He’s Retiring to the Big Money--Bingo Tours

In a story on the retirement of Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Mike Obrovac, the Associated Press said: “He is retiring to launch a career running bingo tours for Seminole Indians in the West.”

Don’t laugh.

Obrovac said he will be working with his oldest brother, Nicholas, who runs bingo bus tours in the state of Washington.

“He’s also the general manager of the bingo hall on the Muckle Shoot Reservation,” Obrovac said. “Bingo is big there. The daily jackpots run as high as $90,000.”

Sounds like a spot for Bob Uecker.

Trivia Time: Two years ago Wednesday, they played the infamous Pine Tar Game in Yankee Stadium. Who was the Kansas City pitcher who was caught trying to run off and hide with George Brett’s bat during the argument? (Answer below.)

Promoter Butch Lewis, on the challenge of Larry Holmes by Michael Spinks, whose brother Leon once fought Holmes and lost by a knockout: “This is the first brother team to fight the same heavyweight champion.”

True, as stated, but Max and Buddy Baer both fought Joe Louis, the difference being that Max faced him before Louis won the title.

Max was knocked out in the fourth round. Buddy lost twice. The first time he was disqualified when he failed to return in time after being knocked out of the ring in the seventh round. The second time he was knocked out in the first round.

Steve Sewell, rookie running back from Oklahoma, was wearing No. 30 in his first workout with the Denver Broncos.

Coach Dan Reeves, who wore No. 30 when he played for the Dallas Cowboys, told Michael Knisley of the Denver Post: “The last time I saw a guy run that smooth, he had No. 30 on, too. But I ran smooth because I was slow. This guy runs smooth, and he’s fast, too.”

Reeves also likes him as a receiver.

“A tall Preston Pearson,” he said. “Best hands of any back I’ve ever seen in football. Nobody in the NFL can cover him one-on-one.”

Richard Dacoury, a 6-5 native of the Ivory Coast who plays for the French national basketball team, is an observer of the Cleveland Cavaliers rookie camp.

Asked what he knew about the NBA, he said: “French television sometimes shows videotapes of the New York Knicks games. I like very much Mr. Bernard King.

“I have seen Mr. Maurice Lucas of Phoenix. He is popular in France, but some of that is because of his name.”

Said Rep. Silvio O. Conte (R-Mass.), manager of the House Republicans who defeated the House Democrats, 9-3, in their annual softball game, the 17th win in 24 games for the Republicans: “We’re not a bunch of intellectuals. We’re a bunch of blue-collar guys who like hot dogs and beer.

“The American public is seeing the Republicans are not a bunch of stiff shirts. And the Democrats are falling all over themselves. They do it on the floor every day.”

Said the losing manager, Rep. Bill Chappell Jr. (D-Fla.): “I never said the Republicans were a bunch of stiff-shirts. That’s for them to decide.

“One thing is, the Democrats have more people who will come out and play. Because we try to play everybody, we lose capability. But that’s the Democratic Party, trying to give everybody a part.”

Trivia Answer: Gaylord Perry.

Quotebook

Larry Holmes, to challenger Michael Spinks, who claimed Holmes was washed up: “I have some advice for you. If you don’t think I can fight anymore, don’t train.”