but he never gave me anything." Furillo said he hit the sign twice, and when he showed up to collect they tried to get him to pick a cheap suit. Why are we not surprised?
5. Skoal!
While we're on the subject, it seems that the President of Serbia, Boris Tadic, got in a little trouble and faces a fine. He and two other officials were toasting Serbia's soccer win over Romania with champagne. One problem. Alcohol isn't legal in and around Serbian sports stadiums. What? No booze at soccer games? How can the hooligans possibly get fortified?
Happy Birthday: The former fierce defensive back of the Oakland Raiders, Jack Tatum. (This is a rare mention of the Raiders that isn't negative). 61.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Owen Wilson. 41.
Today in Sports: Hide the children! Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor breaks the leg of Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, ending Theismann's career. 1985.
Bonus Event: Bullseye! William Tell picked up a bow and arrow and shot an apple off his son's head. 1307.
A Top 5 subscriber David J. has decided to make my new kids book "The Greatest Moments in Sports" his go-to Christmas gift. I'll be signing all the books for him. If you'd like to do the same, just email me. By the way, look at the subscriber's cute son and his friend!
Follow Len Berman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenbermansports
Gregory M. White: The Blame Game: Thierry Henry's Hand of God and the Referee Who Said Yes
Thierry Henry's career has been a remarkable one. He's won titles in France, England and Spain, as well as the World Cup. But with two touches, he turned a world of admirers into enemies.
Alan Black: Cheat: Soccer's New Endorsement
A ruthless manufacturer could make three million fake Thierry Henry tops with a new endorsement and sell them to every man, woman and child in Ireland. They won't forget the Hand of Henry: the Irish memory is long.
Laura Pappano: Ponytail Pull Was Bad (But Good for Women's Sports)
It is tiring to hear enlightened men describe themselves as "supporters" of women's sports as if they are charitable donors.
Max Bergmann: US-Denmark Rewind
Looking forward to the World Cup, Denmark outplayed the US, did a good job of controlling the midfield, and took advantage of some shambolic defending. Here's what to make of the results.
