Nice Hitting, Alex! Thanks a Million

Seattle Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez hit for the cycle Thursday night, but it was an even bigger night for Pamela Altazan. She hit the jackpot.

Altazan, of Cashmere, Wash., won $1 million because Rodriguez hit a single, double, triple and home run in a 14-6 victory over the Tigers in Detroit.

A contestant selected before each game is awarded the grand prize if a Mariner should hit for the cycle in that game, and Altazan was picked.

Jay Buhner is the only other Mariner to have hit for the cycle. He did it four years ago.

Trivia time: Among NHL teams in U.S. cities, which has most often won the Stanley Cup?

Who gets the assist? From an NHL game story in the Trenton (N.J.) Times: “A sellout crowd of 19,040 stole the puck from Jamie Huscroft at the right side of the Boston goal and jammed a shot past goalie Blaine Lacher.”

A fair way for caddies: Relief is on the way for caddies in next week’s U.S. Open.

The United States Golf Assn. will allow them to wear shorts during the tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. The only stipulations are that the shorts be tailored, Bermuda-length and a solid color.

The news came as welcome respite for caddies, who long have lobbied for shorts in warm weather.

“I think it’s a very good move,” caddie Anthony Lingard said. “In some of the tournaments we play, it’s stinking hot.”

Tennis Rodman? Olga Barabanschikova of Belarus, a first-round loser in the French Open, is distinguished among players but for more than her playing. According to the French sports daily L’Equipe, the 94th-ranked player has a pierced navel and is considering piercing her tongue.

Trivia answer: The Detroit Red Wings. Even though they haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1955, they will be shooting for their eighth title when they play the Philadelphia Flyers tonight.

And finally: Growing facial hair during the Stanley Cup playoffs is a tradition most players follow. No one seems to know who started the tradition, but players remain unshaven until their team is eliminated or wins the Cup.

According to results of the First Norelco Survey of Stanley Cup Playoff Beards, 14 players and one trainer from the Philadelphia Flyers are sporting the traditional playoff beards. A Detroit spokeswoman said 26 Red Wing players, four trainers and four coaches have beards or goatees.

Said Marrilee Cypert, “Our Zamboni driver even has a beard.”