Call It Jockularity
America West Airlines has begun a $20 million series of TV ads designed to show its close link with the Phoenix Suns - but there’s one that might not reach your living room.
That commercial shows an athletic supporter on a tile floor. Soft music plays as a voice explains the undergarment is made by Bike Athletic Co.
“It’s nice to know,” says the voice, “someone else is supporting the Phoenix Suns as much as we are.”
Reasons Hiro Notaney of America West, “It might not be perceived as being in good taste. We want to be funny but not cross the line.”
So what’s the funny part?
How about a World Series necklace instead?
Mike Shannon may have had good hands in his playing days, but he has bad fingers. The former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has lost his 1964 World Series ring three times - and each time gotten it back.
Most recently, Shannon figures he lost the ring in January or February digging for car keys in his pocket outside a theater. The woman who found it finally made contact with him last week, and Shannon - now a broadcaster - treated her and her daughter to dinner and an autograph session with the Cardinals.
The first time Shannon lost the ring was in 1965 when he tried to remove it while driving - and flung it out the window into heavy traffic near Busch Stadium.
“My fingers were a little swollen and it was really hard to get off,” Shannon said. “About three cars ran over it and I was out in the middle of traffic trying to get it.”
Ten years later a goat he bought as a family pet to appease his 10-yearold daughter ate the ring. His daughter quickly tired of the goat and Shannon sent for a man to pick up the animal. “The goat comes up the patio and I hear ‘Ping, ping, ping,”’ Shannon said. “Hell, a goat will eat anything if it shines.”
Trickle-up economics
Rick Neuheisel hasn’t yet coached his first football game at the University of Colorado and already he’s getting a raise. Meanwhile, Colorado president Judith Albino is asking the athletic department to come up with the money to retain track coach Jerry Quiller, who is being wooed by two other schools.
Make sense? Of course not. Neuhisel, hired in January to replace Bill McCartney, signed a deal worth $256,000, not including incentives. Nonetheless, his salary is also included in the 3.6 percent increase CU has budgeted for athletic wages effective July 1.
Why not? Isn’t he undefeated?
Meet her boyfriend, Drug Test Ken
Fashion news: Barbie will have an outfit of Olympic clothes for next year’s Games.
The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games has not disclosed terms of the licensing agreement for the dolls, but you’ll be able to get one for $19.99.
Why do we suspect that Shot Putter Barbie will not be available?
The last word …
“The old adage that the more you win, the easier it is for you to win again - that’s the biggest crock I’ve ever heard of. The more you win, the more people expect you to win. That’s just a fact.”
- Golfer Greg Norman
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo