Coverage of Jordan May Be Post Haste

Ron Rapoport in the Chicago Sun-Times: “The Washington Post, which has long covered the Redskins with the solemnity of a papal mass, is about to do the same for the Wizards.

“Washingtonian magazine reports the Post wants to ‘do justice to what we think will be an extraordinary spectacle’ and is looking for a reporter outside the sports department ‘whose sole responsibility will be Michael Jordan.’

“No word yet on whether the Wizards will hold their championship celebration at a joint session of Congress.”

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More on Jordan: From Wizard Coach Doug Collins: “People think Michael is coming back to be Socrates or something and that losing will be OK with him.

“Sure he wants to teach, but Michael still wants to kick your [butt] while’s he’s teaching. He’ll always be the ultimate competitor. Believe me, his fire to win burns hotter than ever.”

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Trivia time: How many times has UCLA had an unbeaten regular-season record in football?

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Like old times: Scott Ostler in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Construction for the Athens Olympics of 2004 is waaaay behind schedule. You’re going to need a program to tell the ancient ruins from the unfinished venues.”

* “Star cycle racer Bo Hamburger is acquitted by one country of charges he gained a competitive advantage by using endurance-building EPO. So for now, it’s not proper to refer to EPO as Hamburger helper.”

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Deja vu: Tom FitzGerald in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Mel Ott was battling the Phillies’ Chuck Klein for the 1929 home run title. Klein passed Ott with his 43rd home run in the first game of a season-ending doubleheader.

“In the second game, Philadelphia pitchers walked Ott intentionally five times, once with the bases loaded.”

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Minor destiny: The Utah Supreme Court ruled that grabbing one’s crotch in public is against the law.

Said Jay Leno: “There goes the hopes of Salt Lake City ever getting a major league baseball team.”

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Best he can do: From syndicated columnist Norman Chad: “Memo to Redskin fans: When Tony Banks is your quarterback, three-and-out is a good series.”

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FYI: USC’s 1-4 start is not the worst in the school’s history. In 1957, the Trojans started 0-5 before beating Washington. They finished 1-9.

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Looking back: On this day in 1932, USC defeated Oregon State, 10-0, at the Coliseum. The Trojans allowed only 13 points in 10 games in winning the national championship.

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Trivia answer: Twice, 1946 and 1954.

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And finally: Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News on Barry Bonds’ future with the Giants:

“No question, for what Bonds has done this season, he deserves a worthy contract offer from the Giants. But to the team, “worthy” is probably going to mean a two-year proposal with a salary between $15 million and $20 million a year. For Bonds and his attorney, Scott Boras, “worthy” is going to mean a four-or five-year offer with a salary as large as George Steinbrenner can pay.

So. What do you think is going to happen next? Same here.