DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711140916

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Column 

SOURCE: Bob Molinaro 

                                            LENGTH:   58 lines

GRIFFEY'S WHINE LEAVES A SOUR TASTE

Very weak: When Ken Griffey Jr. uses his MVP award as an excuse to whine, baseball suffers one more indignity, however slight. Next time, maybe Junior could just say, ``Thanks.''

Money matters: Moving the kickoff of the Nov. 29 Virginia Tech-Virginia game to 5:30 pleases TV, but it creates a significant inconvenience for fans from faraway locations such as Hampton Roads who will drive home from Charlottesville late at night. Just once, I'd like to see a school's bottom line include the comfort of the paying customer. I can dream, can't I?

Rim shot: Charles Barkley says that he regrets throwing Jorge Lugo through that plate-glass window. ``I regret,'' he says, ``we weren't on a higher floor.''

Bad influence: It can't help the play or reputation of Norfolk's own Joe Smith that he's tight with Golden State Warriors teammate Latrell Sprewell, a coach killer notorious for his attitude.

Going strong: Bruce Smith asleep at the wheel? Not when he's on the field. The 34-year-old Buffalo Bills defensive end has 10 sacks in eight games. At this pace, the Booker T. Washington grad would finish the season with a career-high 20 sacks.

In passing: In September, nobody could have known that what Norfolk State football needed most was a roof over Dick Price Stadium.

The real story: Now we learn that Orioles owner Peter Angelos had it in for Davey Johnson because the former manager wouldn't call him to have lunch. New manager Ray Miller promises to phone the boss. Maybe he should also send floral arrangements.

More O's: Calling Angelos the next Steinbrenner is too good for the guy. Baseball people are starting to think of him as the American League's Marge Schott.

Fallout: With Johnson no longer in the picture, Orioles free agent Brady Anderson has one less reason to remain in Baltimore. Anderson, second-most popular Bird to Cal Ripken, didn't get the contract extension he asked for last season. Now his agent is listening closely to offers from the Yankees and Braves.

Heavyweight contender: After years of receiving the loudest ovations when introduced ringside at championship fights, Magic Johnson recently applied for a license to promote boxing shows in Nevada.

Hoop du jour: The Rolling Stones look younger on the road than the Chicago Bulls.

For what it's worth: Don't know why I was so surprised by the NHL's deft, correct handling of the recent racial incident between Chris Simon and Mike Grier. Maybe it's because you just don't expect this sort of sensitivity from a sport in which nobody thinks twice before smashing someone's face with a stick.

The shootist: Patrick Ewing is the Bermuda Triangle of basketball. Passes go into the Knicks' center and never come out. In the season's first six games, Pat had five assists.

What could have been: Lefthander Wild Bill Pulsipher, a favorite of Tides fans before moving on to New York and suffering arm trouble, will be left unprotected by the Mets for next week's expansion draft.

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