The Fishing Thing Became Source of Pointed Comment

Politics take a holiday. . . .

President Bush briefly left the campaign trail to participate in the Eagles of Angling benefit bass tournament at Pintlala, Ala., a few days before the Super Tuesday primary vote on March 10.

While he was hauling in a frisky bass, a loose hook lodged in the President’s thumb. According to a news release, a competitor removed the hook, although Bush’s doctor was only 20 feet away in another boat.

“In a procedure that can turn the knees of the strongest anglers to jello (sic), the President held still while (Guy) Eaker shoved the hook on through, clipped the barb and pulled the remainder of the hook back out,” the release stated.

Bush resumed fishing, and presumably caught less flak than he does from Democratic hopefuls.

Coming from left field: Center fielder Andy Van Slyke of the Pittsburgh Pirates, asked by the St. Petersburg Times what he would do if he ruled the world: “I’d have Bill Clinton take an IQ test, and I’d have Dan Quayle score it.”

Add Van Slyke: While playing word association, he responded with “Milk Bone” to Cincinnati Red owner Marge Schott and “Mr. Potatohead” to baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent.

Sign of the times: Joe DiMaggio’s contract to autograph baseballs and other items for Score Board Inc. is worth more than $7 million for two years, USA Today reports.

The real thing: Jerry Browne, Cleveland Indian second baseman, is nicknamed, “Guv’nor.” But he will have to step aside when former California Gov. Jerry Brown appears in Ohio for the May 5 primary.

Trivia time: In the past 15 seasons, only four No. 1-seeded teams have won the NCAA tournament. Name them.

It’s only a name: Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers paid tribute to teammate Jayson Williams, who was suspended for two games because he attacked the Charlotte Hornets’ J.R. Reid after Barkley and Reid got into a confrontation. With Williams out, Barkley wrote “Jason” on his basketball shoes.

The Sporting News reports that when asked about the misspelling of Williams’ first name, Barkley replied, “He doesn’t play much, anyway.”

Who knew? From Dept. of Strange Facts: Instead of shaving their legs like swimmers, synchronized swimmers leave a stubble of hair for their routines. Synchro officials say it allows competitors to gauge how high they are above the water when surfacing. You can investigate further during the U.S. Olympic Trials April 2-5 at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

For the record: Tiger Stadium was once called Navin Field, not Nevin Field as reported in Monday’s Morning Briefing.

Trivia answer: Indiana (1976), North Carolina (1982), Georgetown (1984) and Nevada Las Vegas (1990).

Quotebook: Bill (Spaceman) Lee, announcing his candidacy for President on the Rhinoceros Party ticket in 1987: “I’ll live in Washington and I’ll pitch for the Washington Senators. I’ll bring baseball back to the city. It’ll be the law.”