WINNIPEG — There were no last-second heroics from last week’s hero, Paul
Osbaldiston.
Oz as he’s affectionately known throughout the Canadian Football League
didn’t get the chance to slam one through the uprights as he did when his
Hamilton Tiger-Cats decisioned the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL East final.
No, this time another kicker, Mark McLoughlin, wore the garland with a
35-yard field goal as the Calgary Stampeders edged Hamilton 26-24 on the
last play of the 86th Grey Cup game before only 34,157 fans in the place
they used to call Winterpeg. The stadium should have been jammed with more than 42,000, but organizers out-priced themselves — in the neighborhood of $125 for end-zone seats.
It wasn’t exactly San Diego, Nurse Wade, but in this city that usually
hibernates from late July to early June the following year, it was a heatwave. No bikinis. No hand-held fans. But then this most recent challenge of Lord Grey’s mug didn’t face avalanches, snow slides or streakers.
While McLoughlin from South Dakota savored the moment, it was the arm of
Calgary QB Jeff Garcia (San Jose State), who refused to quit.
With a few ticks over two minutes left in the contest, Hamilton’s sensational QB Danny McManus (Florida State) handed off to Ron Williams (Clemson) for a one-yard TD, pushing the Cats into a 24-23 margin. A two-point conversion was a flop.
Then Garcia, who was named the game’s MVP, and the Stamps romped 80 yards down the field and then McLoughlin, who had been hampered by aches and pains all year, booted it through.
Although it ended Osbaldiston’s usual heroics, it gave Calgary a chance to
shake its loser tag as they took their second Grey Cup in four appearances
during the 1990s.
McLoughlin wound up the day with four FGs, a convert and a single while
Kelvin Anderson (SE Missouri State) galloped for a three-yard TD early
in the second quarter and then Garcia, who claims Joe Montana as his
hero, ran in from one yard at the end of the third quarter.
Williams scored both Hamilton TDs with Osbaldiston chipping in three
FGs, a convert and two singles.
While Williams, Darren Flutie and Mike Morreale all had injuries going
into the game for the Cats, during the contest, Hamilton starting
linebacker Lamar McGriggs broke his arm.
PRAY FOR CARA: Oregon State student, Cara Marie Martin, 18, is in
serious condition after a goal post fell on her during the melee as OSU
stopped Oregon in overtime Saturday at Corvallis.
HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN: Seve Ballesteros has reached golf’s Nirvana,
however, a Las Vegas book rates him at 150-1 to win the ’99 Masters
April 8-11, 1999 in Atlanta. Then there’s Jack Nicklaus at 100-1 the
same as Ben Crenshaw. Of course, Tiger Woods rates the favorite at 5-1
with David Duval at 8-1.
ARIE SAYING FAREWELL: The Dutchman, Arie Luyendyk, 45, who has lived in
the U.S. for numerous years, has decided to retire from the zoom-zoom
sport. He’s a two-time Indianapolis champ.
IS THERE ANY HONOR?: Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., a black private
college, has given disgraced boxing promoter Don King an honorary
doctorate. In return for putting his name on a gym, King has promised to
give the school millions of dollars. Promises, promises, promises.
MEN OF INTEGRITY: In wake of New York Knicks’ mentor, Red Holzman’s
death last week, three sports legends departed in the last seven days,
including one of the fathers of football, Weeb Ewbank, 91. After glory
years in Baltimore, Weeb joined the New York Jets and watched as his
pupil, Joe Willie Namath, developed into one of the QB greats … He and
his wife, Lucy, were a throwback to the times when teams were “family.”
In Miami, Chris Dundee, who promoted more than 1,000 fights over 40
years, died on the same day as Weeb. The brother of trainer Angelo
Dundee, Chris was also 91. He was a wrestling promoter and even managed
Ezzard Charles to the heavyweight championship in 1949 … Former first
baseman-outfielder Dick Sisler died in a nursing home at age 78. The son
of Hall of Famer George Sisler and brother of pitcher Dave, Dick Sisler
hit the homer for the Philadelphia Phillies to claim the National League
pennant in 1950. He managed Cincinnati in 1964-65.
GEORGE IN CHARGE: Where are you George Constanza when we need you? Jason Alexander of Seinfeld thought he knew all the answers as George Steinbrenner’s assistant, but even he would have a hard time figuring out
what the World Series champion Yankees should do. It seems, the octopus known as Cablevision Systems Corp. is willing to part with between $550 and
$600 million for the Bronx Bombers. Then there’s the matter of what to do
with superstar outfielder Bernie Williams. It seems he’s out and Albert Belle’s in with Bernie going to Boston. Belle and Expos’ Rondell White could both shift allegiances, but Montreal GM Jim Beattie, an ex-Yankee hurler, wants their top pitching prospect Ryan Bradley and outfielders Homer Bush and Ricky Ledee. And, yes, Steinbrenner, not Constanza, will be
in charge of the day-to-day operations.
