DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709120028

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Column 

SOURCE: Bob Molinaro 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

ALEXANDER'S A BIGGER STAR IN COURT THAN ON IT

Fame 101: Recently bounced U.Va. basketball player Courtney Alexander is more celebrated for his arrest, suspension and transfer to Fresno State than for anything he accomplished on the court in a Cavaliers uniform. Another sign of the times.

For what it's worth: The year Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, he slugged 20 in his final 32 games.

Keeping track: So far, nobody can accuse Gus Frerotte of overachieving. In two games, the Redskins' $4 million quarterback has completed only 12 passes to his wide receivers.

A different look: Who says the ACC is all about roundball? With U.Va.'s Tiki Barber and Charles Way starting as running backs for the New York Giants and Duke's Dave Brown at quarterback, the Giants opened the season with an all-ACC backfield.

Stumbling start: One week into the football season, new Notre Dame coach Bob Davie has done the seemingly impossible - make people nostalgic for Lou Holtz.

Idle thought: With Reebok retaining the services of Allen Iverson, the least the shoe company can do is change the name of Iverson's sneaker to ``No contest.''

Easily pleased: U.Va. quarterback Aaron Brooks, on his performance in a losing effort against Auburn: ``I was impressed by the things I did.'' Does that include the interception that turned into a gift-wrapped TD for the visitors? Back to the film room, young man.

Dollars and sense: Atlanta's Ted Turner Field, home to the $3.50 Coke, is baseball's most expensive venue. The cost of tickets, parking, refreshments, and souvenirs for the average family of four for an average night at a Braves game comes to $129.16.

If they build it: Aberdeen, Md., hometown of Cal Ripken Jr., proposes the construction of a stadium to lure a minor league team. The park would be named after its famous son - a first, it's believed, for an active player.

Baseball's roots: The expansion Arizona Diamondbacks have a rule requiring that all players must maintain their natural hair color. We don't make up these things.

Off the beaten path: The definition of an optimist is someone who can eat airline food with a smile.

Net loss: Maybe it's time we realized that Monica Seles is never going to make it all the way back.

In passing: Venus Williams may have an important impact on the racket sport in America, but if tennis is looking for its Tiger Woods, that would have been Andre Agassi . . . until he lost interest.

Out of the loop: Says Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird: ``It's unbelievable, but I've never been to a pro football game. I've never been to a pro hockey game, either. I guess I'm not much of a sports fan.''

Hoop dreams: The other day, a nonentity named Brian Grant, who played in 24 NBA games last season, was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers for $63 million. And people wonder why some kids think about nothing but basketball.

Worth watching: Relieving the tedium of a baseball season that drags on too long will be the attempted comeback from cancer of Orioles outfielder Eric Davis.

Seniors Tour: Word has it that Sugar Ray Leonard, 41, and Roberto Duran, 46, are discussing a fight. All together now: ``No mas.''

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu