Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 3, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* It's a landslide. LeBron James of Cleveland wins his second straight NBA MVP award.
* Who do you like in the Kentucky Derby next year? You might check to see which horse jockey Calvin Borel is riding. He made it 3 out of the last 4 at Churchill Downs aboard Super Saver. Next up for Super Saver, the Preakness.
* Back to reality, otherwise known as second place. The Phillies blitz Mets ace Johan Santana for 9 runs in one inning! Philly wins it 11-5 to win 2 of 3. It could have been worse, Mets fans -- just ask the Red Sox, who got swept by the last place Orioles.
* The lowest golf score ever recorded on the PGA tour is a 59. Ryo Ishikawa went one better on the Japan tour, the first ever 58 on a major tour. Of course it was a par 70 layout. Who couldn't shoot 58?
2. Keeping Score
One of the questions you hear is, how much does the jockey get for winning the Kentucky Derby? Typically 10 percent of the winning share, minus what he pays his agent. So Calvin Borel was in line to gross over $120-thousand for his roughly 2 minute and 5 second ride. Not bad, but not as good as a guy named Glen Fullerton of Kilgore Texas. He bet $100-thousand in a CNBC sweepstakes and walked away with $900-thousand. Fullerton said it was "life changing." Borel, I'm guessing, will keep riding. You gotta love Calvin, a little guy boasting large. He has no doubt that Super Saver will win the Triple Crown.
3. When Will They Ever Learn?
So you would think that an athlete with a reputation would be on his best behavior. The new Jets wide receiver, Santonio Holmes, comes from Pittsburgh with baggage. So what does he do? He allegedly refuses to turn off his iPod on a flight, when asked to do so. Police were waiting to speak with him when the plane landed, but no charges were filed. He claims he turned off the iPod, but left the ear buds in his ears and fell asleep. Also this past weekend, the new Hofstra basketball coach, Tim Welsh, was suspended from his job for DUI. People are human, but if you have a rep, or if you're in a position of authority, how about giving it the old college try?
4. Black and White
Last Friday I mentioned that blacks playing in the major leagues total just 9%. Young blacks would rather play basketball and football. Lots of you responded. Holly R. wrote "Maybe it is easier to play basketball and football in the inner cities than baseball. It is easier to throw a hoop up and shoot, no?" Max T. says in hoops, all you need is a ball. And he adds "You can quickly play basketball with one player (practice on your own). In baseball you have to start with a handful of players before a game begins." Maybe there's a simpler explanation. From college basketball coach Steve F. "I ask many kids (ages 16-20, both white and black) if they play baseball? They all tell me, 'it's boring.'"
5. A Really Rank-ed Player
Pro tennis player Robert Dee had lost his first 54 matches, his first 108 sets. He finally won a match in 2008, but it didn't matter to a London newspaper. They called him the "World's worst tennis pro." So Dee sued. A judge in essence ruled against him, meaning it's true. He is the worst. Kind of reminds you of an old Rodney Dangerfield line. "Doctor, I'd like a second opinion." "OK, you're ugly too!"
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Happy Birthday: The great Sugar Ray Robinson was born on this date in 1921.
Bonus Birthday: The Jersey Boy himself, Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons. 76.
Today in Sports: Joe DiMaggio makes his debut with the Yankees and collects 3 hits. 1936.
Bonus Event: A dark day in Brooklyn. Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley agrees to move da bums to L.A. 1957.