Ace Is Nothing to Hogan

Legend has it that the only thing Ben Hogan ever said to an opponent on the golf course was, “You’re away.” Former Masters champion Claude Harmon says that isn’t far off.

He told Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post about a Masters tournament in which he played a practice round with Hogan. At the 12th hole, Harmon scored a hole in one. The crowd went wild. Hogan said nothing, then hit his ball within a few feet of the cup.

All the way to the green, Hogan was stone silent. Harmon retrieved his ball from the cup to more cheers as Hogan plumb-bobbed his putt, then sank it. As they headed to the next tee, Hogan put his arm around Harmon.

“Here it comes,” Harmon thought. “The Wee Ice Mon is actually going to say, ‘Nice shot.’ ”

Said Hogan: “You know something, Claude, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever made a birdie on that hole.”

Chi Chi Rodriguez, while entertaining fans on the practice range before a seniors tournament, had this lament: “You listen to all my jokes, then you go and follow Arnie.”

Wait a Minute: After Oklahoma ran over UCLA Saturday, Sooner Coach Barry Switzer observed that the Bruins “are in a league that really doesn’t run the football.”

In 1982, USC shut out Oklahoma, 12-0, at Norman, gaining 201 yards rushing to 43 for the Sooners. In 1981, USC beat Oklahoma, 28-24, at the Coliseum. USC’s Marcus Allen rushed for 208 yards, averaging 5 yards a carry.

Says ESPN college football analyst Beano Cook: “The Big Ten team will lose again in the Rose Bowl, even to Oregon State.”

Says Big Ten Commissioner Wayne Duke: “I’ve never seen Beano on TV, and I don’t think I ever will.”

Trivia Time: What does Denver Bronco receiver Vance Johnson have in common with Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson? (Answer below.)

You’ve heard managers say they couldn’t handle the heat of the opposing pitcher, but it was the other way around with Milwaukee Manager George Bamberger.

After the Brewers lost to Cleveland’s Phil Niekro, Bamberger said: “We usually have good luck against knuckleballers, but I think he was throwing it a little bit slower than we could handle. He was throwing as slow as I’ve seen him.”

Add Forgettable Quotes: Said Philadelphia Coach Buddy Ryan of his team on the eve of the opener against Washington: “I don’t prepare them to lose. I prepare them for a a winning start. I’m not looking for a rocky start.”

The Eagles were stoned, 41-14.

Trivia Answer: All three were NCAA long jump champions--Owens (Ohio State), 1935-36; Robinson (UCLA), 1940; Johnson (Arizona), 1982.

Quotebook

Atlanta Hawk Coach Mike Fratello, on the significance of his being named to the club’s board of directors: “What it means is that the vote to fire me will never be unanimous.”