Now, the NFL's fastest can really fly...a Kings empire grows...Krickstein's secondhand sock

Unveiled
By the U.S. Postal Service, a 29-cent stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of James Naismith's invention of the game of basketball. A ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., featured speeches by former Notre Dame coach and Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee member Digger Phelps and former Boston Celtic Tom Heinsohn. The stamp shows the arms of two players, one attempting to block a dunk by the other. When asked whether this was goaltending, Phelps responded, "Not under international rules."

Victorious
In the Arlington Million at Arlington (Ill.) Racecourse, Tight Spot, ridden by Corey Black. The 4-year-old colt defeated Argentine triple crown winner Algenib by a neck for trainer Ron McAnally's third Million title in the event's 11 years.

Borrowed
By Aaron Krickstein at the U.S. Open, six Wilson Pro Staff tennis rackets belonging to defending Open champion Pete Sampras. Krickstein, who is under contract to Yonex, began complaining several months ago of arm trouble that he attributed, in part, to his Yonex rackets. Because Wilson limits its production of the Pro Staff, Krickstein appealed to Sampras for help. Playing with the borrowed rackets, Krickstein reached the round of 16 for the fourth straight year.

Recovering
After surgery for removal of a brain tumor, Pittsburgh Penguin coach Bob Johnson. Johnson, who last season led the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup, had been coaching Team USA in the Canada Cup competition when he complained of a toothache. Shortly after visiting the Penguin team dentist, Johnson suffered strokelike symptoms and was hospitalized. Doctors believe the tumor is related to the skin cancer Johnson was treated for three years ago.

Named
A Boeing 727 cargo jet after Washington Redskins defensive back Darrell Green. In June, Green defeated former Los Angeles Raider kick returner Ron Brown in a 60-yard dash to win his fourth NFL's Fastest Man competition and the honor of seeing his name painted on the nose of a DHL aircraft. Ironically, on his way to the naming ceremony, Green's car broke down and the NFL's fastest man arrived 30 minutes late.

Expanded
By Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Argonauts owner Bruce McNall, his coin collecting business, to include sports memorabilia. McNall recently purchased L.A.'s Superior Galleries, a numismatic dealership he patronized as a kid, and he will begin selling sports memorabilia out of Superior with an auction on Oct. 14. McNall said that the Honus Wagner baseball card he bought with Wayne Gretzky last March for a record $410,000 is locked in his personal vault and will not be listed on next month's docket.

ILLUSTRATION

LON BUSCH

The postal service's illegal tender?