10 Awesome Things That Happened This Past Weekend (5/6-5/8)

10. Pacquiao Dominates Sugar Shane Mosley

            This fight would have been much more interesting if we could’ve teleported the 2001 version of Mosley into the ring Saturday night.

9. Derek Jeter Comes Back From the Dead

            Jeter’s declining performance has been equal parts depressing and amusing. As a Red Sox fan, I’m happy to know that the Yankees a shortstop with no range and declining power over $50 million for the next three years (I wrote an extended piece about Jeter last November when Jeter was still a free agent, which covered most of the issues that signing Jeter long term would bring). As a general sports fan, it’s been sad to watch one of the most important athletes of the last 15 years become a punch line. Before this weekend, Jeter had only two extra base hits in 28 games. He smacked a double Saturday night, and then cranked out two home runs against Texas on Sunday. Don’t expect too many performances like this the rest of the season, but it was fun to see the old Derek Jeter for a weekend. 

8. Predators Force Return Trip to Nashville, Win Game 5 in Vancouver

            I’ve been writing about Pekka Rinne and the Predators for three straight weeks, mostly because I really enjoy the name Pekka. I’m happy they kept the ride going for one more week. No Credentials is officially picking Nashville to win Game 6 (which means you should all get your money on Vancouver right now).

7. Animal Kingdom Wins Kentucky Derby

            I’m not sure what’s more enjoyable, watching the race or seeing the owners of the horses and their goofy hats. Also, I’m a big fan of the names of horses. In no particular order, here are some names I would consider naming a racehorse.

1. The Demoralizer
2. Text From Favre
3. Zoso (Led Zeppelin reference)
4. Rick James Bitch
5. Jimmer
6. Pekka
7. Supernaut (my favorite Black Sabbath song)
8. Dick Trickle (legendary American race driver, most famous for being named Dick Trickle)
9. Ace on the River

6. Justin Verlander Throws 2^nd No Hitter This Week

            The masses are begging me to begin the bring steroids back to baseball movement after Verlander tossed a no-no just five days after Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano did. For Verlander, Saturday’s effort was his second career no-hitter.

5. Regan Smith Pulls Off Upset at Darlington, Harvick Swings at Kyle Busch

            It’s a good thing the Celtics-Heat game ended a half-hour before the NASCAR race did, otherwise I wouldn’t of known the race was happening.

            You’ve got to feel bad for Regan Smith. This is a guy that had a win taken away from him at Talladega in 2008 because NASCAR ruled he illegally passed Tony Stewart below the yellow line (check the video to see what you think. Personally, I believe NASCAR was trying to get a bigger name into victory lane). He has been driving his ass off for the under funded Furniture Row team, which is the only NASCAR organization based out of Colorado, for the past three years. Smith finally pulls off a win (holding off the much faster Carl Edwards in the process), but it’s overshadowed by Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick acting like morons.    

4. Bruins Sweep Flyers

            Boston was able to get the job this year against the Flyers, but they had to pay a steep price to pull off the sweep. Center Patrice Bergeron suffered a concussion halfway through Game 4, and is out indefinitely. Bergeron had major problems with concussions in the past, so there is a very real possibility that we will not see him on the ice for the rest of the playoffs.

3. Grizzlies Take Game 3 in Overtime

            Memphis was down 16 during the 3^rd quarter, and 13 at the start of the 4^th, before holding Oklahoma City to 17 points in the 4^th quarter and overtime. Zach Randolph continued his month long tear with a 21-21 game. If Memphis takes Game 4, you can book them for a date with Dallas in the Western Conference Finals.

2. Mavericks Destroy Lakers

            Los Angeles showed some life in Game 3 before blowing a seven-point lead with five minutes to play. In Game 4, they looked like a team that was ready for summer vacation. Look for more on the Lakers from No Credentials later in the week. 

1. Rondo Dislocates Elbow, Returns to Help Celtics Win Game 3

            Just in case you forgot how badass Rajon Rondo is, watch this video. Then remember that after getting his dislocated elbow popped into place, Rondo was back on the court at the start of the 4^th quarter. I’m not sure how he’s going to do playing with one arm the rest of the series (if Miami isn’t setting up screens and nailing Rondo’s left arm every trip down the court, than Erik Spoelstra deserves to be fired), but Rondo’s epic Game 3 performance will never be forgotten.