Notes on a Scorecard - May 15, 1991

It is the summer of 1997 and Dodger Manager Bill Russell has just announced his starting rotation for an important three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds: R. Martinez, P. Martinez and J. Martinez. . . .

Remember, you read it here first. . . .

Ramon Martinez, 23, is 6-1 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brother Pedro, 19, is 5-0 with the Bakersfield Dodgers of the California League. Brother Jesus, 17, is waiting for assignment to begin his first year in professional baseball. . . .

When they grow up, Pedro, 5 feet 11 and 150 pounds, and Jesus, 6-2 and 142, are going to look just like Ramon, 6-4 and 173. . . .

Right-handed Pedro and left-handed Jesus throw heat in the manner of their older brother and would like to master the changeup, too. . . .

Not the least of Ramon’s improvements this year is that he is working faster and is no longer being compared to Alejandro (Slow) Pena. . . .

You might be wondering why Tom Lasorda wasn’t mentioned in that 1997 scenario. Well, he retired as manager after the 1994 season, moved into the Dodger front office and was replaced by Russell. . . .

Lasorda, batting coach Ben Hines and Darryl Strawberry studied pictures of Strawberry’s swing this year and last before the game Sunday. . . .

“There were some differences that were really noticeable,” Lasorda said. “Darryl has made adjustments and is feeling more comfortable at the plate.” . . .

Lasorda on shortstop Jose Offerman: “When he came to spring training, he needed a lot of work. Bill Russell helped him tremendously. When he left Vero Beach, I felt he was ready to play in the National League.” . . .

The most impressive thing about Orel Hershiser’s 10 innings in the minor leagues is that he hasn’t walked a batter. . . .

It is difficult to find a bigger waste of talent in baseball than Mike Marshall. . . .

So San Francisco Examiner columnist Art Spander, a Dorsey High School and UCLA graduate, says his old hometown is a bad town because Laker fans arrive at the Forum late, leave early and don’t cheer loudly enough. If Spander had been at the Forum for any King games this season, he probably would think Los Angeles is a great town. . . .

Greg Richardson, 33, became the oldest man to win the bantamweight championship since Johnny Buff in 1921 when Richardson upset Raul Perez for the World Boxing Council title at the Forum. . . .

Richardson will be trying to end the WBC champions’ jinx Monday night when he makes his first title defense against Victor Rabanales of Mexico. Perez, light-flyweight Rolando Pascua, light-flyweight Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez and super bantamweight Paul Banke have been dethroned in the past four WBC championship bouts at the Forum. . . .

Construction began Monday on a 6,500-seat outdoor arena at the Palm Springs Radisson for the Terry Norris-Donald Curry, Meldrick Taylor-Luis Garcia doubleheader, June 1. . . .

Junior lightweight prospect Aaron Lopez will wear the name of his late manager, Ed Sobel, on his trunks at the Country Club in Reseda Friday when he fights Vicente Gonzalez in a 12-round bout. The card features unbeaten 130-pound Rafael Ruelas against Fernando Teran. . . .

Walt Hazzard, who wanted the UC Irvine basketball coaching job, says he will apply for just about anything that comes open. Hazzard’s UCLA teams were 77-47. . . .

USC Athletic Director Mike McGee, who won the 1959 Outland Trophy as a Duke guard, recently was inducted into the North Carolina sports hall of fame. . . .

Until the Stanley Cup finals are telecast by a major network, they will remain a secret to much of the nation. . . .

Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson finally will renew acquaintances in a 100-meter race July 1 in a suburb of Paris. . . .

Dan Marino is about to sign a contract with the Miami Dolphins that will make him the highest-paid NFL player, and Bobby Hebert is expected to end his one-year hiatus by rejoining the New Orleans Saints. . . .

Horseswithlongnames update: Wikiwikiloheihei finished sixth in the second race Saturday at Hollywood Park.