Wmcmanus

That was really good, Steve. So sad though, because despite the obvious shock and surprise and all of the joy that it brought to him, you can also clearly see that the brain damage had set in and he already wasn't himself at that point. He had regained his title by beating Spinks that year ('78), but it seems that the head injuries probably traced back a couple of years earlier to his 3rd and final fight with Norton in September of '76 at Yankee Stadium, which I remember clearly because it was my 14th birthday. But it's really hard to pinpoint. Late in his career from age 33 onward, most of his fights went the full 15 rounds, ending with the two very sad fights against Holmes and Berbick when he was only in it for the money. Those last two fights did untold damage and it just wasn't right. Yet, I don't think anyone anywhere near the condition he was in before the Holmes fight could ever get medical clearance again, so perhaps there may be a silver lining in there somewhere.

Yes, it seems so. Reports are still conflicted, but Wikipedia now shows Ali as having died on June 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali RIP, champ. You were indeed The Greatest, no doubt about it.

http://www.theonion.com/article/gorilla-sales-skyrocket-after-latest-gorilla-attac-30860?utm_content=Main&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing

Cavs sending a message tonight. Raptors need to just shake it off and try again next time... but it will be a massive uphill battle to win in Cleveland in Game 7 if it gets that far.

He would get my vote, assuming he could produce a valid birth certificate.

Happy birthday, Brent. Hope you do something fun, and don't show up after all of the biscuits are gone...

Happy birthday, Raffy!

Awful news, Brent. RIP Sam. Gosh... so young.

Very sad news, Todd. RIP Mike. Such a rough loss for his family and friends.

Ackee and salt fish.

Happy birthday, Shelly. (Steve, that was awesome.)

From independent sources. Not intended as a theme.

^ Awesome bonding opportunity.

Yup, now that the whole Kobe thing is finally over... I mean he was great and all, and his final game was amazing, but what a circus it has now become in professional sports with these season-long sendoffs. First, it was Kareem, and that was fun, but unfortunately (in many ways, although it's good fun in other ways) that started a trend that will never end. Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, even Paul Konerko with the White Sox. All franchise guys, so the local fans love it, but do we really need people selling bags of air from Kobe's final night at the Staples Center on eBay? Plus, it was about $5k per ticket, on average, for "normal" seats. Dunno. Just seems unnecessary. I like the Peyton Manning approach. Play your last game, and then a week later, say, "Ya, I guess that was it..." NBA Playoffs? I thought that didn't really matter until June? As with hockey, allowing 16 out of 30 teams into the playoffs is kind of silly. Honestly think that 8 would be much better, but then on the flip side, even more teams would then tank (and much sooner in the season) for draft positioning.

Scary choice.

I had seen this before, but it was fun to watch again.

Holy fuck! This is just shocking. RIP, Prince. Way too soon...