Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 15, 2013 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Adam Scott becomes the first Aussie to win the Masters beating Angel Cabrera on the second hole of sudden death.
- Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins reportedly tells the team he will not return to coach next season.
- The Chicago Cubs and the city agree on a $500 million facelift for Wrigley Field, which includes an electronic outfield video board.
- Boola Boola. Yale won its first NCAA hockey title beating Quinnipiac Saturday night 4-0. Yale's last title? 1953 in swimming.
- The Boston Marathon is being run today.
2. A Game of Honor
It's just as well that Tiger Woods didn't win the Masters. In the minds of many it would be tagged with an asterisk. In my opinion Tiger Woods broke a rule, unintentionally we'll give him, and benefited. The honorable thing to do, withdraw. He signed an incorrect scorecard. Them's the rules. Imagine how Tiger would be canonized if he had done it. I present to you Greg Norman at the 1996 Hartford Open. He played the first two rounds with Maxfli SX9 golf balls. Before the third round he realized the approved ball that he should have been playing was the SX90. The SX9 was not on the approved list. So Norman disqualified himself. Said fellow golfer Tom Kite, "I don't think you'll see that in other sports. People set those standards long before us, and it's expected of us. And we expect it from the younger players." In 1990 Greg Norman was leading one of Australia's richest tournaments after two rounds. He then disqualified himself before the third round because he felt he had taken an improper drop in the first round. He also said the course record 63 he shot in the second round should not stand. That's the way it's done. By the way the best tweet was sent out by Lindsey Vonn's ex-husband. @ThomasVonn took credit for calling-in Woods' violation. No problem Masters tournament happy to call in and help. You always have to keep an eye on those cheaters ;)
3. A-Fraud
It never ends with Alex Rodriguez, does it? Now he stands accused of trying to buy (and obviously destroy) documents from Biogenesis the Miami firm linked to supplying Major Leaguers with performance enhancing drugs. If proven, it may be the smoking gun that'll get the Yankees (and their fans) out from under the onerous Rodriguez contract.
4. Fallen Stars
Fans gravitate toward stars in sports, and within 24 hours three big names went down. First Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke was knocked out of action for about eight weeks with a fractured collarbone. He suffered it when he plunked Carlos Quentin of San Diego and Quentin charged the mound and tackled Greinke. Quentin was suspended eight games. Many sports fans don't think that's equitable. It got worse for L.A. sports fans when Kobe Bryant of the Lakers tore his Achilles. He underwent surgery and will need six-nine months to recover. The same night Toronto shortstop Jose Reyes slid awkwardly into second base. He's expected to miss three months with an ankle injury. Now you know why every coach in every sport begins dozens of news conferences with "If we're healthy..."
5. And in the Winner Is
Congrats to three Top Fivers who picked Adam Scott to win the Masters. (Diane C. from White Plains, New York, Brian M. from Brentwood, California, and Eric. R. from Great Neck, New York, a That's Sports baseball/golf cap is all yours. So without wasting any time, here's another chance. The never-ending NBA playoffs begin Saturday. Which two teams will meet in the NBA Finals? Just email me your prediction with the two teams in the subject line. The tiebreaker: How many games will the Finals last? Only one entry per person. The deadline is Friday night at midnight. Good luck!
Happy Birthday: Swimmer Dana Torres. 46.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Seth Rogen. 31.
Today in Sports: Jackie Robinson. 1947. Every Major Leaguer will wear #42 today in his honor. (Send me your thoughts on the movie 42. I'll compile a Top 5 review.)
Bonus Event: The Titanic sank. 1912.
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