Just Shut Up (He Means It in a Nice Way)

Seattle Mariner pitcher Randy Johnson, who criticized the publicity Michael Jordan received during spring training, now says he does not disapprove of the former NBA star’s attempt to play baseball.

“All I said was that I was tired of picking up the paper and reading about Jordan,� he said. “I didn’t mean anything negative by it.

“I have no qualms about him trying to play. But he was overshadowing other players. I was tired of hearing about it.�

We’re tired of you talking about it.

Trivia time: Who preceded Maury Wills as the National League leader in stolen bases in the late 1950s?

Kill that rumor: Oakland Athletic General Manager Sandy Alderson, responding to a speculative report that the A’s would trade Ruben Sierra for Darryl Strawberry: “It’s more than pure speculation. It’s pure drivel.�

Where’s the juice? Dean Palmer, Texas Ranger third baseman, on a slow start after hitting 33 home runs last year: “The ball ain’t juiced for me, that’s for sure.�

Fall guy: Paul Westphal, Phoenix Sun coach, on playing with Golden State Coach Don Nelson with the Boston Celtics in the 1970s: “Nellie would pull your pants, fall on you.�

Right on: Jim Finks, former New Orleans Saint general manager, who died Sunday night after a long illness, said after a game that was marked by controversial calls: “I’m not allowed to comment on lousy officiating.�

Slap shot: Kevin Paul Dupont in the Boston Globe: “What is it with Barry Melrose? His woeful Kings gave him an early vacation and he lands a great ESPN gig--a job with even shorter hours than coaching.

“But up at the anchor desk, he looks like someone stole his bag of pucks. He should change his name to Barry Morose, or use some of Bruce McNall’s money (what’s left of it) to buy a smile.�

Lovesick: Lowell Cohn in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Rooting for the (San Jose) Sharks, witnessing their improbable run in the playoffs, is like experiencing, all over again, the innocence of first love.�

There, there.

Looking back: On this day in 1970, Ernie Banks hit his 500th home run, against Pat Jarvis, in the Chicago Cubs’ 4-3 victory over Atlanta at Wrigley Field.

Diplomacy: Before the Houston Rockets played Phoenix on Wednesday night in the second game of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series, Rocket guard Vernon Maxwell blasted hometown fans for not selling out The Summit for Game 1 on Sunday.

“Our fans are the worst,� Maxwell told the Houston Chronicle. “Tell them I said that.�

You already told them.

Trivia answer: Willie Mays, while playing with the Giants in New York and San Francisco.

Quotebook: John Lucas, San Antonio Spur coach, on controversial forward Dennis Rodman: “Dennis is not an off-the-court problem. He’s an on-the-court problem.