Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 14, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* The National League wins its first All Star game since 1996, 3-1.
* Funeral services for George Steinbrenner will be private. There will be a public memorial at a later date.
* Former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor pleads not guilty to rape.
2. All Star Game
Some random thoughts about last night's game:
*Just like George to upstage an All Star Game. I say that with all due respect, but it's ironic, isn't it?
*You go to an All Star Game and a scoring-impaired World Cup soccer game breaks out, but quieter... no vuvuzelas.
*At one point in the telecast hits were outnumbered by Taco Bell commercials featuring a girl in a bar with a bacon sandwich in her purse to attract men.
*And for once the National League wins home field for the World Series. And Braves catcher Brian McCann, who had the big hit, actually has a shot at playing in the Fall Classic. Then again, Mariano Rivera didn't suit up last night, and Joe Girardi left Alex Rodriguez on the bench.
3. Remembering The Boss
George Steinbrenner's passing brought unprecedented reaction from Top 5 subscribers. He was clearly a polarizing figure. Here's a sampling.
From Mark M. "I don't think there is a fan of any team, in any sport, that wouldn't have wanted Mr. Steinbrenner to own, and run, their favorite team."
Tom B. on Facebook, at "Len Berman's Top 5, "I can hear Bob Sheppard now...'Now entering through the Gates of Heaven, the Boss, George Steinbrenner....the Boss!'"
But David S. writes, "He was ruthless and he was mean. And he helped bring about the current system which has turned major league baseball into a big market sport, undermining the fabric of the game."
From Jon M. "I must take offense at your suggestion that Steinbrenner belongs in the Hall of Fame. At least not until Pete Rose is in. Don't forget that Rose was never convicted of a crime while Steinbrenner was a convicted felon."
And a tweet from David B. on Twitter, @LenBermanSports "From a die hard Red Sox fan, Steinbrenner BELONGS in the Baseball Hall of Fame."
4. Uh Oh
In the very first practice at the New Meadowlands Stadium, Giants receiver Domenik Hixon tore up his knee. Over the weekend, in the same building, Jon Bon Jovi tore a calf muscle while performing on stage. I'm thinking before you head out to the new stadium, check out your medical coverage.
5. Bobble-Dead-Head Dolls
Silly me. I thought bobblehead dolls were for living sports figures. But now the San Francisco Giants will have a Bobble-Dead-Head night in August. Literally. It's to honor Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. A minor league team in Charlotte once had Tommy John "Bobble-Arm" night, in honor of his famous surgery. But getting back to heads. This opens up all sorts of possibilities. How about Marie Antoinette "Off with her Bobble-Head night?" or the "Bobble-Head-Less Horseman?"
I'm just getting started.
Happy Birthday: Former Giants and Rams defensive tackle Rosey Grier. 78.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Matthew Fox (Lost). 44.
Today in Sports: Pete Rose bowls over catcher Ray Fosse in the 12th inning to win the All Star Game for the National League, 5-4. 1970.
Bonus Event: The beginning of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille, ironically on Bastille Day. 1789.