MAGIC JOHNSON announced yesterday he will not return to the
NBA. Johnson: "I realize my future is in business and not
playing NBA basketball" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/19).... ESPN's Steve
Levy reported last night that in Japan, organized HIDEO NOMO
"tours are underway." Fans from Japan are signing up to travel
here to see Nomo pitch -- "hoping Tommy Lasorda'a rotation
remains intact so they can figure out in advance when Nomo makes
his start" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/18)....ESPN's "Cover Story"
last night was on PAUL AZINGER and his return to the PGA Tour
after a bout with cancer. Azinger's book, "Zinger" which was
released last month, chronicles the golfer's journey through
life, "about winning and losing, and especially about cancer"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/19)....A monument of ARTHUR ASHE will be
erected in Richmond, VA on the same avenue now featuring statues
of confederate leaders ("CBS Evening News," 7/18)....SPIKE LEE is
interviewed in today's ATLANTA CONSTIUTION. Lee is about to make
a movie on the life of JACKIE ROBINSON for Turner Pictures, set
to open in April '97. Lee: "Kids today don't grow up wanting to
be baseball players. They want to be Michael Jordan or Shaq."
Lee said baseball should "try to reach out to young kids. ...
It's not just the black kids. It's the white kid, too. Kids
think the game is too slow and old" (ATLANTA CONSTITUION,
7/19).... U.S. Women's Open Champ ANNIKA SORENSTAM is engaged to
DAVID ESCH, a rep for Ping Clubs. Sorenstam, who plays
Calloways: "It's a touchy subject" (Vancouver SUN,
7/19)....STEFFI GRAF yesterday introduced her own clothing line
(USA TODAY, 7/19).
