Al Davis Might Need an Alibi for the Day Rams Left Anaheim

As conspiracy theories go, this one gained a lot of momentum around the NFL in recent weeks.

Al Davis, whom New York Times writer Richard Sandomir called the Raiders’ Machiavellian mastermind, plotted the Rams’ transfer to St. Louis to gain control of the country’s No. 2 television market.

Quipped Howie Long, former Raider and now Fox analyst, “He’s probably been responsible for everything but the Hindenburg.”

Trivia time: Name the only player to have hit 500 home runs and never appear in a World Series.

Blackout: A state title fight in Gold Coast, Australia, was declared no decision because darkness made it too difficult for officials and spectators to see what was happening in the ring.

Comment: So what? Proper lighting didn’t seem to help the judges last weekend in Las Vegas.

Ft. (what it’s) Worth: Coach Mike Miller of L.A. City College, on star recruit Saipele Tuailli, who signed with Texas Christian:

“Six months ago, Sai couldn’t have told you what TCU stood for, much less what city it was in.”

Clip and save: Former Yankee Mickey Rivers on this year’s group from the Bronx:

“They should win 100, 107 games, easy, if the guys do what you think they’re going to do.”

Add clip: Reggie Jackson, who knows something about greatness, offered this caveat:

“Being great on paper does not make a great team.”

Good question: Asked Steve Thomas of the New York Islanders, “Why do we get ourselves so mentally screwed up over this game when things like (the Oklahoma City bombing), real tragedies, are happening?”

Try the Widener library: Said Dusty Baker, San Francisco Giant manager, “We have the bookends in place--we just have to get the books in between.”

New-agers: Sacramento Bee columnist Mark Kreidler on the aging Oakland A’s:

“This is not your father’s Oldsmobile. It’s your grandpa’s Rambler.”

Word play: Marcellus Miglioranzi, a sophomore forward for Manhattanville College, is author of “Guess Who’s Coming to Steal,” a book he wrote as a 16-year-old in his native Brazil.

He also is an accomplished guitarist, accordionist, artist and speaks five languages, reports the NCAA News.

It was so tough . . . : Karch Kiraly, telling Brian Ettkin of the Naples (Fla.) Daily News about the lean times of pro beach volleyball two decades ago:

“Some guys had to resort to braking in front of old ladies’ cars for insurance money.”

Trivia answer: Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs.

Quotebook: Todd Stottlemyre, former Toronto Blue Jay pitcher, in the San Francisco Examiner on his new team, the Oakland A’s:

“I’m amazed at how quick they’ve made me feel welcome. I mean, there’s a lot of guys on this ballclub I’ve probably hit.”