Who’s Going to World Series? Just Ask the Japanese Media

They sounded ridiculous at the time, but the Japanese media expectations for Hideo Nomo turned out to be right on target after the Dodger rookie’s second victory of the season on June 7.

He struck out four batters in pitching a 7-1 victory over the Montreal Expos at Dodger Stadium, but the Japanese sports publication Nikkan Sports trumpeted in its editions:

“Nomo On His Way to All-Star Game.”

Not only did the prediction turn out to be correct, Nomo may start for the National League in next Tuesday’s game at Arlington, Tex.

Add Nomo: Pittsburgh Pirate shortstop Jay Bell, asked if Nomo reminded him of any other pitcher, replied, “Yeah, Cy Young.”

Trivia time: Who are the three former major league most valuable players who have played this year for Pawtucket in the triple-A International League?

Merely asking: After the IOC changed its retirement age from 75 to 80 so that Juan Antonio Samaranch, 75 this month, could remain president, Todd Phipers of the Denver Post wondered:

“Is the IOC the International Olympic Committee or Irrepressible Old Coots?

Warmed ‘em up: Milwaukee Brewer broadcaster Bob Uecker, a former catcher, threw batting practice to the club last Friday, then Milwaukee scored 12 runs against New York.

Did he apologize?When Vince Lombardi coached the Green Bay Packers his intensity was legendary.

During a game against the Baltimore Colts, Lombardi chewed out tight end Marv Fleming for what he considered indolent play. Then Vince turned on another Packer player, Allen Brown, with a similar tirade.

It wasn’t until some time later that Lombardi realized Brown had not been in the game.

What an arc: Senior golfer Rocky Thompson showed up for a tournament with a driver that had the other contestants staring. The club measured 52 1/4 inches.

Thompson then informed them: “This is standard length--for Shaquille O’Neal.”

Looking back: A year ago tonight, the New York Mets beat the Braves, 16-13, in 19 innings at Atlanta. The game lasted until shortly before 4 a.m. and was followed by a fireworks display for the 10,000 fans still left in the stands.

Mr. Consistency: Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett has played 300 games without going hitless in two in a row.

Say what: When Dave Eichelberger followed a double bogey with an eagle during the U.S. Senior Open, he commented:

“Every once in a while, the good Lord lets one get in. You don’t know why it does, and you don’t know why not when it doesn’t.”

Family note: Bob Gordon of Orange, the overall winner in the SCORE Fireworks 250 off-road race last Sunday in a Chenowth desert buggy, is the father of Indy car driver Robby Gordon.

Trivia answer: Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco and Willie McGee.

Quotebook: South Africa’s Simon Hobday, 1984 U.S. Senior Open champion, after Hale Irwin had complained about the condition of the greens at last week’s tournament: “Greens never bother me as long as they have a hole in them.”