Well, at Least Her Name Wasn’t Hillary

Bill Lyon of the Philadelphia Inquirer, writing on Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Bill (Mad Man) Cowher and his total immersion into football:

“Once at a civic luncheon in Pittsburgh, the Mad Man turned to the woman who had been seated next to him and, trying to make small talk, asked what it was exactly that she did for a living.

“ ‘I’m the mayor,’ she said.

“The Mad Man arched an eyebrow. There was a pause.

“ ‘Of Pittsburgh,’ she added.”

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Trivia time: Who are the only NBA players to have scored 70 or more points in a game?

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You asked for it: In 1962, the Rams, on their way to a 1-12-1 record, trailed the Minnesota Vikings at halftime at the Coliseum, 31-0.

Columnist Jim Murray of The Times was a halftime guest on the Ram radio station. The announcer greeted Murray by saying, “Here’s the famous Jim Murray. Say something funny Jim.”

Murray replied laconically: “The Rams.”

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Age crisis: Homero Blancas, Senior PGA Tour player, reflecting on then and now in Golf Digest:

“Then I was skinnier, I hit it better, I putted better and I could see better. Other than that, everything is the same.”

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Brawlers: Coach John Lucas of the Philadelphia 76ers commenting on a fight in practice involving 7-foot-6 Shawn Bradley and 6-11 rookie Sharone Wright:

“They looked like two old ladies hitting each other with their pocketbooks.”

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NFL-style move: Mike Lupica in Newsday: “I’ll tell you what about that move Demi Moore puts on Michael Douglas (in the movie ‘Disclosure’). There hasn’t been anybody this relentless coming from somebody’s blind side since Lawrence Taylor.”

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Frightening thought: Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic is tired of being continually fouled and issued a warning:

“I’m not going to be the first one hurt, but if I do get hurt, I’m coming back like Bill Laimbeer--the dirtiest player ever.”

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Road hazards: Steve Colter, a backup point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, played for a club in Split, Croatia, last year.

“The fans are great, although only when you’re home,” he said of his experience. “When you go on the road, watch out. They throw coins at you, spit at you, even learn English so they can talk about your mother.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1974, UCLA’s 88-game winning streak in basketball was ended as Notre Dame overcame a late 11-point deficit and won in South Bend, Ind., 71-70.

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Trivia answer: Wilt Chamberlain, 100, 78, 73 twice, 72 and 70; David Thompson, 73; Elgin Baylor and David Robinson, 71 each.

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Quotebook: Bob Kravitz in the Rocky Mountain News: “You should hear what Newt Gingrich’s mother thinks of Tonya Harding.”