Bill Conlin

  "Did I mention one of the ways a fringe pitcher can shorten his big-league career? Well, he can get his general manager arrested for disorderly conduct, which is what happened to Paul Owens after a 1981 cocktail-lounge altercation in Chicago . . . "After failing as an arbitrator during that stormy scene, I had to dash upstairs and write the story. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall make deadline. " - Bill Conlin   ON THE WAY to the 1988 Winter Olympics, the nation's sports editors arranged a splendid series of economical flights for us: Philadelphia to Chicago, Chicago to Spokane, Spokane to Calgary.

SO FAR, THE Phillies season has been a disaster. Predictably, condemnation has come not only from outraged fans, but from every segment of the media. Some of the strongest criticism has come from the Daily News, especially columnist Bill Conlin. For a long time the team's most severe critic, Conlin has now called for the dismantling of the franchise. He has also generously provided a blueprint for its rebuilding. Conlin is certainly knowledgeable, and he makes a lot of sense.

THE EMAIL that promised "a potentially explosive story" showed up in the inbox of arguably America's most controversial sports journalist, Deadspin.com editor A.J. Daulerio, late Monday afternoon. The source of the tip was also the subject of the story - former Daily News sports columnist Bill Conlin - and yesterday Daulerio revealed what he said were 20 hours of anguished emails and phone calls with the legendary baseball writer while his career unraveled in scandal. Conlin, 77, left the Daily News Tuesday, just hours before the Inquirer published allegations that he had molested four children, including his niece, during the 1970s.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell writes a weekly sports column for the Daily News from a fan's perspective. His column appears Wednesdays.   WHEN I HEARD about the ridiculous booing of Cole Hamels during his first start last week, I almost was sorry I had called our fans the "best in the country" in my response to GQ's bashing a few weeks ago. However, upon reflection, I realized that there is no book, no authority on the proper etiquette. Emily Post wrote the definitive book on manners and social graces.

A BASKETBALL 'VICTIM' Your heartbreaking story on the terrible fate of poor victimized Craig Harper Jr., who is probably going to lose out on a brilliant career in the National Basketball Association, thanks to the terrible Washington Township High School administration and the New Jersey State Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), had me sobbing until I recalled a few facts that were either not mentioned or glossed over pretty slickly in the article, "The Lost Year," printed on Jan. 28: It was nowhere mentioned that while a member of the WTHS basketball team, Harper was given more playing time than any other starting player.

Makes your head spin, following those TV news people around the dial: Doug Kammerer and Kathy Orr from NBC10 to CBS3. John Bolaris from NBC10 to purgatory to Fox29. Dawn Stensland from CBS3 to Fox29. Larry Mendte from NBC10 to CBS3 to his family room. Dave Huddleston from Fox29 to . . . CBS3, perhaps? Huddleston's last Fox29 newscast was Thursday, after his contract was not renewed. Newsies at both CBS3 and his old station are talking him up for a job at CBS3, should one just happen to become available.

IT HAS BEEN more than a week now since the first Inquirer report, and I no longer feel like throwing up. But the allegations of child sexual abuse against Bill Conlin remain horrible and vivid, and the emotions still cascade at times. There is no peace. There are seven allegations now against Conlin, 77, the Daily News sports columnist who retired hours before publication of the first story. All of the allegations date back to the 1970s or earlier. There has been no outraged denial from Conlin or his attorney.

St. Tommy Forever More. There's a beautiful wisdom in the familiar bumper sticker that so cleverly and warmly honors the long-defunct West Philadelphia high school. It speaks to impermanence, the power of memory, the joys and sorrows of being a sports fan. Take a look around. All those teams you worship, those places you went with your dad, those sportswriters you read and broadcasters you listened to on hot summer nights? None of them are immortal. The Brooklyn Dodgers moved.

Yet another woman has come forward to say that Hall of Fame baseball writer and former Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin sexually abused her when she was a child. The woman said Conlin assaulted her at the beach in Margate, N.J., when she was 11 years old in the 1960s, fully a decade before he is accused of assaulting six other victims who have given accounts this week. She said she was speaking out now because reading the stories of others who say Conlin molested them gave her courage.

BILL CONLIN'S recent pontification once again proves that Joseph Vincent Paterno has forgotten more about college football than Bill Conlin ever learned. JoePa can't throw and catch the ball for his players, and I believe Austin Scott will be the greatest blue chipper to grace a Nit uniform. Also remember that when Paterno has faced adversity in the past, he always came up big during the following years. Let the coach have his dignity and finish out his contract. Now here's a little Latin for you Bill: ime-tay o-tay etire-ray.