Perhaps, but His Golf Game Hasn’t Proved Untouchable

Don Pierson of the Chicago Tribune writes that Michael Jordan has changed the gangster image of the city:

“To appreciate the ascendancy and stature of Jordan, a European perspective is required. There, in cities he has never visited, billboards loom with no identification.

“For traveling Chicagoans, Jordan’s greatest contribution is, he has displaced Al Capone as the city’s most famous character.

“The rat-a-tat-tat that once greeted every Chicagoan’s foreign introduction has been replaced by the instant recognition that this is where Jordan works his magic.”

Trivia time: What teams represented Chicago in the NBA before the Bulls were granted a franchise in 1966-67?

Simply role players: The NBA championship series begins tonight in Phoenix, and Charles Barkley of the Suns said that he and Michael Jordan won’t be the determining factors.

“Michael is a great player and I’m a great player,” Barkley told the Arizona Republic. “We’ll get our points. But the other players will determine the championship series. It won’t be me or Michael.”

Gator degree? Blaine Newnham of the Seattle Times writes of Mariner pitcher Norm Charlton: “(Charlton) is a complex character. He graduated with a triple major from Rice University, one of the most respected schools in the Southwest: political science, religion and physical education.

“He also hunts alligators.”

Touchy: Betsy King, still two victories shy of the 30 required for automatic admission to the LPGA Hall of Fame, is finding the chase more and more difficult to endure.

King was tied for the lead in an LPGA tournament in East Lansing, Mich., heading into Sunday’s final round, but she faltered and wound up tied for fifth.

“The hardest thing about being Betsy King is being treated like an animal,” King said. “When I got here today, I was in a crowd of people and some lady asked me who I was. I said, ‘I’m Betsy.’ She said, ‘Oh! You’re Betsy King. Let me touch you.’ That really bothers me.”

Balderdash: At a recent roast for Dick Vitale to raise money for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, Clemson basketball Coach Cliff Ellis recalled the first time he saw Vitale.

“His hair was blowing in the breeze--and he was too proud to chase it.”

Trivia answer: The Chicago Stags from 1946-47 through ‘49-50, the Chicago Packers during the 1961-62 season and, after the Packers changed their name, the Chicago Zephyrs during ‘62-63. The Zephyrs moved to Baltimore the next season as the Bullets.

Quotebook: George Foreman, when asked how far he runs in training: “Depends on how far my refrigerator is.”