TGIF everyone here's my Top 5 for August 17, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- A matter of time. Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino says Bobby Valentine will be the Red Sox manager for at least the remainder of this season.
- Tampa Bay pitcher David Price is the majors' first 16-game winner after beating the Angels 7-0.
- Major League Baseball approves the sale of the San Diego Padres to a group that includes golfer Phil Mickelson.
2. Dominoes
In the wake of Melky Cabrera being exposed, how about the results caused by fraudulence? Not only stats, but results of games. Cabrera's home run in the All Star Game helped the National League obtain home field advantage for the World Series. So taking it a step further, the World Series could be decided in part by Melky juicing. Way to go, baseball.
3. The Polls
Nothing is screwier than college sports polls. The basketball polls are a waste of time since they have a playoff, but the football polls are another story. The polls are used to determine who makes the BCS Championship Game and starting in 2014 who makes the four-team playoff. So enter the coaches poll where coaches can vote for their own team in secret. Lane Kiffin of USC said he wouldn't vote for his own team as #1 and then that's exactly what he did. When it all came to light he said he was done voting. I don't know about you, but maybe coaches should stick to coaching. They seem to fail is so many other areas.
4. Friday eMailbag
With Melky Cabrera getting suspended 50 games for using performance enhancing drugs, R.B. writes, "Cabrera can always 'supplement' his missing income by doing 'Melk Duds' commercials."
And from K.V. Yankees radio announcer "John Sterling should change his home run call to 'The Juice Man Delivers!'"
In response to Red Sox players reportedly complaining about their manager, Bobby Valentine, P.M. writes "Awww, some players on the Sox don't like the manager, so they go complain to the GM. Are they nuts? Even without 8 percent unemployment, these guys are so fortunate it's ridiculous! They're getting paid handsomely and just need to shut up and perform."
In regards to Chad Johnson getting arrested, fired, having his show canceled and his wife filing for divorce all in the same week, K.C. writes "Chad Johnson just needs one more mishap and he'll be 'O-for-Cinco.'"
Editor's Note: Book it. He lost his endorsement deal with a coconut water brand.
5. Spanning the World
This week's Spanning the World highlight comes from the CFL. Another graphic example of why football players should act like "they've been there before." It was not a touchdown. He was ruled down at the 1.
Spanning the World airs monthly on NBC's Today Show. Next up: Wednesday, August 29 in the 8:30 a.m. half hour.
Happy Birthday: Winner of four major tennis tournaments, Jim Courier. 42.
Bonus Birthday: Robert De Niro. 69.
Today in Sports: Pete Rose debuted as player-manager of the Cincinnati Reds, and you betcha, he got two hits. 1984.
Bonus Event: We're off to see the wizard. The Wizard of Oz premieres in New York City. 1939.
Fun Fact: The Top 5 was read this week in the Philippines and Bangladesh.
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