He Could Give New Meaning to ‘Makeup Call’

The Dennis Rodman watch continues. How would the NBA react if Rodman wore makeup during a game as he did at his controversial book signing in Chicago?

“That’s the question of the month,� said Brian McIntyre, an NBA vice president. “I haven’t looked at the rule book under ‘Makeup.’ We don’t even have an ‘M’ section. No ‘W’ for weird, either.

“But we wouldn’t allow it. We have a rule against gaining an advantage with equipment and such, and he would be gaining a psychological advantage. Besides, we wouldn’t want it to clash with the Bulls’ uniforms.�

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Trivia time: Which team holds the record for the most points in an NBA playoff game?

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Final say? Tim Povtak in the Orlando Sentinel: “The Orlando Magic have nothing to worry about this summer when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers and any attempt they will make to steal free-agent-to-be Shaquille O’Neal.

“The Lakers are an absolute mess, and O’Neal isn’t going anywhere.�

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Formidable task: From the Good Doctor in Inside Sports:

Question: The top shotputter in the world is John Godina. What else does he do?

Answer: He teaches Shaquille O’Neal how to shoot free throws.

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Southpaw slant: Cleveland left-hander Jim Poole on the earthquake at the Kingdome in Seattle that interrupted the the Indian-Mariner game:

“I didn’t feel anything. It just goes to show you that left-handers are off-center. But for about 30 seconds, I felt like my whole world straightened out.�

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Redundant: Broadcaster Ralph Kiner reportedly said that Cal Ripken Jr. was about to break the iron-man record “set by that Japanese player . . . in that Japanese League.�

Comment from Jayson Stark of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “As opposed to the Japanese League in Wichita.�

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Still two left: Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon, on what she wanted for Mother’s Day: “I want the Rangers to get another Stanley Cup. I want to be more pleasant. And I want my kids to get through a month with no one having the sniffles. Is that too much to ask?’

In reference to the Rangers this year, yes.

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Looking back: On this day in 1948, Citation, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, won the Preakness by 5 1/2 lengths over Vulcan’s Forge.

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Trivia answer: The Boston Celtics, with a 157-128 victory over the New York Knicks on April 28, 1990.

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And finally: Even equipment men can be ejected from a baseball game. It happened recently when umpire Paul Runge tossed Florida Marlin equipment man Mike Wallace--and it didn’t take 60 minutes.

Said Wallace; “I don’t want to talk about it. All I do is wash jock straps.