Ryan Might Be the Ticket for Cardinals

Season-ticket sales reportedly jumped from 27,000 to 40,000 the day the Arizona Cardinals hired Coach Buddy Ryan.

“It wasn’t a surprise to me,” Ryan told Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I went to Philly and we sold 20,000 the first year. I figured the same thing would happen here.

“They know I’m a winner. They’re putting their money on it.”

Add Ryan: He plans to use versatile Chuck Levy, the team’s second-round draft choice from Arizona, on two-point conversion plays next season.

Ryan told the Arizona Daily Star that quarterback Steve Beuerlein probably won’t be on the field for two-point attempts.

“What we’re trying to do is take advantage of the situation,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to worry about hurting Beuerlein’s feelings. If it does, I’m not going to worry about that too much, either.”

Trivia time: Who holds the NBA playoff record for most points in one quarter?

Spaceman: Ernie Johnson Jr. of the Turner TV network, to USA Today on his interview with San Antonio’s Dennis Rodman:

“The temptation after you talk to Dennis Rodman is to say, ‘Next time you orbit the earth, Dennis, stop by and say hey.’ ”

No put(t) on: From Golf Digest: “The president of the South Texas section of the PGA of America? Why, Bob Putt, of course.”

Night light: Detroit Tiger Manager Sparky Anderson says baseballs are more juiced than ever this season.

After watching a fly ball by Kansas City’s Gary Gaetti land in the upper deck at Tiger Stadium, Anderson remarked that the baseballs now have a lively glow and if you “take a baseball to bed with you, it will keep you up all night.”

FYI: Before the NBA playoffs, former Laker Byron Scott, now with Indiana, had played in more postseason games, 142, than the rest of the Pacers combined, 137.

Turnoff: Tom Pukstys, the American record-holder in the javelin, said that he used to admire baseball players when he was younger.

“I remember a guy that used to play for the Cubs named Rick Reuschel,” Pukstys told Track & Field News. “But then I see this guy and all I see is him chewing tobacco, spitting--a real heavyset guy--it just didn’t appeal to me that much.”

Looking back: On this day in 1955, Swaps, ridden by Bill Shoemaker, won the Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths over Nashua.

Stay away: Frank Luksa of the Dallas Morning News asked George Young, general manger of the New York Giants, to assess the Dallas Cowboys now that Barry Switzer is the new coach.

“(Owner) Jerry Jones isn’t on the coaching staff yet, is he?” Young replied. “Keep him off the coaching staff and Barry probably will do fine.”

Trivia answer: Eric (Sleepy) Floyd of Golden State, with 29 against the Lakers on May 10, 1987.

Quotebook: Philadelphia Phillie pitcher Larry Andersen: “Was Robin Hood’s mother known as Mother Hood?”