CHARGING OUT OF THE GATE: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley
criticizes ESPN for its inclusion of Secretariat in its "100
Greatest Athletes of the Century." Wolfley: "Horses on
greatest athlete lists don't help secure the credibility of
the list but instead call credibility into question"
(JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/21). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth also
questions the choice: "You let one animal in, you've opened
the barn door. ... You can't be an athlete if you're
injected with drugs. And on the flip side, athletes aren't
put down" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/21). But in Pittsburgh, Bill
Modoono applauds ESPN's inclusion of Secretariat. Modoono:
"In his sport, he dominated the one arena he had access to
-- the Triple Crown. He had style, charisma, speed and
greatness" (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/21). And in Lexington, Billy
Reed argues that Secretariat "might deserve to be ranked
even higher," as "no horse had a greater impact on his sport
or on the nation" (HERALD-LEADER, 5/21). In Houston, David
Barron notes that an ESPN exec said two voters for its list
put Secretariat in their top 10 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/21).
MORE NOTES: Liberty Media Chair John Malone, speaking
at an investment conference, said that he decided to sell
his stake in Fox/Liberty sports networks recently "because
he expects a 'real shin kicking' between ESPN and Fox that
will hurt Fox's short-term financial performance" (DAILY
VARIETY, 5/21)....ESPN will present its "10 Most Influential
People In Sports," which includes Roone Arledge, David Stern
and Pete Rozelle. The show, a special edition of
"SportsCentury," will air on ABC Sunday at 2:00pm ET (ESPN).
