Yankee Stadium Isn’t a Big Deal in Comparison

Bernie Williams, the New York Yankee outfielder, was the most valuable player in the American League championship series, but baseball doesn’t provide all his thrills.

Williams played his classical guitar in Boston’s Symphony Hall earlier this season and told Peter Gammons of the Boston Globe: “This is overwhelming, just thinking about all the brilliant performers that have been on this stage. I remember watching the Boston Pops on TV back home in Puerto Rico, and always wanting to see this building. It’s a great thrill.”

*

Trivia time: Who was the last college senior to be taken first in an NBA draft?

*

For big guys: The New York Giants have a fattening tradition. Rookies must buy the entire team doughnuts every Saturday. Defensive end Cedric Jones, their first-round draft pick from Oklahoma, says he spends $150 a week on the sinkers. That adds up to about $3,000 for the season.

No wonder rookies hold out for big contracts.

*

Easy pickings: Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, was on the IMG payroll for a time as a West Coast talent scout. Wonder if he ever looked in the kitchen?

*

Hey, Don King: If the Phoenix Coyotes want former King defenseman Brent Thompson to be their hatchet man, it’s fine with him. No assignment is too tough.

“For a million bucks, I’ll jump in the ring with Mike Tyson and take a dive, just like the next guy,” he said.

*

Young team: California Coach Steve Mariucci has a sense of history. After his Golden Bears defeated USC in the Coliseum for the first time since 1970, he said: “This is very special for our kids. It hasn’t happened in their lifetime.”

*

Now you know: Ever wonder what goes through a manager’s mind when he walks out to the pitcher’s mound during a game? Has he already decided to change pitchers? Baltimore’s Davey Johnson revealed how he decided to lift David Wells with two out and two Yankees on base with Cecil Fielder coming up in a playoff game:

“If he gave me the usual glare that says, ‘What are you doing here?’, I might have left him in,” the manager said. “But he had that sheepish grin that said, ‘I’m pooped.’ ”

*

Old age: Olympic diving champion Fu Mingxia of China says she will not defend her title in 2000 in Sydney.

“It’s like climbing a hill,” she said. “When you reach the top, there’s no way to go other than down.” Fu is 19.

*

Older age: Dallas Star Coach Ken Hitchcock on 36-year-old goalie Andy Moog, who stopped 31 of 32 New York Rangers shots in a 2-1 win for his 329th career victory, tops among active NHL goalies.

“He didn’t look old, but he’ll feel it tomorrow.”

*

Trivia answer: Larry Johnson of UNLV, in 1991 by the Charlotte Hornets.

*

And finally: Dodger relief pitcher Mark Guthrie once said he got more satisfaction out of beating a top team, such as the Atlanta Braves, than beating a team deep in the standings. Asked why, he said:

“It’s like getting an A in calculus, instead of in P.E.”