TGIF everyone here's my Top 5 for April 19, 2013 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- As of this morning, one Boston Marathon bombing suspect is dead. His brother, the second suspect, remains at large.
- The NFL schedule was released last night. Super Bowl champion Baltimore will open in Denver on Thursday, September 5. The Ravens can't open at home because of a conflict with the Orioles over parking.
- A setback for Derek Jeter and his ankle. He won't return until after the All-Star break.
- NBA: Detroit fires coach Lawrence Frank. Cleveland fires coach Byron Scott.
2. The Second Season
Over the next one sixth of a year, they'll decide the NBA champion. Good luck Milwaukee. The Bucks are the only team in the playoffs with a losing record. I thought playoffs were for winners? Anyway, their prize is to play the champion Miami Heat. If the Bucks win, it's the upset of the century (truncated of course to 13 years so far). Not all the first round matchups seem so lopsided. On history alone, maybe the Lakers vs. San Antonio or the Knicks vs. Boston may turn into something special. Many of you are predicting a repeat of last year's final, Miami against Oklahoma City. It's always nice to see something new, but the way LeBron James has played you have to wonder if anyone can beat him?
3. Age Verification
Wow. Nine youngsters have been banned from the African Under-17 Soccer Championship because they are too old. How did they determine that? They took an MRI of their wrists. The modern technological version of counting tree rings. Are you listening Chinese gymnasts?
4. Friday eMailbag
Some of you agreed some didn't with my take that Tiger Woods should have withdrawn from the Masters. P.K. wrote, "I totally agree with your view on Tiger. He certainly would have won me and my members over if he did the right thing. I might have even stopped cringing when my son says that his favorite golfer is Tiger Woods. I'm still cringing and Tiger still thinks he's bigger than the game."
As for the classy Mariano Rivera meeting with Cleveland Indians employees to thank them for their service, L.L. writes, "You are absolutely correct. He is a class, intelligent unselfish human being. He gives back to others unlike many of the overpaid classless superstars."
5. Spanning the World
This week's Spanning the World highlight involves new-age technology and softball. It seemed like a really good idea to bring your iPad to tape the game. Bullseye!
Spanning the World airs monthly on NBC's Today Show. Next up: Friday April 26th.
Happy Birthday: Tennis star Maria Sharapova. 26.
Bonus Birthday: Actress Kate Hudson. 34.
Today in Sports: 28-year-old Evander Holyfield beat 42-year old George Foreman in a fight that went the distance, the "Battle of the Ages" in Atlantic City. Who is that announcer? 1991.
Bonus Event: Hey, let's start a war that's Revolutionary. The Battles of Lexington and Concord are fought. 1775.
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