THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410070737
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Parody: The salary cap syndrome in the NFL has created a league in which there are four good teams, one pitiful team (Cincinnati), and 23 who are two or three plays away from 8-8.
Idle thought: Miami vs. Florida State is a nice game. But a really big college football game, a game of true national interest, has to include Notre Dame.
Too much, too soon: Before joining the women's tennis tour, 14-year-old phenoms Martina Hingis and Venus Williams should have to take a good, hard look at Jennifer Capriati's mug shot.
Quick hit: Duke football is a big deal on the Durham, N.C., campus this year. Sure, until the first basketball practice.
Fighting for history: Sugar Ray Leonard's reputation was built on victories over Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler. Though he's an all-timer in terms of sheer boxing talent, Sweetpea Whitaker needs fights with famous foils to enhance his legend. Julio Cesar Chavez fills that role, but Chavez's handler, Don King, isn't about to let his meal ticket get in a ring with Sweetpea.
Ice capades: As if the National Hockey League hasn't done enough to alienate its fans, now comes word that the average price for a ticket to its games is $33.66. That's more than three times the cost of a ticket to a big-league baseball game. The average NFL admission is $31.05; the NBA's $27.12. Imagine how much it would cost to watch an NHL game if you could actually see the puck.
Talent surge: By signing Horace Grant and Brian Shaw, the Orlando Magic are ready to move past the Charlotte Hornets.
Shoe business: With the uncertain condition of Charles Barkley's back, it's hard to figure the Phoenix Suns as the favorite to win the next NBA title. Barkley feels fine now. But how often do athletes get hurt filming Nike commercials?
Enough, already: The most tiresome rumor in sports is the one that has the Los Angeles Rams headed for Baltimore. If only it were true, and not a tease.
An endless supply: At last count, the Orioles have interviewed nine candidates for their managing vacancy. The idea, I thought, was to hire somebody, not to arrange for the owner to lunch with everyone who has ever filled out a lineup card.
Local connection: The coach of the Notre Dame women's soccer team that ended North Carolina's 92-game winning streak is Chris Petrucelli, a former assistant to ODU men's coach Mike Berticelli before both left for South Bend.
Ridiculous: I'm all for pro athletes getting what they can. At least I was until reading that Juwan Howard, the Washington Bullets' No. 1 draft pick, has rejected a 10-year, $30.7 million offer. Don't tell me what the going rate for top draft picks is. Tell me how many people Howard is going to put in the seats.
Staying put: As Michael Jordan takes his swings for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, those of us who predicted that he'd be back playing basketball this season have to admit that we badly misjudged the man.
Not a chance: A comeback for Ralph Sampson? Because of the baseball strike, the big guy's stunt drew a lot of attention. It did nothing to enhance Ralph or the NBA.
Consider this: Now that Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier has joined the list of battered Heisman candidates, perhaps the most solid choice for the trophy is Washington running back Napoleon Kaufman.
The real deal: One week he was the Heisman Trophy winner, the next he was said to be barely hanging on to his job. Amid the hype and hysteria, Notre Dame sophomore quarterback Ron Powlus has managed to throw for 12 touchdowns, bringing him to within six of the school's season record, held by Rick Mirer. by CNB