NCAA Basketball Quiz: 1) Who are the only two coaches to win
20 or more games, in Division I play only, 29 or more seasons?
2) Who won the NCAA Championship the last time it was held
in Atlanta? [Hint: Think 20+ years ago.] 3) Who was the last
college player to lead Division I in scoring and then go on to
make an NBA All-Star team? Answers below.
NCAA Tournament Update
Well, your exclusive StocksandNews picks didn’t quite pan out,
as yet, and for that we are deeply sorry. I castigated Johnny Mac
for only having two of his prospective Final Four left (Kansas and
UConn), while giving you all Cincinnati and USC. [He also had
Alabama and Miss. St. in the Elite 8.]
As for yours truly, I still have Kansas, Maryland, and Duke, but
blew it big time with Gonzaga. [And I had Alabama, Miss. St.,
and Cincy in the Elite 8.] I did give you UNC-Wilmington over
USC, however.
But since I went to Wake Forest, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan
before the New Hampshire primary in 1980, “I paid for this site,
so you have to put up with the following,” or you can skip down
a few topics.
I was never more proud of the Demon Deacons than on Saturday.
Name another team in NCAA tournament history that, a) lost its
2nd player off the bench, Steve Lepore, to a serious knee injury
the week before the tourney, b) has a prospective NBA first-
rounder, Josh Howard, play 6 minutes against Oregon because of
the ankle injury that has hobbled the team the last month, and c)
loses its shooter, Craig Dawson (who had lit up Oregon for 20 at
the time), to a separated shoulder with 7:30 to play and the score
tied. 3 of the top 7 players; not because they fouled out, but
simply because they couldn’t play. So to Coach Skip Prosser,
congratulations for getting the team to put on one helluva show.
After last year’s 43-10 halftime debacle against Butler, beating
Pepperdine and then losing to #2 seed Oregon by 5 was a great
effort.
[OK, now here’s the skinny for the rest of you. Like I said last
spring after the Butler loss, I was afraid to wear my Wake Forest
hat in public for fear of being ridiculed. Now, not only did the
football team have a great season, and the b-ball team was more
than respectable, but baseball is now in the top ten in the country,
as is golf. So, you have exactly what a lot of us from up north
went to Wake for in the first place; a small, southern,
conservative school with a big time sports program. *I also
advertise heavily in one of the athletic publications. We now
resume our regularly scheduled programming.]
Jeff Gordon
This is pretty funny. Just last Monday I had dinner in
Washington with a good friend who hails from Charlotte and we
were talking NASCAR and stuff when he mentioned this tale
concerning his wife, a non-NASCAR fan. Jill was at a Charlotte
shopping mall the other day when she spotted this great looking
BMW in the lot, the model she was hoping her husband would
buy her. A man was just sitting in it when Jill walked over and
struck up a conversation with him about the car. It turns out he
was looking to sell it, named a price, and Jill had her wheels.
Of course husband Jim hadn’t been told yet, but that’s a different
story.
Guess who was sitting in the Beamer? Jeff Gordon. Now I
don’t know what the deal was at the time with Mrs. Gordon,
Brooke, but I just saw where she has now filed for divorce. Oh,
and it’s not your normal, everyday one, considering you’re
dealing with a 4-time Winston Cup Champion. No sirree,
Brooke is seeking exclusive use of an oceanfront home valued at
$9 million, as well as periodic use of the boats and an airplane.
She also wants Jeff to pay the salaries of their housekeepers,
maintenance workers and chef. Ol’ Jack Welch better be
listening up on this one. Anyway, Jill still gets the Beamer.
[Gordon was sitting in the car at the mall, waiting for his wife to
shop, because he told Jill he didn’t want to have to deal with the
crowds inside. **Jill and Jim are the not the actual names, in
order to protect Jim.]
Arnie
I was flipping the dial on Saturday when suddenly there is
Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill, announcing to the world he had
played his last PGA event (Bay Hill being his own tournament).
Now there is even some question whether he will play at
Augusta. You all know my love for the man, shared by all of
you too, I’m sure. He is 72, though, and had an 86 in the first
round this past week. [I didn’t even see a score posted for the
second.] But I hope he stills tees it up one last time at the
Masters. Clearly, he is afraid of posting two 90s on the newly
lengthened Augusta National. Jack Nicklaus isn’t a certainty to
play either. Many of us are suddenly feeling very old.
