La Russa Trying His Best to Prevent Some Homerism

St. Louis Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa is trying to deflect attention from star slugger Mark McGwire, whose 58 home runs last season were only three shy of Roger Maris’ record.

La Russa appealed to Cardinal fans and reporters twice in recent weeks to look at the big picture, and not the big bomber.

“I keep getting questions about, ‘Is McGwire going to break Maris’ record?’ ” La Russa said. “I think the worst thing that can happen to our club is too much attention to the individual and his pursuit of something.”

Idealistically, La Russa wants McGwire left alone to do his bashing.

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Add La Russa: He made one of his appeals at a dinner emceed by Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck, who noted that publicity for his feats is what made McGwire a $9-million man.

“I’m sure all of us broadcasters will cooperate so when he hits one of those 500-foot home runs, we’ll just say it’s a little pop-up that just cleared the fence,” Buck said jokingly.

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Trivia time: What was unusual about the victory by the Stevens brothers, J. Hubert and Curtis, in the two-man bobsled in the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.?

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Why not? Blackie Sherrod in the Dallas Morning News: “Let’s see, a Terry Donahue hire [fading fast] would mean another trivia prize for Smiley Jones.

“First NFL owner to hire three successive head coaches with no pro experience? How about three straight coaches whose first names end in Y?”

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Forgettable franchise: Denver Mayor Wellington Webb exulted recently at a celebration for the Super Bowl champion Broncos:

“First the Avalanche, and now the Broncos. I told the Rockies they’re next. The Nuggets. . . .” Said Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post: “Oh, let’s not go there. Why ruin the party?”

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In my day: Houston Rocket star forward Charles Barkley on the over-hyped young players in the NBA:

“When I came into the league, you had to be an all-star five or six times before they called you a superstar. Now, if you have one good month, somebody calls you a star.”

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Just made it: Charlotte is the only team in the NBA that sanctions a pregame prayer. When a clergyman asked God to watch over the players, coaches and referees, Ronnie Nunn--a referee--joked: “Hey, it’s nice to be included.”

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Looking back: On this date in 1969, Wilt Chamberlain scored 69 points against the Phoenix Suns, second highest single-game Laker point total to Elgin’s Baylor’s 71.

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Trivia answer: They attributed part of their success to the fact that they heated their runners with blow torches for 25 minutes before competing, a tactic that is now illegal.

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And finally: In a TV commercial that made its debut Sunday, Michael Johnson visits a convenience store to buy a soft drink.

When he finds the store closed, the so-called “World’s Fastest Man” runs around the world so fast he would turn back the clock to get to the store before it closes.

His speed carries him back to 1978. Can it get any sillier?