Sonic Blasts From a Guy Who Takes His Share

Seattle SuperSonic Coach George Karl takes some shots at Dennis Rodman, Shaquille O’Neal and Pat Riley in his new book, “This Game’s the Best: So Why Don’t They Quit Screwing with It?”

On Rodman: “He’s reducing the NBA to studio wrestling. He’s making a mockery out of the game.”

On Shaq: “He’s dangerous to both his opponent and his team. He has not found the spirit yet to win a championship. He’s got to learn it is a game of heart as much as it is a game of physical skill.”

On Riley: “I think [Riley] portrays himself as a genius. As I’ve said before, there are no geniuses in this game. . . . But to listen to Pat, he represents himself as if he’s smarter than we, the other coaches, are.”

Maybe he is.

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Trivia time: Who holds the Angel record for the lowest season ERA by a starting pitcher?

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NBA comic: Executive Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic, warming up his one-liners in anticipation of the first-round playoff series between his club and the Miami Heat: “Miami is so tough, even the pit bulls are afraid to go out at night. Miami is so tough, they use Mace as a breath-freshener down there.”

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Whatever you say: Comedian Bill Murray explaining the nickname of the minor league team he co-owns, the Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs:

“It’s a dog of championship pedigree, a force to be reckoned with, ferocious and defensive around intruders, but gentle and friendly at home.”

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Striking gold: Dave Goldberg of the Associated Press identified the best NFL draft pick of the last 20 years and it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In 1979, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana in the third round, the 89th selection overall. You know the rest.

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Consistent: The New York Mets have failed to finish within 18 1/2 games of first place since 1990.

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Something to do: Green Bay General Manager Ron Wolf on the Packers trading their sixth-round pick in the NFL draft, the 193rd selection, to Oakland for the Raiders’ seventh-round pick, the 213th, for no reason other than making a deal:

“The whole time we were sitting there, we hadn’t been able to do diddly. I just wanted to make a trade.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1959, the Chicago White Sox scored 11 runs with only one hit in the seventh inning of a 20-6 rout of Kansas City. Chicago was helped by 10 walks--five with the bases loaded.

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Trivia answer: Dean Chance, 1.65 in 1964.

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And finally: Scott Ostler in the San Francisco Chronicle: “While I don’t encourage club abuse, tough-love discipline can be effective. Back in the ‘40s, a top touring pro named Ky Lafoon (true name, true story) missed an easy putt on the final hole.

“So he tied one end of a rope around his car’s rear bumper and the other end around his putter, and drove to the next tournament.”