Founding Fathers Probably Didn’t Envision This

For every championship series there’s a political bet in the offering.

Now it’s hockey’s turn.

Governors George W. Bush of Texas and Christie Whitman of New Jersey are facing off over the outcome of the Stanley Cup finals.

The New Jersey Devils opened the series Tuesday with a 7-3 victory over the defending champion Dallas Stars.

If the Devils win the best-of-seven series, Bush provides Whitman and her family a Texas barbecue. If the Stars win, Whitman provides Bush and his family a New Jersey seafood dinner.

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Trivia time: Name the six female tennis players who have won the French Open three or more times.

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The ump strikes back: A soccer referee was banned for life for punching a player during an exhibition match between Hong Kong and Macau.

Chui Wai-pui, chairman of the Macau Football Assn., announced the ban of Choi Kuok-kun on Tuesday. The amateur referee hit Hong Kong winger Lee Kin-wo during Sunday’s game in Macau.

The referee was provoked when the player intentionally kicked the ball at him. Lee was ejected in the 81st minute of the game, which Hong Kong won, 1-0.

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A changed man: Baltimore Sun columnist John Eisenberg says it’s time for a new perspective on New York Knick guard Latrell Sprewell.

“He’s a diplomat in the locker room, friendly with reporters and a warrior on the court, a resourceful player who keeps finding a way to win,” Eisenberg said. “His reputation will never recover from his decision to put his hands around P.J. Carlesimo’s neck one day a few years ago, but if anything, it’s become clear he should be judged on more than that low point in his life.”

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Swann dive: Pedro Gomez of the Arizona Republic writes that the Arizona Cardinals should give up on talented but oft-injured defensive tackle Eric Swann for salary cap reasons, among others.

“When a $5-million-a-year player cannot help, it’s a no-brainer,” Gomez said. “The Cardinals are a franchise in dire need of making the right decisions. On every front.”

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Send him to the Hall already: Melanie Hauser of Golf Web, on the latest Tiger Woods stat to boggle the mind (as if he doesn’t give us one every week):

“His 19 wins tie Ben Crenshaw for the most by a current PGA Tour player,” Hauser said. “They also place him one win--and a dozen years--short of a ‘Lifetime Member’ exemption on the Tour. And he’s only 24.”

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It adds up: One of Jenson Button’s Formula One bosses finds his ticket for speeding somewhat impressive.

Button, 20, was caught speeding at 141 mph near the southern French city of Montpellier last week.

French police took the English driver to the nearest cash machine so he could pay the fine of $750.

“He did an unbelievable speed in a diesel,” BMW director of motor sport Gerhard Berger said Thursday. “We should pay his fine.”

Button wouldn’t object.

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Trivia answer: Chris Evert won it seven times (1974, ‘75, ‘79, ‘80, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86), Steffi Graf six times (‘87, ‘88, ‘93, ‘95, ‘96, ‘99), Margaret Smith-Court five times (‘62, ‘64, ‘69, ‘70, ‘73), Helen Wills-Moody four times (‘28, ‘29, ‘30, ‘32), Monica Seles three times (‘90, ‘91, ‘92) and Hilde Sperling three times (‘35, ‘36, ‘37).

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And finally: Mike Littwin of the Rocky Mountain News, on Colorado outfielder Larry Walker: “Once upon a time, in his long-ago youth, Walker didn’t always take care of himself and he was hurt all the time. Now, Walker does take great care of himself. And he’s hurt all the time.”