Smits’ Exit Could Be Tip of the Iceberg

Bill Benner in the Indianapolis Star, on the retirement of often-maligned Pacer center Rik Smits:

“If ‘playing with pain’ is the athletic equivalent of the red badge of courage, then few players endured more agony than Smits. He took more ice baths than a polar bear. . . .

“Now that he’s gone, my feeling is it may take his absence to underscore his value more than his presence ever did.�

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Trivia time: Which former UCLA athletes won gold and silver medals in the decathlon in the 1960 Olympic Games?

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Hellacious idea: The Baltimore Ravens are averaging 330 yards of offense and 24.5 points, and Coach Brian Billicks is pleased: “If the devil came to me in a Faustian agreement--I don’t know that I’d sell my soul, but my assistants would be in jeopardy--to get 330 yards and 25 points, I would make that trade.�

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A bummer: Milwaukee Brewer relief pitcher Curtis Leskanic’s teammates are wearing shirts that read: “No need to panic, we’ve got Leskanic.�

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Said Leskanic: “They told me they were going to get me something I was really going to like. I thought it was going to be a car or a Harley-Davidson or something. . . .�

Something in common: From comedy writer Jerry Perisho: “The nation of Sri Lanka, competing in Sydney, won its first medal in 52 years. Doing well every 52 years . . . that pretty much marks them as the Chicago Cubs of the Olympic Village.�

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FYI: The Harlem Globetrotters will be in the movie “Little Nicky,� starring Adam Sandler, which opens in November.

Though various editions of previous Globetrotters have appeared in other movies, this is said to be the team’s first appearance in a comedy feature film.

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Happy birthday: Johnny Podres, former productive Dodger pitcher, turns 68 today.

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Looking back: On this day in 1984, the L.A. Rams set an NFL record with three safeties in a 33-12 victory over the New York Giants.

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Trivia answer: Rafer Johnson and C.K. Yang, representing Taiwan.

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And finally: Statues of Hall of Famers Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente will be the only remnants of Three Rivers Stadium to move across the parking lot to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ new ballpark.

The Pirates’ final game at Three Rivers will be Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.