Just Ask Ushers at Enron: Which Way to the Front?

John P. Lopez of the Houston Chronicle writes that you sit in Section 106 of Enron Field at your own peril. “Since opening day this hot box down the left-field line has seen everything short of napalm when it comes to incoming foul ball rockets.

“A mere 220 feet from home plate and jutting out so closely to the left-field line you could scoop up a handful of chalk if you so desired, Section 106 is not for the meek.

“ ‘They ought to put on the tickets that you have to wear a helmet and bring your glove if you’re going to sit there,’ Astro shortstop Tim Bogar said.

“And Jeff Bagwell advised, ‘Sip your beer between pitches.’ ”

*

Trivia time: Which team holds the record for most consecutive Stanley Cup championships?

*

Go for it, Nellie: Peter May in the Boston Globe: “Don Nelson has something to shoot for down the stretch, even if the [Dallas] Mavericks don’t.

“Nellie, who says he’s moving to the front office next season, is, according to the Dallas Morning News, tied with Dick Motta for most career ejections: 59.”

*

Praise, indeed: Larry Bowa, the Seattle Mariners’ third base coach and a solid defensive shortstop during his major league career, on Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez:

“One of these guys comes along once every 50 years. We got three in one decade. I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like it again.”

*

Some exceptions: Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg to the San Francisco Chronicle on Pac Bell Park:

“This is the only stadium in the country where home runs land in the water if you don’t count Phoenix’s swimming pool, Kansas City’s waterfall, Detroit’s synchronized water fountains or New York’s open sewer.”

*

Why play? Mark Kiszla in the Denver Post: “Here comes Phoenix, the coyote-ugly team of the NHL playoffs, looking to pick a fight with the Colorado Avalanche.

“Puh-leeze. This opening-round series is over before it begins. . . . The Avalanche should win this best-of-seven series in no more than five games.”

*

FYI: Only five players began the 2000 baseball season having spent as many as 14 seasons with the same club, according to the Elias Sports Bureau:

Cal Ripken, Orioles, since 1981; Tony Gwynn, Padres, 1982; Barry Larkin, Reds, 1986; Tom Glavine, Braves, 1987, and Edgar Martinez, Mariners, 1987.

*

Looking back: On this day in 1962, Elgin Baylor scored a championship-game record 61 points to lead the Lakers to a 126-121 victory over the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals.

*

Trivia answer: The Montreal Canadiens, five, 1956 to 1960.

*

And finally: Tom Powers in the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Since the Cubs last won a World Series, Halley’s comet has passed the Earth--twice. Four states were admitted to the union. . . .

“And human beings landed on the moon, where they found several long home runs given up by Cub pitchers.”