How Dorsett Stood In for Walker

According to Jim Dent of the Dallas Times Herald, Tony Dorsett’s outburst after the signing of Herschel Walker was triggered by a call from former Dallas teammate Ron Springs.

Springs, now at Tampa Bay, reportedly said, “T., you shouldn’t go back out there until they give you $1.1 million.”

Dent: “A Cowboy player, who asked not to be identified, said eight players met Wednesday night at a local bar to discuss leaving the team. But they changed their minds.”

Said Dorsett Thursday: “After you digest things, and sleep on it, you can usually go out and talk more intelligently. I actually went out last night and celebrated for Herschel Walker. Herschel doesn’t drink, so I did the drinking for him. I have a hangover today. But I feel much better right now about things.”

Add Cowboys: Of the club’s salary structure, Skip Bayless of the Dallas Times Herald wrote: “Herschel Walker opened a hole wide enough to drive the entire team’s Porsches through.”

Here’s the quote and guess who said it: “I don’t care to mention the figure I have in my mind, but I’m going to get everything I can. I hate to say it like that but it’s the truth. Once I leave here it’s survival.”

University of Pittsburgh running back Tony Dorsett said it in 1976.

Trivia Time: This one is from a new book titled, “Baseball Trivia Book to End All Baseball Trivia Books,” by Bert Sugar: “What player had his birthday on the back of his uniform?” (Answer below.)

50 Years Ago Today: On Aug. 16, 1936, the United States defeated Canada, 19-8, at Berlin to win the gold medal in the first Olympic Games basketball tournament. Only a handful of fans saw the game, which was played in the rain on an outdoor court that turned to mud.

Writes David Wallechinsky in “The Complete Book Of the Olympics”: “During the tournament, the International Basketball Federation passed a rule that banned all players who were taller than 6 feet 3 inches. The United States, which would have lost three of its players, objected, and the rule was withdrawn.”

Joe Fortenberry, who stood 6-8, led the U.S. with eight points.

Steve Marcus of Newsday, on New York Mets reliever Roger McDowell: “He spent $7 at McDonald’s for lunch, and equipment manager Charlie Samuels believes it to be a Met record. McDowell holds all the fast-food records on the team and should be a top candidate for the Rolaids Relief Award.”

Tim McCarver, New York Mets announcer, on why it’s no big deal when the team loses a game in the standings: “It’s the same thing as William Perry losing eight pounds. Who’ll notice?”

Ugh Dept.: Sports director Dave Coombs of WCMF in Rochester, N.Y., tells why he would vote for Edgar Allen Poe as the next commissioner of the U.S. Football League: “They’ve already had the fall of the house of Usher.”

Chris Bando, who catches knuckleballers Phil Niekro and Tom Candiotti for the Cleveland Indians, couldn’t believe it when somebody told him that Rick Ferrell used to catch four of them with the Washington Senators.

“That’s a lot of sleepless nights,” he said.

Hall of Fame shortstop Lou Boudreau, on Chicago Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston: “He has the strongest arm I’ve seen in my 47 years in baseball.”

Said Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz, when told that the Irish were not ranked in college football’s Top 20 by a publication: “I don’t mind being the underdog. I just don’t like the reasons why.”

Trivia Answer: Carlos May, No. 17, born May 17.

Quotebook

Philadelphia Eagles safety Ray Ellis, after being threatened with losing his job by Coach Buddy Ryan: “I think I’m too strong mentally for him to scare me . . . but he gets my attention.”