One Kid’s Fun Is Another Kid’s Detention
Seattle Mariner pitcher Freddy Garcia, outfielder Shane Monahan and coaches Gerald Perry and John Moses acted just like kids--with kids--recently at Wenatchee (Wash.) High.
They engaged in a snowball fight and that’s a no-no. Snowball fights are not allowed at schools or school bus stops, Wenatchee school Superintendent John Gordon said.
“We tell kids it’s not OK, then they [the Mariners] model that it is, and that it’s fun,” Gordon said.
Which it is, Mr. Grouch.
*
Trivia time: Who holds the NBA record for most blocked shots in a season?
*
Rubbing it in: Oregon forward Bryan Bracey to the (Portland) Oregonian after the Ducks routed the Bruins, 73-58, Saturday in Eugene: “Coach [Ernie] Kent wanted us to put a dagger in their hearts. He wanted us to not just win but to hurt them. Make them know they were blown out.”
*
He has a point: Tennessee Titan wide receiver Yancey Thigpen, commenting on touchdown celebrations in an interview with Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe:
“I don’t think it should be over-exaggerated, but I don’t have a problem with guys celebrating. Fans come to the game with painted faces. You’ve got the cheerleaders cheering. Why can’t we have fun on the field? We’re the ones playing the game.”
*
Come again? Bud Geracie in the San Jose Mercury News: “Why Jerry Doesn’t Coach No More: After watching Tennessee run circles around Jacksonville, Glanville opined that ‘the more athletic team didn’t win.’ ”
*
More Geracie: “Fifty years they’ve waged war, and Wednesday night the Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs to break a 268-268-92 tie.”
*
Not a clue: Boston Coach Rick Pitino after his Celtics drew nine technical fouls in an eight-game stretch: “Our players have the diplomacy of Stalin. They have no idea how to get calls. They’re just stupid with officials. It’s like the cold war with them. They don’t understand it.”
*
Carded: Nigerian soccer fans were in a foul mood in Accra, Ghana. First, organizers of the African Nations Cup boosted ticket prices after Nigeria beat Tunisia, 4-2. Then, the fans had to be dispersed with tear gas when they stoned and shattered windows of the team bus after Nigeria’s 0-0 game with Republic of Congo. And, Saturday, the Confederation of African Football added the final insult: fining Nigeria’s soccer federation $2,000 for poor security.
*
Trivia answer: Mark Eaton of Utah, 456, in 1984-85.
*
And finally: Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley, whose team has been struggling in its new arena: “I think the building is a boon for visiting teams. They come in here and see all those bright lights and they feel good. It’s not like the old Madison Square Garden or the old Boston Garden.
“They come in and say, “Look at how bright it is in here. We can win. And then we’ll go upstairs and have one of those tropical drinks.’ ”
