One possible reason for tennis' waning popularity in the United States: No American male has won a Grand Slam tournament since 2003, when Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open. . . .
How much longer must we endure the Nike puppets? . . .
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Text messages from press row...
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With Tony La Russa's notching managerial victory 2,500 on Sunday, reader Ethan Kramer of Hermosa Beach e-mails to suggest that Connie Mack's record of 3,731 is another of baseball's seemingly unassailable milestones. . . .
A manager averaging 100 wins a year over 37 years, Kramer notes, would still be 31 short of the mark. . . .
You probably know the voice, even if you can't place the face: David Courtney works more than 150 events a year as the public address announcer for the Angels, Kings and Clippers. . . .
During the day, he provides traffic reports on KABC 790. . . .
Congratulations to Azusa Pacific, winner for the fifth consecutive year of a Directors' Cup as the NAIA's No. 1 all-around athletic program. . . .
Among major college athletic programs, Stanford won a Directors' Cup for the 16th year in a row. . . .
Taylor Griffin, older brother of soon-to-be top NBA draft pick Blake Griffin, was drafted No. 1 by the Harlem Globetrotters, who know a publicity stunt when they see one. . . .
A banquet July 2 at Phil Trani's Restaurant in Long Beach will honor influential former Cerritos College baseball coach Wally Kincaid, whose teams won six state championships and nearly 700 games during his 22-year career. . . .
Information: (310) 341-3392. . . .
Noting that major leaguers wear their pants just about any length they wish, "from the time-honored just below the knee to the laughable just under the heel," reader Gary Weaver of Upland e-mails to suggest that Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig consult a "Funk & Wagnalls" and look up the definition of uniform. . . .
As in, "always the same, unchanging, without fluctuation."
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jerome.crowe@latimes.com
