Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 15, 2009 from
www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
The race for the pennant. Game 1 for the National League
Championship is tonight. Phillies @ Dodgers. 8:07pm ET. TBS.
It was only a matter of time. The group trying to buy the St. Louis
Rams dropped Rush Limbaugh as a potential partner.
It was only a matter of time II. Binghamton basketball coach Kevin
Broadus was placed on paid leave. We don't have enough space to
recount all the problems involved in that program.
2. Like-ly Candidates
Who are America's most likeable celebrities? In a national survey,
of the top 33, only two athletes made the list. Michael Phelps was
ranked 2nd (behind American Idol judge Randy Jackson) and Alex
Rodriguez ranked 19th. Both interesting choices. Both suffered "black
eyes" in the media. Phelps with his bong picture, A-Rod with steroids.
More interesting, A-Rod also scored well in believability and
sincerity. So while we skeptics scoffed at his "cousin injected me
with something" story, America apparently bought it. How about that?
3. Upon Further Review
Yesterday's item about Hiroshima and Nagasaki wanting to stage an
Olympics brought much comment. Those two cities had A-bombs dropped on
them, and I thought it ironic that they would capitalize on that. Top
5 subscriber J.G. (a television director) emailed to say:
I did a
Marathon in Hiroshima years ago, and I would hesitate in any way to
make light of the City of Peace that they have established. The
stories that are told and the memories of agony that can still be seen
at the Dome are something that will haunt you forever. The entire city
has become one of the world's leading centers for the promotion of
world peace. Everyone should go there to remember and never forget.
My sincere thanks for that perspective, J.G.
4. R.I. P Captain
The great wrestling showman Captain Lou Albano passed away yesterday
at the age of 76. My favorite Captain Lou moment? His "rendition" of
the National Anthem. It was a "Spanning the World" classic. Thanks for
the memories, Lou.
5. Down by Contact
Here's how you know maybe football isn't your sport. A 7-year-old
boy was playing football in his backyard in Wintersville, Ohio when he
was tackled by a deer. Honest. The kid wasn't seriously hurt, but the
Detroit Lions have called about the deer's eligibility. They could pay
him big bucks. Lots of doe...
Happy Birthday: Orioles hall of fame pitcher Jim Palmer. 64.
Bonus Birthday: Schlemeel, schlemazel, Laverne on Laverne and
Shirley, Actress/Director Penny Marshall. 67.
Today in Sports: Ron Swoboda made his incredible World Series catch.
1969. And "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe as the
all time NHL Scorer. 1989. Both are featured in my new kids book "The
Greatest Moments in Sports: coming out next month. Yet another
shameless plug!
Bonus Event: Lucy, I'm home. I Love Lucy debuts on CBS. 1951.