By Times Staff Writer
Published September 11, 2005
WHO'S HOT?
James Blake. The Tampa resident was the story of the U.S. Open until bowing out to Andre Agassi in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal that didn't end until 1:09 a.m. Thursday. Blake's amazing show of perseverance (in 2004, he suffered a major spine injury, had temporary paralysis in his face and lost his father to cancer) is worthy of enormous praise.
WHO'S NOT?
The Montana High School Association. Among the rules in its handbook for the 2005-06 school year is one that bans booing. Now why didn't Ron Zook think of that?
MORE IS LESS
The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that on a local billboard, a Lexington disc jockey named "Kitten" will lose an article of clothing each time the Kentucky Wildcats football team wins this season. Based on UK's recent performances the most anyone is likely to see is a pair of ankles.
BY THE NUMBERS (according to me)
1,798: Estimated number of annoying shrieks by Maria Sharapova during the U.S. Open.
37: Times Yankees owner George Steinbrenner contemplated early retirement during recent series with Devil Rays.
25 percent: Chance of finding Andy Roddick's mojo.
23 percent: Chance of finding Jimmy Hoffa.
WEEKLY MEMO
Sorry, Mr. Stoops, it's too late to take the Florida job.
OTHER VOICES
Mark Bradley, Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
It was a throwaway line in the 11th paragraph of a recount of the 1993 Atlanta Bulldog Club meeting at Colony Square. "Over two years, Georgia has lost but five games," I wrote in a missive that ran in this paper on Aug. 11, 1993. "Two were to Florida and the evil genius Steve Spurrier." I was trying to write in something approaching Bulldogs vernacular, it being a column about Georgia fans. I probably gave two seconds' thought to "evil genius."
It just seemed to fit the Georgia view of the dastardly Florida coach who had the nerve to beat the Bulldogs and make fun of Ray Goff afterward. I kept using the silly little description simply because I liked the cartoon imagery (cantankerous egomaniac scheming to take over the world) and I guess it started to spread. A year or so later, a Palm Beach Post writer told me, "You know, you were the first with that evil genius thing."
I'm not even sure if that's true, but I'll take it. The immortal Grantland Rice had his Four Horsemen. (Being somewhat more skilled than I am, he got them in the first paragraph, as opposed to the 11th.) I should probably settle for my evil genius.
