Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for December 2, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* LeBron James returns to play in Cleveland for the first time tonight since bolting Ohio for Miami.
* The NCAA clears Auburn quarterback Cam Newton to play against South Carolina Saturday. Their reasoning? It's his dad who ran afoul of NCAA rules, not Newton.
* Stop me if you've heard this one before. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre says after this season, "I'm done, I'm done." I presume he means playing football.
2. Homecoming
Cleveland Cavalier fans have had today circled on their calendars for months. LeBron James is coming back to play against the Cavs for the first time. There will be extra security on hand, and fans cannot wave derogatory signs or wear anti-LeBron t-shirts. There have been all sorts of creative t-shirts making the rounds in Cleveland from "The Lyin' King," to "Ringless," to "Quitness." If a fan is spotted wearing something negative, he'll be given a Cavaliers t-shirt to wear instead. Are they going to play disco music to try to drown out the boos too? This promises to be a very interesting night in Cleveland.
3. Rule Change
The LPGA just changed their rules. You don't have to be a woman at birth to compete on their tour. It was the expedient thing to do. A 57-year old former cop, who had gender reassignment surgery, was suing the LPGA. And lets get real here. I don't think he/she, at the age of 57, was going to be a threat to steal money from the ladies on tour. So it's probably a non-story. But it gives us the chance to use the phrase gender reassignment surgery. I'm guessing that's the same thing as a sex change operation, no?
4. The Meaning Of Life
Minnesota Senator Al Franken recently wrote in the Washington Post, "I often wonder if caring so much about sports franchises is just plain stupid. I like sports, but I don't wax philosophic about the power and grace of athleticism or find any real deep meaning in football or baseball."
Funny. I've often wondered if caring so much about politics is just plain stupid? I like politics, but I don't wax philosophic about the abuse of power by lawmakers, or find any real deep meaning in roll calls or back room deals.
5. Heavens!
It's been a bad week in the God department. First you had the Buffalo wide receiver taking a shot at the big guy on Twitter for his dropped touchdown pass. And now a Tacoma high school kid was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for dropping to a knee and pointing skyward after a touchdown. The kid said he was paying homage to his Lord. The rules say that's calling attention to yourself. I know the Big Guy has bigger fish to fry, but when he gets around to it, maybe he can help straighten out the sports world... if it's not too much too ask?
Happy Birthday: 9-time Grand Slam winner, tennis star Monica Seles. 37.
Bonus Birthday: Oops, she's a year older. Britney Spears. 29.
Today In Sports: The Mets sign Bobby Bonilla, 5 years, $29 million. And they'll be paying him over $1 million a year until 2035. Nice. 1991.
Bonus Event: LaGuardia Airport opens for business without pat-downs or body scanners. 1939.
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