Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for April 18, 2013 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The NBA regular season ended last night. The L.A. Lakers captured the seventh seed and will face San Antonio. The NBA Playoffs begin Saturday.
- Four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers, who's 65 years old, says he will probably run the Marathon next year. What happened Monday, he says, will give new meaning to training and running the race.
- The 2013 NFL schedule will be released tonight at 8 p.m.
2. Boston Strong
Last night's Boston Bruins game against Buffalo was the first major sports event in Boston since the Marathon tragedy. Before the game fans joined together to sing the National Anthem. When it ended the crowd erupted in "U.S.A. U.S.A." Touching indeed.
3. More Tributes
The passing of Pat Summerall struck a chord with millions of sports fans. You responded to my Top 5 and to Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5" like few other stories. Here are the thoughts of Frank Gifford on the NFL Network. Pat's long-time partner, John Madden, spoke with KCBS radio. I thought you'd enjoy hearing their comments.
4. Super Week
Just curious about something. With the NHL reportedly scheduling two hockey games at Yankee Stadium during Super Bowl week, what are they saying privately in NFL offices? The sports world will converge on the New York area for the first outdoor cold weather Super Bowl. Is the league thrilled that the NHL is trying to divert some attention? Just wonderin'.
5. 42
I asked Top Fivers for their assessment of 42. So here is a group review.
*L.E. 42 - 3 1/2 stars. One of the best sports bio movies you'll ever see. The movie conveys the raw hate of bigotry that Jackie experienced which brings the scope of his achievement into focus. It took a special man, undeniably an American hero, to succeed. Harrison Ford's performance as Branch Rickey is Oscar caliber.
*D.S. The movie lacks any subtlety, sub-text or nuance and you don't feel as if you really got to know Jackie, or Branch Rickey, that well.
*On Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5" D.R. I thought it was an entertaining and honest movie but it totally ignored that two other black players entered the American League just two months after Jackie joined the Dodgers. Everyone remembers Jackie but no one cares about Larry Doby and Hank Thompson who had identical experiences at the same time.
*G.A. on Facebook: Fantastic. made me want to buy a Dodgers #42 jersey. I want to wear it to honor Jackie, too.
*P.B. on Facebook: Major league umpiring crews did not use four umpires until 1952. Although the film is cinematically gripping and well done, the portrayal of the umpiring, almost predictably, is less than accurate.
*C.K. on Facebook: Powerful movie, I can't stop thinking about it. A must-see, and I hope our kids see it; they are far removed from this era of segregation in American history to the point where I don't think they truly understand what Robinson, Rickey and others had to endure in paving the way for equality.
*M.H. on Facebook: We loved it. The audience in our theater clapped and cheered all the way through.
So by and large, two gloves up!
Happy Birthday: Detroit Tigers Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera. 30.
Bonus Birthday: Conan O'Brien. 50.
Today in Sports: 90 years ago today, the old Yankee Stadium opens as the Yankees beat Boston 4-1. Babe Ruth hits the first homer, a three run shot, in the "house that he built." 1923.
Bonus Event: Paul Revere went for a horseback ride. 1775.
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