And in the Seventh They Sang, ‘Take Me Out to the Wallgame’

All that remains of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh is the outfield wall, and it’s a gathering place for baseball zealots who make a pilgrimage to the site each Oct 13.

They come there to reminisce on the day Bill Mazeroski hit a home run in 1960 to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

“Fans took peanuts and popcorn, tapes of the game, original programs and other memorabilia to the anniversary celebration,” writes Beth E. Trapani of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“They wore Pirate hats and shirts and huddled around a cassette recorder as if listening to the game for the first time.”

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Trivia time: Joe DiMaggio and his brothers Dominic and Vince had the same middle name. What was it?

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Oiler misery: Before the Houston Oilers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-6, on Monday night, defensive tackle Ray Childress said:

“I think we’re a bad 1-5, and that’s the hard part to take.”

The Oilers are now a bad 1-6.

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Add Oilers: Wide receiver Ernest Givins: “You could bring in Jimmy Johnson, Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry and it’s not going to change anything this season.”

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Just wondering: Tom Weir in USA Today: “Who would have thought UNLV would be looking back on the Jerry Tarkanian era as the Running’ Rebels quiet years?”

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Wait a minute: Alex Smith, Indiana University freshman tailback, talking about his 40-yard dash time in an interview with Bill Jauss of the Chicago Tribune:

“I’ve been clocked in some 4.3s (seconds). Consistently in 4.4.”

If so, then Smith is wasting his time in football. That’s world-class speed--Bob Hayes and Carl Lewis company.

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Court graveyard: Dallas Maverick forward Jamal Mashburn on former Coach Quinn Buckner’s triangle offense:

“That was a nightmare. I called it the Bermuda Triangle. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing.”

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Modesty: Charles Barkley, when asked to talk about the talent on the Phoenix Suns:

“We don’t have any superstars on this team . . . except me. I don’t worry about it. I just do my thing and hope they can catch up.”

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Binding edict: Minutes from a 1941 NFL Public Relations clinic:

“In keeping publicity on a high, dignified plane, club publicity men are charged with the responsibility of preventing coaches from endorsing liquor, cigarettes or laxatives.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1984, Rueben Mayes of Washington State set an NCAA record with 357 yards rushing in a 50-41 victory over Oregon.

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Trivia answer: Paul.

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Quotebook: Peter Karmanos, principal owner of the Hartford Whalers, on the NHL labor dispute: “It’s not my career that’s ticking away.”