Hey, didn't you used to be big league?

Sporting News, The, Nov 19, 2001

* It doesn't take a genius to make MENSA-meat outta baseball owners' woe-is-us (read: save-us-from-us) appeal. Study the numbers (World Series ratings hit a 10-year high, 15 teams drew 2.65 mil or more) and reach just two conclusions: 1) The game's health never has been better, and 2) these knotheads whacked two of their own mainly so the billions could be divided by 28 instead of 30.

* The Spies detect Flyers dressing-room rumbles about Bill Barber. Coach's high-pressure/low-tolerance style is wearin' thisthin thisquick, one vet whispers. Translation: Take a chill pill, Bill.

* NBA personnel wonks're already pushin' Lindsey Hunter for Greg Foster as felony theft on the Lakes' part. That, they say, is the two-time defending champs' crowning (again) offseason move.

* Holy Nielsen logs! Fly hears Joe Mauer, prep QB/FSU recruit-turned-bonus babe for the Artists Formerly Known as the Twins, has, mmm-hmm, been tunin' in to 'Noles football games on the tube. The Spies say Bobby Bowden sat up and noticed when told as much, even though the "O" has come alive of late.

* Fly hears the Jazz're doin' history homework to prep for Olympic-induced 25-day stretch between Delta Center dates. Point-o-reference: The '87-88 Flames, cast adrift for the Calgary Games, went 5-5-1 en route to the NHL's best reg-season record.

* Tell Fly this talk of a Domecoming for li'l Jonny Gruden makes any sense. Weird Al ain't gonna make this easy. Even if/when Notre Dame dumps Davie, say, the nanosecond the season's over, that leaves all South Bend wait-wait-waitin' 'tit-jumpin' Joe Montana!--February (read: signing month) for J-Grudes, a deep-into-postseason lock.

* Try another pro coach's name on for size, Irish eyes: Tom Coughlin.

* Buzz is Joe Torre's timing was perfect last week, pullin' into the Stadium lot at the same time as Tino. Skip made the free agent feel wanted, really wanted, as they chatted their way to the clubhouse. Hmmm, looks to Fly like this week's Pinstriped organizational meetings already have their first BIG "yea" vote.

* Slow to believe, Blackhawks fans? That average crowd of 10,500 they're announcin' at the U-Center looks like it's countin' 3,500 fannies not in very, very expensive seats.

* Yup, it's true Mack Brown's lobbied to kick off Utexas' remaining games before noon so 'Horns players wouldn't be distracted by BCScoreboard watchin'. It's the little things, y'know (unlike makin' Ced Benson part of the game plan against Oklahoma, OK?).