THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080683
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Sentimental journey: Cal Ripken has moved ahead of Brooks Robinson and Johnny Unitas in the hearts and minds of Baltimoreans. Maybe you've got to be a native to know what this means.
Getting around: After watching her roam the sidelines at the Giants-Cowboys game and present a prize at the MTV Music Video Awards, one must assume that Monica Seles has overcome her fear of crazy, violent strangers.
Wishful thinking: The only way Ripken's record-breaking night could have been any better for baseball would have been if the players and owners had met at second base at Camden Yards to ratify a new basic agreement.
Ladies choice: Of the 10 most sought-after tickets for the 1996 Olympic Games, five are for gymnastics events. This tells me that women are driving the interest in the Summer Games.
A smaller Cal-iber: During the last few days of Ripken's Iron Man streak, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jose Valentin missed a game because he cut his hand on a pineapple. You can't make this stuff up.
Fearless forecast: I like it when ODU basketball coach Jeff Capel goes on radio and says his Monarchs have the potential to be a Sweet 16 team. Why not think big?
In passing: Phil Regan's streak as Orioles manager is not expected to reach 1996.
Buddy system: His team's lame effort against the Redskins serves as a reminder that Buddy Ryan is a good self-promoter, defensive coordinator and ticket seller, but he's below average as a head coach.
Numbers game: If Florida State feels it has no choice but to impress the pollsters by running up the score on outmanned opponents, then maybe it's up to the people who vote for No. 1 - sports writers, for example - to change the way they assess performances. Is that asking too much?
Wondering: Now that praying after touchdowns is OK with the NCAA, how long before Notre Dame starts conducting High Mass in the end zone?
Quick hit: It's rare when an athlete and town deserve one another the way Ricky Watters and Philadelphia do.
Shoe business: Nike's deal with the Dallas Cowboys moves us closer to the day when the sign of the swoosh runs all sports. That's assuming that Nike doesn't already have this sort of clout.
His audience: It's only natural that Nebraska's Tom Osborne would express disdain for the student newspaper. Big-time football coaches exist to impress the big-money alumni and the national media, not curious undergrads.
Add Nebraska: The same Tom Osborne who allows Riley Washington to practice with the team after being charged with attempted second-degree murder probably would suspend a player for missing too many team meals. Go figure.
A truer picture: Michigan was an adventure, William and Mary a day off. We'll get a better idea what kind of football team Virginia's got when the Cavaliers visit North Carolina State on Saturday.
Sarcasm ahead: Wildcard fever. Catch it. ILLUSTRATION: Head games: Just in case Deion Sanders signs with the Cowboys,
somebody in Texas had better get working on a 20-gallon hat.
by CNB