THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509150727
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
September song: It doesn't enhance Hampton Roads' big-league aspirations that Ottawa drew more people in Canada for one playoff game against the Norfolk Tides than the Tides did in two playoff games at Harbor Park.
On your marks: Let's hope Roger Bannister can still run a four-minute mile. He may need to when the sociologists start chasing him after his comments about black sprinters having anatomical advantages over whites.
Progress: Baseball can breathe a little easier now that Cal Ripken, not Michael Jordan, is the most admirable figure in the game.
Time to deliver: In the playoffs, the biggest challenge for the Atlanta Braves will be to avoid comparisons with the Buffalo Bills.
Quick hit: A Braves-Indians World Series would be the best matchup . . . and the most politically incorrect.
Name game: On any given Sunday in the NFL, teams that aren't as bad as people think play teams that aren't as good as people think. This is the true definition of parity.
Providing stability: The new NBA labor agreement will restrict player movement, a good thing for the game and the fans.
Banner years: Both Albert Belle of the Indians and Mo Vaughn of the Red Sox deserve to think of themselves as American League MVP, but so does overlooked Edgar Martinez of the Mariners.
Hot stuff: Officials of the Humane Society are urging Olympic officials to cancel the three-day equestrian event scheduled for Atlanta in 1996, or move the competition to a cooler climate, for fear that the heat and humidity in July will endanger the lives of the horses. Apparently, this does not apply to the horses participating in the water polo competition.
Money matters: Because of corporate sponsorship of the Atlanta Games, the federal government will spend only $92 million to help put on the Olympics.
In passing: Nebraska football proclaiming that it is not like Miami is the same as Willie Sutton feeling superior to Al Capone.
Assembly line: Nebraska is so deep and talented that it likely won't even miss Heisman Trophy candidate Lawrence Phillips.
Something to remember: Football scandals at Nebraska, Florida State, Alabama, Miami and elsewhere recall what Woody Allen once said - ``I worry that no matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up.''
Weather or not: The symbol of the baseball playoffs in Colorado should be a snow plow.
Tubular: When the TV volume cannot be turned down low enough, chances are Dan Dierdorf is in the booth.
Shut out: For the second time this summer, Pete Sampras has won a Grand Slam, only to be slammed by Sports Illustrated, which put somebody else on its cover.
Too bad: College basketball can't afford to lose coaches like former Penn State coach Bruce Parkhill, who resigned earlier this month.
Behind the mike: Football analyst Paul Maguire, NBC's answer to John Madden, manages to remain underhyped.
TV timeout: Because of the deal between Fox and Don King, the Mike Tyson-Buster Mathis charade will cost the viewer nothing, which is precisely what the fight is worth. by CNB