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Items included in this column are things that I have heard, seen or have been reported to me. I cannot vouch for their veracity.

Football

A Croatian soccer (football) defenseman is the proud owner of 16 sheep. Unbeknownst to the defender, the sponsor of the team had promised to pay a sheep-per goal to any defenseman who scored last season.

New Gopher football coach Tim Brewster must be frustrated with recent events. He seems to have made a good impression with the public, the media and high school coaches from around the state. However, the publicity surrounding the suspension of the four players allegedly connected to the sexual assault case must be giving him nightmares.

Just after the groundbreaking at the new stadium and all the positive things we've heard lately, this happens. Whatever he does, Brewster has a lot of old baggage to haul around. The program seems cursed.

Meanwhile, 93,000 fans attended a spring football game at the University of Alabama. Apparently, they came to see their new "Rock Star" coach, Nick Saban. The Miami Dolphins coach signed with the Crimson Tide for $32,000,000 for eight years. Don't grieve for Saban. He has the chance to earn another $700,000 to $800,000 annually, depending on which bowl games his teams qualify for.

Incidentally, the new Alabama mentor did no coaching in the intrasquad game. He was just there.

Speaking of Rock Stars, the "Rock Ness Monster" won the recent Regional Air Guitar Championship in Los Angeles. "The Monster" is one of 13 finalists who will compete for the American crown in New York next month. The New York winner will go on to the World Championships in Finland.

Golf

Old Tom Morris is considered one of the founding fathers of modern golf. He got his start when he apprenticed himself to Allan Robertson, who taught him how to make golf balls (out of feathers).

He later became the groundskeeper at the Royal and Ancient Club in St. Andrews, Scotland. He was among the first to make a living as a "Club Professional." He was considered the best player of his time and won the British Open in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867. He often teamed with Robertson in matches and, legend has it, the pair was never beaten.

Years later, he took an apprentice groundskeeper named Donald Ross. Ross became a famous golf course designer.

Mt. Kisco Country Club in Westchester County, New York was the site of the 30th annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic in June. Pat Brown, a 74 year old golfer from New Orleans, won the event, for the 17th time, with a total of 37 points.

Under the modified scoring system used in the tournament, a birdie earns 8 points, a par gets 5 points, a bogey 3, a double bogey 2 and a triple bogey 1. Sighted coaches help the golfers get lined up, estimate distances and warn them about the trees on the left or the water on the right. Money raised at the tournament is used to purchase guide dogs for the blind.

Baseball

Current Detroit Tiger manager Jim Leyland was recently quoted as saying that Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire is the, "Best manager in baseball." When Leyland was a minor league manager, he was coaching at third base when he had a, "Not too bright player at the plate."

Leland flashed the "bunt" sign. The player didn't understand the sign, so Leland came down the line and met with the batter. Back in the coaching box, he gave the hitter the bunt sign, again. He still didn't get it. So, Leyland cupped his hands and yelled,"Bunt!" The player cupped his hands and yelled back, "What?"

Roger "Rocket" Clemens, playing in the 1986 All-Star Game, batted for the first time in about five years. He watched the first pitch, a 98 mile-per-hourDwight Gooden fastball wiz past him. He turned to the plate umpire and said, "Do I throw that hard?" After a positive response, he looked around as if to say, "Nobody can hit that!" That's when he decided he was a power pitcher and started to throw fastballs, almost exclusively.

The Philadelphia Phillies recently became the first sports franchise to lose 10,000 games. Even before the loss, fans prepared themselves. Some set up a website called "Celebrate 10,000."

The Phillies were bad, right from the start. They finished last in the National League's first season in 1883. In a break with tradition, they won the World Series in 1980. Behind MVP third baseman Mike Schmidt and Cy Young Award winner Steve Carlton, they beat the Kansas City Royals four games to two.

They've had a handful of other successful seasons. However, fans have grown used to less. More typical was the Phillies' performance in the 1993 Fall Classic when they lost four games to two to Toronto. The Bluejays won game six when Joe Carter hit a three-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth.

In 1964, the City of Brotherly Love was depressed after a monumental collapse. With 10 games to go, they found a way to lose a six-and-one-half game lead. They lost seven-in-a-row at home before traveling to St. Louis for the final series of the regular season.

The Cardinals swept the final three games and the Phillies ended the season in third place.

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Chisago County Press

Attn: Dave

12631 Lake Blvd.

Lindstrom, Mn 55045

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Sports stuff would be great, but, please do not limit yourselves. Politics, religion, culture (pop or otherwise) are welcomed. Please do not feel offended if your contribution is not included.

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