Big Negotiations, Small Viewpoints

In a deal between millionaires, would a few bucks make a difference? You’d think so, reading how negotiations broke down between Chicago industrialist A.N. Pritzker and New Orleans Saints owner John Mecom Jr.

Thomas Thompson, negotiating for Mecom in a proposed sale to the Pritzker family, said: “I’m not saying the Pritzkers negotiate wrong. I just find it terribly difficult to deal with someone that wants your last ounce of blood.”

Of Mecom, Pritzker said in the Chicago Sun-Times: “He’s impossible. He’s an s.o.b. If he was getting $600 million and there was another 20 cents across the street, he’d move for it.”

Arkansas center Joe Kleine explained to Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post how he and Georgetown center Pat Ewing became good friends: “We became close during the Olympics. Why? Well, having to deal with Bobby Knight will drive any two people to be close.”

You-can-look-it-up dept.: When Steve Sax says, “If you look back, even the great hitters had some bad years,” don’t believe it.

In their prime years, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Pete Rose never had bad seasons--only some that weren’t as good as others.

The greatest model of consistency was Gehrig. In a 13-year period from 1926-38, he averaged 36 home runs, 147 RBIs, 139 runs scored and a batting average of .343.

Add Rose: Asked at the Cincinnati camp how he’s handling the double duties of player and manager, especially with all the media attention, he said: “No problem. I’ve been able to talk to them and still keep my eye on things out there. You know I’m not going to miss a turn in the batting cage.”

Says Reds President Bob Howsam: “Pete reminds me of Casey Stengel, who was probably the greatest public relations man ever in the game. Pete has picked up where Casey left off.”

You can hear Rose saying: “OK, Bob, how about getting me a DiMaggio or a Mantle?” Philadelphia 76ers forward Charles Barkley, sometimes called the Crisco Kid, said he lost weight from 280 pounds to 260 by switching to diet soda.

“I drink at least nine Cokes a day,” he said. “When I went to the diet ones, I really lost. I’m in good shape. I’m not fat. The real truth is, I’ve got big bones.”

Bob Kipper, 20-year-old Angels left-hander who won 18 games for Class A Redwood City last year, left a lot of hitters grumbling Monday during a 15-minute batting practice stint.

Said Manager Gene Mauch: “Bob Boone told me it was a mismatch. There are a lot of winning left-handers in the major leagues who don’t have Kipper’s stuff.”

When Hot Rod Hundley’s ex-wife heard that the Utah Jazz broadcaster was writing a book, she said: “If all his old girlfriends buy it, it’ll be a best seller.”

Express quarterback Steve Young, on Jim Kelly and the run-and-shoot offense of the Houston Gamblers: “What can I say about Kelly? He drops back and throws it, guys are running around everywhere--holy smoke, I thought I was back at Brigham Young. I’d love to play with an offense like that.”

Quotebook

Arizona Outlaws Coach Frank Kush, admitting he is unfamiliar with the team’s next opponent, the Jacksonville Bulls: “I don’t even know what color uniforms they wear.”