It’s an Idea That Gets No Nods of Approval

The Hagerstown (Md.) Suns of the South Atlantic League thought they were onto something when they proposed an Osama bin Laden bobblehead doll giveaway.

Their fans told them otherwise.

The Suns, a class-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, sought opinions online before proceeding with the promotion, in which fans were to be given the dolls and then invited to smash them.

Of 194 responses, 72 percent considered the idea “way out of line,” according to the team’s Web site. So the giveaway was canceled.

“We’re really glad the fans got online and voted,” team General Manager Kurt Landes said.

*

Trivia time: Who holds the NBA record for assists in a game?

*

Air is human: Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times, commenting on the knee surgery that could sideline Michael Jordan, 39, for as long as six weeks:

“I believe Jordan, who never has had an archrival on the hardwood--not Magic, or Bird or Isiah, not any of the players who peaked before or after him--has been on a subliminal career quest for that baddest dude himself, Father Time.

“Mike knows, as we all do, who wins this shootout.”

*

Matter of time: Woody Paige in the Denver Post on the trade that sent Nick Van Exel from the Nuggets to Dallas: “What’s the over-under on how many months until Nick the Quick demands to be traded from the Mavericks?

“The inevitable and unavoidable will happen as soon as Nick Van Exel realizes his 50 touches and looks and airballs and outbursts a game won’t be tolerated.”

*

Lovable guy: Randy Galloway in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “For what it’s worth at this early date: John Rocker has been in [Texas Ranger] camp for two weeks, and he leads the clubhouse in most autographs signed for fans, plus most hugs and handshakes for teammates. Who does this guy think he is, Henry Kissinger?

“Like I said, it’s early.”

*

Game plan: Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, commenting on the Mavericks acquiring new players with the hope of outscoring the Lakers: “The Mavericks have lost 40 of the last 43 games they’ve played against the Lakers, and the test of the new theory comes March 17 and 19 with a home-and-home set.

“‘If it’s a mental thing, we better get a psychologist,’ said Maverick Coach Don Nelson.”

*

Fast sweeper: Jay Leno has a final word on the Winter Olympics: “There was a large curling scandal. I guess they tried to cover it up. I don’t know if you heard about this. Apparently a member of the curling team was disqualified for using a cordless electric broom.”

*

His legacy: From comedy writer Jerry Perisho: “A Stanford scientist says that the Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaurs probably did not run at all. In fact, they were ‘plodders’ that lumbered around the earth.

“Asked if there was an animal alive today that mimics the T. rex’s movements, the professor answered: ‘Yes, Greg Ostertag of the Utah Jazz.’”

*

Trivia answer: Scott Skiles of Orlando, 30, against Denver on Dec. 30, 1990.

(

And finally: Sergio Garcia, 22, when asked by Golf Digest if he felt he could challenge Tiger Woods as the game’s best player: “He’s 26. I think I can be as good as he is at 26 ... or hopefully sooner.”