Brash Nugget Rookie Shoots From the Lip

Jerome Lane, the University of Pittsburgh forward who passed up his senior year to make himself eligible for the National Basketball Assn. draft, had a few things to say after being picked in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.

--”The Nuggets have some real old players. Yeah, maybe I can make room for myself.”

--”I was hoping to be drafted by Cleveland. I wanted to go to the Cavs real bad. They picked Randolph Keys. I couldn’t believe that, man.”

--”I love the physical play in NBA basketball. I love it, love it. I live on physical play. I don’t believe the game should be played with a finesse-type situation. I love physical play. Love it.”

--”Charles Barkley is a pretty good player, but I know I’m better than him. I don’t like the way he conducts himself.”

How’s that?

“He talks too much.”

Add Lane: Said Marty Blake, director of scouting services for the National Basketball Assn.: “He probably should have stayed in school.”

Dave LaPoint of the Chicago White Sox, who has pitched for six teams, picked a team of favorite players for the Detroit Free Press. A few selections:

Keith Hernandez (St. Louis): “A complete player who never shuts up.”

Alan Trammell (Detroit): “Never had a meal without wearing some of it home.”

Manny Trillo (San Francisco): “Sings at the plate.”

Chili Davis (San Francisco): “Only man to break bat over knee.”

Gorman Thomas (Milwaukee): “Best bat and helmet thrower ever; set my bar money on fire.”

Add LaPoint: He picked Peter O’Malley as his favorite owner, saying, “He brings in 3 million people a year, has free beer for the players and gives them a free cruise at Christmas.”

On why his favorite charter airline is Ozark: “Beer on every fifth seat.”

Trivia Time: Who is the only pitcher to be named most valuable player in the league two years in a row? (Answer below.)

Said Lee Thomas, Philadelphia’s new director of personnel, after the club had extended Manager Lee Elia’s contract through 1989: “I think he’s the guy to get this club moving again.”

The Phillies proceeded to lose two straight to Atlanta.

From the Providence Journal-Bulletin: “According to sources in the Dodger organization, the clique around General Manager Fred Claire is openly talking about who will replace Tom Lasorda after this season, as if Lasorda’s leaving is a fait accompli .

“Claire and Lasorda have had a testy relationship since Claire replaced Al Campanis last year. Apparently, Lasorda does not fit the button-down image Claire feels the Dodgers should have as manager. No wonder, Claire is called Mister Rogers behind his back.”

Tommy John of the New York Yankees, on Billy Martin: “He treated me and my wife great, but he didn’t understand pitching.”

Trivia Answer: Hal Newhouser of Detroit. He won American League MVP awards after going 29-9 in 1944 and 25-9 in 1945.

Quotebook

General Manager Donnie Walsh of the Indiana Pacers, on Kentucky guard Rex Chapman, a disappointment in Olympic tryouts before being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets: “He suffers from people feeling he’s the next Jerry West. He’d be doing fine as the next Danny Ainge.”