`SportsCentury’ 50 Greatest Athletes: No. 22, Joe DiMaggio
9:30 p.m., ESPN
You might think the man who always was introduced as the “greatest living ballplayer” would rate a higher spot than No. 22 in ESPN’s countdown of the century’s greatest athlete. Go figure. Anyway, this week’s entry will include some rare cameo footage of Joe DiMaggio attempting to sing and interviews with Yogi Berra and Dominic DiMaggio. Oh, and because it’s television, there will be over-coverage of the Hall of Famer’s nine-month marriage to Marilyn Monroe.
CASHING IN
He’s the real $6 million dollar man. Lance Armstrong has signed a contract extension with the U.S. Postal service cycling team for $2 million in 2000 and endorsement deals that could be worth up to $6 million through 2004.
“Lance is somewhat astounded by what’s happening now,” said Armstrong’s agent, Bill Stapleton. “The numbers are pretty staggering and he’s really flattered.”
The Tour de France champion who beat cancer has pledged to donate at least $250,000 from his 2000 salary to his Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research.
Before the Tour de France, Armstrong’s asking price was $30,000 per speech. Companies now are offering up to $100,000 per speech, his agent said.
PONY UP
For Keith Lewis, a hole-in-one turned out to be more like a shot in the rough. He scored an ace at the seventh hole at a New Jersey golf course during a tournament in May that was to be worth a luxury car.
After the shot, the judges handed Lewis the keys to his prize, parked near the seventh green. But the organizers, citing a clerical error, later said the prize actually should have been assigned to the fifth hole not the seventh as had been advertised.
“It’s like they unwrapped a candy bar and held it in front of his face before telling him he could not have it,” Lewis’ lawyer said.
WHAT A SYSTEM
Orioles first baseman Will Clark could be headed for the disabled list for the second time this season after missing his fifth straight game.
And this is a guy who makes more money than Mark Grace while usually playing in fewer games than Grace gets hits.
Who says baseball salaries are out of line?
