Reggie Miller: Lifetime Of Explaining

The phones at the Lifetime television network have been ringing and the e-mail has been mounting.

Many viewers of the last two WNBA telecasts on "Television for Women" disagree with Lifetime Sports co-analyst Reggie Miller about his comments on Sheryl Swoopes and her decision to join the Houston Comets six weeks after having a baby.

Miller has said that Swoopes should not have returned to basketball so soon and should take the time to enjoy her son.

Play-by-play announcer Michele Tafoya and co-analyst Meghan Pattyson differed on-air with Miller. Viewers echoed their sentiments.

During today's telecast of the game between the Sacramento Monarchs and the New York Liberty (5 p.m.), Miller will do a halftime interview with Lifetime Sports' Maura Driscoll, during which he will explain his reasoning.

Vows include `for richest'

For the first time in the 39-year history of the All American Futurity in Ruidoso, N.M., a husband and wife will saddle horses in the world's richest quarter horse sprint.

James McArthur's colt, This Snow Is Royal, had the second-fastest qualifying time of 21.515 seconds in yesterday's time trials.

And Donna McArthur reached the winner's circle with the impressive filly Corona Cash, whose time of :21.635 was the sixth-fastest of the day.

The 440-yard Futurity, featuring 2-year-olds, is run annually on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs, with this year's purse an estimated $1.75 million.

He gives 105 percent

Buddy Barnes, a spotter for Jeremy Mayfield's Winston Cup race car, spelled out the importance of a spotter, who sits in the stands and tells his driver via radio what's happening on the track, as "40 percent eyes, 40 percent coach, 15 percent inspirator and 10 percent perspirator, or chief worrier."

Told it added up to 105 percent, Barnes said, "Well, you have to include sales tax, I guess."

Can't buy the secret

Greg Maddux, the highest-paid pitcher in history, still hasn't figured out how to pitch to Tony Gwynn.

The San Diego Padre outfielder is batting .459 against the Atlanta ace.

Compiled by Joanne Garrett, Seattle Times