It was the clash of the titans, hulking jocks vs. refined opera singers. And both won. Or rather, their cause won.

As a result of the two fund-raisers -- the Bobby Mitchell/Infiniti Hall of Fame Sports Gala IV, held at the Lansdowne Conference Resort in Leesburg Saturday night, and the 23rd annual Wolf Trap Gala last night -- leukemia's research piggy bank just got a lot fatter.

In terms of "chic" diseases, leukemia may not be up there with AIDS (Elizabeth Taylor was nowhere in sight at either party), but in this fiscally competitive climate, a little stardust can never hurt.

So for Bobby Mitchell, the assistant general manager of the Redskins, that meant calling up 36 of his old NFL Hall of Fame colleagues and getting them all in one room on the same day. Mitchell scored big, because all 36 made it, to the delight of the 425 guests, each of whom paid $150 to rub elbows (if you could reach) with yesterday's football greats. The proceeds go to the Leukemia Society.

"I started the whole deal four years ago, so I really consider it to be my baby. And I think it's working," said Mitchell, the honorary chairman of the event, which raised $150,000.

Former Cleveland Brown running back Jim Brown chewed on an egg roll as he surveyed the scene. He looked dapper in a business suit and kente cloth cap.

"First of all," he said, "I'm here because of Bobby. That's my man. I have so much respect for him. He sets a different standard. Classy, you know? And of course, the Hall of Fame guys."

"It's a very special thing," agreed former Redskin quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. "There's no other function in the country with so many Hall of Famers. It's like a reunion for us. And leukemia is such a worthwhile cause."

TV commentator and former Redskin linebacker Sam Huff said he was there because "it's fun, I'll be honest. This event is the only one of its kind."

And what does this old Redskin think about the team's new coach, former Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator Norv Turner?

"So far," Huff opined, "he's undefeated here! You never know somebody until they're under fire."

And speaking of O.J. Simpson, the former Buffalo Bills running back and Hall of Famer -- who just the day before had been ordered to stand trial for a double homicide -- was definitely on the minds of a few key guests. Most notably, former Redskin running back John Riggins, who after a few red wines imparted several unprintable jokes about his jailed colleague. Fortunately, Riggo said some other things that could be printed.

"I really don't have a good reason for being here," he admitted. "Except for the free food. And Bobby's a good friend of mine. ...I mean, I'm not Mr. Charity, but I would guess that anybody that does glamorous celebrity events for a good cause and other sports fansis a likable, good guy."

"He has a great reputation," allowed Brown about Simpson. "But my feelings are around the victims. It's not a legal matter, it's a moral issue. A tragedy. Especially for the kids. No matter what happens to O.J. now, it won't make anything better."

On a happier note, the dinner was decent. Filet of beef, crab cakes, a so-so pecan tart for dessert. Amid the massive calories and ubiquitous testosterone, you could almost forget that this was a leukemia fund-raiser.

But David Timko, senior executive director of the Leukemia Society, gracefully reminded the crowd why it was there. Timko himself suffered from leukemia, which afflicts 20,000 Americans each year.

"It was tough," he said, "but I endured and survived. We're hoping for a cure by the year 2000. And looking around this room, I feel hopeful. Yes, I'd say it's been a pretty cool night."

Fast forward to last night, to the rolling green hills of Wolf Trap Farm Park, where massive white tents were surrounded by concrete pedestals bearing exotic flowers, and women in sequined evening gowns were sipping sangria and trying to avoid stepping on the dewy grass in their metallic stiletto heels.

It was some contrast to the jockfest, but it too was a fun night, one that combined the music of the National Symphony Orchestra with the wafting voices of Catalan tenor José Carreras and mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne -- neither of whom was paid to sing for his supper.

Actually, neither star appeared at the supper that preceded their grand concert before some 6,500 fans. Nevertheless, the 1,200 guests who paid between $300 and $10,500 (the latter for a table for 10) to attend the entire gala from soup to nuts (roasted filet of beef, ratatouille, potato gratin and Valencia orange mousse) didn't seem to mind much. After all, it was a great cause, and the proceeds will be split three ways, among the Wolf Trap Foundation, the José Carreras International Leukemia

Based in Arlington, the Marrow Foundation seeks to locate marrow donors, with an emphasis on minority groups. The Carreras Foundation is similar, but it has a particular concern for Hispanic donors. That's because Carreras himself had to have a bone marrow transplant several years ago, and when a volunteer was not found, he used his own marrow. It was, obviously, successful. And life-changing. Hence the tenor's involvement.

For Wolf Trap, the evening's theme was "A Garden of Spain," which would explain the aforementioned flowers and sangrias.

Gala Chairman Stella Guerra, the first Hispanic to hold the post, looked elegant in her black-tie dress and matching black fan.

"I wanted to honor José with the biggest garden," she said, "America's only national park for the performing arts. It's a very important night, a night of partnership with three good causes.

Copyright © 1994 The Washington Post