Happy Spring everyone, here's my Top 5 for March 20, 2013 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- A new meaning to "one and done." The defending NCAA champs Kentucky were knocked out in the first round of the N.I.T. last night by Robert Morris, 59-57.
- North Carolina A&T and St. Mary's were winners last night in the first two NCAA basketball games. Tonight in Dayton, James Madison plays L.I.U. and Boise State plays La Salle.
- President Obama picked two #1 seeds, Louisville and Indiana, a # 2 seed, Ohio State and a #3 seed Florida to reach the Final Four. He picks Indiana to win it all.
- The Dominican Republic won the World Baseball Classic beating Puerto Rico 3-0. Robinson Cano of the Yankees was the MVP.
2. Crime and Punishment
When James Madison takes on L.I.U. tonight the Dukes will be without their leading scorer and rebounder for the first 20 minutes. Rayshawn Goins was arrested Sunday for obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct. The school says "in accordance with school policy" he'll be suspended for one half. I'm wondering if they have a chart in their school's code of conduct? Shoplifting: you sit until the first time out. Capital offenses: one whole basketball game.
3. Tennis Anyone
Now you know who runs the show in tennis. The players haven't been happy with the U.S. Open. They didn't like the prize money and the fact that the Open was the only Major where the semis and finals are on consecutive days. Well all their griping has paid off. Starting in 2015 the men's semifinals will be on Friday and the final on Sunday. And the prize money has zoomed. It'll be $50 million in 2017, about double what it was last year. The players, I guess proving once and for all, that without them there's not much of a tournament.
4. #4
Number four has to be #4 today in honor of the birthday boy. Just say "number four" in New England, or just about any other hockey region, and you know who they're talking about. Here's one story about the legendary Bobby Orr. He was killing a penalty against the California Golden Seals in 1975 when he lost his glove. While skating in circles to kill time, he scooped-up his glove in mid-skate and rushed the length of the ice to shoot on goal. What happened next is unclear. He either didn't score, or he did on the second effort depending on who's telling the story. If anyone has seen the video, or if it even exists, let us know. I'll call it the hockey version of "Ruth's Called Shot." While you're looking, welcome Bobby Orr to Medicare.
5. Power Couples
You guys had lots of other candidates for "power sports couples" in addition to Tiger Woods/Lindsey Vonn, Steffi Graff/Andre Agassi, Babe Didrikson/George Zaharias.
*P.S. Rory McIlroy and Carolyn Wozniacki, Greg Norman and Chris Evert (short-lived.)
*B.L. Laird Hamilton (surfing) and Gabrielle Reece (volleyball) and Nomar Garciaparra and Mia Hamm.
*R.K. Misty May and Matt Treanor, Ray Knight and Nancy Lopez, Ralph Kiner and Nancy Chaffee.
Editor's Note: Ralph Kiner was the National League home run champ in 1951 when he married 22-year old tennis star Nancy Chaffee.
Happy Birthday: The great Bobby Orr. 65.
Bonus Birthday: Miami Heat president Pat Riley. 68.
Today in Sports: Babe Didrikson gives up no hits and walks one Dodger in one inning of work for the Philadelphia A's in an exhibition game. 1934.
Bonus Event: John Lennon marries Yoko Ono at the Rock of Gibraltar. 1969.
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