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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cheap Seats

If you Jacuzz, you lose

When Cardinals pitcher Danny Jackson faced the Braves in relief in the NLCS, he joined Don Baylor as the only players to appear in the playoffs with five teams - in Jackson’s case, the Royals, Reds, Piro

ates, Phillies and Cards.

When the well-traveled Jackson was with the Cubs in 1991, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Bob Verdi, “He was injured so often that they dubbed the Wrigley Field whirlpool the ‘USS Jackson.”’

Jackson’s response: “I’ve been to the playoffs with five different teams. That’s every one I’ve played with except Chicago. What does that mean?” It means five teams had enough talent to overcome you, ace.

Rip-off City

The Trail Blazers have threatened to sue a Portland sports talk radio station unless it removes a downtown billboard the NBA team says implies the station carries Blazers game broadcasts.

But the Blazers want to avoid the bad publicity they received in 1991, when the team demanded the Rip City Diner, a small restaurant, change its name. The team eventually relented after a public outcry.

“We’re not trying to be big bullies about this,” said Harry Hutt, the Blazers’ senior vice president.

The KFXX sign, just blocks from the Blazers’ Rose Garden arena, says “Blazers on The Fan” underneath large pictures of afternoon talk-show hosts - and former Blazers - Mychal Thompson and Kermit Washington.

Tom Baker, KFXX general manager, has resisted demands the billboard be removed. He said he’s working with billboard owner Ackerley Outdoor Advertising - yes, as in Barry Ackerley, owner of the Sonics - to change the sign.

Thompson, who referred to the fact KFXX is one of the Portland area’s lowest-rated radio stations, said the Blazers overreacted.

“I can’t believe it. What’s the big deal?” Thompson said. “Nobody listens to us. Tell the Blazers thanks for the free publicity.”

At least they didn’t move the game to 7:15

Kansas State fans can rejoice. Kansas has dropped its requirement that anyone interested in buying a $28 ticket to the Nov. 9 football game against Kansas State also purchase a $22 ticket to another game.

KU’s plan was to prevent Memorial Stadium from being overpopulated with K-State fans. But by last Monday, KU still had 14,000 tickets remaining for the intrastate rivalry.

But the Jayhawks got in a final jab: they’re now charging $35 for K-State tickets, tops in KU history.

Helmet head

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jay Wells doesn’t wear a helmet in practice, the only player on his team to go bare-headed.

He insists he has a logical reason for going without the protective gear.

“In practice, you’re not banging and pounding like a real game,” he said. “Besides, I don’t have a heck of a lot of hair on my head as it is. When I wear one, it rubs and wears on what little I do have.”

More hair than brains.

The last word …

“They’re going to call it Fontes Field, but they’re going to put it up with Velcro so they can tear it right down.”

- Lions coach Wayne Fontes, on what they’ll name a new downtown Detroit stadium

, DataTimes