Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 12, 1990

What it came down to for Al Davis was this: Would you rather spend your time in Los Angeles or Oakland? . . .

Not even the Living Room AC can beef about the Raider decision. Once the Coliseum is remodeled and the seating capacity reduced, there will be plenty of sellouts here and more local Sunday telecasts. . . .

Thumbs up to Spectacor. Left to its own devices, the Coliseum Commission would have done nothing and L.A. County would have been without pro football. . . .

Next step should be the construction of a new Sports Arena to make sure the Clippers don’t move to one of the two arenas being built in Orange County. . . .

The question isn’t whether Wally Joyner has played his last game for the Angels this season, but whether he has played his last game ever for them. . . .

Hardly seems possible, but Jim Abbott (10-12) could equal or even surpass his victory total of last season--12. . . .

The Quick Hook Era: Dave Stewart and Jack Morris lead the American League in complete games with eight each. Fifteen years ago, Catfish Hunter completed 30. . . .

Tony La Russa’s temper tantrum in the ninth inning during a game against Seattle Monday night shows why the Oakland Athletics don’t lose their edge even when they are running away with the AL West championship. Their manager won’t let them. . .

Quick now, who is leading the National League in earned-run average? None other than Billy Martin’s old sparring partner, Ed Whitson of San Diego. . . .

Local baseball reporters won’t have to think twice about their Dodger and Angel most-valuable-player award winners--Eddie Murray and Chuck Finley. . . .

Look for an unhappy Tim Raines to be traded by the Montreal Expos. . . .

One of the year’s biggest surprises is Boston Red Sox pitcher Greg Harris, who is working for his seventh major league team and had a career record of 35-45 going into the season. . . .

Whatever happened to the Minnesota Twins? . . .

It took Ken Griffey 16 more seasons than his son to be honored as his league’s player of the week. . . .

For the record: Scott Boras is Dodger pitcher Tim Belcher’s agent. . . .

Now the big thing in Los Angeles pro football is the running back controversy. Gaston Green, Curt Warner or Cleveland Gary for the Rams. Will the Raiders give Marcus Allen back the starting job he deserves? . . .

Bobby Hebert would have done better than John Fourcade against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans Monday night. . . .

The Saints might have the best defense in the NFL, but they won’t go far without an offense. . . .

George Allen’s first Cal State Long Beach football media luncheon drew a packed house at a restaurant. After the 49ers’ 59-0 loss to Clemson, his second media luncheon drew two people. After that, the media sessions were moved to his office on campus. . .

Why did it take the press box instant replay official 1 minute 57 seconds Monday night to reach the same conclusion the ABC announcing team made in only 30 seconds? . . .

ABC is televising three college football games Saturday, but the varsity--Keith Jackson, Bob Griese, Jack Arute--will work USC-Penn State. . . .

USC Coach Larry Smith said he wasn’t surprised that Brigham Young beat Miami because Cougar Coach LaVell Edwards’ wife, Patti, told Smith’s wife, Cheryl, that it would happen. And you don’t argue with those two about football. Patti Edwards writes a column for the Provo Herald sports section, and Cheryl Smith conducts a “Football for Women” seminar. . . .

I hope fame hasn’t gone to the head of Mary Carillo, who usually is the best of the TV tennis commentators but talked too much during the U.S. Open. . . .

Loyola Marymount didn’t exactly go out of its way to reward Paul Westhead for a job very well done and shouldn’t have been shocked that he left for Denver without first paying his respects. . . .

Nice to see that Augusta National Golf Club has joined the 20th Century. . . .

Remember that little old L.A. County Fair race meeting? This year’s stakes schedule includes five races with purses of at least $100,000. . . .

Now is when Roberto Duran, 39, should be saying, “ No mas ,” instead of “ Mas .”. . . .

News item: Coach Tom Webster of the Kings plans a more conservative, defense-minded, patient style of play. Reaction: Every King coach has made the same promise, and only Bob Pulford has fulfilled it. . . .

The Raiders should make it official and put “L.A.” below the team logo on their helmets.