Notes on a Scorecard - March 21, 1991

Pasadena got a Super Bowl. The Lakers moved into first place. Bo Jackson’s future in baseball, football and TV commercials was in doubt. But all I kept hearing about Wednesday was the Mike Tyson-Razor Ruddock controversy. . . .

Nothing like a big fight. And a big stink. People who don’t know a left jab from a right cross were still talking about referee Richard Steele’s decision to stop the bout in the seventh round. . . .

I don’t buy the conflict-of-interest argument. Steele is a decent fellow who did what he thought was the right thing. However, he didn’t enhance his reputation when he told a New York radio station that he thought the fight had been scheduled for 10 rounds, not 12. . . .

Despite the rhubarb, don’t expect a quick rematch. What does Tyson have to gain from it? Instead, he probably will take lower risk fights--like the one against Renaldo (Mr.) Snipes--before what eventually should be the biggest money match of all time against the Evander Holyfield-George Foreman winner. . . .

Thumbs up to the NFL for keeping the instant-replay rule. Without it, the networks would keep showing replays of officials making mistakes, and the uproars would be endless. . . .

You mean to tell me that Sergei Bubka didn’t set a pole vault record Wednesday? His achievements in recent days brought back memories of Billy Olson, who would raise the bar a quarter of an inch from meet to meet, setting world records, and collecting bonuses. . . .

A Carl Lewis-Ben Johnson matchup has lost much of its appeal. Johnson’s comeback has been disappointing, and Lewis finished third in a 60-meter race Friday in San Sebastian, Spain. . . .

Biggest bargain in town this weekend is the USC-UCLA baseball series. Admission for the games Saturday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. at Dedeaux Field is $4 for adults and $2 for children. For the Sunday game at 1 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium, it’s $3 for adults and $1 for children. . . .

Among the players to watch is Mark Smith, the power-hitting outfielder who has helped lead the Trojans to an 8-1 record in the Pacific 10 Conference and a No. 2 ranking in the country. He is on a pace to threaten the school runs-batted-in record of 92 set by Rich Dauer in 1974 and equaled by Jim Campanis in 1988. . . .

Now that the $2 trifecta has been introduced at Santa Anita, the track ought to offer more $2 exactas. . . .

The large TV screens placed above the ring at the Mirage Monday night were effective. Maybe one of these days, boxing will even have scoreboards showing the officials’ cards after every round. . . .

Some fights need a 24-second punch clock. . . .

A little man, Michael Carbajal, is a big attraction. His International Boxing Federation light-flyweight title defense against Javier Varquez Sunday drew the sixth-highest rating on ESPN for any Top Rank show. . . .

Billy Barty and Jerry Marren, who 40 years ago helped to create the Hollywood Shorties basketball and baseball team that has raised many thousands of dollars for charity, will be honored Sunday at 8 p.m. at Gorky’s Cafe in Hollywood. . . .

The Dodgers’ home opener on April 12 against San Diego is sold out. . . .

Spring training injury of the year: Rookie catcher Steve Decker of the San Francisco Giants sprained his left foot trying to avoid an autograph seeker who had run onto the field during practice. . . .

The Raiders might regret exposing Greg Bell to Plan B free agency now that they can’t count on Bo Jackson. . . .

Todd Marinovich boosted his stock in the draft with an impressive workout in front of NFL talent scouts in Hawaii. . . .

The Miami Dolphins would like to trade cornerback Tim McKyer, but their asking price of second- and fourth-round draft choices seems high. . . .

The New England Patriots might deal the No. 1 pick in the draft. Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas and San Francisco are among those interested. . . .

Eric Swann--the 6-foot-4, 311-pound defensive end without college experience--could go as high as the top 10 or as low as the second round. . . .

Asked who Reggie Miller reminded him of, George Gervin said: “Me.”