Drexler, Monroe, Ehlo … Ehlo?
Over the years, Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal columnist Terry Pluto has seen Cleveland draft picks come and go, so he wasn’t impressed when this year’s first-rounder, Bob Sura, compared himself to Clyde Drexler. “On the day the Cavs drafted John Morton,” Pluto points out, “the guard from Seton Hall told us that his jump shot was ‘automatic’ and then he invoked the name of Earl Monroe. Three years later, Morton was trying to find Rapid City on the map and eating on eight bucks a day. So let’s not hold Sura to his Drexler comparison.” Instead, Pluto sees Craig Ehlo, the Washington State star who became a Cavaliers mainstay. “I guess that I might be a little like Ehlo,” Sura conceded, sounding disappointed, “but he didn’t come to mind.”
Should’ve paid the cable bill
Who says professional athletes aren’t in tune with their fans? Riddick Bowe proved he is, donating $3,000 to the family of a Filipino fan who died after being struck by lightning while fixing his television antenna to watch Bowe fight Jorge Luis Gonzalez last month.
Bowe also gave an additional $2,000 to the Philippines boxing team, which is in training for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, in the name of Rodolfo Yap, who died following the accident in the southern Philippines.
“To know that your son lost his life attempting to watch me perform saddens me greatly,” Bowe said in a letter to Yap’s family.
Bowe offered no apology to Gonzalez, who was savagely beaten by the former heavyweight champ, ultimately succumbing in the sixth round.
OK then, how ‘bout a pennant?
Michael Robelli of Redondo Beach, Calif., a Chicago White Sox fan, wrote a letter months back to the club complaining about the players’ strike, but added he’d forgive all if the Sox would send an autographed ball.
He received the following reply from Rob Gallas, White Sox marketing vice president: “We receive thousands of letters every year from all over the country. Many are outrageous. Congratulations! Your letter made it to the top of the list. So you want an autographed ball and you will return to baseball.
“Please, do us a favor. Stay away. We’re going to be doing a lot for our fans, but bribery isn’t one of them.
“At least you named your price. You aren’t a member of the players’ union, are you?” It’s nice to know bribery isn’t an option for those highminded owners. That said, see you on Free Bat Day.
Fat chance
After Minnesota Fats lost a rare pool match to a young player, he said, “Well, kid, you beat Minnesota Fats. Only problem is, if you walk into a pool hall and say, ‘I beat Minnesota Fats,’ ain’t nobody gonna believe you.”
The last word …
“Which Minnesota player has more college credits, Kevin Garnett or Isiah Rider? Probably a dead heat.”
- Dick Jerardi, Philadelphia Daily News