Cheap Seats
Look for the union label
Mike Busch, the replacement player who was ostracized by his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates during his first two days with the team, officially became one of the guys in the fourth inning against Montreal on Saturday night when he booted David Segui’s grounder to third base. It was Busch’s first error in the majors and the Dodgers’ major league-leading 117th in 119 games.
Watching cartoons
Tom Osborne isn’t laughing after seeing two recent cartoons in the Daily Nebraskan school newspaper. So the Nebraska football coach banned the paper’s reporters from practices. Then, in one of the year’s best cutbacks, Osborne rescinded his decision, vowing instead to decline interviews with the paper.
Why all the fuss? In a cartoon published last week, the paper showed a caricature of receiver Riley Washington practicing in a prison jumpsuit, complete with ball and chain, while four other players watched. Washington has been charged with attempted murder, but practices with the team.
The other cartoon depicts running back Lawrence Phillips driving a car with money blowing out the back.
The NCAA is reviewing the relationship between Phillips and owners of the group home where he lived as a teenager. The owners have said they leased a 1995 Mustang convertible for Phillips and provided him with other benefits.
James Mehsling, who drew the cartoons, said Osborne was overreacting. “The big trouble, as I understand it, was that all of the football players (watching) were white,” Mehsling said. “A lot of people may have taken it as racist,” because Washington is black.
Osborne isn’t budging. “Attending our practices is a privilege, not a right,” the coach said.
Maybe Tom should tell that to Washington and Phillips.
Dinner Bell Mel
Mel Rojas, the portly relief pitcher for the Montreal Expos, shocked his teammates recently by deftly fielding a bunt. “I guess someone in our dugout must have yelled, ‘Hamburger!”’ pitcher Jeff Fassero explained, “and Mel dove.”
Talk about needing a cut-man
Former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner, known as “the Bayonne Bleeder” for his tender skin, is considering a comeback at age 55.
Of his career, Ed Schuyler Jr. of the Associated Press recalled, “Wepner used to start bleeding during the national anthem.”
Just wonderin’, coach
New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells, asked if he had read a story written by Will McDonough of the Boston Globe (and former colleague at NBC) had a quick retort.
“Believe me,” Parcells said, “if McDonough wrote it, I didn’t read it.”
The last word …
“Scientists say they are very close to genetically engineering a tougher, stronger vegetable. Looks like we might have found a new opponent for Mike Tyson.” - Jay Leno
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo