Second thoughts

— Geek squad wins, ends 26-year skid

Caltech, a small research school in Pasadena that is best known as the home of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, snapped a 310-game conference losing streak on Tuesday night with a 46-45 victory over Occidental.

It was Caltech’s first victory in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since Jan. 23, 1985, when the Beavers beat the University of La Verne, 48-47.

To put the streak into perspective, senior forward Ryan Elmquist - who made the game winning free throw - is the team’s oldest player, born in 1989 ... four years into the streak.

Coach Oliver Eslinger said the victory, which gave the Beavers a season-ending record of 5-20, was cause for Beavers, past and present, to turn off their calculators for a few minutes.

“Tonight’s win is a testament to the hard work each memberof this team, the alumni and the supporters have put into this program,” Eslinger said. “I hope that everyone who has participated in Caltech men’s basketball is able to celebrate a little bit tonight.” New moniker, please

Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria wants to get rid of his nickname.

Soria saved 43 games in 46 opportunities last season and was selected to the All-Star game for the second consecutive year. Along the way, he’s picked up a nickname he doesn’t like: “The Mexicutioner.”

Soria is from Monclova, Mexico. He says the nickname has a negative connotation and is particularly bad with the ongoing drug gang violence in his native country. He wants a different nickname or just to be called by his real name.

“It’s been really bad in Mexico right now,” Soria said Wednesday.

“There are a lot of guns in Mexico.

It’s out of control right now.

“If I can change the mind-set of the people, change the nickname or just take it out. It’s not a big deal. I think it’s a smart move. I think about my people.” Baby face

Budd Bailey of the Buffalo News, after Trevor Bayne, 20, won the Daytona 500 in just his second NASCAR race: “He’s believed to be the first victor of the race to be on a learner’s permit.”

Baby face, Part II

Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar, to The Associated Press, on 5-foot-7 bullpen prospect Tim Collins: “I just want to pick him up and burp him.”

Baby face, Part III

Teen idol Justin Bieber was named MVP of the NBA All-Star celebrity game. However, he did have one of his shots blocked by Scottie Pippen (Hamburg, Central Arkansas).

Wrote Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel of Indiana: “Shouldn’t Pippen be picking on someone his own age, like Leif Garrett?” Food for thought

The Carnegie Deli in New York is putting a Carmelo Anthony sandwich on the menu - including corned beef, pastrami, salami, bacon, Russian dressing and tomato.

Wrote Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “Knicks fans are just hoping the trade doesn’t leave them feeling as sick as eating the sandwich.”Quote of the day “I blew it.” Tiger Woods on his errant tee shot that led to his elimination by Thomas Bjorn in the opening round of the Match Play Championship

Sports, Pages 20 on 02/24/2011

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