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A tribute to the past
The eight charter teams of the American Football League turn 40 this year and Mike Penner of the Los Angeles Times has his say about each franchise:
Oakland Raiders (10-3): Leading rusher that first season was Tony Teresa, which, of course, would make his mom Mother Teresa.
Which is as close as anyone associated with this franchise has ever gotten to sainthood.
Houston Oilers (10-3): George Blanda and Co. mercilessly teased millions of Houstonians with the first AFL title in 1960. It was all downhill and on to Tennessee after that.
New York Titans (9-4): The Oilers became the Titans, the Titans became the Jets, and if that isn’t confusing enough, what is Al Groh doing at 9-4?
Denver Broncos (9-4): Wore ludicrous vertically striped socks that first season. Still going vertical, only now it’s Gus Frerotte to Rod Smith.
Buffalo Bills (7-6): The 1960 Bills relied on defense and used two quarterbacks on offense. Time moves very slowly in Buffalo.
Boston Patriots (4-9): Forty years of progress and if the 2000 Patriots beat Chicago on Sunday, they’ll be 5-9, same as the 1960 Patriots.
Dallas Texans (5-8): Now known as the Kansas City Chiefs, then quarterbacked by Cotton Davidson, who knew enough to never throw underneath on the last play of the game with your team down by six.
Los Angeles Chargers (1-12): Moved to San Diego in 1961. Will they come full circle in 2004? Current Charger stadium lease has a re-opener clause after 2003 season.
George Mikan turned them down
The Chicago entry in the new American Basketball Association promises to bring fastpaced pro basketball to town - with some familiar faces.
Joey Meyer will coach the Skyliners, who begin play Dec. 26 against the Tampa Bay Thunderdawgs, coached by Darryl Dawkins, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Former DePaul standouts David Booth and Dallas Comegys are among the recognizable names who will play for the Skyliners.
Percy “Master P” Miller, the rap artist, sports agent for New Orleans Saints back Ricky Williams and entertainment entrepreneur, also will suit up for the Skyliners.
Baseball’s old-timers club
Dan Shaughnessy in the Boston Globe: “The 2001 (baseball) Hall of Fame ballot leaves little margin for error. There are no butterflies, no chads (certainly not Chad Curtis). It’s arranged in the shape of a batter’s box and even the writers from Florida papers should be able to handle it.”