So that's why Brett Favre is as cool as ice

Somewhere in Arizona, Ted Williams is smiling.

"Maybe we shouldn't be surprised that Brett Favre, who turns 40 on Saturday, is in such great shape," noted Janice Hough of LeftCoastSportsBabe.com after the Vikings QB dismantled his former Green Bay team Monday night. "He played 16 years on 'the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.'

"Maybe there is something to this cryogenics stuff."

Locked Jaws Dept.

The fish and wildlife division of the Oregon State Police has cited a 32-year-old Warren, Ore., man for illegal possession of a Great White Shark.

Good thing Chris Evert is such a big fan of catch-and-release.

Popping the clutch

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, needing two home runs and seven RBI on the final day of the season to extend his string of 30-HR, 100-RBI seasons to 11, came through with a grand slam and three-run homer against the Rays on Sunday.

Even more amazing was the fact:

a) He did it all in one inning.

b) No player in AL history ever had that many RBI in an inning.

c) The game was played in October.

Bettor, Higher, Stronger

The International Olympic Committee is setting up a new system to quash betting on Olympic competitions, starting with the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., and it's already an unqualified success.

In less than a week, they've busted a Nordic combined office pool, a figure-skating fantasy league and a curling calcutta.

Sports quiz

The NFL's hottest quarterback these days is:

a) Drew Brees.

b) Peyton Manning.

c) Brett Favre.

d) Whoever gets to play the Lions this week.

Oil-change time

Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd turned the Big 5-0 this week, but nothing special is planned.

Just the usual understated celebration with friends and family down at Jiffy Lube.

Without further I-do

Twins fan Sharon Baringer, a former Metrodome usher, says she's missed only one home game in the 13 years she has owned season tickets — for her daughter's wedding.

"She got married on the opener," she told AP. "I never let her forget that one. Thank God they're still married."

Talking the talk

• Arnold Palmer, to the Los Angeles Times, on the worst one-hole score of his career: "I remember the reporters asking me afterward about how I took the 12. I told them I missed a 20-footer for 11."

• NBC's Jay Leno, on campaign reform: "We should make politicians dress like race-car drivers. When they get money, make them wear the company logos on their suit."

• Gary Loewen of the Toronto Sun, on Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez's quest to climb the all-time home-run ladder: "An exercise in fertility."

This just in

News flash: Oakland Raiders ban NFL passer-rating statistic from their practice facility.

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