It’s Not All That It Seems Behind Scenes

In his new book, “Pond Scum and Vultures,” Times staff writer Gene Wojciechowski documents the often less-than-glamorous lifestyles of his sportswriting colleagues.

Wojciechowski tells the story of New York Times writer Michael Janofsky, who once worked for the Baltimore Evening Sun, where he covered several Oriole games.

At a restaurant one evening, Janofsky spotted Oriole Manager Earl Weaver and his wife across the room. Both men finished eating at about the same time.

Janofsky, paid his check, walked outside and gave the valet his parking slip. Weaver and his wife soon came out.

Wojciechowski writes: “Figuring this would be a nice time to reintroduce himself to Weaver, Janofsky moved toward the manager and extended his hand. Weaver looked at Janofsky, reached into his pocket, pulled out a ticket stub and said, ‘It’s the white Cadillac.’ ”

Trivia time: Which NFL team holds the record for most overtime games played in one regular season?

Why?: From Associated Press: “New York Yankee manager Stump Merrill said Friday he would like to see George Steinbrenner get involved with running the club again some day.”

Man coverage: You remember McArthur towels, the company that contracted with NFL Properties to provide 2,100 terry-cloth robes and wraps for players, following the recent round of female-reporters-in-the-locker-room debates.

Seems the company manufactured them in one size. Trouble is, one size doesn’t fit all.

Said Greg McArthur, the company’s executive vice-president: “The Green Bay Packers’ equipment manager called and said the terry wrappers we sent weren’t large enough to fit five of their 300-pound players.”

Or thereabouts. The Packer roster lists one 300-pounder, tackle Tony Mandarich, and five others at 285 or more.

Zone coverage: The NFL has shipped ten tons of officially licensed merchandise, including football jerseys, towels, caps, sun visors, sunglasses, sweatbands and copies of its printed products--such as GameDay magazine, Prolog magazine and Pro Set trading cards--to U.S. military personnel in the Persian Gulf.

Said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue: “This is our way of bringing a little piece of home into their lives at a very trying time.”

Bo knows she knows Bo: In an interview for today’s Parade magazine, Bo Jackson talked about growing up without his dad.

Said Jackson: “My mom is my dad. She’s the only mom and dad I know. Whenever she needs me, I don’t care what I’m doing, I’m gonna drop it and go to her, ‘cause that’s all that matters.

“We never had enough food. But at least I could beat on other kids and steal their lunch money and buy myself something to eat. But I couldn’t steal a father’s hug when I needed one. I couldn’t steal a father’s whipping when I needed one.”

Bo, Derrick both know: Jackson, who led the Kansas City Royals this season with 28 home runs, returns to town as a Raider today.

Bo and Chief linebacker Derrick Thomas, who played against each other when Jackson was at Auburn and Thomas was at Alabama, will face off again.

The Raiders-Chiefs game has been sold out for a month, and Thomas told Dick Brinster of the Associated Press: “The intensity (in Missouri) reminds me of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry when the whole state shuts down prior to the game. I get the same feeling I used to get just before the Alabama-Auburn game every year.”

Slug here: The Green Bay Packers, with five in 1983.

Quotebook: Chicago Bull Coach Phil Jackson, on the score-happy Denver Nuggets: “I think they’re playing defense on the wrong end.”