Thursday Water Cooler – June 24th, 2010
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
The NHL once again made tons of news yesterday. But nothing captured our attention like the most epic tennis match in the history of the universe.
Tennis news: Isner, Mahut play longest tennis match…ever
As I typed these words, the match still wasn’t over. After 10 hours of actual tennis play – ten hours!? — American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut were tied 59-59 in the fifth set at Wimbledon .
The fifth set alone was seven hours and six minutes, breaking the whole-match record of 6:33 set in 2004. Isner had 98 aces; Mahut had 95 (the old record was 78). They played 881 points. The electronic scoreboard broke at 48-48. The craziest part is that I shouldn’t even be discussing all this in past tense. The match was suspended due to darkness and continues today. There’s never been a more even matchup.
As tired as these two guys must be, they really should relish the 15 minutes of fame they’re receiving as the 23rd (Isner) and 148th-ranked (Mahut) players in the world. 
NHL news: Sedin wins MVP; Byfuglien dealt to Atlanta in blockbuster
Maybe Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin split the vote, as neither poster boy walked home with the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP at last night’s awards show. Instead, the Hart went to Canucks center Henrik Sedin. The Swedish pivot led the league in assists and points and carried Vancouver on his back while brother Daniel was injured.
Other big winners included the Norris (best defenseman) going to Duncan Keith, Ryan Miller winning the Vezina (best goalie), Tyler Myers taking home the Calder (rookie of the year) and Phoenix’s Dave Tippett capturing the Jack Adams as coach of the year.
One of the night’s funnier moments came when Tippett claimed he wanted to thank Coyotes ownership but had no idea who that would be.
As quickly as he became a folk hero in Chicago’s run to the Stanley Cup, big Dustin Byfuglien has been shipped out of town. Desperate to clear cap space, the Blackhawks sent Big Buff, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, and Akim Aliu to Atlanta for Mary Reasoner, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb and two draft picks, including a first-rounder for Friday.
NFL news: Lawrence indicted on rape charges
The Lawrence Taylor case continues to progress – and not in his favor. On Wednesday, a New York grand jury indicted him on charges of third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute.
Prosecutors say Taylor paid a 16-year-old girl $300 to have sex with him. The case shifts to Rockland County, where he is scheduled to appear in court on July 13. Taylor was also indicted on endangering the welfare of a child, sexual abuse and criminal sexual act (third degree). If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
MLB news: Marlins fire Fredi Gonzalez
In what was considered a shocking move by many, the 34-36 Florida Marlins fired manager Fredi Gonzalez yesterday. Aside from his tiffs with Hanley Ramirez, Gonzalez didn’t seem to do much to justify being axed. Then again, two major rumors are swirling: (a) That Bobby Valentine is already on his way to Florida to start his comeback from Japan and (b) that Gonzalez was as good as gone anyway because the Braves are grooming him as Bobby Cox’s replacement.
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