Fan’s Debut as a Kicker Is a Real Bust

Halftime at the Pittsburgh Steeler-Baltimore Raven game last Sunday in Three Rivers Stadium meant jail time for Allen E. Adams.

Adams was among three fans chosen at random to try field goals to win either a free dinner at a posh restaurant or the chance to win round-trip airplane tickets.

During the contest, police Sgt. John Kearney heard Adams’ name over the loudspeakers, recognized it, called his office to confirm a warrant for simple assault and other counts and made the arrest as Adams walked off the field.

Oh, by the way, he missed all three of his field-goal attempts.

Trivia time: Who holds the UCLA record for most touchdown passes in a season?

Dizzy thinking: Hall of Fame pitcher Dizzy Dean once said: “I only went to the third grade because my father only went to the fourth and I didn’t want to pass him.”

Second to none: Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe writes that former Pittsburgh Pirate second baseman Bill Mazeroski has been slighted by not being voted into the Hall of Fame. Other former major leaguers agree. A sampling:

Shortstop Dick Groat: “I always said my wife could have led the league in double plays with Mazeroski at second base if she were the shortstop.”

Shortstop Dick Schofield: “Spectacular was the norm for him.”

Zach attack: Miami Dolphin linebacker Zach Thomas, dreaming like Walter Mitty in the Miami Herald:

“I think about the Dallas game [Oct. 27] and getting a pick [interception] and running down the sidelines.

“Then, I see Deion Sanders coming up behind me. I stiff-arm him and do the Deion dance into the end zone while the Cowboys are sucking air.”

Available: Veteran kicker Matt Bahr isn’t easily discouraged. After the New England Patriots released him, Bahr sent a fax around the league:

“Dear Sirs: Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I am alive and kicking. If something happens to your kicker [either mentally or physically], please call me.”

FYI: Since Aug. 22, 1995, the San Diego Padres’ Fernando Valenzuela has an 18-7 record. The only pitchers with more wins in that time are John Smoltz and Greg Maddux.

Ice hazard: From the Good Doctor in Inside Sports magazine:

Q: All those plastic toy rats that Florida Panther fans threw on the ice during the Stanley Cup playoffs have been banned. Why?

A: Plastic bubonic plague.

Looking back: On this day in 1982, Jimmy Connors defeated Ivan Lendl in four sets to win the U.S. Open singles title.

Trivia answer: Troy Aikman, with 24 in 1988.

And finally: Before the San Francisco 49ers routed the Rams, 34-0, on Sunday, Ram cornerback Todd Lyght told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “This year we have a situation where we have better talent than they do.”

If so, talent is overrated.