Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for October 22, 2009 from
www.LenBermanSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
The champion Philadelphia Phillies are heading back to the World
Series after beating the Dodgers in 5 games, 10-4 the final last
night. Street celebrations aren't as rowdy as last year.
The Yankees can capture their 40th pennant with a win tonight in
Anaheim. 7:57pm ET FOX
Former Mets General Manager Steve Phillips, 46, takes leave of
absence from ESPN in the wake of an affair with a 22-year old
production assistant. Phillips' wife has filed for divorce.
The Olympic flame is lit in Olympia, Greece. It'll arrive in Canada
next week for a very long torch relay to Vancouver for the start of
the Winter Olympics February 12th.
2. Calling R2-D2
The head of the baseball umpires union is opposed to instant replay.
He says it would turn umpires into "robots." I'd rather have robots
than World Series farces. (Again, I'm in favor of limited replay.)
After a controversial call in the 1975 World Series, Carl Yastrzemski
of the Red Sox said to me, "the best players are in the World Series,
why not the best umpires?" How sad is it that 34 years later we're
still asking the same question?
3. The More Things Change
Ho hum. Knicks Center Eddy Curry is out of shape, and during the
critical moments of the Phillies/Dodgers game the other night, Manny
Ramirez was taking a shower. Shades of Rickey Henderson of the Mets
playing cards during a playoff game. Don't you wonder what these
athletes are thinking? Other than "me, myself and I?"
4. Obstacle Course
During the Des Moines Marathon last weekend, the runners had to stop
for a passing train. It enabled the second place guy to catch up to
the lead, but he ultimately finished second anyway. This opens up all
sorts of possibilities. Most big Marathons take a couple of hours to
see which African guy wins. Let's make it more interesting. Passing
trains, open drawbridges, running through alligator infested moats.
How about crawling through windmills? We could combine the very best
that marathon racing and miniature golf have to offer.
5. Blackout
I got a warning message yesterday that some of my emails were blocked
for "inappropriate content." The offensive word was "Whitey."
Next year when I mention Whitey Ford's birthday, I must remember to
call him Edward Charles Ford to keep it clean.
(I just realized I'll get another warning message today. Oy.)
Happy Birthday: Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano, don't you know.
27.
Bonus Birthday: Actress Catherine Deneuve. 66.
Today in Sports: Remember when L.A. had an NFL team? Remember when
the Rams could win a game? The L.A. Rams beat the Baltimore Colts
70-27. 1950.
Bonus Event: Thank God, now Bill Bradley has a school to play
basketball for. Princeton University receives its charter. 1746.