Cheap Seats

History lesson

After reading about the English World Cup rooters chanting to police in France, “If it hadn’t been for England, you’d be Krauts!” a Los Angeles Times reader recalled a similar comment by a British writer on the eve of the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany:

“If, on the morrow, the Germans defeat us at our national sport, be not dismayed. For twice in this century, we’ve defeated them at theirs.”

Even ex-Blues get the blues

Former St. Louis Blues star Brett Hull, now with the Dallas Stars, was let go in an economy move.

Hull took part in a recent charity golf tournament in St. Louis.

Said Brett before teeing off with his father, Bobby: “If we win any money, maybe we should donate it to the Blues.”

It’s like spitting into the wind

Charles Barkley began by calling Allen Iverson a “brat.” Then, he warmed up.

Barkley, appearing Wednesday night on Comcast SportsNet with Michael Barkann, pulled very few punches. And landed several.

Barkley doesn’t approve of Iverson’s choice of friends. Thinks the Sixers’ point guard needs to lose them, especially after two of them, driving in Iverson’s $138,000 Mercedes-Benz, were arrested last Friday following an alleged drug deal in Virginia.

“His responsibility is to his family and the team,” Barkley said. “Then, he could pick his friends differently. I would hope my friends would never put me in that situation.”

Chuck can rely on himself to put him in those kinds of situations.

Who’s in charge, anyway?

It was mentioned to Phillies manager Terry Francona that reliever Mark Leiter seemed unhappy Friday in Pittsburgh when he warmed up, but did not pitch, against the Pirates as Curt Schilling completed his eighth game of the season.

“I don’t care,” the manager said with a shrug. “He can manage when he’s old.”

Add Francona

Prior to the All-Star break, Francona, like any manager would, went to bat for his players.

Reportedly, Francona called the manager of the N.L. team to promote some of his players as possible selections to the team.

The problem? He called Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves, instead of Florida Marlins manager Jim Leyland.

Understatement of the century

As they crossed the finish line, some of the runners hobbled and hallucinated. Others succumbed to pain or sleep.

They had just covered 135 miles in 127 degree temperatures over some of the most unforgiving terrain anywhere. In addition to the heat and distance, they had to deal with a climb of 8,653 feet.

Gabriel Flores finished first in the 11th Hi-Tec Badwater run through Death Valley National Park in 28 hours, 9 minutes.

“The toughest part was the heat,” he said.

The last word …

“With the power he has, Yellowstone ain’t going to hold him.”

- Brian Bohanon of the Los Angeles Dodgers after allowing a 511-foot home run by Mark McGwire, who has four homers in nine career at-bats against Bohanon.