The Mashup: Ready for the NBA playoffs
I’m more excited for the NBA playoffs than Miami Heat fans are for the NBA draft.
Climbing
•Mamie “Peanut” Johnson: In 1953, Johnson joined the Indianapolis Clowns and became the first woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues. She has said that Satchel Paige helped her with her curveball.
The Black Women in Sport Foundation will honor Johnson at its Legend’s Ball at 6 tonight at the Hyatt Regency. Johnson is expected to address the crowd at the ceremony. Tickets are available for $100 and proceeds benefit the foundation. Call Raye Pond at 816-645-0342 for information.
•Curses: The David Ortiz Red Sox jersey that a construction worker dropped into wet concrete at the new Yankees stadium was recovered Sunday.
The recovery ruined Gino Castignoli’s attempt to curse the Yanks. The jersey was put on eBay, and the bids were up to $37,000 Friday. So it’s a recession for most of us, but apparently not for everybody.
Anyway, the proceeds from the auction are going to charity.
Holding steady
•Roberto Clemente: The Hall of Famer is the subject of an “American Experience” film on PBS at 8 p.m. Monday. If you don’t understand Clemente’s influence, then you don’t have a full understanding of the sport of baseball.
Yankees pitcher LaTroy Hawkins wore No. 21 as a tribute to Clemente. On Thursday he switched to No. 22. But, according to reports, that change didn’t have anything to do with Clemente. It had to do with Yankees fans who still think No. 21 is Paul O’Neill’s.
Any pressure on Hawkins to change his number was stupid. And stupid stuff like that annoys me more than spilling a cup of coffee when I’m in a rush to make deadline.
Slipping
•The NHL: The playoffs last year attracted celebrities the way nightclubs attract women wearing uncomfortable shoes. So far this year, there haven’t been anywhere near as many famous faces in the stands. Kid Rock showed up at a Red Wings game and Chazz Palminteri and Colin Hanks (who is most famous for being Tom Hanks’ kid) showed up at a Rangers game. But that’s about it.
Tell you what, though, Kid Rock was smart to go when he did, because the Red Wings traditionally are as disappointing in the first round as Rock’s music is to his fans.
•Green Bay: The Packers are set to retire Brett Favre’s No. 4 when the Vikings come to Lambeau Field on Sept. 8. This ceremony had better be more elaborate than a dumb crook’s alibi; otherwise, Favre might get the itch to put that jersey on for one last season ... again.
