Rader Deserves Some Plaudits
Fifteen things that have absolutely nothing to do with one another:
1) A tradition endures.
For 29 seasons, the Associated Press has been handing out its Manager of the Year award, and for 29 seasons, someone other than an Angel has won it. This time around, Doug Rader couldn’t even earn a single vote, which seems a bit unfair considering he led a mediocre Angel team to a surprising 91 victories.
2) Gutsy move by the Minnesota Vikings to acquire running back Herschel Walker for five players and seven high draft picks. The way I figure it, Walker will be integrated into the Viking offensive system by Nov. 5, which, by the way, is the same day the Rams play Minnesota at the Metrodome.
3) As you might expect, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown isn’t short of criticisms in his recently published autobiography, “Out of Bounds.” Among his targets are Eric Dickerson, Ram Coach John Robinson, Ram executive vice president John Shaw and Ram owner Georgia Frontiere.
On Dickerson: “Eric’s talent for running the football is still superb. He can cut, he’s got that pretty track man’s stride, microwave acceleration, fine natural instincts. He’s the most skilled runner in football. I’m still unsure of his heart.”
On Robinson: “I don’t think John knows much about passing, and I don’t think he’s a great NFL coach. Motivationally, he’s right at the top; in his NFL knowledge I think John is still limited. In terms of know-how, he seems more suited to college than to the pros.”
On Shaw: “He’s a robot, he treats his players like robots. The man doesn’t have an ounce of human compassion and you need human compassion, even in the NFL. It’s robots like John Shaw who hurt the game.”
On Frontiere: “. . . I don’t think Georgia’s reign as owner of the Rams has been good for the franchise. Georgia can be a marvelous ally, she can also be cold-blooded. When it comes to running her business, Georgia is harsh, much harsher than her public image suggests. And when Georgia brought in John Shaw, it was a marriage of overkill--the dragon lady and the hatchet man.”
Agree. Disagree. Sort of agree. Agree.
4) The rumor that refuses to die: former Mater Dei basketball star LeRon Ellis will declare himself eligible for the National Basketball Assn. draft after this, his junior season. Ellis recently transferred to Syracuse after his former school, Kentucky, was placed on National Collegiate Athletic Assn. probation for recruiting violations and other assorted sins.
5) Is there a reason why the Lakers or Clippers couldn’t play at least one exhibition game in Orange County? And wouldn’t the cozy Bren Center be a perfect spot?
6) Mr. Team Player (Dickerson) on the Walker trade: “If I was one of those Vikings and I had been traded, I’d be (angry),” he told the Indianapolis News. “I don’t know if I’d go. I wouldn’t want to go to an 0-5 team. The Cowboys right now aren’t going anywhere.”
7) American League rotisserie owners are waiting anxiously for word of free-agent pitcher Mark Langston’s decision on a new employer. Just in case, the smart owners are setting some bidding money aside should Langston choose to join the AL. One note of caution: Langston has listed eight teams he would consider playing for; five of them are National League clubs.
8) Memo to the Angels: Langston is going to cost about $3 million a year. Rather than tying up that sort of cash on one player, how about using some of those bucks on a real-life leadoff man, a legitimate cleanup hitter and another starting pitcher? I’m in the book if you need to chat.
9) Quick, Ryder Cup golfers received how much for their services?
Zilch, except for a modest stipend for expenses. Meanwhile, the event earned an estimated $10 million from ticket sales, television and film rights and merchandise sales.
Sounds like the way the NCAA treats its scholarship athletes--play for no pay.
10) Of the five teams the Rams have played this season, my favorite newcomer is Atlanta Falcon wide receiver Shawn Collins. Very smooth.
Most impressive player? Green Bay Packer wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. This couldn’t have been the same guy who caught just one touchdown pass last season, could it?
11) I can’t believe that agent David Pinter still insists that his client, former Angel pitcher Donnie Moore, committed suicide because of a declining baseball career. But there he was on ABC’s “20-20” saying that very thing.
12) Saw where Heisman Trophy candidate Major Harris of West Virginia just had his high school jersey number retired. How appropriate it would be if Capistrano Valley considered doing the same with quarterback Todd Marinovich’s No. 7. All Marinovich, who now plays for USC, did was set a national high school record for career passing yardage.
“Maybe if he comes through and smells like a rose for the next few years,” said athletic director Bill Rolfe, who added that at least no Capistrano player is wearing Marinovich’s number this season.
And don’t count on Bret Johnson’s No. 11 being retired any time soon at El Toro. Quarterback Steve Stenstrom has it this year and Rob Johnson, Bret’s brother, already has claimed it for next season.
13) If it weren’t for quarterback Andre Ware’s remarkable season at the University of Houston, you’d be hearing a lot more about Cougar teammate Chuck Weatherspoon, a running back from La Habra High.
14) Bet you that Ram management cringed when it read running back Greg Bell’s comments concerning his former team, the Buffalo Bills. Bell was especially critical of Bills general manager Bill Polian and team physician Richard Weiss. “If we play the way we expect to play, none of them are going to want to see me.”
Thing is, Bell’s right.
15) Two predictions: Rams by 14 over the Bills on Monday night; Athletics in six over the Giants.