It’s a Good Thing Hershiser Doesn’t Have a ‘55’ Tattoo

When Orel Hershiser reported to the San Francisco Giants’ spring training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., he discovered that his longtime number, 55, was assigned to pitcher Shawn Estes.

The former Dodger Cy Young award winner now wears No. 56. As for losing his number to Estes, who was in the fifth grade when Hershiser was called up to the major leagues, Orel, while trying to keep a straight face, told the San Francisco Chronicle:

“It’s not a big deal, other than all the jewelry my wife has, the room we have that’s shaped in a ‘55’, the hardwood floor I had designed, the crystal glasses we have. . . . No, other than that, it’s fine.”

Trivia time: Which team holds the record for most points scored against the Lakers?

Ready to go: Mike Morgan is the ultimate nomad. The 38-year-old pitcher, now with the Minnesota Twins, has been with 10 teams during his 20-year career.

“My wife and I live out of a suitcase. We always keep our bags packed,” Morgan said.

Italian stallion: Alberto Tomba, the 31-year-old ski star, has said he’d like to settle down.

Said Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe: “Tomba is always on the lookout for Miss Right. Failing that, there are always innumerable volunteers to be Miss 24 Hours.”

Are you kidding? Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe writing on the Casey Martin controversy: “Get a load of this one: They [PGA Tour] said carts would remove the ‘athleticism’ from the game.

“Athleticism. There’s a good one. Have another doughnut, Colin ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Montgomerie. You, too, John Daly.”

Understatement: Tony Kornheiser writing in the Washington Post: “At the end of every Olympic telecast, during the credits, CBS shows this small disclaimer:

“‘Portions of this show were previously recorded.’ Portions? Akebono could live off those portions.”

The real article: For $20, University of Arizona basketball fans can buy a “Luke Lid,” a foam rubber rendering of of the perfectly coifed silver hair of Wildcat Coach Lute Olson. Said Olson: “I have one that I’m using permanently.”

Sounds like fun: From The Vent, a column of reader complaints in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The Winter Olympics has the luge. So why can’t the Summer Olympics have a huge water slide race?”

Looking back: On this day in 1995, Arizona’s Damon Stoudamire had a triple double against Oregon of 32 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists.

Trivia answer: Philadelphia, with 158 on March 18, 1968.

And finally: The World Series champion Florida Marlins--or, what’s left of them--visited the White House last Tuesday.

Said Jayson Stark of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “No truth to the rumor the White House also invited the ’27 Yankees because it thought more of them might show up.”