Mets Use Domino Theory

Dwight Gooden told USA Today that one of the reasons he’s pitching better this year is that he’s carrying less weight. He’s down from 221 pounds to between 207 and 212.

He gave an assist to New York Mets pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who kept tabs on him in spring training.

“Mel found out I was calling Domino’s Pizza late at night,” Gooden said. “Every time he found out, I got punished.”

And how did Stottlemyre find out?

Stottlemyre: “I found out he was going to Domino’s because I was going to the same one.”

Danny Ainge didn’t predict a title in so many words, but after K.C. Jones announced he was retiring as coach, the Boston guard said: “It definitely came as a shock to the players. Here’s a guy who led us to the finals five times--counting this year--and won three titles--counting this year--but I guess it’s a decision K.C. feels comfortable with. I hate to see him go.”

Trivia Time: Joe Nuxhall, the Cincinnati broadcaster who apologized for inflammatory remarks during the Pete Rose-Dave Pallone incident, is the answer to what trivia question? (Answer to follow.)

Add Pallone: Says Billy Martin: “If I’m going to get 30 days, I’m going to go for the jugular. I’ll knock his head off. I might as well get a good shot in.”

A local columnist wondered if San Diego’s Bobby Bonilla, at 6 feet 3 inches and 230 pounds, is the biggest third baseman ever.

For sure, he’s not the tallest. Dave Kingman stood 6-6. He weighed 215.

Note: Kingman is one of 81 players who have played third base for the New York Mets. The list includes current managers Don Zimmer, Jim Fregosi and Bobby Valentine, and former managers Ken Boyer and Joe Torre.

People are forever putting down Cleveland, but Ron Kittle says the Indians have the best clubhouse food in the league.

“The best meatballs in the majors. No doubt about it,” said Kittle, who also has played with the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox.

The worst food?

“The Yankees have a horrible spread,” he said. “Terrible food.”

Larry Holmes, who lost two decisions to Michael Spinks and was knocked out by Mike Tyson, predicts that Tyson will knock out Spinks in the fourth round when they meet June 27.

“I can’t see Tyson losing,” Holmes said. “Spinks just doesn’t punch that hard. He comes at you and delivers a flurry of punches, but there’s not much behind them.”

Note: Holmes also predicted that Gerry Cooney would knock out Spinks.

Trivia Answer: He is the youngest player ever to play in the major leagues. When he first appeared as a pitcher for Cincinnati in 1944, his age was 15 years 10 months 11 days.

Add Nuxhall: He pitched in one game in 1944, lasting only two-thirds of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, who were led by Stan Musial. He allowed five runs on two hits, five walks and a wild pitch.

“I was scared to death,” Nuxhall said. “Two weeks before, I was pitching against a junior high school. Now, I was pitching against the potential world champions.”

Quotebook

Louie Roussel, owner-trainer of Risen Star, on why the colt should get all the credit if he wins the Kentucky Derby: “If Risen Star could talk, he’d probably ask to have Charlie Whittingham or Woody Stephens train him instead of me.”