Robservations: Find sports wackiness on the Web
From time to time, things get a little slow here at the offices of your friendly neighborhood sports department.
But when that old clock on the wall seems to be dragging, we can always take a ride on the information superhighway to help pass the time — often discovering fun sports-related diversions along the way.
The latest? An interactive “Stupid Sports Quotes” game from Netscape.com, where players are given a particularly inane quote, then a list of three possible sources.
For example: “The only reason I don’t like playing in the World Series is I can’t watch myself play.” If you knew that oh-so-modest admission came from “Mr. October,” Reggie Jackson, this game might be right up your alley.
Now the Web site doesn’t have a huge library of quotes, so you’ll get some repeats from time to time. But if you’re having one of those afternoons when there’s not much to do but point and click, check it out.
You may even get the chance to guess the origin of this quote: “Always root for the winner. That way you won’t be disappointed.”
If you tire of the quotes game, Netscape also offers a list of famous “Sports Bloopers” that could give you something to talk about around the break table.
Some of the most famous — and infamous — miscues in sports history can be found, such as Chris Webber’s famous non-timeout from the NCAA Tournament championship game, or the “Disco Demolition Night” promotion from 1979 that turned into a near-riot at Comiskey Park.
Some other examples:
• Suspicious Scorecard: In 1994, according to the club pro at the North Korean golf course frequented by Kim Jong Il, the country’s “Dear Leader” shot a 34 on a round of 18 holes, including five holes-in-one.
• Practice what you preach: Adams Golf Ltd. declared Nick Faldo in breach of his contract. The company complained that Faldo had refused to play the Faldo Series wedge, which was designed by none other than Nick Faldo.
• Slow ride: 38 Irish soccer fans won a lawsuit against two bus companies that had caused them to miss the 1990 World Cup games in Italy.
They claimed that they had missed two games because the bus drivers were so slow, driving at an average speed of 20 miles per hour.
• It’s the thought that counts: Baseball Hall-of-Famer Dave Kingman once wrapped up a gift for a woman sports writer with whom he had had several disagreements.
The writer thought the gift was a plea for forgiveness. However, when she opened it up, she was frightened by the rat Kingman had given her.
• “Don’t start”: In 1974 Coach Butch Morgan of the College of St. Joseph the Provider made copies of the poem “Don’t Quit” for the team.
He gave each player a copy and asked them what it meant. The officials wanted them on the court, but they weren’t ready. So the refs gave each player a technical foul.
• And finally, a famous football gaffe from 1978 that proves greed can get you in the end.
With 28 seconds left on the clock, all the Giants had to do was fall on the ball and the 17-12 victory would be theirs. However, coach Bob Gibson sent in a running play.
The ball was fumbled between the quarterback and fullback, and the Eagles picked it up and scored. Gibson lost his job.
For more, check out http://channels.netscape.com/ns/sports.