Second Thoughts

Pacers go all Indiana in their bid

Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird drove an Indy car Monday in New York to deliver the Pacers’ bid to receive the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird drove an Indy car Monday in New York to deliver the Pacers’ bid to receive the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.

Indiana wants the NBA All-Star Game and sent Larry Bird to get it -- in an Indy car.

Bird drove four blocks down Fifth Avenue in New York in his car Monday to deliver the Indiana Pacers' bid to host the 2021 game in Indianapolis to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, fitting his 6-9 frame into a car usually driven by much shorter people.

Bird, an Indiana native and now the Pacers president, had driven an Indy car only once, during his practice for his drive Monday.

Drawing a crowd of a couple hundred spectators, he maneuvered along the left lane, exited his yellow and blue "Larry Bird" car and called it a "little rough ride" because of his big feet and the car's small pedals.

Silver said the Pacers, who hosted the All-Star Game in 1985 at the Hoosier Dome, would be "fantastic hosts."

San Fran treat

San Francisco plans to name the streets of a development on the land formerly occupied by Candlestick Park after some of the city's most prominent sports figures, and Joe Montana said he wants "Joe Montana Drive" to be renamed "Joe Montana-Dwight Clark Drive."

Montana and Clark hooked up for the San Francisco 49ers' winning touchdown in the 1981 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys. Clark's leaping grab in the back of the end zone is remembered simply as "The Catch."

Montana told The Associated Press he wants "to honor my very special friend." Clark, whose No. 87 has been retired by the 49ers, announced last month he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that attacks cells that control muscles.

"The first time [Clark] saw me he thought I was the kicker, and if it wasn't for that 'well-placed' throw that he caught, we would still be chasing the Cowboys today," Montana said.

The city of San Francisco announced its plans for the streets in a dedication ceremony Sunday. Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott and former coach Bill Walsh are among the honorees on the 49ers' side, and former San Francisco Giants players Barry Bonds, Orlando Cepeda and Juan Marichal also will have streets named after them.

The 7,000-home master planned development is the city's largest such project in more than a century.

Tell 'em, Hawk

The Chicago White Sox are honoring their longtime TV play-by-play broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson with an alarm clock giveaway.

The first 20,000 fans to enter Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field on May 13 for the White Sox's game against the San Diego Padres will receive an alarm clock with Harrelson's game calls. Harrelson has served two stints as Chicago's play-by-play man (1982-1985, 1990-current)

You can put the alarm clock on snooze, yes!

He said it

From Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald:

• "When the New England Patriots visited the White House, Rob Gronkowski surprised White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer during a briefing. Can you say 'dance-off?' "

• "The Alabama football spring game was just played. I'm happy to report that the second- and third-teamers looked deserving of their No. 5 in the nation preseason ranking."

• "Security is expected to be very tight at the NFL Draft this week. That's to keep the Cleveland Browns picks from escaping."

SPORTS QUIZ

Who was the MVP of the 1985 NBA All-Star Game?

ANSWER

Former Houston Rockets center Ralph Sampson. Sampson had 24 points and 10 rebounds in the Western Conference's 140-129 victory over the Eastern Conference at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis.

Sports on 04/25/2017

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