In His Defense, He Was Paid for His Offense

Bad field, no play? Manager Jim Leyland of the Pittsburgh Pirates recounted this story to his somewhat less-than-average defensive outfielder Gary Varsho. Leyland told Varsho about former Baltimore Manager Earl Weaver’s conversation with Pat Kelly, whose defensive capabilities pretty well matched Varsho’s.

“When I put you in the game I want you to stand right here and don’t move,� said Weaver, pointing to a position three feet from the foul line. “If the ball is hit to you, all I want you to do is throw it to second base.�

Asked Kelly: “What if we’re up a run in the ninth inning and a man is trying to score from second base?�

Said Weaver: “Don’t worry about that--if we’re up a run in the ninth inning, you aren’t out there anyway.�

*

Trivia time: Which team had the best overall and home winning percentages last season, the Clippers, Raiders, Lakers, Kings, Dodgers, Angels or Rams?

*

Inflation: Tickets for the Barcelona Olympics opening ceremony are going for $1,500--three times face value. Want to see the men’s basketball final? A ticket will cost you between $700 and $900. Air fare, hotels, food and souvenirs are extra.

*

FYI: Olympic organizers have ordered 50,000 packs of condoms to be stocked in 23 machines--including one in the disco--at the seafront village that will house more than 14,000 athletes and officials for the Barcelona Games. The condoms, which are green, cost $1 for a pack of three.

*

Streaker: Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe reports that an oddity in the rule book regarding ejections might help Cal Ripken keep his consecutive game streak alive. This means that if Ripken is injured, he can keep the streak going by being a designated hitter and getting thrown out by the umpire as he limps to the plate.

*

History lesson: On this date in 1858, fans were charged for the first time to see a baseball game. About 1,500 paid 50 cents to see the New York All-Stars beat Brooklyn, 22-18, at Fashion Race Course on Long Island.

*

On draft: The great quarterback draft of 1983, when six were taken in the first round, produced such stars as John Elway, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino and Tony Eason. These players have taken their teams to seven Super Bowls, but are 0-7.

*

Life’s a beach: Javier Mariscal, creator of the Barcelona Games’ Olympic mascot, the cubist cartoon dog Cobi, said Barcelona is brimming with sort of a different Olympic spirit.

“The Olympics are just a chance to get to drink beers and champagne and sometimes to watch a pretty woman run very fast,� Mariscal told the Associated Press. “This is not a city where people are crazy about sports. People here have more free time, so they go to the bars.�

*

Trivia answer: Raiders overall (.563), Clippers at home (.720).

*

Quotebook: From the Good Doctor in Inside Sports, about the casting in the movie “Babe,� asked if Roseanne Barr Arnold was ever considered for a part: “Roseanne reportedly refused a key role as the Yankee Stadium hitting backdrop.