And They Haven’t Won a Playoff Game Since 1988

The Dodgers were named the “most successful organization in major league baseball during the 20th Century” in a study done by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal.

The Dodgers finished first with a “century performance index” of 7.63 on a 10-point scale, based on a rating formula that evaluated the on-the-field and ticket-window success of each of the 35 major league teams that played at least 10 seasons between 1901 and 1998.

Yeah, but what have they done for us lately?

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Trivia time: Who holds the World Series record for most runs batted in in a game?

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They need us now: Woody Paige of the Denver Post on NBA players’ meeting in Las Vegas: “These are the same players who conducted press conferences throughout the country days ago to say how much they cared about the fans and just want to play basketball.

“Why is it, then, that they don’t seem to care about the fans or basketball when they’re playing?”

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Hard times: Greg Cote in the Miami Herald: “People think NBA players are greedy for turning down a lockout settlement that would pay them an average of $3.1 million per year. Hey, fighting those paternity suits costs money, baby.”

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Cheap shot: Texas Christian basketball Coach Billy Tubbs reasons that the NBA lockout will help college basketball get more exposure in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“People here have the opportunity to see one of the best college players night after night,” said Tubbs, referring to TCU’s big man, Lee Nailon, a top pro prospect.

“They certainly can’t see one of the best NBA players night after night--especially when the [Dallas] Mavericks are active.”

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Second thoughts: Michael Ventre of MSNBC: “Whenever I listen to Tim McCarver, I start to reassess my opinion about Deion Sanders and that bucket of water.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1949, Don Doll of the Detroit Lions intercepted an NFL-record four passes in a 24-7 victory over the Chicago Cardinals.

Doll, a former USC running back, shares the record with 15 players.

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Trivia answer: Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees, with six against Pittsburgh on Oct. 8, 1960.

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And finally: From a New York Times article on tips for Little League managers:

“Kids don’t get hurt. They’re kids. They only twist their ankle when they get picked off base. . . . They only have stomachaches when they are in the on-deck circle in the last inning with the bases loaded.

“Don’t panic. Walk over to the stricken kid, carrying the water jug subtly under your arm. Tell him to get up, get on with the game, or you’ll pour water on him and announce that he wet his pants.”