Shoemaker Received an Early Invitation to ‘Have Some Fun’

The whole world knows about Ferdinand after Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, but jockey Bill Shoemaker says trainer Charlie Whittingham knew what he had all along.

Before the race, even some experts figured the 54-year-old jockey and 73-year-old trainer were trying to live out a pipe dream, but Shoemaker has been telling this story since Ferdinand won the Run for the Roses.

“Last summer at Del Mar, Charlie took me over to his stall and said ‘Here’s one I’m gonna save for you,’ ” Shoemaker recalled of his introduction to Ferdinand. “We’re gonna have some fun out there with him.”

Shoe went along for the ride, and it’s not over yet.

Things are getting grim in Cincinnati, where the Reds have won just once in 12 games at Riverfront Stadium after being picked in some quarters to win the National League West.

First, the fans covered their heads with paper bags. Then they booed Pete Rose.

Now, they’ve turned their wrath on the club mascot, owner Marge Schott’s St. Bernard named Schottzie, in the throes of the club’s worst home losing streak of the century.

Before a 4-3 loss to Atlanta Monday, this sign appeared in the right-field stands:

“End The Curse, Sacrifice Schottzie.”

Ivan Lendl may miss the challenge John McEnroe offers him, but that doesn’t mean everyone on the pro tennis tour feels Super Brat’s self-imposed exile will hurt the game.

“He’ll be replaced soon,” Yannick Noah said. “Hopefully he’s going to come back. He’s got a great game, great talent and personality. But there are so many great players that now we are starting to forget about them, you know, Jimmy (Connors) and him.”

Wonder if McEnroe is reading the papers these days?

Add tennis: With McEnroe out of action and Connors serving out a 10-week suspension, the United States has only once active player ranked in the top 10--South African-born Kevin Curren, who is ranked 10th.

Curren says it’s important for tennis to have a U.S. star. “It helps to have an American,” he said. “They’ve certainly been the most colorful.”

Chi Chi Rodriguez is another one of the over-50 crew who realizes pro golfers have a good thing going with the Seniors tour.

“This is like getting a second chance at life,” Rodriquez said. “How many people have a job waiting for them when they turn 50?”

Add Chi Chi: The colorful and talkative Puerto Rican admits that his style might have cost him a few dollars over the years, but he wouldn’t trade the fun he’s had for the money.

“If I had concentrated more, I would probably have won eight or nine more tournaments,” Rodriguez said. “But I wanted to win the hearts of the people. Golf is a deaf-mute game, and I try to break that monotony once in a while.”

Heavyweight boxer James (Quick) Tillis, after losing a 10-round decision to Mike Tyson Saturday, said: “The object of boxing is to hit and not be hit.”

Tillis obviously hasn’t mastered it yet. He’s 31-9 with four straight defeats. Quotebook

Outfielder Joe Carter, looking for a comparison to the Cleveland Indians’ surprising early-season success: “I guess it’s like being at the birth of your first child. You’re happy but you also can’t believe what’s happening.”