THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604190675
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
New kid on the block: The rest of the ACC had better hope that North Carolina State basketball coach Herb Sendek isn't as precocious as another young Rick Pitino protege, a guy by the name of John Calipari.
Not for kids: Harvey M., founder of Gamblers Anonymous in Virginia Beach, had this reaction to Gov. George F. Allen's amendment that permits children to accompany a parent to the Chesapeake off-track betting parlor: ``What's next, video games and a room for doing homework?''
Claim-check needed: The NFL team that drafts Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips can expect to deal with more baggage than a skycap at Kennedy International.
Sounding off: Guess the point of Shaquille O'Neal driving around town with his $40,000 car stereo cranked up is to get noticed. It works. Orlando police officers regularly cite him for violations of the anti-noise ordinance. ``Happens all the time,'' says the Magic master blaster. ``I just take my ticket like a gentleman and pay my $18.''
Wondering: Is there any reason why Michael Jordan shouldn't receive every first-place vote for the NBA's MVP award?
A Bull market: The most intriguing free-agent story in basketball this year may belong to Phil Jackson.
First Amendment scholars: About the trash-talking that goes on in the NBA, Atlanta Hawks forward Grant Long says, ``The basketball court is one of the last places on earth you can have freedom of speech.'' Not to mention, judging from the antics of some players, freedom to grab yourself in public.
Wired into the game: More than 1,000 seats at the Detroit Tigers' new stadium, scheduled to open in 1999, will be equipped with computers so fans can punch up statistics, order food, check stock closings and make dinner reservations. Why not provide a program that allows fans to call in a pitcher from the bullpen?
Ice capade: When I read that Washington Post reporter Christine Brennan had been banned from press row at U.S. Figure Skating Association events, I thought, ``Some people get all the breaks.''
Classic look: The Norfolk Tides' home uniforms are as good as any in baseball.
The mature sport: The average age of the 44 golfers who made the cut at this year's Masters was 35 years, 7 months. At some pro tennis tournaments, that would be the combined age of the two finalists.
One-man show: It's worth watching Orioles second baseman Robbie Alomar just to see if there is anything he can't do on a baseball field.
Bound to happen: We all know that, in time, Michael Irvin's problems with the law will be blamed on Barry Switzer's coaching.
Back-to-back seasons: Having not played an NBA game in more than two years, former North Carolina big man Brad Daugherty will announce soon whether he'll attempt a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. Chances are, his body has already made the decision for him. His mobility has been limited since two herniated discs were removed from his back.
Idle thought: Mike Tyson and nightclubs go together like Greg Norman and Sunday afternoons.
Sign language: Let's call those rotating ads behind home plate at major league parks what they really are - graffiti. by CNB