A Trip Down Memory Lane or Bad Road?

C.W. Nevius of the San Francisco Chronicle got nostalgic recently when he visited the Raiders’ headquarters at their former practice site in Alameda.

“Every square foot of that weather-beaten building could prompt a story,” he wrote.

“If it wasn’t the time linebacker Phil (better known as Foo) Villapiano was chased by Hell’s Angels, it was (John) Matuszak picking up a reporter and holding him over his head like a barbell because he thought the writer’s questions might hurt someone’s feelings.”

Trivia time: How many NCAA track and field championships have been won by USC and UCLA combined?

Priorities: Jeff Rude of the Dallas Morning News, on John Daly’s speedy play:

“Daly walks so fast on the course, he gives the impression he’s in a road race, or in dire need of a restroom.”

Is that all?U.S. soccer Coach Bora Milutinovic says interest in the World Cup is building: “It’s changed 360%.”

Leisure time: Relief pitcher Mitch (Wild Thing) Williams, on the likelihood of his being released by the Houston Astros, which happened Tuesday:

“It won’t upset me. I’ll go home and play with my cows.”

Fashion statement: Italy will have to wait to find out whether it’s the best soccer team in the world. It already knows it’s the best dressed.

Italy’s World Cup delegation recently received navy-blue summer suits designed by Giorgio Armani, who also designed the delegation’s clothing in 1982, when Italy last won the World Cup.

Wilt’s legacy: The New York Knicks took only 63 shots while losing to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in New York. On March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pa., Wilt Chamberlain took 63 shots in a game against the Knicks.

The only difference is that Wilt scored 100 points and the Knicks got only 86 against the Pacers.

Moreover, Chamberlain made 28 of 32 free throws; the Knicks made 26 of 30 against Indiana.

The unforgiven: Blackie Sherrod in the Dallas Morning News: “Suggested nickname for new NBA team: New Orleans Pickpockets, since that’s what happened to me on my last visit there.”

Take it or. . . . Arizona Cardinal Coach Buddy Ryan, in the Arizona Star, on the pay-cut option he gave wide receiver Gary Clark:

“It’s either a 30% cut or a 100% cut.”

Looking back: On this day in 1927, the United States won the first Ryder Cup golf match by beating Britain, 9 1/2-2 1/2.

History buff: Brother Ray Page, a teacher at St. Anthony High in Jersey City, N.J., at a recent roast for St. Anthony graduate Bobby Hurley: “He once asked me if Beirut was named after that famous baseball player who hit home runs.”

Trivia answer: Thirty four--26 by USC, eight by UCLA.

Quotebook: Arnold Schwarzenegger, in Home Gym & Fitness magazine: “I use my muscles as a conversation piece, like someone walking a cheetah down 42nd Street.”