Move by Jackson Points to Laker Bliss for Sure

I believe we know now that Phil Jackson, the person who should know the most about these things, has already determined the Lakers will win the NBA championship next season.

That’s what I got from Tuesday’s unusual announcement that he has hired a publicist and a talent management company.

That tells me that Jackson, who is entering the final year of his contract with the team, anticipates winning a 10th championship ring and then calling it quits while beginning a lucrative motivational-speaking career under the guidance of the William Morris Agency.

True story: For some time now, I’ve also been represented by the William Morris Agency, and while I worry that William might be spreading himself too thin, motivating athletes, of course, is what Page 2 is all about and so Phil and I have something in common.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if William schedules a speaking tour at season’s end and asks that we travel together in a recreational vehicle across country. I also wouldn’t be surprised -- once Phil hears about our speaking tour -- if it motivates him to beg Jerry Buss to extend his contract as coach of the Lakers.

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I RAN into Reggie Jackson at the Angel-New York Yankee game and asked if he was ready to play for the Dodgers, figuring this might be GM Dan Evans’ next move. Jackson, 56, said he had just played in an old-timers’ game. I presume he took Rickety Henderson’s place.

“I hit an inside-the-park homer in Yankee Stadium,� he said. “It hit the fence on the fly.� Do you think any of the present-day Dodgers could hit the Yankee Stadium fence on the fly?

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E-MAILER J.J. Volpe expressed concern that “Danny Boy might discover that Minnie Minoso took an at-bat last week� to become the first baseball player to be active in seven decades. I’m betting we see Minoso, 77, active again before we see Fred McGriff.

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THE CHARGERS put out the following press release: “Whether you’re a die-hard Chargers fan, an unattached NFL fan, the parent of a future fan or someone who just likes watching big men in tight pants, San Diego Chargers FanFest is for you.�

When you report to The Depot for the Sunday event you’ll have to check in at the appropriate table. I’ll be interested to see which draws the longer line, the die-hard Charger fan or those who just like watching big men in tight pants.

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GM BILL Stoneman obviously read The Times on Sunday morning, and took it as Page 2 gospel the Angels were finished because Tuesday he traded Scott Schoeneweis, the team’s only left-handed reliever, for two minor leaguers and ho-hum Chicago White Sox reliever Gary Glover in the final year of his contract.

When a reporter asked Stoneman what Glover gives the Angels, he said, “He fills the void left by Schoeneweis.� That’s inspiring.

The glowing tributes for Glover continued when Stoneman was asked how this trade makes the Angels a better team. “It’s a pretty neutral deal for this time right now,� he said, which makes you wonder if the Glover fits.

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I MET new Angel owner Arte Moreno, and his son, Rico, for the first time, and pinch me, these guys are too good to be true.

Father and son stood behind the batting cage before the game and were excitedly jabbering back and forth like two fans allowed on the field for the first time. They’ve probably already put more time in Edison Field than Michael Eisner did during Disney’s entire time owning the team, and Moreno continues to talk to fans every night asking what he can do to make their experience better.

I pointed out that when he took over the team the Angels were 6 1/2 games out of first place, and are now 11 1/2. Welcome to Page 2, I said.

I once said something like that to Alex, the elder Spanos Goof, and he threw candy at me. Took pieces of Good & Plenty out of a jar on his desk and just began pelting me with the stuff. Had a better aim than any of his quarterbacks too.

But Moreno just smiled, and said, “I’m a long-term investor here.�

He said he remains concerned by the high cost of souvenirs, and recently lowered the price on caps, visors and T-shirts. Of course, he saved $365,000 by trading Schoeneweis for Glover, the guy that doesn’t do much for Stoneman, so we’ll still have to see if the fans do come out ahead in the long run.

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DAVE SMITH was subbing for several of the sports talk show hosts on 1540 AM on Tuesday, and he spent a good deal of time talking about the “cowardly media� in L.A., and the lack of talent on sports talk radio here. It makes you wonder, with such a talent void in the marketplace, why is he working only as a sub?

He said he was in New York recently listening to sports talk radio at 3 a.m., and I kind of tuned out after that.

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CBS.SPORTSLINE.com reported Fox and Tampa Bay Buccaneer owner Malcolm Glazer had reached a deal on the sale of the Dodgers. I knew right away there was something wrong with that because the story indicated the deal was going to be kept quiet until the season ended. The season ended for the Dodgers long ago.

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IS THERE anyone more useless in their present job than “the Movie Guy,� you know, Bob Daly, the lame duck Dodger owner standing in for Fox?

I guess you could make a strong case for Evans too.

Or maybe anyone who is batting cleanup these days for the Dodgers.

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TODAY’S LAST word comes in e-mail from Ken Boyer:

“Don’t you wish you had half the talent ... (as the Lovable Loser, Phil Mickelson)?�

You mean the part he isn’t using?

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T.J. Simers can be reached at [email protected].