Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for July 25, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- NFL players are expected to vote to accept a new deal today.
- Please say it ain't so. Rumors have the Philadelphia Eagles interested in the "retired" Brett Favre.
- Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven are inducted in Cooperstown.
- The Seattle Mariners lose their team record 15th straight game, 12-8 to Boston.
- Cadel Evans is the first Australian winner of the Tour de France. Actually he's the first non-American, non-European winner.
- In nuptial news, Bears quarterback Jack Cutler called an audible, his engagement to actress Kristen Cavallari is off. Your engagement gifts are in the mail.
2. NFL Labor
This promises to be a week unlike any other in the annals of the NFL. In quick order the players will ratify the new deal, training camps will swing open, and there will be a dizzying free agent signing period. But most important, no games will be lost. And when you're divvying up $9 billion, isn't that the whole idea?
3. HGH
Sports' dirty little secret. It's human growth hormone. Even in 2011 it's not the easiest thing to test for. There's no urine test, for example. You have to take random blood tests to catch the cheats. Well the NFL is leading the way. It reportedly will be part of the new agreement between the league and players. Good for both parties. Now it's time for Major League Baseball to join the real world. There's no question that a percentage of baseball players is currently on the stuff. How high? Who knows? But put in random testing and I guarantee you that number plummets. If you think offensive production is down now, just wait.
4. Our Father
Well, final proof that religion and sports may not mix. Before a NASCAR race the other night in Nashville, the invocation was delivered by Pastor Joe Nelms. It was quite an invocation. You had to wonder if it was sponsored? He mentioned every car manufacturer, racing fuel, and tire by name. But the best part, he thanked the Lord for his "smokin' hot wife, Lisa." Now in the interest of journalism, here's a picture of Pastor Joe and his wife. If nothing else, you have to admire his enthusiasm.
5. Bummer
Uruguay beat Paraguay 3-0 in the Copa America final yesterday, dashing the hopes of heavy breathing males everywhere. Paraguay fan Larissa Riquelme had vowed to strip naked if Paraguay had won the tournament. Sorry guys. Subscriber Michael L. was wondering in this Uraguay/Paraguay matchup "who are the good guays and who are the bad guays?" I think we now have our answer.
Is there a consolation prize?
Happy Birthday: Former Major League closer Billy Wagner. 40.
Bonus Birthday: Model and actress Iman (Mrs. David Bowie). 56,
Today in Sports: Pete Rose gets a hit off Craig Swan of the Mets setting the modern National League record of a hit in 38 straight games. He was eventually stopped at 44. 1978.
Bonus Event: Talk about excitement; in Worcester Massachusetts, freshmen from Harvard and Yale compete in the first intercollegiate billiards match. 1850.
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