Sunday, April 14, 2002
Top Of The Second power rankings
Enquirer staff and news services
Thumbs up: 1. Arnold Palmer. Afer an astounding 48 Masters, the old guy decided he didn't want to embarrass himself out there. Good for him. An army thanks him. (And let's hope all those columns by the ego writers saying he should quit didn't affect his decision).
2. Miami. How about the RedHawks' decision to extend our favorite college hoops coach's contract — after a 13-18 season. A classy move for a classy coach.
3. Pat Riley. OK, so he's not exactly one of our favorites. You know, that hair and attitude and all. But when his Miami Heat squad failed to make the playoffs, it was the first NBA team he had coached to miss them. Previously, 16 teams, 16 teams to the playoffs. That's impressive.
4. Tawny Kitaen. Indians 9-0 since she was ordered to stay away from pitcher Chuck Finley, her husband, after she allegedly beat him during a fight. Whitesnake singer may try to provoke Kitaen in vain attempt to resurrect career.
5. ESPN. OK, we'll admit, this is either really cool or really weak. But the baseball geeks sure have to enjoy live cutaways to Barry Bonds at-bats in mid-April!
Thumbs down: 1. Augusta National Golf Club. Bigwigs sent letters to three former winners — Middletown native Gay Brewer, Billy Casper and Doug Ford — suggesting they not play in this year's Masters because can't play major competitive golf anymore. Bullying seniors: A Tradition Unlike Any Other.
2. Griffey/Larkin bashing. It's understandable that Reds fans would be frustrated. But the ripping of one future Hall of Famer and another trying to make his case has gotten out of hand. Is Larkin more injury-prone than five years ago? Of course. Has Junior's return home been less than perfect? Sure. But injuries happen. And it's not their fault they make lots of cash.
3. Minor-league hockey season is officially over in Cincinnati. But don't worry, it will be back in plenty of time to preempt the World Series on the radio.
4. www.Bengals.com. The site offers a chance to enter a contest to become a judge for the Ben-Gals tryouts. Here's an idea: How about a contest to become the Bengals General Manager?
5. West Virginia. Listen, get a basketball coach already, will ya? We don't want to have to go through another Huggins watch. Here's an idea: How about a pick-the-coach contest on westvirginia.com?
Sports Stories
Reds 5, Phillies 2
Reds box, runs
Pitching: Developing young talent key to success
Reds Q&A with John Fay
Cinergy Countdown
Reds farm report
Reds notes: Power of the 'pen
Reds chatter
Bonds socks way to 6th on homer list
Dodgers pitcher Brown injures right elbow
MLB: Cubs, Gilkey agree to contract
MLB chatter
Baseball power ratings
Bengals' forecast for draft is hazy
SULLIVAN: Persuasion needed to bag Bledsoe
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
NFL: Dallas, Hardy close to deal
Lakota wrestlers win national titles
Edgewood rolls to softball sweep of No. 1 Ross
Runaway win for Middletown boys
UK recruit Azubuike stars in Ky. Derby Festival
Top Of The Second power rankings
