Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for January 14, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* The Mets get an early jump on injuries. Carlos Beltran has knee surgery and will miss opening day. There may be a dispute over whether or not the Mets approved the surgery.
* The Yankees donate $500,000 for Haiti relief.
* 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau has retired for the 4th time, 3rd time from New England.
* The hard luck L.A. Clippers have lost #1 pick Blake Griffin from Oklahoma for the entire season. He broke his kneecap in preseason.
* Crushing news. The Daily News is reporting that Derek Jeter and Minka aren't engaged, and they won't be getting married November 5th. How can I face the rest of the day?
2. What am I Bid?
Next week they'll auction off A-Rod's 500th home run ball online. In case you forgot, which I did, he hit it August 4th at Yankee Stadium against Kansas City pitcher Kyle Davies. So what's it worth? Since he'll likely reach 600, 700, or even 800, will that diminish the value? And did somebody say steroids? The 500 home run club used to be something special. Emphasis on used to be.
3. More Collateral Damage
It's not just the record books and the Hall of Fame that take a pounding from cheats. Just ask memorabilia collectors. One Top 5 subscriber wrote that she now has her collection divided into two piles, "Saints and Sinners." She once thought her Pete Rose collection would pay for her kids college. Oh well. At least she now feels that her Joe DiMaggio, Sandy Koufax and Mickey Mantle stuff will one day pay for her assisted living expenses!
4. And Now more Words.....
I struck a chord complaining about the verbiage in sports, phrases like "the edge" in football, or "going yard" in baseball. Here are your pet peeves.
Gerald H. "Taking it to the house," for a touchdown. And he asks, "when did an interception become a pick?"
Bill R. "Jacked," for a home run.
Leonard R. "Young freshman."
Steve F. can't stand "swagger." He asks, "Why can't they just say he's confident?"
Ron T. hates it when a coach says, "It is what it is."
And back to Gerald H. who misses the short, sweet, and succinct play by play calls of Green Bay Packers announcer Ray Scott. "Starr....Dowling....touchdown!"
5. Looking Over My Shoulder
As I near 1000 followers on twitter @LenBermanSports, I continue to marvel at who decides to follow me. I'm clearly not a fan of guns -- after all when it comes to hunting, I advocate giving the animals weapons to make it a fair fight. And yet, who just signed up to follow me? @Cals Sporting Armory. They sell gun accessories. I hope when they indicate they're "following me," they truly mean in cyberspace and not in real life.
Happy Birthday: Giants fan Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes. 91.
Bonus Birthday: Rapper/Actor LL Cool J. 42.
Today in Sports: The Miami Dolphins won Super Bowl VII to complete the only undefeated season in NFL History. 1973.
Bonus Event: Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe tie the knot. It lasts all of 9 months. 1954.