Second thoughts

LITTLE ROCK — Manager's past catches up with him

Here's a new twist on the Sports Illustrated cover jinx.

Several copies of the March 20, 1978, edition with then-Kansas City Royals rookie Clint Hurdle on the cover with the headline "This Year's Phenom" have been floating around the Colorado Rockies clubhouse.

Hurdle, who has managed the Rockies for six seasons, said somebody sent first baseman Todd Helton a box with 40 or 50 of the vintage editions in protective plastic sheaths.

"He doesn't need any ammo to make my life more challenging," Hurdle said. "He thought it was humorous."

Hurdle doesn't really mind, though.

"Do I wish it would go away? No.

There's nothing I need to run from.

I've had some personal demons that I've had to face. This isn't a demon by any means. It's something thathappened in a particular point in time in my life that I look back at as a great life experience," Hurdle said.

Hurdle, whose middling playing career was cut short by a back injury, said he's amazed that the issue keeps popping up.

"They always show up," he said.

"They're like boomerangs. Throw them and they all come back."

So, how many does he own himself?

"My wife would be proud to tell you that I don't have any," Hurdle said. "My sisters do, my mom and dad do. I don't have any." Your cheatin' heart ...

According to Terry Morrow in the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel, country artist Kenny Chesney is in a bit of trouble with the Volunteers faithful.

Some say he's a traitor.

Others say he's selling out.

Then there are those who say he's turned his back on the Big Orange.

Chesney, who was at Neyland Stadium on Saturday to see Tennessee play South Carolina, isn't oblivious to what fans are saying about him in Knoxville.

"'I'm taking this as seriously as it needs to be taken," Chesney said. "I take it with a grain of salt."

At a concert in Gainesville, Fla., home of the Florida Gators, Gators football fans came on stage and put their team's helmet on Chesney's head. Chesney continued to entertain the fans, who loved thesight of their favorite country music star wearing a symbol of their pride.

But when word got back to Knoxville, many Vols fans were angry with Chesney, a native of Luttrell, Tenn.

"I understand people being angry. I really do," Chesney said in an interview with Morrow. "But for them to get on a radio station and question my loyalty to the tradition and the history of Tennessee football is childish." Lost in translation

According to Tim Graham in the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder confessed Wednesday that he didn't know until Tuesday that people spoke English in London.

"I couldn't find London on a map if they didn't have the names of the countries," Crowder said. "I swear to God. I don't know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that.

"I know [Washington Redskins linebacker] London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That's the closest thing I know to London. He's black, so I'm sure he's not from London. I'm sure that's a coincidental name."Quote of the day "Arkansas could be

undefeated. They could

be No. 1 in the BCS right now except for those

games. They had great

chances to win every one of them, didn't they?" South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier