Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 27, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger vows to change his ways and says he won't appeal his 4-6 game suspension. In truth, what's the point?
* Remember Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount? He's the kid who punched a Boise State player and got suspended most of the season. This time he gave the back of his hand to the 49ers. After not being drafted he agreed to a deal with San Francisco, then changed his mind and bolted for Tennessee.
* The Philadelphia Phillies sign their slugging first baseman, Ryan Howard, to a 5-year $125 million extension that kicks-in in 2012.
* Want your money's worth at the ballpark? Go to a Red Sox game. They beat Toronto 13-12 in a 4 hour 3 minute 9 inning game. The four longest games this year were all played by Boston.
2. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
The champion Yankees visited the White House and President Obama yesterday. Vice President Joe Biden did not call it a "big f'in deal," and to paraphrase subscriber Rob B., A-Rod did not cut across the White House lawn. So all in all it sounds like a success.
3. Creeping Commercialism
This season it won't say Seattle or Storm on the uniforms of the Seattle Storm WNBA team, it'll say Bing. That's Microsoft's search engine. Microsoft of course is based in the state of Washington. I'm thinking the LA Sparks in California should be sponsored by Google so when the two teams play each other, it'll be the battle of the search engines. And when Bing and Google race down the court, we'll see which one is really faster. Or you could just have a regular WNBA game. Your choice.
4. Survey Says
I guess they'll survey anything. They asked people from various countries what they would give up if it meant their team could win the World Cup in soccer? 51% would give up food for a week. 40% would stop dating for a year. 4% would give up a body part. Broken down by country, Italians would give up their jobs, South Koreans their love life and Americans their homes. That's quite a sacrifice for U.S. sports fans, but they're used to it. If they go to baseball or football games it's already cost them an arm and a leg.
5. By George
Joe D. and Marilyn. A-Rod and (every actress). And now George Steinbrenner and Barbara Walters? Apparently that's what Bill Madden hints in his new book, George Steinbrenner: The Last Lion in Baseball. Can't wait for the illicit audio tape. "Wow, Mr. Steinbwenner. You are weally weally a Womeo. You're getting me awoused."
Happy Birthday: Rajah. The great hall of famer Rogers Hornsby was born on this date. 1896.
Bonus Birthday: Mr. Top 40 himself, Casey Kasem. 78.
Today in Sports: Babe Ruth day at Yankee Stadium. The ailing Babe, thanks his fans. 1947.
Bonus Event: Undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano relinquished his crown when he retired on this date. 1956.