Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Dean Juipe: SI covers Campbell in promise

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at [email protected] or (702) 259-4084.

Notes today, leading off with one that at least a few Las Vegans just couldn't miss.

For those who subscribe to the Golf-Plus edition of Sports Illustrated, this week's publication was an eye-opener. Whereas SI usually incorporates its additional golf coverage into its regular magazine, as a way of promoting the upcoming U.S. Open it compiled a separate edition and there on the cover entitled "The Next Big Thing" is former UNLV kingpin Chad Campbell. He's 29, is 11th on this year's money list with almost $1.6 million and, as the article details, is believed to be a huge star in the making.

While Campbell is riding high, look at how poor Ed Fryatt is faring. Once perceived as a potential star himself, this former Chaparral High and UNLV standout missed the cut again this past week on the minor Nationwide Tour after rounds of 73 and 77 in Glenview, Ill. Fryatt's total earnings for the year: $0. ... Speaking of former UNLV golfers, PGA Tour regular Skip Kendall has now appeared in more tournaments without having a victory than anyone currently playing that circuit. Kendall always makes a good living -- he's nearing $6 million for his career -- but after 280 starts he has yet to post a win.

It has to come as bad news for Las Vegas 51s second baseman Joe Thurston that the parent Los Angeles Dodgers are again pursuing another second baseman, Roberto Alomar of the New York Mets. ... Baseball's dalliance with interleague play has gone so well that many fans would like to see even more of it. ... Shame on Roger Clemens for jawing at home plate umpire Dan Iassogna after being removed from Saturday's game with the Chicago Cubs. In pursuit of his 300th win, which he didn't get, the Yankees ace repeatedly shouted at Iassogna, a fill-in up from the minors who appeared to call a very good game. ... The Yankees, by the way, badly need a decent left-handed middle reliever and will have to do something by the trading deadline.

I can relate to Sammy Sosa corking his bat. I was playing intramural hockey in college when a referee spotted an illegally curved stick I had been using all season and exiled me to the penalty box. Unlike Sosa and his manager, Dusty Baker, my coach never forgave me and moved me to the end of the bench. ... Pity the people at Stallion Mountain who bought golf-course homes only to have two of the three courses at the country club taken from them and turned into additional housing. I know they feel their hands are tied. ... I'm watching the NBA and NHL finals intermittently but I have almost no interest in either of them. ... Here's a suggestion from a friend on how the Arena Football League could make itself more interesting: allow the defense one extra player.

Congratulations to Amy and Danny Tarkanian, proud new parents of a baby girl named Lois Michelle after his mother. Little Lois, a mere 5 pounds, 5 ounces, was born a week ago and everyone is doing well. ... Sources in Hawaii say Jerry Tarkanian was there recently to judge a beauty pageant. Tough life. ... A friend in the know says Michael Douglas would be a natural as Al Davis, if and when Hollywood decides to do a movie on the bombastic Oakland Raiders owner. ... Think Michael Jordan is really retired? Insiders say the Los Angeles Lakers will double check on that before looking elsewhere for help this summer. ... It was a pleasure seeing Boxing Hall of Fame referee (and judge) Davey Pearl at Sunday's card at Texas Station. He resides at an assisted-living center in Las Vegas and fellow referee Toby Gibson said he's making it a point to take Pearl to as ma ny cards as possible.

Count boxing promoter Bob Arum among those impressed with the new arena at the Orleans. "It's a great facility and we're going to be offering them fights that appeal to locals," he said, mentioning two recent cards -- one that went to Mandalay Bay and one that went to Fresno, Calif. -- as examples of slightly better-than-average shows that the Orleans might be able to accommodate. ... It didn't take long for pro golfer Craig Stadler to suffer his first "senior moment." He turned 50 last week, then missed his Saturday tee time and was assessed a two-stroke penalty in the Champions Tour event at Newtown Square, Pa.

In case an athlete needed another reason to go to college in Hawaii, effective Aug. 1 the NCAA will allow individuals to be credited with frequent-flyer miles while traveling to represent their schools in athletic competition. A few trips between the mainland and the islands will add up in a hurry. ... I can't help but feel John Jackson's role in the ongoing UNLV phone-scam inquiry led, in part, to John Robinson stepping down as the school's athletic director. Jackson, an assistant football coach, and Robinson are close and Robinson certainly wouldn't want to have to discipline him, if need be. By resigning as AD, he avoids that responsibility. ... And, hey, I wonder how Shan McDonald feels about Robinson's sudden decision to quit as AD? After all, a week before he resigns, he fires her after 17 years as softball coach.

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