Notes on a Scorecard - April 7, 1992

It happened on opening day:

9 a.m.--Someone on the radio says this is the best day on the sports calendar--the opening of baseball season and the climax of college basketball season. . . .

10--A Dodger Stadium ticket-holder calls into work sick. . . .

10:15--The third-oldest stadium in the National League looks as beautiful as on opening day 30 years ago. And it has drinking fountains now. . . .

10:40--ESPN’s Chris Berman reveals his newest nickname--Royce (A-Roni) Clayton, the San Francisco treat. . . .

10:45--Dodger left fielder Eric Davis talks about his Freeway Series collision with center fielder Brett Butler: “I’m not used to having a guy in the gap. It’s a good problem to have.” . . .

11--Clubhouse visitor Willie Davis, who was the Dodger center fielder on opening day 30 years ago, looks ready to play nine innings. “I can, if necessary,” he says. . . .

11:15--Tom Lasorda promises he will give Eric Karros some playing time at first base and the opportunity to gain permanent employment in Los Angeles. . . .

11:40--Mike Brito, the Dodger scout who discovered Fernando Valenzuela, says he will be in Guadalajara on April 28 to watch Valenzuela pitch for the Charros against the Campeche Piratasin a Mexican League game. Valenzuela recently signed with the Detroit Tiger organization and will work out three more weeks before pitching competitively. . . .

“I might be the only one, but I think Fernando can come back,” Brito says. “He really is only 31. If he improves his control, he can pitch another six or seven years.” . . .

12:26 p.m.--Tommy Davis is introduced during pregame ceremonies. He won the National League batting championship in 1962 and 1963. No Dodger has won it since. . . .

12:33--Steve Garvey and Ron Cey address the crowd. Too bad they can’t stick around and play first and third. . . .

12:49--Bill Swift is introduced as the San Francisco Giants’ opening-day pitcher. Is this a team in need of live arms or what? . . .

12:51--Karros gets the loudest applause of any Dodger reserve. . . .

1--Duke Snider, the 1962 team captain, throws out the first ball and then adjourns to the SportsChannel booth to do the commentary. . . .

1:01--Nell Carter sings the national anthem with dignity and enthusiasm. . . .

1:09--Thumbs up to Darryl Strawberry, who waves to the fans in the pavilion after taking his position in right field. . . .

1:10--The first pitch, thrown by Ramon Martinez to Darren Lewis, is a called strike. . . .

1:26--San Francisco doesn’t score, but the top of the first inning lasts 16 minutes. At this pace, nine scoreless innings will last 4 hours 48 minutes and then there will be overtime. . . .

1:41--Fancy-fielding first baseman Kal Daniels makes a nifty pickup of Kirt Manwaring’s grounder. . . .

1:44--Mike Scioscia commits a passed ball that allows the Giants to score the first run. This is not a good omen for Tom Candiotti. . . .

1:58--In his first time up as a Dodger, Eric Davis loops a ball into right field that drops at the feet of Cory Snyder for a single. . . .

2:03--Davis steals his first base as a Dodger. . . .

2:24--Ramon Martinez finally does something in a hurry. He leaves the mound before John Candelaria emerges from the bullpen to relieve him. . . .

2:51--Wes Parker--uh, make that Kal Daniels--throws out Robby Thompson at third base to complete a double play. . . . 2:57--Play of the day: Snyder takes a home run away from Scioscia with a leaping catch in right field. . . .

2:58--Look-alikes: Snyder and John Daly. . . .

3:10--Paid attendance is announced as 49,018. It was a sellout weeks ago. What we need is more day ball. . . .

3:18--A lot of those people are wishing they hadn’t come. Boos erupt and the parade to the exits begins as the Giants take an 8-0 lead in the sixth inning. . . .

3:36--The game isn’t all bad so far. No wave. No beach balls. . . .

4:04--A facetious cheer goes up as Jose Offerman scores the run that narrows the gap to 8-1 in the eighth. . . .

4:06--Roger Craig lifts Cy Young Award candidate Bill Swift. . . .

4:25--San Francisco wins, 8-1. If only the Dodgers could hit and pitch as well as they can field.