LOS ANGELES -- Random thoughts while wondering whether Donald Trump was spinning his wheels while the Tour de Trump became the Tour du Pont:
James Brown of CBS, who describes himself as a cycling enthusiast, is impressed with the work ethic of those in the race through four states.
'The one thing about doing non-traditional sports is you gain a much greater appreciation for the same kind of dedication and conditioning these athletes have compared to their counterparts in other sports,' said Brown, who hosts Sunday's telecast of the race's finish.
'These guys have to be, along with soccer players, the very best conditioned endurance athletes in the world. The day before the first stage of the race, Greg LeMond went out for a 'training ride' of 100 miles.' ...
Clubs have showed something other than Fernandomania since Fernando Valenzuela was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in spring training.
'I think before the year is out, you'll see Fernando back in the major leagues,' said ESPN baseball analyst Dave Campbell. 'I'm sure he'll go to a club that feels it has a chance to win a division title. The contract will be one laced with incentives.
'His agent (Tony De Marco) doesn't want him to sign a $100,000 minimum contract because they feel he's a draw and they want a piece of the action. The contract will probably also have performance incentives and he'll have to go to the minor leagues and have three or four starts because he hasn't pitched competitively since March, although he has been working out every five days.' ...
Gayle Gardner, who seemingly was being phased out not too long ago, re-signed with NBC to be a reporter, studio host and anchor for the network's pay-per-view Olympic coverage from Barcelona, Spain, in 1992. ...
HBO's next two boxing shows could set up a fall matchup between World Boxing Association welterweight champion Meldrick Taylor and two-time former world champion Hector Camacho.
Camacho fights Greg Haugen Saturday night in Reno, Nev., and Taylor defends his crown against Luis Garcia June 1 in Palm Springs, Calif.
'The promoters have agreed that it makes sense not to wait for Julio Cesar Chavez,' said HBO Sports executive producer Ross Greenburg. 'This is a big-money fight for both fighters and an important fight for both fighters. It sends a signal to Julio Cesar Chavez that there are those in the weight class fighting for big money.'
Whitaker-Camacho can be done because both are with promoter Dan Duva. Chavez is handled by Don King, a rival of both HBO and Duva. ...
Dick Enberg on NBA telecasts on NBC is disappointing by Enberg standards, which are among the highest in the business. On the other hand, the veteran sportscaster is making his first run around the league and familiarity will likely bring more insight. ...
Former Washington Bullets executive Bob Ferry, now a studio 'insider' for NBC, predicts there will be many unhappy team after Sunday's NBA draft lottery.
'It always comes down to five 'sure, consensus' players who can help you,' Ferry said, 'but it turns out only one may help. Rookies who play well get an opportunity to play a lot, but normally they don't have enough skills to keep up the first year.'NEWLN: adv. for fri, may 17
