Notes on a Scorecard - Oct. 10, 1990

Sorry, Jack Buck and Tim McCarver, but Bobby Bonilla never should have tried to stretch that double into a triple Tuesday night at Pittsburgh. . . .

When you’re trailing by one run in the eighth inning with one out and Barry Bonds on deck, isn’t the objective simply to get into scoring position? . . .

The American League championship series is as simple as A’s, B, C. . . .

Maybe Boston should let Oakland take a 1-0 lead today. . . .

Tony La Russa is pushing all the right buttons, whether it’s starting 15-game loser Mike Moore in Game 3 or lifting him after he allows only one run and four hits in six innings. . . .

If you want to get your name on national television, become a Goodyear blimp pilot. . . .

Fashion note: Barry Bonds has switched from a stud to a hoop in his left ear. . . .

The Associated Press is conducting a poll to determine an all-major league team. One man’s opinion: Catcher--Tony Pena, Boston. 1B--Cecil Fielder, Detroit. 2B--Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs. SS--Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox. 3B--Matt Williams, San Francisco. OF--Barry Bonds, Pittsburgh; Rickey Henderson, Oakland; Darryl Strawberry, New York Mets. Right-handed starter--Bob Welch, Oakland. Left-handed starter--Frank Viola, New York Mets. Reliever--Dennis Eckersley, Oakland. . . .

Who would have thought that Pete Rose would be wearing No. 01832-061 this season? . . .

Dave Henderson has played on teams that have won at least a division championship for five consecutive years. . . .

Buster Douglas looks fat in those TV commercials, but they were shot in August. . . .

Versatile Sugar Ray Leonard will be the ring announcer at the Douglas-Evander Holyfield fight. . . .

Every time I see the tape of one of the Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton matches on TV, I’m reminded that Norton should have been awarded the decision all three times instead of only once. . . .

Angelo Dundee reportedly is doing wonders with Michael Nunn, but we won’t find out for sure until Nunn defends his International Boxing Federation middleweight title against Donald Curry on Oct. 18 in Paris. . . .

The biggest favorite on Breeders’ Cup day at Belmont will be unbeaten Meadow Star in the Juvenile Fillies. . . .

It was nice to see the Cleveland Browns’ Bud Carson smiling Monday night. . . .

When you’ve got Dan Dierdorf, who needs Howard Cosell? . . .

Flea-flickers always seem to work. . . .

You think of Mervyn Fernandez as a long threat, but he has also become the Raiders’ best possession receiver. . . .

A conversation with Walter Payton encouraged Marcus Dupree to attempt a comeback. . . .

They may get a break if quarterback Jim Harbaugh can’t play, but the Rams will face one problem the Raiders didn’t against the Bears--a physically sound Neal Anderson. . . .

When he retires from pro football, Ram special teamer Michael Stewart can always get a job as a cheerleader. . . .

I’d love to see what numbers Barry Sanders would put up in an offense that wasn’t run and shoot. . . .

It’s surprising that Bernie Kosar gets away with that sidearm delivery. . . .

One of the best quarterback matchups in the nation Saturday will be San Diego State’s Dan McGwire against UCLA’s Tommy Maddox at the Rose Bowl. . . .

My friend George Wendt, the actor, wonders if his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish can regain the No. 1 spot if they go unbeaten the rest of the season. I think so. But they will have to beat Miami, Tennessee and USC, among others. . . .

The Spirit of Friendship awards dinner Nov. 10 at the Beverly Hilton, a fund-raiser for the California Special Olympics, will honor the 12 special athletes who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. . . .

Thumbs up to Steffi Graf for donating the $45,000 she won in an East German tournament to the East German Tennis Federation. . . .

New York Times sportswriter Phil Berger’s novel, “Big Time,” based on the basketball scandals of the 1950s and ‘60s, would make a terrific movie. . . .

The Dodgers should bring Steve Brener back as publicist. . . .

In his preseason basketball magazine, Dick Vitale picks Arizona first, UCLA second and USC third in the Pac-10. . . .

Danny Ferry, who was disappointing in Italy and the summer league, is making a strong impression at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ training camp. . . .

Johnny Most, who has retired from the Boston Celtics’ broadcasting booth, was good, but no Chick Hearn. . . .

I wonder what the locker room policy is for the world chess championships.