Foyt Doesn’t Buy What Simon Says

A.J. Foyt is competing in his 30th straight Indianapolis 500, but he’s not the oldest driver in the race. Foyt is 52. Dick Simon is 53.

“That darned Simon was always younger until they started giving away $5,000 for the oldest driver,” Foyt said. “I’ve got to talk with him and make him bring his birth certificate.”

Foyt was born Jan. 16, 1935 in Houston. Simon was born Sept. 21, 1933 in Seattle.

Add Simon: A former president of a large insurance company, he’s a stocky, balding grandfather from San Juan Capistrano whose best previous qualifying position was 10th in 1974. This year, he qualified sixth.

“I feel this is my year,” he said. “It’s got to be. I don’t have many more left as a driver.”

How crippled are the Boston Celtics? Cracked reserve center Greg Kite: “We’re the only NBA team that has three wheelchairs meet us at the gate when we land.”

Trivia Time: When Yogi Berra of the New York Yankees hit the first pinch-hit homer in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, who was the Brooklyn pitcher? (Answer below.)

68 Years Ago Today: On May 11, 1919, Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators pitched in a 0-0 tie against the New York Yankees in a game called by darkness after 12 innings. He gave up two hits and retired 28 men in a row. Future Hall of Fame football coach George Halas was 0 for 5 as a Yankee outfielder.

On this date in 1963, Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers pitched the second of his four career no-hitters, beating the San Francisco Giants, 8-0.

The lament of Cincinnati Manager Pete Rose: “I’d like to have been the best manager ever, but I screwed that up by playing so long. I can’t get the most wins. Hey, maybe I can go for the best percentage.”

Clip and Save: Says Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson: “We’re going to win this division, and I don’t go out on a limb too often. This is the first time in 18 seasons I’ve had pitching and defense. I want this team to be like the White Sox teams Al Lopez had. I’m in every game, and every game revolves around me.”

Could he be getting dizzy?

Wilt Chamberlain told Stan Hochman of the Philadelphia Daily News: “Right now, I’m a little down on the NBA. I’m tired of the drug scene.

“Whatever happened to indefinite suspensions. I’m tired of seeing John Lucas in the playoffs after, what, how many chances? I thought he was barred for life.

“I feel perplexed that they are selling franchises for $32.5 million to get into an organization of dopers.”

From San Francisco’s Chris Speier, who hit two grand slams in a week after going 15 years without one: “My next one probably will come in an old-timers’ game--if I get invited.”

Trivia Answer: Ralph Branca.

Quotebook

Texas Manager Bobby Valentine, after 39-year-old Charlie Hough of the Rangers beat 48-year-old Phil Niekro of the Cleveland Indians: “So much for experience.”