They have a reason to kvetch
As mentioned in Monday’s Briefing, former major leaguers Ron Blomberg, Ken Holtzman and Art Shamsky have been hired as managers for a new six-team Israel Baseball League -- a development that prompted the New York Daily News to run the headline, “It’s a Bat Mitzvah!”
Reader Jim Fisher writes, “I’m wondering if the person writing the headline realized that a bat mitzvah is the equivalent of a bar mitzvah -- but for girls.
“Something tells me that Ron Blomberg, Ken Holtzman and Art Shamsky aren’t going to be very thrilled that the Daily News called them 12-year-old girls.”
AO-No-K
The Israel baseball item prompted another reader, David Macaray, to e-mail an interesting footnote on Holtzman:
“On August 19, 1969, Chicago Cub Holtzman pitched a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves, out-dueling the Braves’ Phil Niekro. What was unusual about Holtzman’s no-no? He did it without striking out even one batter. Everybody made contact. Never happened before or since.”
A year later, Holtzman placed fifth among National League pitchers with 202 strikeouts. He finished his career in 1979 with 1,608 total strikeouts.
Trivia time
Who holds the major league record for most victories by a Jewish pitcher?
Mighty duct
Freedom of expression apparently has been sent to the penalty box in Edmonton, Canada.
Robert Vaughan, an Oilers’ season-ticket holder, says that during a recent game at Rexall Place, he was ordered by security guards to remove a duct-tape message on his jersey that read, “Trade Lowe.”
The reference was to Oilers’ General Manager Kevin Lowe, who traded popular winger Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders. Vaughan voiced his opinion of the deal by affixing strips of orange duct tape on the back of his jersey.
Vaughan told the Edmonton Sun that two men, identifying themselves as Oilers representatives, escorted him to a small room where he was ordered to remove the message.
After an argument that lasted more than 20 minutes, Vaughan relented.
“They want all the fans to be like rabbits and sheep,” Vaughan said. “I feel violated.”
You think?
Al Watt, the Oilers’ vice president of marketing, told the Sun that club President Pat LaForge “has personally made amends” to Vaughan.
“Should it have happened?” Watt said. “Probably not. Our guys probably overreacted.”
The Oilers’ speech police have a history of probably overreacting. This season, when ex-Oiler Chris Pronger returned to Edmonton with the Ducks, several fans dressed in diapers were not allowed inside the arena.
Trivia answer
Holtzman, with 174. Sandy Koufax is next with 165.
And finally
From David Letterman’s “Top Ten Signs Your Team Is Not Going to Make the NCAA Basketball Tournament:”
* “Center is only 5-9 -- in heels.”
* “Team gets psyched before the game by listening to Clay Aiken.”
* “Your official Las Vegas odds are ‘Yeah right.’ ”
* “Gave up basketball for Lent.”
* “Your shoe deal is with Thom McAn.”
* “Players complain to refs that the other team is ‘always getting in the way.’ ”
* “Starting point guard recently shaved his head and checked into rehab.”