Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for December 24, 2009 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
* I guess Jason Bay isn't dying to hit at Citi Field. His agent his trying to reheat talks with the Red Sox.
* The Braves pick up Troy Glaus to play third base. So the Mets rivals in Atlanta, Philly and even Washington make moves, while the Mets fiddle. No wait, the Mets did sign a 35-year-old minor league knuckleballer. Start printing those playoff tickets.
* A group called Jewish Major Leaguers Inc. has named Ryan Braun of Milwaukee and Scott Feldman of Texas as the Most Valuable Jewish Players of the Year. Mazel Tov!
2. Christmas Eve
Tonight is traditionally the quietest night on the sports calendar. The NBA, NHL, and college basketball take the night off. But thank goodness for bowl games. They've got the Holiday Bowl tonight, for all you Nevada and SMU football fans out there. And in case you just have to have some action, Nevada is favored by 13 points. Hey degenerate gamblers, here's an unsolicited tip from the Top 5. Take the night off and spend some quality time with your family. Make it truly a "Silent Night." (See below.)
3. Holiday Mailbag
Subscriber R.P. isn't happy with the Yankees off season moves. "I think Brian Cashman has had a horrific off-season. The Yankees were brought back to the pack and the Red Sox got better. 2010 may be a l-o-o-o-n-g season for the Yankees. All I can say is, thank God for Omar. He's the only one who has had a worse off-season."
M.T. pointed out the absurdity of Tiger Woods appearing on the front page of the New York Post for 20 straight days. The previous record holder was 9/11.
As for Devils goalie Martin Brodeur setting the NHL record with 104 career shutouts, G.G. writes: "From a life long NY Ranger fan. If Marty played his whole career on 33rd and 7th he would have been much more recognized for what he has done. Hate him as a Ranger fan love him as a goalie."
Editor's Note: Well put, G.G.
4. The Best
My Top 5 best sports stories of the year.
5. Syracuse beats U-Conn in 6 overtimes in a Big East quarterfinal game.
4. 59-year old Tom Watson almost wins the British Open
3. Jamaica's Usain Bolt sets world records in winning both the 100 and 200 meters at the World Track Championships in Berlin.
2. Roger Federer wins his record 15th major by beating Andy Roddick at Wimbledon 16-14 in the 5th set.
1. The Pittsburgh Steelers win a dramatic Super Bowl over Arizona.
5. The Worst
And for the bottom feeding stories of the year.
Dishonorable mention. Serena Williams outburst at the U.S. Open.
5. Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino gets embroiled in a sex scandal.
4. Michael Phelps and his "bong picture."
3. Two of the biggest names in baseball busted for steroids. Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez.
2. Plaxico Burress goes to prison for shooting himself in the leg.
1. (Do you really have to ask?) The pristine image of Tiger Woods goes up in flames.
Happy Birthday tomorrow, Rickey "I'm the greatest of all time" Henderson. Of course he was born on Christmas Day. 51.
Bonus Birthday, today: American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. 35.
Today in Sports: Reggie Jackson becomes a former Yankee and signs with the Angels. 1982.
Bonus Event: Fittingly enough, "Silent Night" is composed by Austrian Franz Gruber and is sung for the first time that night at Midnight Mass. 1818.
I'll be appearing on NPR's All Things Considered tomorrow, Christmas Day, at 4pm.
The Top 5 is going on Christmas break. I'll be returning Monday January 4, 2010.
I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous New Year!
And most of all, thanks for being part of my Top 5 community.
Len Berman