– Show time: This will be a good week for sports celebrity spotting in Chicago. The annual National Sporting Goods Association`s World Expo `91 runs Monday through Thursday in McCormick Place, bringing more than 90,000 members from 60 countries. More than 250,000 products will be on display for dealers, retailers, etc. It`s not open to the public. Some advance Expo highlights:
– New Knicks coach Pat Riley will keynote a breakfast about 24 hours after an appearance by Patrick Ewing, who`s threatening to leave the Knicks. Among other NBA celebrities scheduled to appear: Vlade Divac, Tim Hardaway, Ron Harper, Ken Norman, Stacey King, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Johnson and Earl Monroe.
– Among products to be introduced: Polar Heart Bra, a sports bra specifically designed for women to use with heart-rate monitors; Exerflex, a new exercise putty from Bollinger Industries; Rump Pump, a bicycle seat-post air pump that ends flat tire worries; and Quick Net, a portable basketball net that fits over rims.
– Blackhawks coach Mike Keenan and Doug Wilson, who are not likely to be exchanging Christmas cards this year, will make appearances within 24 hours of each other.
– Bears, past and present, scheduled to appear: Trace Armstrong, Mark Carrier, Matt Suhey and George Blanda.
– Cheerleaders from the University of Illinois, DePaul, the Indianapolis Colts and the Bulls will appear. Also on hand will be embattled Illinois mascot Chief Illiniwek, who`s drawn criticism from native American groups.
– Baseball players, past and present, scheduled to appear are: Gaylord Perry, Carlton Fisk, Robin Ventura, Frank White, Tony Gwynn, Eddie Stanky and Brooks Robinson.
– Contract talk: Insiders say the Jim Harbaugh stalemate with the Bears could last a while. Bears director of finance Ted Phillips says Jim`s ”not there” when compared with the status of NFL quarterbacks drawing top salaries. Hey, whether he`s there or not, the Bears lost mucho bargaining leverage when they said goodbye to Mike Tomczak. They may be fortunate Leigh Steinberg, Harbaugh`s agent, has a reputation for being one of the more level-headed guys in this business. . . . Bulls GM Jerry Krause says the signing of popular John Paxson was the club`s way of saying ”thank you” to fans. Question: If you believe that, what does it tell fans when the Bulls don`t sign popular players?
– For Pete`s sake: Here`s a memo for baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent: Pete Rose made another public appearance, but don`t worry about his proximity to a baseball game. This one was in Wakefield, Neb., which, if you check a map, is not particularly close to anything. The occasion, Mr. Commissioner, was a golf outing. Again, don`t worry about Pete rubbing elbows with unsavory characters. The outing was for the M.G. Walbaum Poultry & Egg dealers. P.S.: You might also wish to know Pete was received as warmly as Terry Bradshaw and Bart Starr, who`ve been honored guests at past Walbaum outings. The hosts sprinkled roses all over the golf course in honor of Pete`s visit.
– Flying high: The fight against cancer in Chicago is $25,000 richer, thanks to Eagles QB Randall Cunningham. Here`s why: A solid gold, 18k collector`s card of Cunningham brought $25,000 at a recent show in California. The money was designated for a charity of the QB`s choice. Cunningham, whose mother died of cancer, wanted it to go to battle that disease. He left it up to Action-Packed Cards. Since it is a Chicago-based company, the firm said it will opt for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
– Home rule: Who`s the hottest thoroughbred owner at Arlington International Racecourse this summer? You might consider Arlington owner Dick Duchossois. His Danish Pastry made it 4-for-1991 by stepping up in class and winning a feature over the weekend. Meanwhile, Duchossois` Whadjathink, who won the $300,000 Arlington Classic in his last outing, just turned in a good workout and is pointed toward the Aug. 3 American Derby.
– In a Huff: Too bad the White Sox didn`t obtain Mike Huff from the Indians a few days earlier. Then Huff, a North Shore native who played at New Trier and Northwestern, could`ve attended the annual Celebrity Waits event here. It benefits the Robert B. Huff Scholarship Foundation. The foundation is named for Mike`s late father, a former Bell & Howell boss. The fund helps financially-strapped students already in college continue their studies. Mike was in Seattle with the Indians at the time. Among participants in ”Waits”
was five-time Olympian Willye White, a former track teammate of Mike`s mother, Karen Huff.
– And finally: Northbrook`s Jacob Mount, a 15-year-old figure skater, was one of 10 Olympic hopefuls getting a private audience with former President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan in L.A. during Olympic Festival ceremonies. The 10 future stars were selected by Sports Illustrated for Kids. Their gift to the Reagans: roller blades.
