THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130713
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Off base: Criticism of Cincinnati Reds fans for not filling Riverfront Stadium comes from media and baseball officials who will never know what it's like to pay $30 for nosebleed seats.
Terrorists for teammates: In his rookie year with the Golden State Warriors, Joe Smith may experience more trouble with selfish teammates than opposing players.
No for now: In the wake of the O.J. Simpson acquittal, who would have thought that pay per view, the vehicle that brings us pro wrassling, boxing and Howard Stern, would become the nation's electronic conscience?
Wheel of fortune: Too bad about the Simpson-NBC troubles. I hear Al Cowlings is upset he didn't get a chance to drive O.J. to the studio.
TV timeout: Who cares if Shaq vs. Hakeem never comes off. I might consider, however, paying $29.95 to watch a one-on-one between O.J. and Mike Wallace.
Twist of fate: Considering the recent history of the Washington Bullets, it should surprise no one that Mark Price, the new point guard, already is sidelined with a foot injury.
Not amused: Can't fathom why replays of quarterbacks suffering violent concussions inspire cable anchors to semi-humorous one-liners. Is there something funny about a brain injury that I'm missing?
Dept. of Irony: Tonya Harding has been called for jury duty in the same Oregon court that convicted her of obstruction of justice.
Quick hit: ABC's Tim McCarver tries too hard.
Power outage: The next big tryout for the all-female Colorado Silver Bullets is open to power hitters. In two seasons, the Bullets have had 2,310 at-bats without a home run.
The color of money: Pat Riley receiving a $300 per diem on top of the estimated $30 million contract from the Miami Heat gives conspicuous consumption a bad name.
The new reality: Though Seattle is recognized as a bad baseball town, the Mariners this season outdrew the New York Yankees by 1,882 a game. Who would have thunk it?
Money well spent: Give credit to Redskins general manager Charlie Casserly for signing running back Terry Allen for only $400,000 and no signing bonus. In today's NFL, this passes for a bargain.
Coming attraction: A sport that starts with Midnight Madness and ends with March Madness, as does college basketball, could use fewer commentators and more psychiatrists.
Tubular: ESPN will feature live coverage of Midnight Madness on Saturday night, including a report from Charlottesville, because, let's face it, the cable outfit has nothing better to put on the air.
The Kid: Kevin McHale, vice-president of basketball operations for Minnesota's NBA footwipes, says of 19-year-old rookie Kevin Garnett: ``He does things that no one else on this team can do, already.'' The compliment would mean more if this were any team but the Timberwoofs.
Ring out the old: New York fighter Buddy McGirt recently announced he was hanging up his gloves, but, in truth, Sweetpea Whitaker retired him quite some time ago.
Back to my roots: Since I have no favorites among the four baseball teams still playing, I guess I'll just hope for a World Series played entirely on grass. by CNB