Bonds Has Developed an Insect Problem

Skip Bayless of the San Jose Mercury News commenting on arrogant Barry Bonds: “ ... What must be understood about Bonds is that he basically views reporters as cockroaches who have invaded his throne room.

“He has never understood why he, Barry Bonds, the blue-blooded son of former star Bobby Bonds and godson of former superstar Willie Mays, should lower himself to answer questions from losers who couldn’t play big league baseball ...

” ... He has such contempt for those asking him the questions that he invariably says something that infuriates fans. He’s self-defeatingly contrary.

” ... Bonds was born with a Silver Slugger in mouth, and life never taught him much perspective, humility or gratitude.”

Trivia time: Who holds the NBA record for most assists in a season?

Naughty, naughty: Anna Kournikova was wearing tight black shorts and a white T-shirt while practicing at Wimbledon--against the rules of the All-England Club, which demands white clothing.

She was spotted by a tournament official and was forced to borrow a pair of white shorts from her coach, Harold Solomon.

Then she had to cut out the logo on the shorts because the manufacturer was a rival of her sponsor.

His legacy: Dwight Chapin of the San Francisco Chronicle recalls that Hank Luisetti, the Stanford basketball star of the 1930s, who turned 86 recently, is still remembered for introducing the one-handed shot in a game against Long Island University on Dec. 30, 1936, at Madison Square Garden.

Stanford’s victory ended LIU’s 43-game winning streak. Wrote Chapin: “Luisetti’s one-handers on that big stage in New York revolutionized the game, as young players across the nation copied his style.”

Tedious: Gary Peterson of the Contra Costa Times commenting on Sergio Garcia’s agonizing pre-shot routine: “Imagine the chaos that would ensue if Play and Rewind ever staged an epic battle for a golfer’s soul.

“Where other players live by the credo, ‘Grip it and rip it,’ Garcia is content to squeeze it and freeze it.”

Young at heart: After a few days of partying following their Stanley Cup win, Brendan Shanahan said he and his Detroit teammates “needed a nap.”

“We’re the oldest team in the NHL. We tried to keep up with the young guys.

“But after two, three days, we needed a nap,” Shanahan said Monday on the “Live with Regis and Kelly” TV show.

Bulletin! Mike Bianchi in the Orlando Sentinel: “The FBI has just uncovered a plot to fix the 1919 World Series.”

Looking back: On this day in 1988, Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken stretched his ironman streak to 1,000 games in a 10-3 loss to Boston.

Trivia answer: John Stockton of Utah, 1,164 in 1990-91.

He is also Nos. 2 and 3 on the all-time list.

And finally: How good is Montreal Expo outfielder Vladimir Guerrero? His manager, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, sums it up: “If he played in a different market, they’d be talking about him already as a sure-fire Hall of Famer and comparing him to the best ever.”