Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 11, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The 93rd PGA Championship is underway in Atlanta.
- Let's play 1/2. Tampa Bay beat Kansas City 4-0 last night in one hour 53 minutes.
- The U.S. and Mexico tied 1-1 in Jurgen Klinsmann's debut as U.S. soccer coach.
- What quality of football can we expect? The NFL begins its exhibition season tonight with 5 games scheduled.
- The New England Patriots will honor owner Bob Kraft's late wife Myra by displaying her initials on their uniforms.
2. Swing and a Miss
Tiger didn't want to play. Too bad. When his former caddie Steve Williams took some veiled shots at him, the sports world couldn't wait to hear how Tiger would fire back. He didn't. In yesterday's news conference, when asked if he was surprised by Williams' comments, all Woods would say was "yes," no elaboration. Although he did leave one comment open for interpretation. He said he texted Williams to congratulate him on his win. "His win?" That was the controversy. Williams called last week the biggest win of his life. Cynics said, wait, we thought Adam Scott won the tournament. Actually I found one comment the most interesting from Woods. He said, "All I can control is my own life." Really? How has that worked out so far?
3. Roomie
Colorful Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is looking for a roommate. And not a teammate. He wants to bunk with a regular old fan for a few weeks so he can learn the ropes of his new town. I think that's a great idea. It's high time that pro athletes learn how the other half lives. It would probably keep them out of trouble too. On top of that, wouldn't it be fun to call your buddy and his roommate answers? "Biff isn't home... this is his roommate Derek Jeter." And won't the roommate search be fun? You can go around town hanging flyers." Hey, I play for the Patriots, got an extra bed?" And the best part. I'm guessing he can probably afford to split the rent.
4. Hall of a Day
Tomorrow, they'll induct the class of 2011 into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. What a group. Included are names like the late Goose Tatum. He was the original clown prince of the Harlem Globetrotters. It's a long overdue honor. Goose passed away 44 years ago! Also in this year's class, a couple of guys I'm partial to. The former Celtic and NYU star Tom "Satch" Sanders. One of the true "gentlemen" in sports. I had the honor of announcing some Celtics games with Satch. Then there's Chris Mullin. I called his games for four years at St. John's in the early days of the Big East. I always thought of him as a "mini-Larry Bird." Sure he could shoot, but I loved his passing. And then there's Dennis Rodman. He'll garner the most attention, as usual. He was a helluva basketball player, but was wacky to say the least. I know, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Hopefully, he'll leave his wedding gown home.
5. Your Ad Here
Subscriber Dean G. asks a good question. "Do you know if the PGA has a stated position on exposed tattoos by the players during tournaments?"
There is no PGA rule that bans tattoos. But now I have a question. What if a player sports a visible tattoo with a sponsor's name? That's probably OK, since golfers flash all kinds of ads on their hats, shirts and bags. Now what if a basketball player does it? Is that the next bargaining skirmish on the horizon, who owns the rights to a players' skin?
Happy Birthday: Kansas City outfielder Melky Cabrera. 27.
Bonus Birthday: Terry Bollea, otherwise known as wrestler Hulk Hogan. 58.
Today in Sports: The New York Giants fall 13 1/2 games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers. What happened after that, was history. It culminated with, "The Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant!" 1951.
Bonus Event: What a cutup. President Reagan was testing his microphone for his weekly radio address. He announced, "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you that I just signed legislation that would outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." 1984.
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