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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Isn’t love grand?

Just ask famous golfer Greg Norman who recently tied the knot with retired tennis star Chris Everet. Each had their share of relationship failures before they took their vows. I don’t think John Lloyd, Andy Mill or Laura Norman was invited to the private ceremony in the Bahamas.

With athletes having such trouble finding private time to have a personal life, we decided to look back on the Top 5 Sports Couples of all time.

The list, however, might soon need to be changed, if the Alex Rodriguez -- Madonna rumors continue to swirl. We don’t even have a joke here. What would their couple even be called, MadRod? Have fun with them paparazzi.

1. Jennie Finch and Casey Daigle: If their son doesn’t end up as a professional athlete, they did something wrong. Finch, who helped bring women’s softball into the limelight, and Daigle, a pro baseball player, ironically are both pitchers and were married in 2005.

Not only would this pair be great ringers for the softball game at a company picnic, it should be many years before this couple loses their fastball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FezG5EOM4pA&feature=related

2. Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra: This relationship was a home run right from the start (seriously this is too easy). Hamm, the greatest women’s soccer player ever and Garciaparra, one of the greatest underachievers in MLB history, are known for trying to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight and dodging questions about their relationship. That’s what makes this picture so funny every time we see it: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/images/us/20041209/g_hamm_vt.jpg

The pair did an even better job of keeping the birth of their twin daughters a secret. Plus I don’t think Hamm needs to ask twice for help with chores around the house. Anybody that can body slam MJ, we don’t talk back to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liKnJ-ejztw

3. Bart Connor and Nadia Comaneci: As a couple, you know you hit the big time when you have your own Web site: http://www.bartandnadia.com/

This pair of world-class Olympic gymnasts took the walk down the aisle in 1996, after each had enjoyed success as world champions, winning numerous gold medals. Today, the pair travels around the world, raising money for charities and promoting healthy lifestyles. We’re just still in shock trying to figure out exactly what a “Romanian State Wedding” is like.

4. Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi: Apparently Brooke Shields was better in The Blue Lagoon than on the court, as Agassi opted to ultimately settle down with someone who knew how to return serve. Agassi won 66 career singles titles, eight grand slams, and nearly $31 million in winnings. Graf won 170 singles titles, 22 grand slams and around $22 million in winnings. In 2007, Real Sports did a great job of profiling the couple: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWwt74N169o&feature=related

Graf is arguably the most accomplished female tennis player of all-time while Agassi, one of the greatest U.S. men’s players ever, already are having their children staked out for television endorsements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn2Sqo-06x8

5. Misty May and Matt Treanor: The married couple both are fans of the sand, with May one of the top beach volleyball players in the world and Treanor a catcher with the Florida Marlins. Their first meeting was actually by chance, and Treanor described it well to Sports Illustrated:

“We met in November 2003 at a sports therapy center in Orange, Calif. I was rehabbing my knee, and she was there training. I had no idea who she was. I went home and told my little brother, Markell, I was planning to ask out some volleyball player. I called her Missy May. He's like, 'What's with you, man? You've got problems. She's one of the most famous players in the world.' We eventually went out in January, and we were engaged in March.”

Two months to get engaged is pretty fast, but Treanor must have fallen for her trademark wild entrances before matches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItuDVQqZISs

WHAT WE LIKED

Not as much as Gary Williams did, but we liked Maryland top recruit Sean Mosley getting the nod at Maryland. The former St. Frances standout likely has his admittance to College Park all locked up and will be expected to make an immediate impact for one of the worst teams in the ACC.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE The Hall of Fame accepting Barry Bonds’ 756th home run ball. Not only is there controversy surrounding them getting the loaned ball, there also is controversy around the alleged home run king. The Hall should have stuck to their guns and just said ‘no.’

STAR OF THE DAY

GEORGE SHERRILL

After blowing a pair of saves in two days, the Orioles reliever finally got back on track with a save on Tuesday evening. The real question now is can he keep up his durability to go along with his regained confidence.

DONKEY OF THE DAY

NEW YORK RED BULLS

Not only was Crystal Palace beating New York a bigger upset than the Buzz over the Twins in Major League III — who can beat Scott Bakula anyway? — but the Red Bulls used the excuse of resting many regulars due to injury and saving them for Major League Soccer matches in the near future. That may be true, but when the other team is better with only 10 players on the field, there are issues.

— Compiled by Baltimore Examiner sports staff

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