As Usual, Army Got Their Goats

A military crisis was averted when officials at West Point said they had located the trio of Navy mascot goats stolen from Annapolis over the weekend by a contingent of Army seniors.

“We know where the goats are,” Lt. Col. Don McGrath of the West Point public affairs office said, adding that they will be returned to the Naval Academy.

McGrath said Navy had been notified, and he didn’t expect any retaliatory strikes.

Good news, that.

Trivia time: Who holds the NCAA Division I-A record for most yards passing in a season?

Shifting gears: C.W. Nevius in the San Francisco Chronicle: “There was a time when [Art] Modell tried to stop the move of the Raiders from Oakland, even of the Colts from Baltimore. Now he’s driving the van.”

Fans’ problem: Michael Wilbon in the Washington Post on NFL teams moving or threatening to move:

“Step right up, get your $150 Starter jackets bearing your favorite local team logo. One problem: How do you know your local team will still be your local team by the time that jacket is ready for its first dry-cleaning?”

Haunting reminder: The trade that sent Alonzo Mourning to the Miami Heat not only left a void in the Charlotte Hornets’ lineup, it presented another problem--what to do about Mourning’s likeness on a building in downtown Charlotte?

He is pictured with Hornets Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues and local residents agree that Alonzo must go. Not an easy task. The mural covers 21,000 square feet.

Add Mourning: Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns on the trade: “I don’t think it will make anyone a contender. I’m not concerned about second-rate teams trying to make trades.”

Tennis preferred: Edmonton’s Bryan Marchment on being labeled the dirtiest player in the NHL’s Western Conference:

“I’ve never, ever sent a get-well card. I’ve had my teeth knocked out because of the way I play. I’ve had my nose broken, my face punched in.

“Hey, it’s a man’s game. If you can’t play, get out and play tennis.”

Learning experience: Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, noting that Northwestern fans tried to tear down the goal posts after the Wildcats had beaten Penn State last Saturday:

“They failed because the goal posts are unbreakable and they don’t have the experience.”

Looking back: On this date in 1963, Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings became the all-time leading goal scorer in the NHL with his 545th goal in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Trivia answer: Ty Detmer of Brigham Young, with 5,188 yards in 1990.

Quotebook: Sergei Bubka, the world-record holder in the pole vault, on how long he plans to compete: “I will continue forever.”