Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for February 24, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* Former Nets player Jayson Williams was sentenced to 5 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his limo driver in 2002. He won't be eligible for parole until he serves 18 months.
* The U.S. men's hockey team will face Switzerland this afternoon in the quarterfinals.
* Next time, don't signal for a lane change. A Dutch speed skating coach mistakenly told Sven Kramer to change lanes in the 10,000-meters when he had already done so. Oops. Goodbye gold medal.
* Look out for flying dogs. A Kansas Royals fan is seeking $25-thousand for injuries he claims he suffered when the Royals mascot hit him in the eye with a hot dog. The Royals are looking for a new mascot.
2. Third Place Trumps Second
Bronze Olympic medal winners seem happier than silver medal winners. So say some academics, according to a story in USA Today. They cite the sulking Evgeni Plushenko, when he finished second to Evan Lysacek in figure skating. Bronze medal winners are just happy to win something...anything. This should come as no surprise to Seinfeld fans. One of his best stand up routines deals with the Olympics. Jerry claims the silver medal is the absolute worst medal you can possibly win. "Of all the losers, you are the number one loser." Who needs academia?
3. Brand Name
Given Olympic sponsorship restrictions, a figure skating radio commentator jokingly wondered if they would have to refer to Japanese figure skater Akiko Suzuki as Akiko Chevy? Don't laugh. Back in the 60's, I remember a college football game on ABC where the great Chris Schenkel kept referring to SMU as the ponies. They are not the ponies, they are the SMU Mustangs. But the game was being sponsored by Chevy, and the Ford Mustang had just been introduced. So a little poetic (or was it pathetic) license?
4. Gotcha
It's a first. A British rugby player has been busted for using human growth hormone, HGH. Terry Newton goes into the Sports/Drug Hall of Shame. But here's the best part. An HGH test actually works. Now, let's get this thing going in baseball. Call me cynical, but I have to think that HGH is freely used in baseball without fear of getting caught. Perhaps that's why the New York Times is reporting that Major League Baseball will begin testing minor leaguers for HGH later this year.
5. Olympic Sports
Scores, a gentleman's club, has suggested they include pole dancing in the Olympics. In past years, bridge and ballroom dancing have been floated. By comparison, at least pole dancing includes a modicum of athletic ability. Now about those outfits...
Happy Birthday: Boxer Floyd Mayweather. 33.
Bonus Birthday: Tessio in The Godfather. Actor Abe Vigoda. 89.
Today in Sports: Kareem Abdul Jabbar hits his first career 3-point field goal. The NBA's all time scoring leader had scored 36,000 career points without hitting a 3. 1987.
Bonus Event: Lady Di and Prince Charles announce their engagement. 1981.