THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9509010701
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
One-sided: Before the Andre Agassi-Pete Sampras tennis rivalry can measure up to the unrelenting hype, Sampras is going to have to pick up the pace. Between Wimbledon wins the last two summers, Sampras has suffered several bad losses in addition to dropping three of four matches to Agassi. For the moment, this ``great'' rivalry is more of a wish than a fact.
It's her again: Tonya Harding singing in a band gives new meaning to the phrase, ``Skating on thin ice.''
Futurewatch: If after Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Redskins coach Norv Turner finds himself denying he's got a quarterback controversy, you'll know the season is off to an interesting start.
Field of dreams: Now that Virginia and Georgia Tech have switched to grass football fields, every ACC team is playing on the real stuff, the first time that's been the case since 1970.
Add turf: Terry Minor, a defensive end for VMI, is allergic to grass, quite a liability for a football player. His problem was discovered when he couldn't put on weight. Since beginning his allergy shots, he's gained 20 pounds and a fondness for fescue.
TV-KO: After turning in a smooth, highly entertaining job as color commentator for Sweetpea Whitaker's HBO fight last Saturday, Roy Jones Jr., has earned the title of best pound-for-pound fighter behind a mike.
Ouch: Should William and Mary need more inspiration (as if it would help) for its football game at Virginia, the Tribe might dig up this quote from Cavalier tackle Ryan Kuehl. Following last year's 37-3 U.Va. victory, Kuehl said, ``They come up to I-A, and it's a men's league. Now they can go back to their boys league.''
Billy Martin's not available: That's an amusing rumor that has Reggie Jackson managing the Yankees next season. Then again, would anybody put this past George Steinbrenner?
Coming to an end: Don Mattingly didn't mean it when he said he wanted to play in Japan next year, but that doesn't make it certain that the Yankees will have him back.
Quick hit: So I guess David Cone and Darryl Strawberry weren't the answer for the Yankees after all.
Paging the Irish: No other college football program beats Notre Dame this season - when it comes to the size of their media guide. The Irish's vanity publication runs 416 pages.
Sleepless over Seattle: Of all the American League wildcard candidates, the Mariners are feared most by potential postseason opponents because of starting pitcher Randy Johnson.
New directions: Thom Brennaman, 31-year-old son of Marty, is leaving the Chicago Cubs broadcast team, seeking freedom to do other things, including more pro football for Fox.
Fat chance: PGA Senior Tour veteran Bob Murphy, on why Jack Nicklaus doesn't play more senior events: ``He doesn't like to lose to short, fat guys.''
The Little Boss: It will surprise no one if Orioles owner Peter Angelos dumps first-year manager Phil Regan after the season and sets out to sign Tony La Russa or Buck Showalter (presuming the Yankees manager is fired). Angelos shows himself to be as impatient and imperious as Steinbrenner.
The way we were: Remember the time when Madison Square Garden was the hub of boxing? In that case, you've got a good memory. Oscar de la Hoya's appearance at MSG on Dec. 15 will be the first boxing event at the Garden since Whitaker defeated Buddy McGirt on March 6, 1993. by CNB