Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 11, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has been suspended five games by the Marlins, and he has apologized, for his comments about Fidel Castro.
- The University of Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino after his "inappropriate relationship" with a young female employee in his school's football department.
- Bill Parcells will not come out of retirement to coach the New Orleans Saints.
- The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight.
- L.A. beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on the 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium. 84-year-old legend, Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, missed the game with a bad cold. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.
2. Ozzie
Ozzie Guillen says lots of stuff. That's why the Marlins hired him. They wanted some color for their new stadium. Unfortunately Guillen stepped on a hornet's nest when he praised Fidel Castro. That offended Cuban-Americans who comprise a large portion of the Marlin's fan base. Many of you disagree with his suspension claiming freedom of speech issues. It's always dicey when sports collides with the real world. Can we all agree, that at the very least, Guillen's "crime" was extreme insensitivity?
3. Yin and Yang
I have to admit I thought Bobby Petrino would survive at Arkansas with his 11-2 record last season. But Arkansas realized that if someone lies, misleads and conceals an inappropriate relationship, he really isn't representing his university particularly well. Score one for common sense, a rarity in college sports. On the flip side of personalities is Bubba Watson. After watching him on his media tour yesterday you can't help but think why can't more of them be like Bubba? He comes across as such a naturally good guy. But I guess if they were all like him, he wouldn't stand out.
4. Let's Go Mets
They were awful. It didn't matter, we would go to the Polo Grounds anyway. In those days you could afford the subway fare, game ticket and snacks and you wouldn't think twice about doing it, even if the team stunk. Their first game in their existence, they lost to the Cards 11-4.They lost their next eight games as well. Before 1962 was out, they had lost a record 120 games. Seven years later, two things happened. Man walked on the moon, and the Mets won the World Series. To this day, only one of those events is considered a miracle. And it all began with their first-ever game, 50 years ago today.
5. I'm Sorry
The Toronto Maple Leafs issued an open letter of apology to their fans after missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season. In the letter the team takes "full responsibility" for the results on the ice. Good to know. The team probably should have left well enough alone. One Toronto TV station had a viewer poll asking, "Is the Leafs' apology enough to make up for their performance over the years?" A resounding 92 percent voted no. Many Leafs fans said an apology is nice, discounted tickets would be even better.
Happy Birthday: Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira. 32.
Bonus Birthday: Actor/singer/dancer Joel Grey. 80.
Today in Sports: 50 years ago today. The New York Mets are born and lose to the St. Louis Cardinals 11-4. 1962.
Bonus Event: Bob Dylan makes his pro live debut in Greenwich Village singing "Blowin' in the Wind". 1961.
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