Something About Bananas Just Didn’t Appeal to This Player

Talk about going bananas.

A University of Maine basketball player has been summoned to appear in court for allegedly assaulting the school’s athletic mascot, “Bananas the Bear.”

Henry McDaniel, a 6-foot-7 forward, allegedly punched a man in the bear costume several times last Wednesday night in a campus cafeteria and later in a dormitory, said university public safety investigator William Laughlin.

The Penobscot County District Attorney’s office was reviewing the case to decide whether to file criminal assault charges against McDaniel.

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Add mascot: Laughlin said the incidents began when the mascot appeared at dinner and shook hands with students. McDaniel pulled him on to his lap and took several jabs at him then tried to remove the bear’s head, Laughlin said. He said McDaniel then followed them to a dorm and took several more jabs at him.

McDaniel said he meant no harm, and that when he last saw the mascot, they were in a dorm elevator and he patted him on the head.

“He shook my hand, gave me a thumbs-up sign, and I walked away,” McDaniel said.

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Trivia time: In what category was UCLA’s Jackie Robinson an NCAA football record-holder in 1939 and ‘40?

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House-keeping: Sherman Douglas of the Celtics on the parquet Boston Garden playing floor being brought to the new FleetCenter: “Going to a new house, you’d think they’d bring new furniture.”

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Seeing is believing: Kenny Lofton of the Cleveland Indians on the World Series: “I think there are teams in the American League that have as good a [pitching] staff as Atlanta. But it’s tough to focus on a staff you’ve never seen before.”

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Add Series: With Atlanta leading the series, 3-2, Anthony L. Gargano of the New York Post wrote: “The Braves are in trouble. Their hitters will grip the bat tighter. Their pitchers will grip the ball tighter. Their stomachs not only will dance, but mosh. Even though they deny it now.”

Who is “moshing” now, Anthony?

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Proper credentials: From David Letterman: “Yesterday, former Yankee Joe Pepitone was arrested for driving drunk in the Midtown Tunnel. If he’s convicted, he’ll be re-signed by the Yankees.”

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Help! Reader George Kiseda suggests that if Albert Belle isn’t named the American League’s Most Valuable Player, the name of the award should be changed to the No Belle Prize.

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Not even one? Arizona Cardinal Coach Buddy Ryan, asked if there were any decisions he has made this year that he’d like to have back:

“I don’t want to sound cocky and arrogant, but, really, I can’t think of any.”

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FYI: San Antonio Spur center Will Perdue has the largest feet in the NBA, size 21AAAAA shoes.

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Trivia answer: Punt returns. Robinson averaged 18.8 yards, fourth on the all-time list.

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Quotebook: Howie Long of Fox TV: “I saw Dr. Kevorkian up around New York ready to put the Jets’ offense out of its misery.”