Paul Runyan and Tiger Woods
For the record, as many of you already know, Tiger’s win at Bay
Hill was his 30th PGA tour victory, making him the first player to
win 30 before age 30 (Tiger still just being 26 years and 2
months). But back in the 1930s there was a fellow who had 24
victories before he was 30, Paul Runyan, who died Sunday
morning at age 93. Nicknamed “Little Poison,” for his slight
build and fabulous short game, Runyan ended up with 26 tour
victories, including two PGA Championships, back when it was
match play.
Of course you’re all probably thinking, gee, Little Poison won 24
times before he was 30 and only twice after, what about Tiger?
Well, Tiger could possibly have 50 victories by age 30, for
starters, and don’t you know that if he reels off another 4 or so
this year, that could be a huge motivation for him. Hell, why not
go for 100 in his career?! [Sam Snead had 81 and Nicklaus won
70.]
PGA Tour Survey
Sports Illustrated surveyed 70 tour players on various issues,
including:
–Have you ever voted for a Democrat? Yes 25% No 75%
–Best-looking wife? 1) Dana Byrum (Tom) 2) Karen Chamblee
3) Sonya Toms. I’m still partial to Amy Mickelson. [Seriously,
Jesper Parnevik’s nannies – twin sisters from Sweden – actually
received the 2nd highest percentage.]
–Favorite brand of beer? Coors Light…and it wasn’t even
close…kind of surprising, even if it is the beer of choice here in
the home office.
J. Mac Muses on Golf
Johnny Mac can’t understand why everyone was afraid to play
the Ryder Cup in England, two weeks after 9/11, but, today,
there have been tour stops in Dubai and Qatar on back-to-back
weekends. Also, he thinks it’s pretty clear that with Mickelson’s
idiotic play yesterday in the 4th round at Bay Hill, he is rapidly
becoming Greg Norman with dimples.
Hairdos
So have you noticed how Afros are making a comeback at the
NCAA’s? It makes you think of the good old days, back when
Artis Gilmore, the early Dr. J. and StocksandNews’s “Afro of the
Century,” Oscar Gamble, graced the stage. We can also
remember fondly the ‘fros of Bernie and Jason on “Room 222.”
J. Mac reminded me that perhaps the best was really Lee Smith,
when he was pitching for the Cubs. “That cap looked so small
sitting on top of his huge do, it was like one of those little plastic
helmets the ice cream was served in.”
Otter vs. Beaver
I am now the proud owner of a subscription to Wyoming
Wildlife (I must be the only one in New Jersey) and this month a
writer compared the otter and the beaver. To an otter, life is a
game, but the beaver has little sense of humor. “Life is work and
work is life.” And that’s why, boys and girls, when you really
have a job that needs to get done, hire a beaver.
Warren Harding, RIP
This Harding, the legendary rock climber, not to be confused
with the 29th president, passed away in February, though his
death has just come to light. Warren, along with two
companions (George Whitmore and Wayne Merry), was the first
to conquer El Capitan, the sheer rock wall rising 3,600 feet in
Yosemite National Park. It took 13 days for the party to make its
ascent, reaching the summit on November 12, 1958.
Pat Weaver
Sylvester (“Pat”) Weaver died on Friday at age 93. Just this past
January 19 in “Week in Review” I mentioned him in conjunction
with the 50th anniversary of “The Today Show,” Weaver’s
creation. What a remarkable man, for Weaver also created
“Tonight,” as well as saving “Meet the Press.” This man was so
ahead of his time, it’s incredible. As Katie and Matt were saying
on Monday, Weaver anticipated technological changes that were
20+ years in the future. When you think about it, this man
single-handedly is responsible for three shows (including “Meet
the Press”) that will last for the rest of our lives.
Weaver worked at NBC from 1949 to 1956, when few
households even had televisions. On his first day, he rescinded
the cancellation of “Meet the Press,” America’s longest-running
program. “Today” was created in 1952. What a life. Pat
Weaver is the father of actress Sigourney Weaver.
—
President George W. Bush, Speech Commemorating 9/11…
…delivered 3/11/02
[As part of our ongoing effort to archive the more important
speeches, post 9/11, we note the following.]
We have come together to mark a terrible day, to reaffirm a just
and vital cause, and to thank the many nations that share our
resolve and will share our common victory.
Six months separate us from September the 11th. Yet for the
families of the lost, each day brings new pain; each day requires
new courage. Your grace and strength have been an example to
our nation. America will not forget the lives that were taken, and
the justice their death requires.
