Are Reporters All Called ‘Bar Stool’?

William Floyd of the San Francisco 49ers was nicknamed, “Bar None,” by teammate Ken Norton Jr. after Floyd’s agent declared that Floyd was the best fullback in the NFL “bar none”--before Floyd had played a down.

That was only the beginning.

By the end of last season, Floyd was calling Steve Young “Bar Young,” and offensive tackle Harris Barton, who is Jewish, “Bar Mitzvah.”

Add Barton: Commenting on the 49ers’ training camp in Rocklin, Calif., where temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, the offensive tackle said: “This is like tunneling into prison.”

Trivia time: What is the PGA record for most consecutive victories in a particular tournament?

Sensitive Southern Cal: As the beginning of another college football season approaches, USC’s latest press release includes the following media advisory: “In abbreviated references to athletic teams of the University of Southern California, the following are preferred: USC, Southern California, So. California, Troy, Trojans and Women of Troy. PLEASE do not use Southern Cal (It’s like calling San Francisco ‘Frisco,’ or North Carolina ‘North Car’).”

Guess that also rules out University of Spoiled Children.

Add Southern Cal: Friday’s trivia answer was incomplete. In addition to Oregon State and Stanford, USC football Coach John Robinson is also unbeaten against Washington State, having gone 6-0 against the Cougars.

Although Robinson has not lost to Stanford in nine meetings, his 1979 team was tied by the Cardinal, 21-21. It was the only blemish on an 11-0-1 season, costing the Trojans a national championship.

Not losers: Alice Ritzman has played in 427 LPGA events without winning. Her partner in frustration is Amy Benz, who has played in 303 tournaments without a victory.

But before feeling too sorry for them, keep in mind that Ritzman, 43, is 30th on the career money-winning list, having pocketed $1.363 million in her 18 years on the tour, which averages out to just under $76,000 a year. Benz, 33, is No. 44 with $1.104 million in 13 years, just under $85,000 a year.

“A lot of great players don’t win Super Bowls,” Benz said.

“The girls coming out now are ready to win, and they’re only 23 years old,” Ritzman said. “Of course, I can say, individually, I hate them.”

Trivia answer: Walter Hagen won the PGA Championship, which will be held at the Riviera Country Club next week, four years in a row, 1924-27.

Quotebook: Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles, a month from breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive-game playing streak, on his greatest fear: “Waking up someday and thinking it was a night game when it was really a day game.”