We Could Have Sworn Braves, Not the Media, Beat Indians

Funny, but we seem to remember Atlanta pitching having something to do with the Braves beating the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

But hold the phone . . . spinmeisters are at work in Cleveland.

The revised account: It was the media’s fault.

The Indians contend the on-field crush of media messed up their pregame workouts at the Series.

“We don’t want this in any way perceived as an alibi or an excuse for what happened,” General Manager Dan O’Dowd said.

Sure sounds like one so far, Dan.

O’Dowd and other Cleveland executives met with major league officials at the recent winter meetings in Los Angeles.

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Their beef: There were too many media people in the dugout, around the batting cage and in foul territory before games.

There were no complaints by the Braves, who often warmed up in the outfield, out of the range of reporters.

Media members, though, were not the only ones on the field before games. Some Indians players had their children on the sidelines while warming up.

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Trivia time: What NFL Hall of Fame player gave up two of Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs in 1927?

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A step up: How big were the Millrose Games in New York?

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This big: In 1928, meet director Fred Schmertz went to the Amsterdam Olympic Games and approached Canadian sprinter Percy Williams, who’d just completed a gold medal sweep of the 100 and 200 meters.

“Mr. Williams,” Schmertz said, “you have just qualified for the Millrose Games.”

The meet had its 89th renewal Friday.

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This is cruel: The Hartford Courant’s Alan Greenberg points out Indiana Pacer fans have been known to call their 7-foot-4 Dutch center, Rik Smits, “Brick Mitts.”

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Well connected: The sport of track and field has an unbeatable connection in France.

The son-in-law of French president Jacques Chirac is Guy Drut, 1976 Olympic gold medalist in the 110-meter hurdles.

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Go figure: The Sporting News’ Mark Newman, trying to figure why pitcher Ben McDonald would spurn Baltimore’s $2.8-million offer for an incentive-laden deal with Milwaukee:

“Had he agreed to his old club’s offer of $2.8 million for this season, it would have meant a $1.7-million cut from his 1995 arbitration award--but his best chance yet to become a premier pitcher.

“McDonald would have had the best middle infield behind him in Cal Ripken and Roberto Alomar. He would have had Randy Myers as his closer. He would have had Davey Johnson as a manager. He could have had his first postseason experience.

“With the Brewers, McDonald has a contract that will pay at least $5.75 million over two years and could max out at $13.3 million over three.

“He also will have a middle infield of Jose Valentin and Fernando Vina.”

Good luck, Ben.

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Trivia answer: Ernie Nevers.

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Quotebook: Coach-turned-analyst George Raveling, on the spate of injuries that has befallen Washington State: “They’ve had so many injuries they get to park their bus in the handicapped zone.”