D-Wade and Michael run off at the mouth

Just in case you needed any further reason to dislike the talent-stacked Miami Heat, we offer this Nike-in-the-mouth offering from Dwayne Wade.

Speaking to reporters at a charity basketball camp he co-hosts with Alonzo Mourning the other day, Wade talked about he and superstar teammates LeBron James and Chris Bosh were going to be playing this season with a bull’s-eye on their backs. Nothing wrong there. But then Wade went on to say, “When we lose two, three games in a row and it seems like the world has crashed down, you all are going to make it seem like the World Trade Center is coming down again. But it’s not going to be nothing but a couple of basketball games.’’

He has since apologized for his insensitivity.

Perhaps he’ll engage his brain before wagging his tongue next time.

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Speaking of running off at the mouth, did you hear how Michael Jordan dissed LeBron’s move to Miami?

His Airness said he wouldn’t have called up Larry Bird and Magic Johnson back in the day and conspired to form their own personal NBA dream team. Jordan stayed put in Chicago and won six titles, cementing his legacy as the greatest.

LeBron, who aspires to Jordan’s throne, would have done much more for his own legacy by winning one for his hometown Cavs than winning several as a carpetbagging co-star in Miami.

I wonder how King James feels about his boyhood idol now. Will he still be campaigning for the NBA to retire Jordan’s No. 23 throughout the league now that he no longer can be like Mike?

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I found it interesting that the same people who were paying homage to the late George Steinbrenner also were ripping Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert for his Steinbrenneresque tirade after LeBron’s departure from Cleveland. Can you imagine how Steinbrenner in his prime would have reacted to a similar snubbing?

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Had the opportunity to attend a question-and-answer luncheon recently featuring former New York and San Francisco Giants pitching great Johnny Antonelli. The always gracious and still distinquished-looking Rochesterian told some wonderful stories, including one about the time a young Brooklyn Dodgers’ left-handed pitcher forgot his glove before a game against the Giants at the Polo Grounds and had to borrow Antonelli’s. The young lefty's name? Sandy Koufax.

We Rochesterians tend to overlook just how outstanding Antonelli was. He was a six-time All-Star who led the National League in victories (21), shutouts (6) and earned run average (2.30) in 1954, the same year he contributed a win and a save in the Giants four-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians.

One of the few big-league players to never spend a day in the minors, Antonelli finished his 14-year career with a 126-110 record and a 3.34 ERA. Nearly a quarter of his victories (25) were shutouts.

John, of course, went on to make a name for himself as a successful owner of several Firestone Tire stores.

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At that same luncheon, I ran into two friends and former newspaper colleagues – Gene Duffey and Frank Cardon from the old Times-Union. I’m happy to report that both of them are in good health, and still whacking the golf ball around with gusto.