NICKY-BABY'S TEAM IS IN FIRST PLACE.

Nicky-baby's soccer team, the Oswego Panthers, tied for first place in the Suburban Chicago Munchkin League when they stuffed the Plano Petunias in a hard-fought game.

The Panthers were trailing 1-0 at halftime, when their coach changed strategy. He pulled out a bag of onions, and demanded that each team member eat one.

When the referee blew the whistle to start the second half, the Panthers blew a cloud of onion breath onto the Petunias' eyeballs. With their opponents temporarily blinded by tears, the Panthers dribbled upfield and scored the tying goal.

Next week, the Panthers play the Morris Marsupials. Nicky-baby has already loaded his gymbag with a bottle of Paul Newman's Creamy Garlic Salad Dressing.