Kevin Robinson

Spectators who tuned in to last week's X Games in Los Angeles might assume that some of the athletes survive on guy staples such as pizza and beer, with little more to give them an edge than sheer guts. The games have a counterculture, daredevil edge that seems somehow at odds with a training regimen as pedestrian as working out six days a week. But that's what BMX rider Kevin Robinson does.

Spectators who tuned in to last week's X Games in Los Angeles might assume that some of the athletes survive on guy staples such as pizza and beer, with little more to give them an edge than sheer guts. The games have a counterculture, daredevil edge that seems somehow at odds with a training regimen as pedestrian as working out six days a week. But that's what BMX rider Kevin Robinson does.

Part 1 of a two-part series on concussions in action sports. Part 2 Sunday will focus on 40-year-old BMX rider Kevin Robinson. Action sports superstar Travis Pastrana tells a story about his uncle, Alan Pastrana, who suffered a major concussion near the end of his two-year tenure as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the late 1960s. He was 26 when his NFL career ended. "He went from a very tough, tough guy to super emotional, super sensitive, the most 'huggy' man you'd ever see," Travis says.

As a chief boatswain's mate yelled one of the most unusual orders ever heard aboard ship--"Release the whale!"--the California gray whale named J.J. was lowered gently into calm seas Tuesday two miles off the San Diego coast. The 19,200-pound, 31-foot-long mammal--the largest ever kept in captivity--initially began swimming back to San Diego.

Compton-based Tinder Box International, a tobacco and specialty gift chain, named Leonard Becker vice president-chief financial officer and promoted Kevin Robinson to assistant controller.

Fred Tuttle hit a three-run home run for Loyola Marymount in the second inning and Jim McAnany added a two-run homer in the seventh as the Lions defeated United States International University Monday, 8-6, in a nonconference game. Kevin Robinson went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI to lead USIU (5-5).

Bob Esquerra went 4 for 4 with two RBIs to lead United States International University (25-24-1) to a 15-2 victory Monday over Point Loma Nazarene College (16-28) at USIU. Ron Green also had four hits for USIU, which scored 10 runs off losing pitcher Larry Johnson in seven innings. Kevin Robinson and Dean Wease added home runs for USIU.

Steve Hendricks and Greg May hit bases-empty home runs Thursday to lead United States International University to an 8-2 nonconference baseball win over Point Loma Nazarene College at Point Loma. Hendricks' home run came in the first inning and May hit his in the sixth. Tom Bailey and Kevin Robinson each had two hits for the Gulls, who are 14-24. Rian Long pitched the first five innings to get the win.

So the Fullerton Realtor ["When Fans Won't Play Ball," April 30] thinks the players owe it to us fans to autograph memorabilia (Tim Salmon's 200th-homer ball) because they make so much money. I too am a Realtor and I'd like to know what "Mr. Give Me a Black Bat!" says when a prospective client tells him his $18,000 commission for listing and selling a $300,000 Fullerton home is too high! I bet he doesn't think about being overpaid! KEVIN ROBINSON Norwalk

Bob Esquerra doubled with two outs in the ninth to score Kevin Robinson and give United States International University a 10-9 victory over Chapman College Friday at USIU. Robinson was 3 for 3 and had a two-run home run in the seventh to give USIU a 9-8 lead. Tony Gardea hit a grand slam for Chapman (7-11). Center fielder Bryan Beals was 4 for 5 with a triple. Wally Trice (2-1) pitched the final two innings for USIU (9-14).

A department store employee was arrested after killing his wife of four months and a neighbor and then holding two store managers hostage during a three-hour siege, police said. Neither hostage was hurt. Richard J. Griffin, 33, took the hostages Thursday before doors opened at Dillard's in the Paradise Valley Mall, police said. Early in the siege, Griffin called 911 and said he "may have harmed some people in Scottsdale," said Sgt. Kevin Robinson, a police spokesman.