In Pinch, Bird Can Go to His Left

Larry Bird, emerging from Boston Garden after Game 5 of the National Basketball Assn. finals, was clutching a soft drink in his right hand as fans moved in to ask for his autograph.

Bird stopped to oblige, using his left hand to sign.

“Do you always write left-handed?” somebody asked.

“No,” said Bird, “but I’ve got something in my right hand.”

Whatever it takes.

How-times-have-changed dept.: Hall of Fame golfer Ralph Guldahl, who died Thursday, received $1,000 each time for his two wins in the U.S. Open. He won in 1937 at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Mich., and in 1938 at Cherry Hills in Denver.

Andy North, who won the U.S. Open on the same two courses, received $45,000 in 1978 and $103,000 in 1985.

Trivia Time: When Lou Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 consecutive games ended, who replaced him at first base for the New York Yankees? (Answer below.)

13 Years Ago Today: On June 14, 1974, Nolan Ryan struck out 19 batters in 12 innings and the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, in 15 innings. Cecil Cooper of the Red Sox struck out six times in the game.

On the same date in 1969, Reggie Jackson of Oakland had the most productive day of his career when he drove in 10 runs against Boston with two home runs, a double and a single. Oakland won, 21-7.

Ex-major leaguer Cliff Johnson, who played for Bobby Valentine at Texas, had this to say about the man many think will replace Tom Lasorda: “If he ever wins anything, he’ll be awfully hard to live with. He’s another Billy Martin in the making.”

Cincinnati Red Manager Pete Rose, on Eric Davis: “Most players count their money. He’ll be weighing it. But I can help him carry it. I know where the weigh stations are.”

Says Dave Parker, who plays next to Davis in the outfield: “Sometimes I feel guilty because I don’t have to pay to watch him.”

Would-you-believe-it dept.: In the five playoff games, James Worthy (51%) and Byron Scott (47%) are shooting better than Larry Bird (46%).

Bird has done worse. In 1980-81, when the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets for the title, he shot 42% while averaging 15.3 points per game. In the third, fourth and fifth games he was 3 for 11, 3 for 11 and 5 for 16.

Cedric Maxwell, the other Boston forward, averaged 17.7 points while shooting 57% and won the Most Valuable Player award.

When Isiah Thomas accused the media of perpetuating certain stereotypes when describing black athletes, he specifically cited Tom Heinsohn.

Denying the charge, Heinsohn told Stan Isaacs of Newsday: “There is a matter of selective hearing here. I’ve said many times that Magic Johnson is a smart player, but they don’t seem to hear that. I’ve always said that Bill Russell is the smartest basketball player that ever lived.”

Trivia Answer: Babe Dahlgren. In his first game, on May 2, 1939, he went 2 for 5, hitting a homer and a double and knocking in two runs as the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers, 22-2.

Quotebook

Luis Gonzalez, University of South Alabama first baseman, after setting an National Collegiate Athletic Assn. record by being hit a pitch 33 times in two years: “I guess I’m just one of those people who are always in the right place at the right time.”