If So, Then It Was an Animated Discussion

Jeff Gordon in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Arizona Diamondback relievers Eddie Oropesa and Miguel Batista ran out of things to do in the Coors Field bullpen, so they took a field trip to the rocks and trees that lie beyond the center-field wall at the ballpark.

“The umpires spotted them and halted play until they returned to the pen.

“‘I think they were talking to Bambi out there,’ Diamondback Manager Bob Brenly said. ‘Pitchers--you can’t figure them out.’”

Or, boys will be boys.

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Trivia time: Who holds the NBA playoff record for consecutive three-point field goals?

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Miffed: Ron Artest, Indiana Pacer forward, after learning he had not received any votes in balloting for the NBA’s defensive player of the year: “Well, obviously somebody needs some lessons. Somebody needs some bifocals, and it’s not me.”

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Hailing Hale: Ben Crenshaw, commenting on Hale Irwin’s continued success on the Senior PGA Tour: “He’s always been a straight driver, he’s a great iron player, and his putting hasn’t skipped a beat.

“But it’s his mind that always keeps him in the game, and that’s how he beats you.”

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Neat move: Four female gymnasts from Romania, among them 1992 Olympic silver medalist Gina Gogean, claim former coaches and officials forced them to declare themselves older than they really were so they could compete at the senior level. Said Paul Giles of humormall.com, “Besides the full, twisting double layout, they had to add a new move, the reverse Danny Almonte.”

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Ripping Rocker: Michael Hiestand in USA Today: “Bob Ryan on ESPN Sports Reporters, offered this warm adios for pitcher John Rocker, whom the Texas Rangers have sent to the minors: Rocker is ‘an absolute mental mess, a daily train wreck’” Ryan must be in shock now. The Rangers recalled Rocker on Tuesday.

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Waiting for an encore: Tom FitzGerald in the San Francisco Chronicle: “In a 35-4 rout of Georgetown on Sunday, Virginia Tech outfielder Brad Bauder had eight hits, including four homers, 14 RBIs and 23 total bases.

“Now, let’s see him keep it up.”

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Something to do: Comedy writer Jerry Perisho: “One night earlier this month, the Florida Marlins had a home attendance of only 4,500. At any one time in Yankee Stadium, there are more than that just throwing used flashlight batteries at opposing outfielders.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1994, David Robinson scored 71 points to win the NBA scoring title as the San Antonio Spurs ended the regular season with a 112-97 victory over the Clippers. Robinson edged Shaquille O’Neal, then with the Orlando Magic, for the scoring title.

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Trivia answer: Robert Horry of the Lakers, seven against Utah on May 6, 1997.

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And finally: Norman Chad for America Online: “With the overall No. 1 pick, the expansion Houston Texans took seven minutes to select a quarterback (David Carr) they had already signed. I guess they’re not going to run a hurry-up offense....

“One of the tabloids is reporting that an East German family, seeking political asylum, has been living in Mel Kiper Jr.’s head of hair since late 1966.”