THE BEAV CALLS DON DRYSDALE

This week in SI (should be in lower case to show disrespect to them for their use of gutter language in an article on a Suns' asst. coach a few issues back) one of their writers examines pro athletes in tv sitcoms. But they missed one of the biggest and best when, as they say, Jerry Mathers as The Beaver called Don Drysdale long distance.

One of his goofy buddies, I think it was Gilbert, talked him into making the call after a Dodger game. Beav gets through to the stadium in LA and gets connected to the locker room. When he asks for Drysdale, he's informed that the big guy is showering. No worries, Beaver stays on the phone line for a long time, but finally gets to talk a sentence or two to Drysdale.

Wearing that typical Beaver smile, he turns to his friend. He's congratulated and feels pretty important having just talked on the phone to the star hurler.

Of course, the expensive phone bill arrives later and Beaver gets caught. (Did he ever get away with anything? Poor kid.) It was a good show, as usual.

I guess since Mayfield was supposed to be in the Midwest, and the Dodgers on the left coast, that si overlooked it. Instead, we're left with billie jean king on "The Odd Couple," Steve Sax on "Who's the Boss," and Shaq on something called "Curb Your Enthusiasm." They even missed mcgwire on that show with Helen Hunt.

Oh well. I'm sure they know more than I about stuff like that. But let's see if they're still showing "Curb Your Enthusiasm " in syndication fifty years from now.