They Said It

?Homer Smith, football coach at West Point: "You have to be respectful when arguing with an official. I usually say, 'Sir, are we watching the same game?' "

?Phil Maloney, general manager/coach of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks: "I try for good players and I try for good character. If necessary, though, I settle for the player."

?Tom Harp, Indiana State University coach, after the plane carrying his team to Terre Haute was forced to make an emergency landing: "Even football players know they're in trouble when the propellers don't go around."

?Ted St. Martin, Yakima, Wash, basketball player, after setting a world record with 927 straight free throws: "I should have had 1,000. I relaxed after 900."

? John McHale, Montreal president, asked if Frank Robinson's $160,000 contract to manage the Cleveland Indians had set a new standard for managers' salaries: "Yes, for managers who hit home runs."

? Harry Parker, New York Met, on pitching with Lou Brock on base: "It's like trying to keep water from going over the dam. You know what's coming, but you're powerless."