Notes on a Scorecard - March 20, 1990

The MVP of the baseball lockout was Orel Hershiser. . . .

Here’s a guy who stood to lose $61,000 a week, but took an active role in the union fight. In 1986, he was able to go to arbitration after two seasons in the majors and win a million-dollar contract from the Dodgers. He wanted to see others in that position have the same opportunity. And he put his money where his mouth was. . . .

Who won the labor dispute? The players on a split decision. They really didn’t get their way on arbitration. But those owners who sought to bust the union failed miserably. The players remained united and wound up with a good contract. . . .

Commissioner Fay Vincent deserves mostly high marks. Unlike Bowie Kuhn, he was not afraid to participate in the negotiations. He didn’t beg off by saying it was a matter between the players and owners. His one mistake was the ludicrous proposal to the players that they agree not to strike if the owners ended the lockout. . . .

The biggest losers are the states of Florida and Arizona, which blew spring training dollars. . . .

Shame on the reporter who asked White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater if President Bush helped end the lockout. . . .

To make up games postponed by of the lockout, baseball should revive that grand old tradition, the doubleheader. . . .

The one-week delay of opening day means the NCAA will have the spotlight to itself April 2 when the basketball tournament championship game is played in Denver. . . .

Now that three of my projected Final Four--Arizona, Virginia and Oklahoma--have been eliminated, I’ll stick with the lone survivor, Connecticut, to win it all. . . .

Loyola Marymount has the style, stamina and spirit to beat anybody, but may have gotten a bad break when Alabama upset Arizona. The Crimson Tide is quicker than the Wildcats and more likely to keep up with the Lions’ run-run-run game. . . .

Nevada Las Vegas, which could play the Lions in the West Regional final, is one of only three teams to have held them to fewer than 100 points this season. The Rebels won the season’s opening game, 102-91, in Las Vegas. Loyola Marymount scored a mere 99 in victories over St. Joseph’s and Gonzaga. . . .

Not since Rumeal Robinson of Michigan sank two free throws to beat Seton Hall for the national championship last April has a college kid showed the poise at the free-throw line that smiling UCLA freshman Tracy Murray did Sunday against Kansas. . . .

NBA scouts weren’t surprised that Texas Southern gave Georgetown a decent game. The Tigers have three possible pro draft choices. . . .

It depends on the needs of the team doing the drafting, but it appears that Syracuse forward Derrick Coleman, not Oregon State guard Gary Payton, will be the first player picked. . . .

Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun is projecting Nadav Henefeld, the forward from Israel who has two years of eligibility remaining, as a shooting guard in the NBA. . . .

Pat O’Hara, the quarterback who was going to start for USC last season before tearing up his knee, is throwing on the sidelines during spring practice and will be ready to play this season. . . .

A study by the New York Thoroughbred Racing Assn. a couple of years ago showed that only 188 bettors were responsible for 42% of the handle at Belmont and Aqueduct. . . .

Whether it’s baseball, football, basketball, hockey or even soccer, ESPN’s Bob Ley knows what he’s talking about. . . .

The Kings will draw their 10-millionth fan for a home game Thursday when they play the New York Islanders at the Forum. Their first home game--in 1967 against Philadelphia--drew only 7,023 at the Sports Arena. . . .

The best 3-year-old racing in Florida may be Housebuster, but he’s strictly a sprinter and most likely will not run in the Kentucky Derby. . . .

Steve Wynn, owner of the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, might buy into Philadelphia Park race track. . . .

Reports from the “Rocky V” set are that Tommy Morrison, an unbeaten heavyweight in real life, is doing a terrific job in his acting debut. . . .

A Julio Cesar Chavez-Hector Camacho fight would make a lot of fans happy. Chavez would probably run the not-so Macho Man out of the ring. . . .

Dream matchup: Chavez vs. Roberto Duran, at 135 pounds, at their peak. My selection: Chavez by decision. . .

Will it be a strike or a lockout in 1994?