Top 5 Sports Stories

Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for December 14, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.

1. Quick Hits

• Two of Bernie Fine's accusers are suing Syracuse University and basketball coach Jim Boeheim for defamation.
• Steelers linebacker James Harrison was suspended one game without pay for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. Harrison tweeted "LOL" and is appealing.
• The new baseball deal calls for more replay, trapped balls and fan interference, but it has to be worked out with the umps. Also, no more roommates for baseball players in spring training. I'm assuming that applies only to fellow players.
• PGA players vote Luke Donald "Player of the Year."

2. Never Ending Story

I used to rail against fighting in hockey but I got tired of hearing myself talk. The pictures tell the story. Look at the faces of the fans behind the glass when fights are taking place. Could they be any happier? (Then again, these fans at a Lingerie Football League brawl in Philadelphia ain't exactly booing!) Anyway, that's why the grand poobahs of hockey keep fighting in the game. It sells tickets. Plus the players have a code of honor that begins in pee wee hockey. (Check out #5 below.) But now that there may be a connection between fighting and brain disease it's possible that hockey will finally wake up. But I won't hold my breath.

3. Tebowing

The Global Language Monitor (whatever that is) reports that Tebowing, the act of taking a knee in prayerful reflection in the midst of an athletic activity, has been acknowledged as an English language word. They've rarely seen a word take the language by storm so quickly. And you guys had lots to say about Tim Tebow.

*Joe K. The guy is a WINNER. Period. He knows how to get the job done better than anyone right now. End of story. Oh, and by the way...I'm a Dallas fan!

*Steve B. Tebow may not always lead Denver out of the shadow of death, but he is what the USA needs. I pray that he is never caught up in the junk that have caused others to fall ethically.

*Stephen F. Isn't it ironic that a low life off the field like Big Ben Roethlisberger (who I am a big fan of for his on field performance) is admired for his grittiness, but Tebow is scorned for his religious observance?

4. Goodie Bag

Thanks for playing, we have some lovely parting gifts. Your favorite game show? Nope, Derek Jeter's home. According to the New York Post, after Jeter enjoys the company of a young woman in his New York apartment, he sends her home in a car with a basket of autographed memorabilia. This came to light when he apparently didn't remember a certain young lass and sent her home with the same gift twice. For the record, is that a doubleheader? A double play? A too-base error? Maybe Derek has just lost track of the count.

5. Never Too Young

A touching scene at the pee wee hockey game. It's nice that they all shake hands when the game is over, much like a Stanley Cup Playoff game. Because once the pleasantries are over, boys will be boys!

Happy Birthday: Former major leaguer Bill Buckner. 62.
Bonus Birthday: Actress Patty Duke. 65.

Today in Sports: Howard Cosell retires from Monday Night Football. 1984.
Bonus Event: Who could have predicted that Nostradamus would have been born on this date? 1503.

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