This article was originally published on April 19th, 2019.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
Golf news that I have been learning about -
After Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) first major victory in over a decade, at the 2019 Masters, he was not the only one celebrating. Woods' Masters' win was worth an estimated $22,540,000 for his sponsor Nike. That estimate comes from the brand value of on-camera exposure to Woods' Nike apparel during the Final Round, some of which was sold out online by Sunday afternoon. Nike celebrated his victory by posting an ad on its website titled “Tiger Woods: Same Dream,” which has received nearly 500,000 views on YouTube in less than a day.
What I've been listening to -
In the Same Ballpark, by 99% Invisible. The episode focuses on the Baltimore Orioles 1992 opening of their new stadium Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The new stadium is a throwback to the classic ballparks from the early 20th century, becoming an instant hit with the fans. The 99% Invisible team highlights how the success of Oriole Park at Camden Yards changed the design of ballparks all around the country.
Basketball news that I'm learning about -
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that he is looking at ways to shake up the current NBA product. Silver mentioned everything from shorter games to a shorter season, as ways the NBA could make its future product better for players and fans. Silver focused on player health as commissioner, opening the regular season earlier to reduce the frequency of back-to-back games, and lengthening the All-Star break. Silver has pointed to European soccer as something that could bring new interest to the NBA by offering teams more opportunities to win something, instead of just having one champion. Silver acknowledged that the model would require a change of thinking in American fans, who are used to only caring about the winner of the NBA Finals.
Sporting moment I have been revisiting -
10 years ago this month, a game between Harlequins and Leinster became the biggest scandal ever in rugby, known as "Bloodgate". The Heineken Cup quarter-final game was close to finishing 6-5 to Leinster. However, a successful kick one way or the other would settle the game. Harlequins needed to get a specialist kicker onto the field for the final minutes. Harlequins management instructed winger Tom Williams to bite into a fake blood capsule to simulate a blood injury, meaning kicker Nick Evans could return to the field, due to the blood injury rule. Evans would go on to miss a drop goal attempt, and the game would end 6-5. It would take four months for the truth to emerge.
What I've been watching -
Ted Williams: "The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived", by Nick Davis (@NickDavisProds). The biography explores the on-field accomplishments and tumultuous personal life of Boston Red Sox slugger and left fielder Ted Williams, the last baseball player to hit over .400, finishing the 1941 season batting .406. One of the surprises from the biography comes from Williams' 1966 Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech. When he suggested Negro League players should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. A few years later, the Hall of Fame would open its doors to Negro League players.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan
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