Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 6, 2009 from
www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
Brett Favre throws 3 touchdown passes to lead undefeated Minnesota
to a 30-23 win over his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
The Twins and Tigers meet today in Minneapolis at 5:07pm ET to
decide the AL Central.
ESPN.com is reporting that Bobby Valentine could be in line for the
Florida Marlins job. Wouldn't you rather see him at Citi Field?
Serena Williams regains the #1 ranking. Luckily it's done by
computer, so she can't shove anything down its throat.
2. Meet the Mess
The Mets have shaken up their coaching staff. Two coaches won't be
back next season. Woo hoo. Start printing playoff tickets. And in a
startling upset, the entire training staff will return, but they'll
change some "medical protocols." Like what, how to actually do medical
training?
3. Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
So what's more important, individual stats or team goals? Another
way of putting it, if you assemble a team of stars does that guarantee
you anything? Yes, Yankee fans, this one's for you. The New York Times
pointed out that for this decade, 2000-2009, the Yankees have the
pitcher with the most wins (Andy Pettitte), the batter with the most
homers (A-Rod), and the top three in runs scored (A-Rod, Damon, and
Jeter.) And with all of that they have exactly one World Championship
to show for it. Discuss among yourselves.
4. Politics Schmolotics
And I thought sports fans were rabid. You political scientists are
even wackier. In response to all the political implications of
President Obama's trip to Copenhagen, and Chicago losing out on their
Olympic bid, some of you subscribers couldn't wait to vent.
David R. wrote: "If you want to blame anyone for what happened to
the U.S. and Obama in Copenhagen, blame his staff for terrible advance
political work. You don't put your boss into a no-win situation."
From Michael D. "Your daily email is great but please stay out of
politics -
You're talking about a president who goes around the world
apologizing for all the evils America has done and then goes to
Copenhagen to tell them how great we are - then he is surprised when
they don't choose us for the games."
From Jeffrey H. "Get off the President's back will you, it's going
to take more than one or two terms to fix this disaster, this guy will
be long gone, he's just the starting point guard."
And Alex M. wrote "I implore you to stay away from the political
rhetoric. If anything, it was our pompous media that was our downfall
for not receiving the Olympics."
Yup...when it doubt, blame the media!
5. Line of the Week
Chris Evert is 3/4's of the way home. After failed marriages to an
American (Skier Andy Mill), A Brit (Tennis player John Lloyd), and an
Aussie (Golfer Greg Norman), The Washington Times points out that "she
is only a Frenchman away from the matrimonial grand slam." Of course
Liz Taylor has completed her own version of two slams (See below).
Happy Birthday: Red Sox pitcher Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd. 50.
Bonus Birthday: "Leaving Las Vegas" actress Elisabeth Shue. 46.
Today in Sports: 20-year old Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer is the
youngest to pitch a World Series shutout. (He beat Sandy Koufax and
the Dodgers 6-0 in game 2.) 1966.
Bonus Event: 8 is enough. Elizabeth Taylor marries Larry Fortensky.
If you're scoring at home it was the 8th time she got married to 7
different guys. 1991.