8502110162
DETROIT FREE PRESS
851011
Friday, October 11, 1985
METRO FINAL
1F
Photo
MITCH ALBOM
Copyright (c) 1985, Detroit Free Press
OF COSELL, LOOK-ALIKES, POLKA DOTS AND GERBILS
THE LIVE ALBOM
* So Howard Cosell has been bumped from the World Series. Breaks my heart.
* Actually, I have Howard's new book, the one that's getting him into all
this trouble. I'll get around to reading it as soon as I finish two other
sports classics: "Mr. Ed Was a Stud," by Secretariat, and "Shhhh!: The George
Hendrick Story."
* THREE REASONS WHY I PICKED KANSAS CITY TO WIN THE AL PENNANT:
1. George Brett
2. Experience
3. Left-handed pitching
* THREE REASONS WHY I PICKED ST. LOUIS TO WIN THE NL PENNANT:
1. Speed
2. Whitey Herzog
3. My boss is from St. Louis
* FROM THE RICH-GET-RICHER DEPT. -- How did the Miami Dolphins, already one of
the best teams in football, wind up with Hugh Green, an outstanding linebacker
from Tampa Bay?
Don Shula was reading the newspapers last week and saw Green had walked
out of camp. He had Charley Winner, the Dolphins' scouting director, call the
Buccaneers on a whim. Soon they were talking. Shula took over the negotiations
himself. By Tuesday he had struck a deal -- a first- and second-round draft
choice for Green.
Insiders say the Dolphins just bought their ticket to the Super Bowl.
Goes to show you what you can do when you read the papers. Come to think of
it, I'm going to write that Joe Montana is unhappy in San Francisco and send a
copy to the Lions' offices. Who knows? Is it my imagination, or is George
Brett starting to look like Peter Ueberroth as he gets older?
* It's official now. Lloyd Moseby's mom said he made the catch.
* The Guts of the Week Award must go to Cynthia Alzado, Lyle's wife. She's
suing him for half their property.
* True to form, Eddie Robinson became a bona fide legend last Saturday with
class. He passed Bear Bryant's all-time college football victory record, and
rather than grab the spotlight solo, he shared it with former Grambling
greats like Tank Younger, Buck Buchanan and Willie Davis.
* Good show to Sports Illustrated, by the way, for putting Robinson on the
cover this week.
* Did you know the Toronto Blue Jays were named partly after a beer? "Blue" by
Labatt's. I thought that was just the color you turn in their new outdoor
press box.
* The best news for the Eagles is that the Philadelphia newspapers are still
on strike.
* How much will it cost the Tigers to keep Kirk Gibson? Start counting by
hundred-thousands. I'll check back with you in a few days.
* Actually, Howard. There's another book. "Soul On Ice: Confessions of a Luge
Man."
* I know this sounds a bit rash, but the next person I see wearing a yellow
tie with blue polka dots I'm going to choke.
* If you ask me, this week's Lions' game is the season. The Green Bay rout
pointed out the ugly truth: The Lions were not as good as their record. If
they fall to Washington this week, you can almost predict a nosedive against
Miami, San Francisco and Chicago. If they can regroup and beat Washington, it
shows there's more to them than just lucky interceptions against Dallas.
* Sorry, Howard. I forgot about "Save Me the Pretzels: The Pete Johnson
Story."
* The best compliment to Michigan's season so far? When you ask sports
writers, "What do you think of Bo?" they say, "Jackson or Schembechler?"
* AND NOW, SEVEN SECONDS ON THE NBA: Pistons look good, Lakers look good,
Bucks look good, Knicks look taller, Philly looks older, Celtics win.
* Whatever happens this season, you can't accuse the Red Wings of resting on
their pads.
* Rumor has it that Don Zimmer might be the Astros' next coach. The Gerbil
Returns.
* BETTER LATE THAN NEVER PREDICTION: If Toronto wins tonight, the series ends
Saturday.
* HE IS THE SWAMI: I can't let this pass. Last Sunday, on our weekly NFL picks
page, Free Press football writer Curt Sylvester was perfect. 14-0. Picked
every game. I called to congratulate him, but he was already on a plane to
Las Vegas.
* The only fight left worth watching? Michael Spinks vs. Marvin Hagler. For
all the belts.