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Just color him paranoid
University of Oregon coach Mike Bellotti doesn’t want any rival school colors to clash with his Ducks’ green and gold at his football practices. Even if the color happens to be worn by an NFL scout.
Bellotti, who zealously protects secrets in practice, even though the practices are open to the public, noticed a man he did not know at Wednesday’s workout. The man was wearing a purple and gold jacket - the same colors as Washington, which Oregon would play Saturday.
Bellotti asked his head of security who it was. The guard came back and said it was a Minnesota Vikings scout.
“Ask him to take off that jacket,” Bellotti responded. If he doesn’t, Bellotti said, “ask him to leave.”
The man, one of three NFL scouts there, took umbrage and left.
“I thought at first it was a Husky fan trying to make some kind of a statement, and I thought our players and coaches might be very uneasy with someone in that purple jacket standing there watching us,” Bellotti said.
“When I found out he was a scout, I just wanted him to take off the coat. I said, ‘We’ll get him another coat,’ but I guess he got upset about it and left.”
Brother, can you spare a thou?
After the first five races of the season, Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon had already won $2,619,361. Car & Driver magazine talked to driver Darrell Waltrip, who said:
“The other day, I asked Jeff if he had change for a hundred. Jeff said, `Darrell, that is change.”’
Live, and Lett live
Jay Leno on the NFL’s drug suspension of Dallas lineman Leon Lett for half the season:
“He’s not allowed to play or practice, but I guess he still gets paid. Well, that should work out great. Take a guy with a drug problem, put money in his pocket and give him a lot of free time.”
This must be the comic relief
Ray Ratto, writing in the San Francisco Examiner:
“The problem with the Dodgers, No. 39,111: General Manager Kevin Malone looks like all the Ritz brothers at the same time.”
In your field of dreams
Ron Rapoport in the Chicago Sun-Times:
“The Padres are seeking `title sponsorship’ to their entire 2000 season, according to SportsBusiness Journal. How would that work exactly? The Sam’s Pizza and Massage Parlor San Diego Padres?”
The last word …
“Whenever I’m tempted to grouse about the hype surrounding another Sammy Sosa-Mark McGwire home run chase, I remind myself that it could be Albert Belle and Juan Gonzalez.”
- Michael Ventre of MSNBC