Dodger Right-Hander Landed a Loes Blow Against Manager

There are a number of stories about Billy Loes, the eccentric right-hander who pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and one of them is recounted by Burt Randolph Sugar in his new book, “Rain Delays.”

Before the 1952 World Series, Loes caused a stir when he picked against his own team. The papers quoted him as picking the New York Yankees in seven games. Charlie Dressen, the Dodger manager, was furious and demanded an explanation.

Said Loes: “I was misquoted, Skip. I picked them in six.”

Anything to please: Jose Canseco predicted he would become baseball’s first 50-50 man (50 homers, 50 steals), but according to Oakland A’s General Manager Sandy Alderson, Canseco said he couldn’t accomplish it playing in the Oakland Coliseum.

Alderson said, “We’d be happy to shorten the basepaths.”

Quite a feat: It’s been 28 years since Roger Maris set his record of 61 homers in a season. It’s been 38 years since he set a record that might be even tougher to beat.

In a 1951 high school game between Shanley and Devils Lake in Fargo, N.D., Maris led Shanley to a 32-27 victory by returning four kickoffs for touchdowns. That set a national high school record that still stands.

Add records: A crowd of 41,046, largest ever for a high school basketball game, turned out at the Hoosier Dome for the Indiana state championship game. Damon Bailey, who is headed for Indiana, scored 30 points to lead Beford North Lawrence to a 63-60 victory over top-seeded Concord.

Trivia time: What do Jiri Latal of the Philadelphia Flyers and Joel Otto of the Calgary Flames have in common? (Answer below.)

Take your choice: Agent Eddie Miller on Louisiana State guard Chris Jackson, who has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft after his sophomore year: “I don’t know of a better guard who ever played the game. Michael Jordan would have to be one of those guys, but Chris can do most anything Michael can do. I think Chris is just a cut above the rest of them.”

Said Marty Blake, NBA director of scouting: “Jackson is not ready to play in our league. They’ll eat him alive.”

Tough question: From Nadav Henefeld, 6-10 Connecticut forward who is a native of Israel: “How can you say it’s dangerous in Israel when there’s New York City?”

Firing back: After Nevada Las Vegas beat Ball State in the NCAA West regional, Ball State Coach Dick Hunsaker said of the Rebels, “They’re a disgrace to basketball.”

Apprised of that, UNLV Coach Jerry Tarkanian said of Hunsaker, “He’s a complete idiot.”

Tarkanian added: “He took over a 29-3 team from Rick Majerus that had all five starters back plus Charles Thompson and he brought them in at 26-6. What he should do is figure out what the hell he did wrong and keep his mouth shut.”

Trivia answer: Their last names are reversible.

Quotebook: Detroit Piston Coach Chuck Daly, asked Friday night how disappointed he was after losing to the Boston Celtics: “Is there a bridge around here?”