We face an enemy of ruthless ambition, unconstrained by law or
morality. The terrorists despise other religions and have defiled
their own. And they are determined to expand the scale and
scope of their murder. The terror that targeted New York and
Washington could next strike any center of civilization. Against
such an enemy, there is no immunity, and there can be no
neutrality.
Many nations and many families have lived in the shadows of
terrorism for decades – enduring years of mindless and merciless
killing. September the 11th was not the beginning of global
terror, but it was the beginning of the world’s concerted
response. History will know that day not only as a day of
tragedy, but as a day of decision – when the civilized world was
stirred to anger and to action. And the terrorists will remember
September 11th as the day their reckoning began.
A mighty coalition of civilized nations is now defending our
common security. Terrorist assets have been frozen. Terrorist
front groups have been exposed. A terrorist regime has been
toppled from power. Terrorist plots have been unraveled, from
Spain to Singapore. And thousands of terrorists have been
brought to justice, are in prison, or are running in fear of their
lives….
The power and vitality of our coalition have been proven in
Afghanistan. More than half of the forces now assisting the
heroic Afghan fighters, or providing security in Kabul, are from
countries other than the United States. There are many examples
of commitment. Our good ally, France, has deployed nearly one-
fourth of its navy to support Operation Enduring Freedom, and
Great Britain has sent its largest naval task force in 20 years.
British and American special-operations forces have fought
beside teams from Australia, and Canada, Norway, Denmark and
Germany. In total, 17 nations have forces deployed in the
region. And we could not have done our work without critical
support from countries, particularly, like Pakistan and
Uzbekistan.
Japanese destroyers are refueling coalition ships in the Indian
Ocean. The Turkish air force has refueled American planes.
Afghans are receiving treatment in hospitals built by Russians,
Jordanians, Spanish, and have received supplies and help from
South Korea.
Nations in our coalition have shared in the responsibilities and
sacrifices of our cause. On the day before September the 11th, I
met with Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, who spoke
of the common beliefs and shared affection of our two countries.
We could not have known that bond was about to be proven
again in war, and we could not have known its human cost. Last
month, Sgt. Andrew Russell of the Australian Special Air
Service died in Afghanistan. He left behind his wife, Kylie, and
their daughter, Leisa, just 11 days old. Friends said of Sgt.
Russell, “You could rely on him never to let you down.”
This young man, and many like him, have not let us down. Each
life taken from us is a terrible loss. We have lost young people
from Germany, and Denmark, and Afghanistan, and America.
We mourn each one. And for their bravery in a noble cause, we
honor them.
Part of that cause was to liberate the Afghan people from terrorist
occupation, and we did so. Next week, the schools reopen in
Afghanistan. They will be open to all – and many young girls
will go to school for the first time in their young lives.
Afghanistan has many difficult challenges ahead – and, yet,
we’ve averted mass starvation, begun clearing minefields,
rebuilding roads and improving health care. In Kabul, a friendly
government is now an essential member of the coalition against
terror.
Now that the Taliban are gone and al Qaeda has lost its home
base for terrorism, we have entered the second stage of the war
on terror – a sustained campaign to deny sanctuary to terrorists
who would threaten our citizens from anywhere in the world.
In Afghanistan, hundreds of trained killers are now dead. Many
have been captured. Others are still on the run, hoping to strike
again. These terrorist fighters are the most committed, the most
dangerous and the least likely to surrender. They are trying to
regroup, and we’ll stop them. For five months in Afghanistan,
our coalition has been patient and relentless. And more patience
and more courage will be required. We’re fighting a fierce battle
in the Shat-I-kot Mountains, and we’re winning. Yet it will not
be the last battle in Afghanistan. And there will be other battles
beyond that nation.
For terrorists fleeing Afghanistan – for any terrorist looking for a
base of operations, there must be no refuge, no safe haven. By
driving terrorists from place to place, we disrupt the planning and
training for further attacks on America and the civilized world.
Every terrorist must be made to live as an international fugitive,
with no place to settle or organize, no place to hide, no
governments to hide behind, and not even a safe place to sleep.
I have set a clear policy in the second stage of the war on terror:
America encourages and expects governments everywhere to
help remove the terrorist parasites that threaten their own
countries and peace of the world. If governments need training,
or resources to meet this commitment, America will help.
We are helping right now in the Philippines, where terrorists with
links to al Qaeda are trying to seize the southern part of the
country to establish a militant regime. They are oppressing local
peoples, and have kidnapped both American and Filipino
citizens. America has sent more than 500 troops to train
Philippine forces. We stand with President Arroyo, who is
courageously opposing the threat of terror.
