They Said It

? Sparky Anderson, the Detroit Tigers' new manager: "It's a terrible thing to have to tell your fans, who have waited like Detroit's have, that their team won't win it this year. But it's better than lying to them."

?Carl Mauck, Houston Oiler center, hearing the news that one of the team's linemen will receive a 25-pound assortment of steaks and sausages after every game in which Earl Campbell rushes for 100 yards next season: "Can they work out something to get us some gas?"