In North Carolina, They Know How to Hold On to a Lead

Golfer Jack Nicklaus and North Carolina basketball Coach Dean Smith teamed up recently in an exhibition match against a pair of collegians at a course Nicklaus designed in Banner Elk, N.C.

After a shaky start, Nicklaus and Smith moved to one up after five holes. At that point, according to Jennings Culley of the Richmond News Leader, Nicklaus turned to Smith and said, “Now that we’ve got the lead, do we go into the four corners?”

From Boston Red Sox pitcher Bob Stanley, revealing that the pitch he threw to Mark McGwire for the Oakland Athletics’ slugger’s 25th homer was a sinker: “It sank pretty well after it went over the fence.”

Now-it-can-be-told Department: When Dave Winfield first joined the New York Yankees, Tommy John told him: “When I pitch, we’ll find out how well you go back on a ball. I lead the league in 425-foot flyouts. I once gave up 1,700 feet of fly balls in one game to Gorman Thomas. And he went 0 for 4.”

That recalls this line from Lefty Gomez: “I never knew what Joe DiMaggio looked like until I roomed with him. All I ever saw was the back of his uniform after I threw a pitch.”

Add John: “The Yankees are America’s team,” he says. “You know, mom, apple pie, Gucci loafers, Rolls-Royces . . . “

Trivia Time: Will Clark is the first member of the San Francisco Giants to put together back-to-back 90-RBI seasons since who? (Answer below.)

Where They Are Now: Meadowlark Lemon, former leading man of the Harlem Globetrotters, is now a traveling preacher. He said he converted to Christianity in Los Angeles six years ago.

Appearing at the World of Life Center in Shreveport, La., he said: “I’ve gone into the ministry, y’all. God’s got the best singers, the best musicians and the best athletes.

“I’m 6-foot-3, 210 solid pounds of nothin’ but Jesus!”

From Lindy Infante, new coach of the Green Bay Packers: “I honestly feel there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and I don’t think it’s a train anymore.”

Said General Manager Bill Polian of the Buffalo Bills when asked about the rumor that defensive end Bruce Smith would be sent to the Rams in a deal to get receiver Ron Brown: “Bruce Smith is not tradeable under any circumstances. Anyone who would think the Buffalo Bills would trade Bruce Smith is in dire need of a psychiatric examination because that person is a danger to himself and society.”

Twin Killing: On this date in 1952, during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Polo Grounds, Bob Elliott of the New York Giants complained and kicked dirt arguing over a called strike two. Umpire Augie Donatelli ejected him from the game. Bobby Hoffman finished the at-bat by being called out on strikes and also was ejected by Donatelli for arguing the call.

Add Aug. 23: On this date in 1936, 17-year-old Bob Feller, in his first major league start, struck out 15 batters as the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Browns, 4-1. Feller gave up six hits and four walks.

Trivia Answer: Bobby Murcer in 1975-76.

Quotebook

Howie Long of the Raiders, on rumors the club would trade to get quarterback Jay Schroeder from the Washington Redskins: “After I heard about that, I sat down and thought about it and came to the conclusion that it takes three Jay Schroeder bubble gum cards to get one Howie Long bubble gum card.”