Happy Monday everyone, here's my Top 5 for September 21, 2009 from
www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
A regular season NFL record crowd of 105,121 watches the christening
of the new Cowboys $1.15 billion palace. The Giants beat the Cowboys
33-31 on a last second field goal. No punts hit the $40-million dollar
video screens.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has now thrown 9 touchdowns in 2
games after winning in Philly 48-22. The Saints have racked up 93
points in their two wins.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?
Try telling that to the Cubs volatile outfielder Milton Bradley. He
said the Cubs were not a "positive environment" and got suspended for
the rest of the season.
In Boxing, Floyd Mayweather returned after a 21 month layoff and
beat Juan Manuel Marquez in a unanimous decision. Mayweather is now
40-0.
Former tennis star Martina Hingis was the first celebrity bounced
out of the BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
2. J-E-T-S
Go ahead Jets fans, say it out loud. "The first place and undefeated
New York Jets." OK, its only week two. But new coach Rex Ryan proclaimed
he wasn't coming here to kiss Patriots coach Bill Belichick's ring. He
lets his players trash talk. He calls his season ticket holders with a
taped message to make noise at the game. And then the Jets go out and
do something they've never done before, beat Tom Brady in the
Meadowlands. For the first time, in a long time, it's not the "same
old Jets." Cool.
3. Monday Musings
The "even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and again" award to the
Oakland Raiders after somehow winning in Kansas City 13-10 despite
being outgained 409 yards to 166.
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Do some athletes take stupid pills? Delonte West of the Cleveland
Cavaliers got arrested for speeding on a motorcycle with three loaded
guns. Maybe he got confused when a coach told him to always be on the
lookout for a three point shot opportunity.
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Syracuse won and USC lost in college football. See, you can mention
Syracuse and USC football in the same breath.
4. Survey Says
The Associated Press reported last week that commercials in baseball
games are similar to football. Lots of sex, alcohol and junk food.
Beer commercials and ads for erectile dysfunction show up in virtually
every commercial break. Aren't kids watching these games? The
advertisers and the networks respond that the audience is
overwhelmingly adult. A bill was even introduced in Congress last May
to limit the e.d. ads to late night. They say it won't pass anytime
soon. (I could say that's because the lawmakers are too busy with sex,
alcohol and junk food, but that would be a cheap shot.)
5. What's in a Name?
There have been some interesting occupational names in the sports
world. Jockey Willie Shoemaker and any number of Bakers, Cooks and
Millers come to mind. But a young goaltender in the San Jose Sharks
organization has them beat. He is Tyson Sexsmith. I'm guessing he's
great at it ... goaltending that is.
Happy Birthday: Pistons "bad boy" Rick Mahorn. 51.
Bonus Birthday: Mr. Caddyshack. Bill Murray. 59.
Today in Sports: The debut of ABC's Monday Night Football. Cleveland
beat the Jets 31-21. 1970.
Bonus Event: "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." was printed for
the first time in the New York Sun. 1897.