THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509220668
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
These things happen: What was supposed to be a big football game featuring Miami and Virginia Tech has been reduced to a Big East competition of little national interest between two teams that have yet to defeat a Division I-A opponent.
Positive thinking: Look on the bright side, Hokie fans. At least your team hasn't violated the new NCAA rules against excessive celebrating.
Life's a box of chocolates: I can't understand all the fuss over HBO airing Forrest Gump and going head-to-head with Mike Tyson's fight on Fox on Nov. 4. Those wanting to see Tyson will miss roughly 1 1/2 minutes of Gump.
Futurewatch: New Miami Heat coach Pat Riley already has his sites set on signing Charlotte Hornets center Alonzo Mourning, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Fading: If the California Angels were one of Gene Autry's horses, he'd have them shot.
Meet the Senators: Rumors of the Pittsburgh Pirates opening next season in RFK Stadium are getting too strong to ignore.
Making a splash: When you think about Deion Sanders' baseball career, the only moment that stands out is the night he dumped water on Tim McCarver.
Idle thought: Counting Florida State, the Cowboys will be Sanders' fourth professional football team.
In passing: I'm reasonably certain that Thursday night college football games do nothing for the sport. I know they do nothing for me.
They take it sitting down: The winner of the World Chess Championship between Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov will receive $1 million, the loser, $500,000. That's a lot of money for a couple of guys who don't have sneaker endorsements.
Still life: Is chess a sport? If it is, it's the only sport in which the slow-motion replay is redundant.
Points aplenty: Get the calculators ready. Saturday, Florida State puts on a bib for Central Florida, while Nebraska dines on Pacific.
Futurewatch: Rick Dempsey as Orioles manager for 1996? Don't put anything past owner Peter Angelos.
Consistent: Talk about a player who is taken for granted. Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro has 37 home runs and 101 RBIs - and ranks in the top 10 in the American League in seven offensive categories - and his name hardly gets mentioned.
Worth discussing: In handicapping the race for American League MVP, remember that, while the Indians' Albert Belle has the better statistics, Boston's Mo Vaughn carried his team when Jose Canseco and Roger Clemens were hurting.
In the shadows: Joe Smith's new team, the Golden State Warriors, are on national TV only twice this season, and, at that, only on TBS.
Roast or toast: New Knicks coach Don Nelson, who says he intends to hang out in bars with fans after games, will be able to tell how he's doing by who's buying the drinks.
Best rookie: The early leader for NFL coach of the year is Rich Brooks of the undefeated St. Louis Rams.
A relic: The new home of the Boston Celtics, the FleetCenter, doesn't need the old parquet court as much as it needs a young Larry Bird. by CNB