‘Dr. E’ Simply Wouldn’t Have the Same Ring

Did you ever wonder where Magic Johnson got his nickname?

According to Boys Life magazine, it goes back to when he was 15 and playing high school basketball in Lansing, Mich. It was given to him to by Fred Stabley Jr., then a Lansing sportswriter, after he watched Johnson get 36 points, 30 rebounds and 15 assists in a game.

Recalled Stabley: “I said, ‘Earvin, we’ve got to call you something. ‘The Big E’s’ out because of Elvin Hayes, and ‘Dr. J’s’ out because of Julius Erving.’ Then I said, ‘How about Magic?’ ”

Trivia time: What National League MVP failed to hit .200 in his final year in college?

English fare: It is traditional for the defending champion in the Masters to set the menu for the ultra-private pre-tournament dinner for former champions at Augusta National.

Nick Faldo of England was asked what he had selected for his fellow winners this year.

“Fish and chips,” he said.

When’s Thanksgiving?: It’s time to go turkey hunting. The spring season opens today and runs for 37 days.

John Higley, author of the book, “Hunting Wild Turkeys in the West,” recommends using one of four turkey calls--a loud cluck, a soft cluck, a loud yelp or a soft yelp--to lure them within shotgun range. Steve Barnett, a champion turkey caller, says you have to know how to “gobble, cackle, purr and drum,” adding that “a nice soft cluck, a purr and patience are what works best.”

Boccie, boccie: Reader Bud Tenerani disputes a recent Morning Briefing item on the dimensions of boccie courts. He claims the size should be 60 feet by 12 feet. Apparently court builders are on their own, as the Encyclopedia Americana lists 60x10 as official, while the Encyclopedia Britannica claims 75x8 is recommended.

Flagged: The Rams’ John Robinson, in discussing NFL officials, made this observation: “There’s one guy who I know is always going to call holding when the offense gets the ball inside the 20. Maybe he concentrates more or something, I don’t know. When we get him, the only thing I can hope for is that he calls it on the other guys.”

Celebrating: When Mount Mercy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earned its first invitation to the NAIA women’s basketball tournament by beating Briar Cliff, starting center Shawnda Chedester decided to celebrate by cutting the netting on the basket. As she dismounted the ladder, the 5-foot-10 star fell and suffered a severe knee injury that kept her out of the playoffs.

Trivia answer: Jackie Robinson, the NL’s Most Valuable Player in 1949 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who hit .189 in 1941 at UCLA.

Quotebook: Pat Verbeek, Hartford right wing, on booing by the hometown crowd at Whaler hockey games: “This town doesn’t deserve a team.”