Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 11, 1991

Fay Vincent can lecture the owners all he wants, but Bobby Bonilla’s $29-million contract will seem a mere pittance next year when Cal Ripken Jr., Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett, Barry Larkin, Ryne Sandberg and Ruben Sierra become eligible for free agency. . . .

The Dodgers, who need help in the infield, should be aware that free agents Pedro Guerrero, Willie Randolph and Dave Anderson are available. . . .

However, Mike Marshall is not available. He signed a two-year, $3.7-million contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan during the winter meetings in Miami. . . .

Was it with a straight face that the Dodgers’ Fred Claire offered Kal Daniels to the Oakland A’s for Mark McGwire? . . .

Welcome back to Southern California, Hubie Brooks. Your smile and work ethic were missed. . . .

Chili Davis, whom the Angels let get away too early, was voted the outstanding designated hitter in the American League. Dave Parker, whom the Angels acquired too late, was the winner the previous two years. . . .

The New York Yankees’ third basemen committed 37 errors and drove in 38 runs last season. . . .

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Rams have something in common besides a lousy record--a lack of effective players acquired through Plan B free agency. . . .

It may have been legal, but that was a brutal, cheap shot that Miami Dolphin kicker Pete Stoyanovich took from the Bengals’ Alex Gordon Monday night. . . .

Bubby Brister is lucky that the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t suspend him for refusing to go into a game. . . .

The worst thing about the Raiders’ defeat by Buffalo was its effect on their chances of gaining a home-field advantage during the playoffs. It is hard to imagine them beating the Oilers at Houston’s Astrodome, let alone the Bills at Rich Stadium. . . .

New York Jet defensive coordinator Pete Carroll might follow Ron Wolf to Green Bay as head coach if Lindy Infante is fired. . . .

Among the best little-known linebackers in the NFL is the Oilers’ Al Smith. . . .

The Denver Broncos wisely are keeping quarterback John Elway out of practice every Wednesday and Thursday. . . .

St. Louis, whose ownership group includes Walter Payton, and Charlotte, N.C., are considered the front-runners for NFL expansion franchises in 1994. . . .

NFL Properties is donating all profits from the sale of Mike Utley T-shirts to the Detroit Lions’ paralyzed player. . . .

I won’t argue with the Associated Press basketball poll voters who decided that Arizona’s 20-point victory over Louisiana State was more impressive than UCLA’s 40-point victory over Pepperdine. But they do seem to be forgetting the Bruins’ rout of Indiana on a neutral court. . . .

USC will be well rested when it plays its most attractive nonconference game at the Sports Arena, on Dec. 21 against Ohio State, two weeks after the Trojans’ victory over UC Irvine. . . .

Desmond Howard of Michigan will become the 11th junior to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday. Only Archie Griffin has repeated as a senior. . . .

Heisman preseason favorite David Klingler was a disappointment, but Houston still led the nation in passing yardage per game and in completions. . . .

Three of the four top football teams in total offense--No. 1 Fresno State, No. 2 Pacific and No. 4 San Jose State--are from the Big West Conference. . . .

An NHL rookie-of-the-year candidate is Niklas Lindstrom, the Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman from Sweden. . . .

The International Boxing Federation ranks Pierre Coetzer of South Africa No. 3 in the heavyweight division but doesn’t rank Ray Mercer among the top 10 contenders. . . .

The USC football team and coaching staff will play host to 100 ill and disadvantaged kids from South Central Los Angeles at a Christmas Party Sunday in Heritage Hall. . . .

I am still trying to figure out how the Philadelphia 76ers, without Charles Barkley, beat the Chicago Bulls last week. . . .

It was 20 years ago today that the Lakers set an NBA record of 21 consecutive victories on their way to 33.