Parcells Gone, Peace Prevails at Patriot Draft

Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe reports that everything was harmonious at New England Patriot draft headquarters this year compared to last year:

“This year we didn’t have Bill Parcells turning over tables, trashing the Patriot war room, and refusing to participate in the rest of the draft after he didn’t get his way with the No. 1 pick.

“We didn’t have Globe columnist Will McDonough corralling owner Bob Kraft and pinning him up against the men’s room door.

“We didn’t have the Patriots selecting any known sex offenders.”

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Trivia time: Jim Druckenmiller of Virginia Tech was the seventh quarterback the San Francisco 49ers have drafted in the first round. Who were the others?

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Next question: Letter to Bernie Lincicome of the Chicago Tribune: “It’s disgusting that your cynical, anti-Illini views are splashed on the front page of the sports section. Is every team that loses a close, hard-fought game going to be labeled a ‘choke’ by you?”

Lincicome’s reply: “The name ‘Bears’ is already taken.”

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Party night: A suggestion from Bob Kravitz of the Rocky Mountain News on a promotional idea for baseball: “An umpire throws out a manager--free pizza for everyone in the ballpark.”

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War zone: Playing right field in Yankee Stadium can be hazardous for a visiting outfielder. Just ask Oakland’s Jose Canseco, who had to dodge ice, lighters, batteries, coins, baseballs and plastic bottles during a recent game.

“Every time I went back for a ball, I could hear objects whizzing past my head,” Canseco said. “This is New York. It’s a jungle.”

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Miles ahead: Marathon runner Mark Plaatjes, on an advantage African runners have over Americans: “Kids in Kenya use their feet everywhere they go. Now someone is paying them to do what they grew up doing anyway.

“Let’s say a Kenyan wins $10,000 in a marathon. He goes home, buys a farm and is rich. If I win $10,000, I go home, buy the groceries, pay the mortgage and pretty soon it’s gone.”

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Still broke: From Jay Leno: “Have you ever had nightmares about doing your taxes? I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed the IRS took everything I had except my season tickets to the Chicago Cubs.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1969, Jerry West scored 53 points at the Forum to lead the Lakers to a 120-118 victory over the Boston Celtics in the opening game of the NBA finals. However, Boston won the series in seven games.

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Trivia answer: Y.A. Tittle, 1951; Bernie Faloney, 1954; Earl Morrall, 1956; John Brodie, 1957; Bill Kilmer, 1961, and Steve Spurrier, 1967.

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And finally: Florida Marlin Manager Jim Leyland rejects the idea that clubs need a team leader:

“What’s a . . . team leader? We don’t need any kind of leader but a guy like Gary Sheffield, a guy who hits 40 home runs and drives in 120 runs.

“That’s a leader. Besides, if we need leadership, it will come from me.”