Second base, first ballot.
NO DEAL
Dennis Rodman’s agent actually asked the NBA if his client could play for no salary this season.
The NBA said no, a player must be paid at least as much as the league intends to fine your basic head-butting, groin-smacking, Mormon-bashing player.
PURPLE PLATE SPECIAL
Northwestern football coach Gary Barnett opened a restaurant in Evanston.
Expect vittles.
THUMBS DOWN
Baseball owners couldn’t agree on a realignment plan that would rip up a hundred years of tradition.
But they did vote to bring the three-point line to the game.
THE NICE ITEM
Mark McGwire signed a three-year, $28 million contract with St. Louis.
Part of the cash goes to establishing a charitable foundation to benefit physically and sexually abused children. McGwire is donating $1 million a year.
“Let’s just say children have a special place in my heart,” McGwire said. “It’s a time in my life that I want to help them out.”
McGwire had trouble keeping back tears when talking about the foundation and the plight of those children.
Just this once: There is crying in baseball.
GOOD THINKING
After going eight games without a homer, Ken Griffey Jr. blasted two at the start of the week and moved with nine of tying Roger Maris’ major-league record of 61. And how did Junior break his slump?
“I just stopped swinging at bad pitches,” he said.
Quick, someone show this to Sammy Sosa.
NICE PROGRAM
First, Fresno State recruited a convicted spouse abuser for its basketball team. Then came allegations that another basketball player punched his ex-girlfriend and choked her.
So now a Fresno State professor is demanding a code of conduct for athletes.
What rotten timing. Just when Jerry Tarkanian redecorated the school holding tank.
