Totally Random
We have already seen Barack Obama’s strength as an election-day closer. Now the Professional Bowlers Assn. wants to address an Obama weakness -- his bowling game.
During the primaries, Obama gave bowling a try at Pleasant Valley Recreation Center in Altoona, Pa., but managed only a 37 over seven frames. That prompted Obama to quip to Jimmy Kimmel that he was going to get rid of the White House bowling alley and replace it with a basketball court. The PBA has offered to give the Obama family bowling lessons. PBA veterans Billy Oatman and Norm Duke have offered their expertise, with Duke in a news release assessing the President-elect’s game.
“I saw the clip on YouTube and I have some tips for Obama,” Duke said. “Obama’s been in a suit and tie too long. He needs to get some athletic apparel and a bowling ball that fits his hand. He needs to work on hitting the head pin because he didn’t do that very well.”
The head pin, and/or any of the other pins left standing around.
Trivia time
Who is the only man in PBA history to win three consecutive major championships?
No Teacher's Pet
Stephon Marbury had a distinctive response to his lack of playing time with the New York Knicks. He volunteered to go back to school -- high school -- and practice with his alma mater, Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn.
Marbury changed his mind by Friday, telling reporters that he spoke to the NBA Players Assn., and “they said it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
That’s one difference between the NBA and Major League Soccer -- and one difference between Marbury and David Beckham. When Beckham wants to stay in shape, he says he’s going to Milan for a few months and, well, he winds up going to Milan for a few months.
A Rhodes game
Florida State plays Maryland on Nov. 22 in an important Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division game, probably without safety Myron Rolle in the lineup.
Rolle isn’t hurt. He isn’t facing suspension. He’s a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship and he is due to interview with the scholarship selection committee in Birmingham, Ala., the same day the Seminoles play the Terrapins in Maryland.
Rolle has decided to attend the interview, which could keep him in Birmingham until 6 p.m. If the Florida State-Maryland game is a night game, there’s a chance Rolle could take a private jet to Maryland to give him a chance to play in the second half.
Game time has not yet been set, and Florida State Athletic Director Randy Spetman told the Palm Beach Post that the school will try to accommodate Rolle if possible.
"It's not a competitive advantage or disadvantage for the player," Spetman said. "This is what the NCAA is here for, to help the student-athlete excel in both the classroom and on the athletic field."
Trivia answer
Duke, who accomplished the feat two weeks ago at the World Championships in Wichita, Kan.
A higher authority
Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, to the Chicago Tribune, on the downside of Barack Obama's being a huge White Sox fan: "Now I not only have to answer to [chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf about pitching, I have to answer to the president."
-- Mike Penner
Photo: A bowler gets ready to let one go in Canoga Park. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times
