Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for August 24, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Legendary Tennessee women's basketball coach, 59-year-old Pat Summitt, is diagnosed with early signs of dementia. She's getting ready to coach her 38th season with the Vols.
- Alex Rodriguez will meet with baseball officials Friday to discuss his participation in poker games.
- Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a good idea. He says make the extra point a challenge, not a gimme. Maybe from 15-20 yards out?
- NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has lost his driver's license for 45 days for speeding. Fortunately for him, driver's licenses aren't required for NASCAR.
2. Shake Rattle and Roll
I was playing golf when the "great earthquake of 2011" hit. I didn't feel a thing. But up and down the East Coast others did. The tennis tournament in New Haven was stopped and the stadium was evacuated. The press box shook at the Indians game in Cleveland. Pro golfers felt it on the course in New Jersey. Fortunately this was nothing compared with the 1989 World Series. Before game 3 between the Giants and As an earthquake struck San Francisco. Here's what it sounded like on the ABC telecast.
3. Lady Drivers
Look what Danica Patrick has wrought. Suddenly sexy ladies think they can drive race cars. The latest: Maryeve Dufault. Her credentials? She's a former bikini model and Price is Right hostess. Good enough. So she raced in the NASCAR Nationwide series in Montreal over the weekend. She did finish 30th, beating out 13 guys. She pocketed 27 grand for her efforts. But, at one point she hit the wall, went the wrong way and put other drivers in danger. But she did look good doing it.
4. Fore!
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Picture day for the men's golf team at Bethany College. All the guys got naked. Sure, their clubs covered their "clubs," but the small Lutheran college in Lindsborg Kansas was not amused. The team's been suspended for three tournaments. But look at the bright side, all that exposure!
5. The Craziest Moments in Sports
Last Friday on the 60th anniversary of 3'7" Eddie Gaedel batting for the St. Louis Browns, I asked on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," can you top it for nuttiest sports story? Some suggestions.
*Jeff M. "How about 5'6" Spud Webb winning the '86 Slam Dunk Contest?"
*Frank M. "How about the time Steve Lyons had a brain freeze?" In 1990, he slid into first, pulled his pants down to get the dirt out and oops, he realized there were actually people watching!
*Steven A. Yankees pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich swap wives in 1973.
*Nathan H. "Bruins vs. Rangers at Madison Square Garden." During a 1979 brawl Mike Milbury of the Bruins climbed into the stands, pulled off a fan's shoe, and started beating him with it.
*Greg S. "Roseanne Barr sings the National Anthem." Another lovely moment in sports. In 1990, after warbling the anthem she grabbed her crotch and spit.
I could write a book. Hey, maybe I should?
Happy Birthday: The "Iron Man," Cal Ripken, Jr. 51.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Steve Guttenberg (Police Academy fame). 53.
Today in Sports: Pete Rose is banned from baseball "for life." 1989.
Bonus Event: There goes the neighborhood. Mt. Vesuvius erupts. 79.
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