Contract Extensions: 1991’s Reward Might Be 1993’s Regret

Random thoughts . . .

Al Luginbill has done a fine job as head football coach at San Diego State, but I question contract extensions in the immediate aftermath of particularly successful seasons.

This last happened in the euphoric aftermath of the 1986 season, in which the Aztecs won the Western Athletic Conference championship and went to the Holiday Bowl. The elated administration gave Denny Stolz, the head coach, a contract extension.

Stolz was no longer a genius by the end of the 1988 season, when he was fired. However, he is still on SDSU’s payroll.

Why, for example, must baseball players wait until five years after they retire before being eligible for Hall of Fame consideration? To protect against judgments hastily made in emotional moments.

Athletic administrators, who insist that coaches and athletes not be overly affected by highs and lows, should heed what they preach.

Gary Plummer’s comments suggesting a number of his Charger teammates are malingering probably have some merit, but the source should be considered.

Plummer a malingerer?

Exactly the opposite. Plummer is such a tough guy that darned near anyone could be considered a malingerer by comparison.

Plummer is a guy who kept playing in one game even though screws in a broken thumb popped through his skin. I will resist the temptation to say anything about playing with a screw loose.

Thankfully, the Padres let Eric Davis get away. I wonder, however, exactly whom they have in mind to bat leadoff if they let Bip Roberts get away.

The Chargers will look rather heartless when their coaches get pink slips rather than Christmas cards the week of Dec. 22, but that happens to be the week the season ends.

And is there such as thing as a good time to get fired?

Has anyone noticed what is happening with the Sockers?

Not only are they off to an uncharacteristic fast start, but they are drawing five-figure crowds to the Sports Arena.

This was another transitional year in terms of personnel, another year in which there was virtually no time for preseason marketing and probably the slowest year in terms of early-season media coverage.

So the Sockers are averaging 10,707 through their first three home dates. The last time they started so quickly at the box office was 1985-86, when they averaged 11,137 for the season.

Look for them to make it 10,000-plus for four consecutive dates Sunday when Wichita comes to town.

Has anyone figured out why Miami went for the two-point conversion with a 37-12 lead over SDSU last Saturday night? Was that supposed to impress voters in the polls?

So you are from a median-income San Diego household (Jan. 1, 1990 figures), and you work 50 weeks a year and take your vacation at the in-laws’ house in Paso Robles?

When the New York Mets visit San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium next summer, be sure to drop in.

You make $32,493 for those 50 weeks.

Bobby Bonilla will make $35,802 that day, regardless of whether he plays.

Obviously, San Diego State needs some help at cornerback if it hopes to move from “others receiving votes” up to a national ranking.

It probably could upgrade from within its own squad.

Potentially, the Aztecs’ best cornerback is probably a gent named Marshall Faulk. Miami, after all, wanted the kid to play cornerback.

However, Mr. Faulk will stay where he is, thank you.

By the way, has a first team All-American ever not been the most valuable player on his own team?

Faulk wasn’t. David Lowery was.

Nothing against Lowery, but huh?

Barry Bonds is interested in playing in California? Barry Bonds, to be more specific, is interested in playing in San Diego? And the Pittsburgh Pirates would like to trade him?

Careful now.

The Padres would have to watch what they surrendered for the guy. They essentially would be “renting” him for the 1992 season.

This ownership has shown no inclination to pay the kind of bucks it would take to get him signed beyond 1992, when his contract expires.

Anyone heard anything about signing Danny Tartabull, for example?

Hopefully, no one is viewing Tulsa, SDSU’s Freedom Bowl opponent, as somewhat of a lesser player on the national collegiate football scene. The Golden Hurricane may not be the other Oklahoma, but this is a very solid football team.

It is noteworthy that Tulsa, and not SDSU, is ranked in the Top 25. Further, Tulsa numbers among its nine victories (as opposed to two losses) a 35-34 conquest of Texas A&M.; That is the only defeat for ninth-ranked A&M.;

The morning line favors SDSU by 1.

The game won’t be played in the morning.