Let’s Hope Next Time He Doesn’t Hold Back

Bill Lyon of the Philadelphia Inquirer was disgusted by the Flyers’ being eliminated from the NHL playoffs in five games by Ottawa.

“The disintegration is now complete,” he wrote. “Along with the humiliation.

“In one of the most ignominious and inglorious performances in the mottled history of sports in Philadelphia, the Flyers permitted themselves to be evicted, forcibly and with pathetic little resistance, from the playoffs, the very same playoffs in which they were expected to contend strongly for the Stanley Cup ...

“Of all the galling eliminations the Flyers have sustained of late, this was the most inexcusable and embarrassing.”

Trivia time: Who holds the NBA playoff record for most minutes played in a game without a turnover?

What a bargain! Jon Saraceno in USA Today: “In Memphis, ‘The Disagreement at Disgraceland,’ Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, already is boxing’s all-time blockbuster gate with a record gate of $20 million.

“Here’s how crazy things are getting: EBay is auctioning four fight tickets, airfare and hotel, all for only $50,000.”

Big deal: Washington State President V. Lane Rawlins wants the word “Wazzu” purged from T-shirts, coffee mugs and other university-related products on the grounds it is vaguely derogatory and plays to the perception that WSU is a place where booze trumps books.

Come on, Mr. Rawlins, don’t you have more important matters on your agenda?

He’ll be busy: Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Oakland Raiders drafted with a plan: “In the sixth round, for example, they picked a criminal justice major, San Diego State running back Larry Ned.

“Smart move, draft someone who can help you deal with your previous years’ draft picks.”

More Ostler: “The Masters passes a rule that goes into effect in 2004, that former champions can’t play once they turn 65.

“Blatantly racist! An obvious ploy to stop Tiger Woods from dominating the tournament 39 years from now.”

Says it all: Headline in the New York Post after Met pitcher Shawn Estes had a one-hitter against Milwaukee on Friday night: “Mr. One-Derful.”

Looking back: On this day in 1969, Wilt Chamberlain set a Laker playoff record with 31 rebounds against Boston. He would improve the record to 33 two years later.

Looking back again: On this day in 1986, Boston’s Roger Clemens broke a long-standing major league record when he struck out 20 Seattle Mariners in a 3-1 victory at Fenway Park.

Trivia answer: Dan Majerle of the Phoenix Suns, 59 minutes against Chicago in a three-overtime game on June 13, 1993.

And finally: For years, Detroit fans have thrown an octopus onto the ice after goals scored during the Stanley Cup playoff games. It will be difficult now.

A Joe Louis Arena spokeswoman said security will confiscate any item they feel fans will throw on the ice. Anyone throwing anything on the ice--including the popular octopi--will be hauled off, reported the Macomb Daily in Mount Clemens, Mich.