Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 13, 1991

If Orel Hershiser is asking the Dodgers for a three-year contract, they should be only too happy to oblige. . . .

After the 1978 season, Tommy John wanted a three-year contract. The Dodgers offered him a two-year contract. John signed with the New York Yankees. He compiled a 52-26 record the next three years. . . .

I hope the Chicago White Sox have a genuine interest in hiring Chris Chambliss as manager and it is not just a public relations gesture. . . .

Among those receiving Heisman Trophy ballots in the mail this week are nine former winners who live in California--Marcus Allen, Gary Beban, John Cappelletti, Glenn Davis, Mike Garrett, Les Horvath, Jim Plunkett, O.J. Simpson and Charles White. . . .

It is truly an unusual college football season in this part of the country when ABC chooses to televise the California-Stanford game on Nov. 23 rather than UCLA-USC. . . .

Bobby Bowden, whose Florida State football team plays Miami in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup Saturday at Tallahassee, Fla., has a 5-10 record against the Hurricanes. . . .

The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings each had only one possession of the ball during the first quarter Monday night. . . .

Next February at Albertville, France, the United States will have its best chance to win an Olympic gold medal in hockey since the 1980 Winter Games at Lake Placid, N.Y. . . .

Parity has come to international hockey now that many of the best players in the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia have signed professional contracts elsewhere. . . .

Of course, Canada will be formidable with Eric Lindros in the lineup. . . .

When General Manager Bill Torrey of the New York Islanders was at the Forum to scout the King-Vancouver Canuck game last week, he raved about the Washington Capitals. Two nights ago in Montreal, the Capitals beat the Canadiens to become the team with the best winning percentage in the NHL. . . .

Goals should count more than assists in the NHL scoring statistics. For instance, Adam Oates of the St. Louis Blues ranks higher than teammate Brett Hull although Hull has scored 16 goals and Oates only four. . . .

San Antonio Spur guard Rod Strickland is a Laker trade possibility. . . .

Last season, the Clippers were 1-7 in games they played without high-scoring forward Charles Smith. This season, they are 5-2 without Smith. . . .

Clipper Coach Mike Schuler, on Doc Rivers and James Edwards: “Neither one is afraid to speak up. And when they do speak, the younger players listen.” . . .

Rivers said: “We’re winning on guts right now. This is still a young team. Charles Smith is injured. I haven’t learned the offense yet. By March or April, we’re going to be a very good team.” . . .

Despite the Clippers’ fast start, attendance at the Sports Arena is down considerably from a year ago. . . .

UCLA is highly ranked, and Harold Miner has brought new excitement to USC basketball, but don’t forget Pepperdine. The Waves, favored to win the West Coast Conference title, are led by forward Doug Christie, an NBA prospect. . . .

For the first time, fans will be allowed to consume food and beverages on the arena level at Pauley Pavilion this season. . . .

UCLA’s opening basketball game against Indiana Friday at Springfield, Mass., brings to mind what probably is Walt Hazzard’s greatest coaching credential. He is 1-0 against Bobby Knight. Hazzard’s Bruins defeated Knight’s Hoosiers, 65-62, in the 1985 National Invitation Tournament championship game. . . .

News item: NCAA President Judith Sweet says she has a feeling the women’s Final Four at the Los Angeles Sports Arena April 4-5 may outdraw the 1990 event that attracted 40,000 to Knoxville, Tenn. Reaction: Not likely, considering that the Sports Arena seats 16,150 for basketball and there will be only two sessions. . . .

Manuel Medina of Tijuana will try to avoid the Forum jinx Monday night when he defends his International Boxing Federation featherweight championship against Tom (Boom Boom) Johnson of New York. In the seven world title fights at the Forum this year, six champions have lost. . . .

The staff Goose Girl Jennifer Lynn Borges will carry at Hollywood Park is the same one used by Charlton Heston in “The Ten Commandments.” . . .

Lyle Alzado, Mike Epstein and Jack Hirsch will be among those inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Westside Jewish Community Center. . . .

If Charles Barkley wears No. 32 the rest of the season, I hope he improves his behavior on the court and doesn’t embarrass the gentleman who wore that number for the Lakers.