His nightmare is a repeat of his on-air interview with Oleg Saprykin, a Russian Elite League wing signed by the Seattle Thunderbirds hockey team in 1999. Devone made only one demand of his producer: Guarantee that Saprykin spoke English.

On camera he opened with "How are you this evening?"

"His lips did not move," Devone recalled. "It was the longest three minutes of my life."

His rat-a-tat delivery compressed a 25-minute speech into about 12 minutes, but a few questions lobbed his way stretched it out.

He's of Hawaiian-Italian extraction whose middle name is O'Brien after an Irish priest, making him a one-man melting pot.

He got his start doing play-by-play for Honolulu's Chaminade University Silver Swords, famed for having defeated the University of Virginia in the 1982 NCAA championship tournament, the biggest upset in college basketball history.

"They were giant-slayers," he said.

There followed a stint with the Jerry 'Tark the Shark' Tarkanian Show in Fresno, and some shuffling around the country at the hands of his agents, Kenny Slotnick, CEO of the AGI Lifestyle entertainment representation agency, and a person to whom he referred as 'Babette.'

There followed a job recruitment interview over beer and wings in a sports bar that led to a gig at CNN, then CNBC, then a career at WWE, known as the home of 'roid rage, belligerent babes and muscle mania.

In actuality, WWE is an "integrated media organization" that, according to its publicity, "consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms."

He was brought aboard as on-air announcer to describe the scripted mayhem of wrestling superstars like Vince McMahon, Randy Orton, Alexa Bliss, Cesaro, Triple H, The Rock, Dolph Ziggler and other giants of the industry.

His original direction was to "have fun;" despite announcing "as if my head were about to explode," his re-direction was to turn it up a bit.

The experience has taught him that pro wrestling is more difficult than most sports because the imperative is to come up with a new story, a new spectacle and a satisfying denouement with every match. And that winning equals money, in sports as in politics.

Other gems: "It's over" for Tiger Woods, Pete Rose should never be admitted to the sports hall of fame, chronic traumatic encephalopathy will dim the lights on football and the International Olympic Committee is riddled with corruption.

 

Alan Talansky introduced Daniel and his mother, Danneca, on behalf of the Fun Run committee and the Oct. 22 5K run, which, in addition to raising more than $40,000 for the club, produced yet another record for young Daniel: 17:53 minutes start to finish for an average mile rate of 5 minutes, 46 seconds.

Talansky introduced Daniel as a champion who got his start at age one by running a mile in a diaper. Didn't know there was that much room in a diaper.

Daniel and his mother were delightful together. He likes to run because it's a family affair — he and his 10 siblings are all home schooled and all run — and there's always someone out to beat you and there's always someone you can beat in a race.

Why train barefoot? "It's faster and it gives you a different foot stride."

As Youth Runner magazine put it, Daniel's win was a "record-breaking feet."

 

Video quote: "Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure — Napoleon Hill." Does not apply to Daniel.

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Pam Webb is home recovering from a recent illness. John Kelly is fine and sends his appreciation for the get-well card.

Go to the top of this Spinnings and click the Directory link for contact information if you wish to send your own tidings to Peter Webb's Pam or to John.

Al Norcross has suffered a setback and is back in room 3436 at Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame.

"No visiting Rotarians, dammit."

P-Chris had to beg for confessions since the birthday table was empty. Only Angel Riley raised a hand. She'll learn. The birthday cake disappeared, courtesy Tom Thompson. We sang.

Martin Harband introduced Dave Martinson; Sue Lempert introduced Lynne Esselstine, new head of the San Mateo Library Association and a member of the Hillsborough City School District board of trustees.

A lot of hoo-haw about the Big Game, who bet and who didn't, some recriminations and baiting of Stanford and Cal fans and a conclusion in which Dick Bennett and Martin Harband pledged $100 to the children's holiday gift fund.

Barbara Evers said it's easy, quick and painless to help disadvantaged children and families this holiday season.

Click on the Gift Fund image at the top of Spinnings or follow this LINK to give dollars by credit or debit card or turn over a check to Bob Campbell at the check-in table, but do it by Dec. 20. Cash is king, since the Fund committee, which purchases and distributes the gifts with assistance from the Police Activities League, has discovered cash has more buying power at Target than do credit or gift cards.