Jefferies Didn’t Know Writer Dabbled in Arts

It may be a long time before New York Met infielder Gregg Jefferies tries to pick a fight with another sportswriter.

When Ed Christine of Gannnett’s Westchester-Rockland papers asked Jefferies about playing the outfield next season, Jefferies threatened to “hook him” if the question was asked again.

Jefferies was lucky it didn’t come to blows because Christine is a martial arts specialist who served two tours of duty as a Marine in Vietnam. Jefferies later apologized and the two shook hands.

Family ties: Atlanta Falcon Coach Jerry Glanville, who has had his feuds with the media and opposing players, is feuding with his father.

After Glanville told a national magazine that his father deserted the family when he was a boy, Glanville’s father, Richard, is threatening to sue his son for slander.

“Jerry exaggerates and manipulates to build his ego,” the elder Glanville told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s got a macho image to uphold. But he shouldn’t slander me to do that.

“I’m a good father. I’m a proud father. I’ve never snubbed my family or my responsibilities. (But) the picture Jerry has painted of me is full of it. I hate the insinuations that I left them high and dry and scrambling. It hurts me.”

After sending a letter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Glanville’s father has threatened to send letters to newspapers in every city where the Falcons play this season.

Last add Glanville: Glanville’s father said his son owes him $40,000 for his college education.

A new man: “The Vance,” a guy who gets in trouble with women and police and fast cars, is going to stay in jail--for life.

After serving a seven-day jail sentence for ramming his car into a car driven by his ex-wife, Vance Johnson of the Denver Broncos said he has changed and plans to separate himself from “The Vance”--the character he created.

“He ain’t gone yet,” Johnson said. “I’m leaving him in jail when I get out.”

Note: Vance’s autobiography, “The Vance,” is due out soon.

Trivia time: Who were the opponents in the Angels’ first game at Anaheim Stadium?

One more time: A recent trivia item cited eight ways for a batter to reach first base safely. But reader Dave Kuelpman of Westminster pointed out that there is another way to do it, adding runner interference to the list. And, reader Jim Fanelli of Laguna Beach mentions that the runner also reaches if a defensive player interferes with the runner on his way to first when he is within the basepath, such as the pitcher tripping and falling into the batter.

Having a ball: Isabelle Fontaine, Guylaine Coutu, Lucie Desrochers and Edith Montpetit are hotesses de terrain.

What’s a hotesses de terrain ?

That’s what the Montreal Expos call their ballgirls. It translates to field hostess in English.

“Public relations is a big part of our work,” Desrochers said. “So hotesse de terrain is probably more appropriate.”

Trivia answer: The San Francisco Giants, who were playing an exhibition game.

Quotebook: From Bubba Paris, San Francisco 49er tackle until Tuesday, after reporting to camp at 327 pounds and being put on a private conditioning regimen: “I know now it’s possible to eat a lot of food and still lose weight.”