Either Way, Jackson’s On-Air Call Was a Gem

If Keith Jackson, who announced his retirement from broadcasting last week, has a signature phrase, it’s “Whoa, Nellie!”

However, Jackson claims he never said it, at least not until Roy Firestone put it into his stand-up act.

“My mule was named Pearl,” Jackson said.

The origin: Reader Jack Rosenberg remembers wrestling announcer Dick Lane saying, “Whoa, Nellie! Don’t put your coffee pot on yet, folks.”

But Firestone, who admits he never heard Jackson use the phrase, said he got it from the “Roy Rogers Show.” Comedian Pat Brady used to say it when he was trying to control the jeep, Nellybelle.

Firestone said it simply sounded like something Jackson would say.

Trivia time: Nolan Ryan pitched his seventh no-hitter on this day in 1991. Sandy Koufax’s four no-hitters are the next most. Three pitchers had three each in their careers. Who are they?

Something to celebrate: Commissioner Bud Selig announced last week that Major League Baseball would not celebrate Barry Bonds’ passing Babe Ruth’s home run mark of 714 because it won’t be a record. The record is 755 by Hank Aaron.

But reader Bill Littlejohn notes, “Major League Baseball will, however, celebrate Selig actually making a decision.”

Leinart takes a hit: Experts say Matt Leinart cost himself millions of dollars by not entering the draft last year, when he probably would have been chosen No. 1.

Long Beach Press-Telegram columnist Doug Krikorian, reunited Saturday with former 710 partner Joe McDonnell on radio station 570, said, “Who’s Leinart’s financial advisor, Steve Garvey?”

Another hit: Reader David Macaray says, “When I saw Leinart talking on the telephone, I couldn’t help thinking: He’s asking Leigh Steinberg to come back.”

Concise answer: New York Knick Coach Larry Brown, asked to describe his team’s 23-59 season in 25 words or less, was quoted in the News Journal in Wilmington, Del., as saying, “I just need one, and have a lot [of choices] -- miserable, pathetic, sad, trying. I can do my daughter’s spelling list.”

Looking back: On this day in 2003, the three-time defending champion Lakers defeated Minnesota, 101-85, to win the first-round playoff series, four games to two. It was the 13th consecutive playoff series victory for the Lakers under Phil Jackson and it was his 25th consecutive series victory, counting 12 with Chicago.

Trivia answer: Larry Corcoran, Cy Young and Bob Feller.

And finally: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, during a guest appearance on FSN’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period,” was asked if the lockout helped the league.

“I don’t recommend it as a business model for anybody to pursue,” he said.

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Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.