Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 31
Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.
Kobe's personality no match for MJ
Kobe Byrant may be better than Michael Jordan, but the public may not ever let him believe it. The unfortunate truth for Kobe is he can never be Michael because he isn't thought of as likable as Jordan, also the greatest commercial pitchman ever for an athlete. ... "Let's say he does get two more rings," Tim Legler, the former player and now an ESPN analyst, said recently in a telephone interview. "Even if he doesn't win any more MVP awards, he will probably approach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record. You absolutely can make a valid argument for Kobe being the greatest ever when that happens. "But he will never be revered like Michael Jordan will be revered," Legler added. (The Washington Post)Comment
Mets player: Send putrid Perez packing
Oliver Perez, relief pitcher, hasn't much helped Oliver Perez, Mets pitcher. A day after watching [Perez] implode in a relief appearance against the Brewers, two disgusted Mets players told The Post yesterday it's time management drew a line in the sand with the putrid lefty. "You tell him you go to Triple-A or that's it, you are finished," one Mets player said, well aware that Perez is still owed about $20 million on the three-year contract he signed before the 2009 season. A second Mets player echoed that line of thinking. "At some point you have to cut bait," he said. "You owe him a lot of money, but for what?" (New York Post)Comment
Welcome chill due in Chicago for Game 2
A heat wave will abate in Chicago on Monday, with temperatures dropping 10 to 15 degrees, and the cooler weather might have an effect on Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Saturday night, in Game 1, after an afternoon in which temperatures neared 90 degrees, the ice quickly got soft and chippy each period, and controlling the puck was difficult for both teams. It happens this time of year. Combine warm temperatures with 22,000 fans, and the quality of the ice is always a question. Because of the possibility of committing turnovers, the players are going to be less likely to carry the puck for any distance. If the ice is soft, they will dump it down the rink and chase it, hoping to make the opposing team make the mistakes. "We had pucks hopping over our sticks," said Chicago's Troy Brouwer. "It was hard to control. I think you'll see crisper hockey next time." (Philadelphia Inquirer)Comment
Must-See Photo
British driver Mike Conway's car begins to disintegrate after it was sent airborne and into the fence during a frightening crash in the next-to-last lap of the Indianapolis 500. Conway was hospitalized with a broken leg. (AP Photo)
Must-See Video
An amusing guide to Canada's NHL teams
Game To Watch
Flyers at Blackhawks, Stanley Cup Final Game 2, 8 pm ET, NBC, CBC, RDS
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Chicago Blackhawks
SI Vault: More Wayne Gretzky
This Day in Sports
- 1935 -- Babe Ruth grounds out in the final at-bat of his major league career
- 1937 -- Brooklyn Dodgers snap New York Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell's 24-game win streak
- 1956 -- Mickey Mantle's home run narrowly misses becoming the first to clear Yankee Stadium's facade and completely leave the park
- 1983 -- Philadelphia 76ers complete four-game sweep of the LA Lakers, win NBA Championship.
- 1987 -- Edmonton Oilers defeat Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final
- 2002 -- New Jersey Nets beat Boston Celtics, 96-88, in Game 6 to win eastern title and advance to their first NBA Finals
