Sanders’ Visit Wasn’t a Suite Deal for Hotel

While playing for the San Francisco Giants, Deion Sanders lived in a hotel, where he made a deal to get a suite, plus an adjoining room for his wardrobe.

He also got the rent reduced and, according to Ira Miller of the San Francisco Chronicle, part of the deal was that he would do at least two commercials for the hotel.

“He did one but refused to do the second,” Miller wrote. “Then, when the Giants were eliminated from playoff contention and Sanders left the hotel a few days before the season ended, he demanded about a $400 reduction in his bill, saying it should be pro-rated.”

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Trivia time: Excluding kickers, who holds the NCAA Division 1-A football record for most points in a career?

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Fair warning: An overweight Darryl Dawkins, who, at age 38, is trying to catch on with the Boston Celtics, was asked if he can still shatter backboards as he did way back in 1979.

“No, “ Dawkins said, “but I can rattle them pretty good.”

Asked about his weight, Dawkins said: “It’s more than I want to tell you. And don’t ask again, because I haven’t hit a reporter in five years.”

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Political note: Blackie Sherrod in the Dallas Morning News: “Sudden thought: Now that Charles Barkley is not retiring from [the] NBA after all, one supposes the Alabama gubernatorial office must struggle along without him.”

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A real player: Mike Cochran of the Associated Press recalling the legendary feats of Sammy Baugh, the famed quarterback of the Washington Redskins:

“Baugh’s versatility is astounding by today’s standards. In one pro game, he passed for four touchdowns and, as a defensive safety, intercepted four passes.

“In another game, he punted 14 times. He led the league in passing six times and punting four times. One year he lead the NFL in passing, punting and interceptions.”

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Attention executives: Mike Ditka in the book “Game Plans for Success” by Ray Didinger: “I had a rule. Never send a memo. It is the worst thing you can do. Don’t put on paper what you can tell someone face-to-face.”

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Defending defense: Joe Cain, Chicago Bear linebacker, believes defensive players are fined unfairly:

“I think it’s bull. Nobody is fining all those offensive linemen for leg whipping. No one is fining Jerry Rice or any of those receivers for crack blocking below the damn knee.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1920, the only tripleheader in this century was played, with the Cincinnati Reds defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first two games. The Pirates won the nightcap that was called after six innings because of darkness.

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Trivia answer: Anthony Thompson of Indiana, with 394 from 1986-89.

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Quotebook: Ruben Sierra on failing to show up for the New York Yankees’ team picture: “Nobody told me nothing. I know there were signs up, but I didn’t see them.”