In the Republic of Georgia, terrorists working closely with
alQaeda operate in the Pankisi Gorge near the Russian border.
At President Shevardnadze’s request, the United States is
planning to send up to 150 military trainers to prepare Georgian
soldiers to reestablish control in this lawless region. This
temporary assistance serves the interests of both our countries.
In Yemen, we are working to avert the possibility of another
Afghanistan. Many al Qaeda recruits come from near the
Yemen-Saudi Arabian border, and al Qaeda may try to
reconstitute itself in remote corners of that region. President
Saleh has assured me that he is committed to confronting this
danger. We will help Yemeni forces with both training and
equipment to prevent that land from becoming a haven for
terrorists.
In the current stage of the war, our coalition is opposing not a
nation, but a network. Victory will come over time, as that
network is patiently and steadily dismantled. This will require
international cooperation on a number of fronts: diplomatic,
financial and military. We will not send American troops to
every battle, but America will actively prepare other nations for
the battles ahead. This mission will end when the work is
finished – when terror networks of global reach have been
defeated. The havens and training camps of terror are a threat to
our lives and to our way of life, and they will be destroyed.
At the same time, every nation in our coalition must take
seriously the growing threat of terror on a catastrophic scale –
terror armed with biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.
America is now consulting with friends and allies about this
greatest of dangers, and we’re determined to confront it.
Here is what we already know: Some states that sponsor terror
are seeking or already possess weapons of mass destruction;
terrorist groups are hungry for these weapons, and would use
them without a hint of conscience. And we know that these
weapons, in the hands of terrorists, would unleash blackmail and
genocide and chaos.
These facts cannot be denied, and must be confronted. In
preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, there is no
margin for error, and no chance to learn from mistakes. Our
coalition must act deliberately, but inaction is not an option.
Men with no respect for life must never be allowed to control the
ultimate instruments of death.
Gathered here today, we are six months along – a short time in a
long struggle. And our war on terror will be judged by its finish,
not by its start. More dangers and sacrifices lie ahead. Yet
America is prepared. Our resolve has only grown, because we
remember. We remember the horror and heroism of that
morning – the death of children on a field trip, the resistance of
passengers on a doomed airplane, the courage of rescuers who
died with strangers they were trying to save. And we remember
the video images of terrorists who laughed at our loss.
Every civilized nation has a part in this struggle, because every
civilized nation has a stake in its outcome. There can be no
peace in a world where differences and grievances become an
excuse to target the innocent for murder. In fighting terror, we
fight for the conditions that will make lasting peace possible.
We fight for lawful change against chaotic violence, for human
choice against coercion and cruelty, and for the dignity and
goodness of every life.
Every nation should know that, for America, the war on terror is
not just a policy, it’s a pledge. I will not relent in this struggle
for the freedom and security of my country and the civilized
world.
And we’ll succeed. There will be a day when the organized
threat against America, our friends and allies is broken. And
when the terrorists are disrupted and scattered and discredited,
many old conflicts will appear in a new light – without the
constant fear and cycle of bitterness that terrorists spread with
their violence. We will see then that the old and serious disputes
can be settled within the bounds of reason, and goodwill, and
mutual security. I see a peaceful world beyond the war on terror,
and with courage and unity, we are building that world together.
Any nation that makes an unequivocal commitment against terror
can join this cause. Every nation of goodwill is welcome. And,
together, we will face the peril of our moment, and seize the
promise of our times.
May God bless our coalition.
—
Top 3 songs for the week of 3/17/73: #1 “Killing Me Softly
With His Song” (Roberta Flack) #2 “Dueling Banjos” (Eric
Weissberg & Steve Mandell) #3 “Love Train” (O’Jays)
NCAA Basketball Quiz Answers: 1) Dean Smith, with 30, and
Jerry Tarkanian, 29, are the only two coaches to win at least 20
games in Div. I play at least 29 seasons. Tark just retired at age
71. 2) 1977 was the last time the NCAA was held in Atlanta.
Al McGuire’s Marquette squad defeated North Carolina 67-59.
In the Semis, it was Marquette 51 UNC-Charlotte (Cornbread
Maxwell’s team) 49; UNC 84 UNLV 83. In other words, sports
fans, a great ticket that weekend. 3) Last player to lead NCAA
in scoring and then go on to make an NBA All-Star team was
Glenn Robinson, who averaged 30.3 for Purdue in 1994.
Next Bar Chat, Thursday. Oscar, Oscar.
