Sideline Chatter
Brain-charging research's shocking development

By Dwight Perry
The Seattle Times

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

You'll be shocked to learn the latest in performance-enhancing supplements: Electricity.

Weak electrical impulses sent through the front of one's noggin can boost verbal skills up to 20 percent, according to research by the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

"This process is so easy to miniaturize that it essentially becomes wearable," lead researcher Eric Wassermann told Wired News. "One day a patient could be wearing it in a hat with the power source in a bucket and turning it on perhaps at critical times of day."

Great — now even fans at the National Spelling Bee won't be immune from wondering if their heroes might be "on the juice."

They know Jack

Red Sox players each took a pregame shot of Jack Daniel's whiskey for good luck during their final six playoff games, Kevin Millar revealed on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."

"Talk about shots heard 'round the world," wrote Greg Cote of the Miami Herald.

Added syndicated columnist Tom FitzGerald: "I'm just afraid the Red Sox will get carried away next year and not consider a game official until they get through the fifth."

Mustn't-see TV
 
Maybe this is what they mean by NFL parody: Seattleites tuning in for the first half of yesterday's TV doubleheader got nothing better than a dose of Carolina (1-6) vs. Oakland (2-6).

Our informal survey of local sports-bar patrons revealed rooting allegiance broke down this way: 18 percent pulling for the Panthers, 3 percent rooting for the Raiders — and 79 percent hoping for a first-quarter "Heidi."

K.C. at the ballot

Kansas City voters rejected a sales-tax increase to pay for $1.2 billion in stadium and art projects despite a Kansas City Star report that the city's pro baseball and football teams have escape clauses if their stadiums are not kept "state of the art."

Wondered Karl Vogel of the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star: "Do you think Kansas City could leave if the Royals and Chiefs aren't kept 'state of the art'?"

That's the ticket, not

Saturday wasn't a good day to be a ticket scalper at Husky Stadium, which appeared to be only about two-thirds full to watch Washington and Arizona battle it out for last place in the Pac-10.

In other words, it was a cellar's market.

Food for thought

Timberwolves guard Latrell Sprewell, who makes $14.6 million this season, created quite a stir when the team's three-year contract offer averaging $10 million a year left him feeling "insulted ... I've got my family to feed."

• Bill Lankhof, Toronto Sun: "Exactly how big is this 'family,' anyway?"

• Jim Armstrong, Denver Post: "Hey, that's understandable. I mean, have you noticed the price of caviar lately?"

• Jim Litke, The Associated Press: "Apparently the Sprewells have never been to Wendy's."

Just gopher it

Sure, his career-best 245 yards rushing in Saturday's upset win over Montana State — including TD runs of 87 and 50 yards — probably caught a lot of folks by surprise.

But when you think about it, could there be a more logical candidate to perk up a team's ground game than Sacramento State freshman Ryan Mole?

Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com