Take Good Life for Granted? Parrish the Thought

After a listless 7-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, Detroit Tiger Manager Larry Parrish couldn’t take it any longer.

So he scolded his team and later told Joe Falls of the Detroit News: “I haven’t put any pressure on these guys, but now I don’t give a damn.

“We have an opportunity to play baseball for a living and make a lot [of money] doing it. It’s not like we have to go to work 8 to 5. We’re not out there pouring concrete.

“Our hitters aren’t hitting and they should be out there taking extra batting practice until their hands bleed.”

His players heeded the message Sunday, beating the White Sox, 3-2. But they blew a 6-1 lead in an 8-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

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Trivia time: What was unusual about welterweight champion Henry Armstrong’s title defenses in October 1939?

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His shtick: Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers revels in his role as the cocky “bad guy” to fans of opposing teams:

“I do love it,” he said. “Everyone can’t be applauded or the fan favorite. Not everyone can be Kobe [Bryant] or Michael Jordan--the smile, the glitter and the commercials.”

Said his sister Cheryl: “The bigger the hatred, the more Reggie thrives. If New York [fans] wants to do themselves good, shut up.”

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Not so fast: Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post writing before the Pacer-Knick series: “They’re [Indiana] a professional outfit from top to bottom and they’re going to win the NBA title.”

First, though, the Pacers must beat the Knicks as they trail, 1-0, in their playoff series.

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Only fitting: Peter Vecsey in the New York Post: “If the Spurs meet the Pacers in the finals, I demand the NBA use a red, white and through ABA ball.”

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Cop-out: Cincinnati Red Manager Jack McKeon, adding a disclaimer to his previous promise to stop smoking cigars if the Reds reach 10 games over .500:

“I’ll give them up when we get 10 games over. But I’ll start smoking them again when we get to 11 games over.”

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Dictator coaches: Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel commenting on improbable coaching candidates for the Magic:

* “Bobby Knight--Wouldn’t you pay to see players with guaranteed scholarships scream back at The General?

* “Iron Mike Ditka--He’d trade Orlando’s entire roster to the Lakers to get Shaq back.”

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Trivia answer: Armstrong defended his welterweight championship five times, including two defenses in five days that month.

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And finally: Jim Armstrong in the Denver Post: “Word out of L.A. is that the Lakers are leaning toward retaining Kurt Rambis as their coach.

“In fact, they’re going to expand his duties. Henceforth, he’s going to double as Shaq’s limo driver.”