For Columbia Lions, a Soaring Moment in Season of Low Points

Columbia still hasn’t a won game, but the Lions did end one streak last Saturday. They took the lead in a game for the first time this year.

Kurt Dasbach kicked a field goal to give the Lions a 10-7 lead over Lehigh. Was Dasbach excited?

Slightly.

“I forgot I had to kick off,” he said.

Indianapolis Coach Ron Meyer, who coached Eric Dickerson at Southern Methodist, recalled when the running back enrolled at SMU.

“I made a statement then, and I’ll stand by it,” Meyer said. “I said I think he can skip playing on Saturdays and go right to playing on Sundays.”

Translation: He already was ready for the National Football League.

“The maturity of the man never ceases to amaze me,” Meyer said.

Here’s one the signs spotted along the New York City Marathon course Sunday: “Tommy, You’re in 9,824th . . . But You’re Gaining!”

One woman entrant wore a T-shirt that said on the front, ‘Stella.” On the back it said, “Stanley, Is That You?”

Trivia Time: What linebacker played for the teams that posted the best and the worst records in NFL history? (Answer below.)

Said Oklahoma State Coach Pat Jones when asked the difference between his material and that of Saturday’s opponent, Oklahoma: “The pro scouts that come in here can get their work done in one day. When they leave, I usually ask where they’re heading next. They’ll say Oklahoma, and then say they’ll probably be there three days.”

From New England defensive end Ken Sims, recalling a stop he made on Bo Jackson in the win over the Raiders: “One of the guys said, ‘That’s a pretty good hit you put on the left fielder.’ ”

Sims admitted he was scared the time Jackson did that dance on the sideline before going out of bounds.

“When I saw him turn up the sideline, my heart almost came up my throat because I know what kind of speed he has,” Sims said.

George Steinbrenner is being ridiculed for bringing Billy Martin back again, but Moss Klein of the Sporting News says: “Martin’s numerous critics never bother to point to the bottom line. In the 15 years of the Steinbrenner era, five of the Yankees’ six best records have come with Martin as manager for all or most of the season.

“Martin has a quick impact, which eventually fades and deteriorates into a self-destruct mode. But his managing ability, especially when he’s returning from one of his rest-and-relaxation periods, can’t be questioned.”

Says Reggie Jackson of the George-Billy reunion: “A fatal attraction.”

Add Steinbrenner: Before the 1982 season, he had this to say: “Bob Lemon is going to be our manager all year. You can bet on it. I don’t care if we come in last. I swear on my heart he’ll be the manager all season.”

Lemon was fired on April 14.

Trivia Answer: Larry Ball. He played for the 17-0 Miami Dolphins in 1972 and the 0-14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976.

Quotebook

Rocky Bridges, former major league infielder: “I got a big charge out of seeing Ted Williams hit. Once in a while they let me try to field some of them, which sort of dimmed my enthusiasm.”