Eaton has been the subject of a Trivial Pursuit question in the past. "Something about blocked shots, I think," so he said he felt properly trivial. When he's not being the answer to trivia questions, Eaton is busy with his restaurants (he owns both Tuscany and L'Avenue). He's president of the NBA Retired Players Association, which includes former NBAers going back to the '50s and is both a support group and charitable organization.

"And I'm raising teenagers. That's my most exciting job. It's an interesting journey to watch them develop and mature."

In addition to Eaton's jersey, the time capsule contains 90 other objects and artifacts from the '90s. The collection, now worth more than $1 million, was pulled together by James Weaver, a former curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and now executive director of the new National Music Center and Museum.

Weaver designed the collection to be a "medley of all things trivial from the 1990s." Included are the "Beverly Hills 90210" pilot episode, Burger King "Simpsons" dolls, a "Waterworld" poster and an "Ally McBeal" dancing baby. There's a piece of carpet from the "Titanic" movie, a shirt worn in "Forrest Gump" and "Magic Eye" book.

Jerseys worn by Cal Ripken Jr., Michael Jordan, John Elway and Mark McGwire are on display, as is a Sammy Sosa bat and a Tiger Woods Pencil and Ink Set. Also included are an original Wonderbra, Richard Petty's cowboy hat and an inaugural issue of George magazine. Remember those?

In connection with the Time Capsule Tour, Hasbro also conducted a survey to find out what Americans loved most and found most trivial about the decade.

In the song category, Americans voted "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston, as the most memorable song of the '90s, followed by "My Heart Will Go On," by Celine Dion. As to trends that had the biggest impact in the '90s, a third of the respondents chose Internet surfing, while another third picked cell phones. Cooking shows on TV came in a distant third.

"Life is like a box of chocolates," from "Forrest Gump," edged out "Jerry Maguire's" "Show me the money," as the most popular phrase from TV shows or movies.

The most trivial political moment of the '90s is considered Bill Clinton being asked if he prefers boxers or briefs on MTV's "Rock the Vote." Coming in second was Dan Quayle's spelling potato with an "e."

As for the most memorable non-sports moment in the sports world of the '90s, Roseanne Barr's rendition of the National Anthem at a Major League Baseball game tied with boxer George Foreman's introduction of the George Foreman Grill.

"In terms of trivial people, places and things, the 1990s was a monumental decade," said Blecher. "Is it too early to bring back the '90s? We don't think so."

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com