The Good
There were only two candidates for this award, such is the state of the sportsworld. High-ranking officials from the four major U.S. sports leagues, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the NCAA have met with the White House and federal agencies to discuss working together to fight the problem of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. This is a very good thing but it's not the winner. That distinction belongs to Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher who missed Game 1 of his team's Western Conference semi-final series with Golden State to be with his 10-month old daughter Tatum who has a rare form of eye cancer. Tatum had a successful operation and her dad was there with her, like all good dads should be. For that, the 'Good' award belongs to: Derek Fisher...
The Bad
Where do I begin? Well I'll start with the suspended NBA players (Horry, Stoudemire and Diaw) for their portrayal of Tony Soprano on the basketball court. Then there's ex-NBA player Marvin Barnes who was arrested for cocaine possession. He didn't get the nickname "Bad News" for nothing, Chris Pronger of the Mighty Ducks for his one-game suspension (fighting), former NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams for testing positive again and 3 minor league baseball players including recently demoted Met relief pitcher Lino Urdaneta for testing positive and receiving 50-game suspensions but the 'Ugly' award of the week goes to one of those minor leaguers: Lastings Milledge, the would-be Mets phenom for appearing on a rap song with vile, suggestive and female-demeaning lyrics which makes what Imus said insignificant. Milledge has most likely rapped his way out of the Mets organization and a promising career...
The Ugly
There's only one candidate for this award because of the nature of his crime. Milwaukee Bucks forward Ruben Patterson was accused in Cincinnati of failing to register as a convicted sex offender after he moved into a new home in the suburbs. A warrant was issued in 2001 when Patterson, then playing for the Portland Trail Blazers pleaded guilty in Washington state to an attempted rape. Ruben Patterson is our 'Ugly' award winner this week...(Next week: TGTBTU of the month)...
TGTBTU Update
Recently released (from jail) Bear's defensive tackle Tank Johnson met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday but no discipline was immediately handed down...A decision on Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones' appeal for leniency from his season-long suspension will be delayed until Monday...Michael Vick is still under suspicion in that dog-fighting rap against his cousin in Virginia...
Timeline Memories...
- 1620] On a carousel: The 1st merry-go-round is seen at a fair in Philippapolis, Turkey. It was right next to a taffy stand, selling...you got it, Turkish taffy...
- 1792] NYSE sighting: The New York Stock Exchange is founded by a couple of dozen brokers meeting under a tree on what is now Wall Street. They were probably out of work...
- 1846] Safe Sax: The saxophone is patented by Antoine Joseph Sax...
- 1875] Derby 1st: Aristides wins the 1st Kentucky Derby...
- 1939] Peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jacks and TV?: Princeton beats Columbia 2-1 in 10 innings at Baker Field in the 1st televised baseball game on experimental W2XBS. This was the New York Times review: "It is difficult to see how this sort of thing can catch the public fancy" (gulp)...
- 1970] Hammerin' Hank is headed for The Hall: Henry Aaron singles and homers in a game against the Reds giving him 3,000 hits and 570 home runs. Only two other players have done that (3,000/500): Willie Mays and Eddie Murray...
- 1998] Perfecto: David Wells pitches a perfect game as the Yankees beat Minnesota at Yankee Stadium. It's just the 13th perfecto in the modern era of baseball...
- 1983] Getting out the broom: The Islanders sweep Edmonton in 4 games to win their 4th consecutive NHL Stanley Cup. Only Montreal has done better, winning 5 in a row (1956-1960)...
- "Happy Trails": 1992] Bandleader Lawrence Welk dies of pneumonia at 89...2004] Tony Randall passes away at 84 of complications brought about by pneumonia...
- 1996] Bill Clinton signs legislation authorizing "Megan's Law", named for 7-year old Megan Kanka from New Jersey who was raped and killed in 1994. This law requires neighborhood notification when sex offenders move in to a neighborhood...
Music Memories:
- 1963] Joan Baez headlines the 1st Monterrey Folk Festival. The festival also features: Bob Dylan, making his west coast debut, Peter, Paul and Mary and The Weavers...
- Released on this date: 1973] "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" - Stevie Wonder. Stevie does the song live in this video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go ...1975] "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" LP - Elton John (the LP is certified Gold when it ships)...1975] "I'm Not In Love" - 10cc. They do it live in this video clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mBuom7juPRg ...
- #1 on this date: 1974] "The Streak" - Ray Stevens. Boog-uh-dee, Boog-uh-dee. This was the music video of the tune: http://youtube.com/watch?v=85krLPrWWTY ...1983] "Let's Dance" - David Bowie...
- On "Saturday Night Live": 1980] Paul and Linda McCartney are the musical guests...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
Congratulations to Len Zola on another successful 'Media Gang' luncheon in Randolph (MA). There were over 200 happy people swapping lots of radio lies, but that's part of the charm of it. The food is always good too. Well done (the luncheon, not the food) Len...PBS is taping a series of oldies shows in Elizabeth (NJ) with Cousin Brucie, Jerry Butler and Little Anthony hosting such classic acts as: Ben E. King (reuniting with The Drifters), the original Jay (Traynor) of Jay & the Americans now singing with The Tokens, Carol Connors (Teddy Bears), Larry Chance & The Earls, Mystics, Students, Norman Fox & the Rob Roys, Rainbows, Safaris, Solitaires, Knockouts, Three Friends, Excellents, Six Teens, and Jimmy Charles. What a great lineup. These shows are produced by T. J. Lubinski. My friend and ex-WCBS-FM major domo, Joe McCoy is also involved in the production. Look for the finished shows on a PBS station near you in a few months...
"Happy Trails":
TV evangelist Jerry Falwell who died Tuesday from a heart rhythm abnormality. The controversial Falwell was 73...Yolanda King, 51, the first born child of the late Coretta Scott King and husband, the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., passed away late Tuesday from what is believed to be a heart problem...
A speedy recovery to the legendary Bo Diddley who is in intensive care after suffering a stroke in western Iowa on Wednesday. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who has a history of hypertension and diabetes is 78...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Craig ("Late, Late Show") Ferguson (45), Enya (46), Sportscaster Jim Nantz (48), Bob Saget (51), Sugar Ray Leonard (51), Taj Mahal a.k.a. Henry St. Clair Fredericks (67) and Dennis Hopper (71)...
Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the Preakness Stakes and 11 days until Memorial Day...
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