Cheap Seats
B-O-S-S spells
W-I-N Skip Bayless writing in the Chicago Tribune:
“Are you sitting down, Chicago? The one thing you should envy about the New York sports scene is the man who owns the Yankees.
“The (George) Steinbrenner qualities many detest - the puffed-up yachtsman’s ego, the obsession with the spotlight, the knee-jerk firing and hiring - drive him to be the best owner in sports.
“Oh, do I wish Chicago had a Steinbrenner. Not this Steinbrenner, but one who lives by the motto `Losing is not an option.’ Or, `Money is no option.”’
Real trash talking
Some fans should beware whom they root for, especially if they know New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips.
Phillips was at one of his children’s soccer games early Saturday and saw an 11-year-old family friend wearing a Derek Jeter T-shirt and Yankees cap.
“I drove the kid home. Then I wrestled him, and almost put him in a trash can,” Phillips said with a big smile.
Signs of the times
A few of the more original signs seen around Yankee Stadium:
Yankees fan mocking Mets theme song: “Meet The Mets, Greet The Mets, Come On Out and Sweep The Mets.”
“Don’t Sweat It, We Got Pettitte.”
“At Least We Didn’t Trade Nolan Ryan.”
For the man with everything
Steve Davis in the Dallas Morning News:
“Let’s say you want to hire Dennis Rodman to entertain at your husband’s 40th birthday party, or you want him to spin salty yarns at a company function.
“Your price: about $75,000, according to his new representation group.”
A place for everyone
Jim Armstrong in the Denver Post:
“Having flunked out of every league but the League of Nations, Lawrence Phillips wants to play for the XFL’s Las Vegas Outlaws. Imagine the possibilities.”
How about a token gesture?
Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg in the San Francisco Chronicle:
“Let’s face it, baseball players are a little spoiled. Both the Mets and Yankees are already complaining about not getting enough travel money.”
They need more than replay
Bob Ryan in the Boston Globe on Mets manager Bobby Valentine:
“Whether the anti-Valentines noticed it or not, things were different this year… . At no point in the Mets’ fine season was it ever about Valentine.
“It was refreshingly about the team and its outstanding play. Valentine kept himself out of the headlines… . At age 50, he actually seems to have grown up.”
The last word …
“He was as strong as three bulls. He’d slap you on the back and knock you 20 feet.”
- Former 49ers fullback Joe Perry on late Hall of Fame lineman Leo Nomellini.