Happy February everyone, here's my Top 5 for February 1, 2010 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* The AFC beat the NFC in the Pro Bowl, 41-34. The crowd of over 70,000 in Miami was the 2nd largest in Pro Bowl history.
* Jets coach Rex Ryan is at it again. He had to apologize for flipping the bird to Miami fans at a mixed martial arts event.
* Former Philadelphia Eagle Tom Brookshier passed away at the age of 78. He worked with Pat Summerall on CBS before John Madden.
* Roger Federer won his record extending 16th major, beating Andy Murray to win the Australian Open. Serena Williams won her 5th Australian Open title.
* Sitting in on the CBS broadcast of Duke/Georgetown Saturday, the lefty basketball playing Chief Executive was asked "if he could go to his right?" President Obama answered sure, he went to visit the Republicans the other day.
2. Kick Off
In maybe a first, Minnesota Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie was booted off the Pro Bowl team for failing to practice. I am shocked. They practice? How bad to you have to be to be kicked off a Pro Bowl team? That's like being asked to sit out of the 2nd grade kickball game because you aren't good enough.
3. Cheats Louts and Quitters
The golf headlines blared over the weekend. Phil Mickelson was called a cheater for using an old pitching wedge. It's a long story, and he technically wasn't cheating. It just wasn't in the "spirit" of the rules. Some Tom Watson comments surfaced calling out Tiger Woods for his immature behavior on the golf course. Cursing, club throwing. And the colorful John Daly threatened to retire after missing the cut. Who says golf is boring? Then again, who won at Torrey Pines yesterday? Lemme check.
4. There's No Crying in...
Last year, Roger Federer was in tears when he lost the Australian Open finals to Rafael Nadal. Yesterday, it was Andy Murray's turn. A British man hasn't won a Grand Slam tournament since Fred Perry in 1936. After losing to Federer, Murray sobbed as he talked to the crowd. He had the best line of the weekend. "I can cry like Roger; it's just a shame I can't play like him."
5. Word of the Day
Visszajátszás.
Sirius Radio will broadcast the Super Bowl in 10 different languages. It's never too early to brush up on your Hungarian. Don't you hate those annoying instant visszajátszás delays?
Happy Birthday: Four time World Series champion (Orioles and Yankees) Paul Blair. Did you know he was originally signed by the Mets? 66.
Bonus Birthday: Elvis' little girl, and former Mrs. Nicolas Cage and Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie Presley. 42.
Today in Sports: Uh oh. That ill conceived "wardrobe malfunction" at halftime of the Super Bowl involving Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson. 2004.
Bonus Event: There she is... The first Miss America is crowned in New York City. Turns out Edith Hyde was really a Mrs. 1919.
For my New England subscribers. I'll be signing copies of my NY Times bestselling kids book The Greatest Moments in Sports Friday, February 5th, at Porter Square Books in Cambridge. 6pm.
And Saturday, February 6th at Wellesley Booksmith. 2pm.