Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for January 24, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- A private funeral will be held for Joe Paterno tomorrow. A memorial service will be Thursday on campus. State flags will fly at half mast through Thursday in Paterno's honor.
- Yankees catcher Jorge Posada will make his retirement official today.
- TV ratings from the Giants and Niners were the best for a championship game since 1995.
- Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal in the semis at the Australian Open.
- Kim Clijsters beats #1 in the world Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals. So Wozniacki, despite her top ranking, has still never won a major.
- The Houston Astros could change names when they switch to the American League in 2013. Any ideas?
- Long-time Phillies announcer (Syracuse grad) Andy Musser has died. He was 74.
2. Your Turn
Your thoughts were plentiful about Joe Paterno and decidedly mixed.
*P.R. Joe Paterno died from a broken heart and NOT from lung cancer.
*E.M. He was a good man. As they say, he's in a better place and he won't suffer any longer. My heart went out to him.
*D.Z. His failure to address the disgusting actions taking place within that organization should always overshadow any good he may have done over the past few decades. Since when does doing good for a college sport take precedence over doing good for a human being?
*G.A. Sorry, he got what he deserved. This wasn't just looking away from a recruiting violation. And this negligence, in my view, is a serious crime.
*H.K. What a sad way to end an otherwise long and stellar life. Like leading a marathon only to trip over the finish line. Unfortunately, the scandal will be a large part of his legacy.
3. Roughing
The Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins visited the White House yesterday. Goalie Tim Thomas was a "conscientious objector" and didn't attend saying that "I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people.'' While you debate that, the Bruins have made news in other ways. They've developed a reputation for playing dirty. Heck, there's even a Facebook page called "Boston Bruins play DIRTY!" So which esteemed media giant took the Bruins to task? ESPN? Sports Illustrated? Real Sports on HBO? Nope. None other than Jon Stewart on Comedy Central. Enjoy.
4. Sound Familiar?
On Sunday, Kyle Williams fumbled a punt return in overtime leading to a game losing 31-yard field goal and a 20-17 loss for the 49ers. When Williams played at Arizona State, his muffed punt led to a game losing 32-yard field goal and a 20-17 loss to Arizona. Proving once again that "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
5. Predictions
With the Giants making it to the Super Bowl, Top 5 subscriber G.S. writes on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," "Lost in all this is the fact that Rex Ryan gets no credit for correctly predicting that New York would appear in this year's Super Bowl." And G.S. wasn't the only one. The Giants themselves had a little fun at Rex's expense. On the team's official Twitter account Sunday night: Some teams are happy getting to Conference Championship games, but #ImReallyGoodAt winning them! 5-0 all time! #ALLIN Ain't food fights fun?
Happy Birthday: Gymnast Mary Lou Retton. 44.
Bonus Birthday: Singer Neil "Sweet Caroline" Diamond. 71.
Today in Sports: 30 years ago today. Joe Montana wins the first of his four Super Bowl rings beating Cincinnati 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI. 1982.
Bonus Event: The first Mac computer was introduced by Apple chairman Steve Jobs. 1984.
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