Saberhagen Has Tough Act to Follow

This year, Bret Saberhagen won 20 games and was chosen the most valuable player of the World Series after winning two games. He also became a father for the first time.

Asked what he could do for an encore next year, the Kansas City right-hander said: “It’s going to be tough, but you can always try. Maybe next year I can win 21 games, win three in the World Series and have twins.”

He laughed. “I haven’t spoken to Janeane about it, but I don’t think she’d be too happy about the twins part.”

For the Record: A recent Morning Briefing item called the Colorado College-Colorado Mines football series, which had its 83rd renewal Saturday, the oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi.

“Not so,” says Frances Hill, sports information director at Occidental. “The Occidental-Pomona series had its 86th renewal Saturday. It started in 1895 and has been going ever since, except for a few war years.

“Oxy won the first game of the series, 16-0. Last Saturday, it won, 43-0. We now lead the series, 42-41-3.”

The Morning Briefing item didn’t include the fact that the Colorado College-Colorado Mines series started in 1889. So, it’s still the oldest, if not the longest.

Trivia Item: Has Occidental ever produced an NFL player? (Answer below.)

The heroics of William (The Refrigerator) Perry reminded former Detroit Lion general manager Nick Kerbawy of the exploits of 350-pound middle guard Les Bingaman, who played from 1948-54.

“God gave Bingaman a good charge for about a yard,” Kerbawy said. “One time he intercepted a pass. He ran six yards, then rolled the remaining four into the end zone.”

Too Tall Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, looking to Monday night’s game against Neil Lomax and the St. Louis Cardinals, told Jim Dent of the Dallas Times Herald: “I think that if we can get a lead, then we should clean up on sacks. He is sitting back there, waiting until the last minute for somebody to open up. If our secondary has a good day, we’ll have some fun.”

Dallas did manage to get a 10-0 lead, but it didn’t have much fun. With two touchdown passes by Lomax leading the way, St. Louis came back to win, 21-10.

Said Mike Rozier of the Houston Oilers when asked the difference between the USFL and the NFL: “The way I see it, it’s still football. Guys are still beating me up, and they still get paid to do it.”

NHL goal-scoring leader Charlie Simmer of the Boston Bruins, who played on the Triple Crown line with Marcel Dionne and Dave Taylor with the Kings, says: “I am more comfortable with Ken Linseman and Keith Crowder than even with Dionne and Taylor. They are both great players, but I really think Marcel was too fast for me.”

Trivia Answer: Yes. Quarterback Jack Kemp. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957, then went to the AFL where he played for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills.

Quotebook

Howie Long of the Raiders, on the Seattle Seahawks: “They’re all pretty nice guys. Chuck Knox is probably the second guy I’d play for, behind where I am. But I wouldn’t have any of them over to dinner.”