Barkley Might Offer Some Blunt Truth of His Own

Joe Gilmartin, writing in the Arizona Republic, suggests that the Phoenix Suns should trade Charles Barkley.

“The Chuckster’s almost blinding charisma to the contrary notwithstanding, the blunt truth is the best thing for both him and the Suns would be to find a contender willing to abide his uniqueness [and it takes some abiding].”

Knowing Barkley, he will probably counter by suggesting that Gilmartin should be traded to another paper.

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Trivia time: Which team holds the record for most free throws made in a regulation NBA playoff game?

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Media menace: It has been reported that Ilie Nastase is running for mayor of Bucharest, Romania. However, as a politician, the former tennis star would have to learn to curb his temper.

Asked about rumors that he holds French citizenship, which would exclude him from running, Nastase cursed the questioner and threatened to hit any other reporter who raised the subject.

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Revolving door: Jayson Stark in the Philadelphia Inquirer: “The Red Sox--now on their fifth pitching coach since opening day 1995--are giving new meaning to the term ‘five-man rotation.’ ”

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Have some pride: The Colorado Rockies’ 1996 media guide cover refers to the team as the “1995 National League Wild Card Champions.” Give us a break.

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Modesty: Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle commenting on the Giants’ Matt Williams: “[He] reacts to hitting a home run the way most people would react to accidentally belching in a crowded elevator.

“Stare at your feet, leave the scene quietly and hope nobody notices what you’ve done.”

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Quake expert: Seattle Mariner public relations director Dave Aust was in the Kingdome press box during the recent earthquake, just as he was in the Candlestick Park press box when another quake interrupted the 1989 World Series.

Said Aust: “I’d say the Candlestick box has more vertical range than the Kingdome press box.”

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Not for him: University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, a Christian and son of an Air Force minister, declined an invitation to be named Playboy magazine’s National Scholar Athlete of the Year.

His decision cost him an expense-paid trip last weekend to a posh Phoenix resort, site of a traditional glamorous photo shoot.

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Mow ‘em down: Jeff Russell, a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers, has a contract--$500,000 with incentives--with a curious clause. The club will also buy him a tractor.

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Trivia answer: The Phoenix Suns, with 57 against Seattle on June 5, 1993.

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And finally: Pro Basketball Action magazine lists its all-ugly NBA team--based on looks, not game. The starting five: Sam Cassell, Houston Rockets; Nick Van Exel, Lakers; Popeye Jones, Dallas Mavericks; Tyrone Hill, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Gheorghe Muresan, Washington Bullets.