Notes on a Scorecard - June 8, 1992

Game 3 of the NBA finals was pivotal because Chicago’s victory means Portland can’t win the series at home. . . .

Once again Sunday, the Bulls showed the pride and resiliency of a champion that had been stung. . . .

Marv Albert had it right when he called NBC analyst Mike Fratello’s remarks about the distractions the Trail Blazers faced in Portland before the game “a reach.” . . .

The Bulls got a break when Bill Cartwright fouled out and Stacey King replaced him. . . .

I didn’t miss the Chicago Stadium public address announcer, who makes Harry Caray sound impartial. . . .

The last time both the NBA finals and Stanley Cup were won by repeat champions was 1988, the year of the Lakers and Edmonton Oilers. . . .

The best baseball game I’ve seen this season was Pepperdine’s victory over Cal State Fullerton in the Freeway College World Series. It had everything except an error. . . .

Thumbs up to Waves Coach Andy Lopez, who shook hands with the Titans before joining his team’s celebration. . . .

Among the similarities between Patrick Ahearne of Pepperdine and Orel Hershiser of the Dodgers is that both pitch to catchers who wear No. 14. . . . Day of the Butterfly: Knuckleball pitchers Tom Candiotti of Los Angeles and Charlie Hough of the Chicago White Sox combined to limit division leaders Cincinnati and Oakland to one run Sunday. . . .

What has to worry the rest of the NL West is that the Reds are in first place, despite having played 32 of their first 53 games on the road. . . .

The Dodgers were 8-4 with Darryl Strawberry on the disabled list last year. So far this year, they are 14-7. . . .

The way Reds Manager Lou Pinella walks to the mound, he must be an advocate of the four-hour game. . . .

How badly are the Angels going? They have been caught by the Kansas City Royals, who started the season 1-16. . . .

I never thought I would hear batters complain about Fenway Park. . . .

The Cleveland Indians, who can hit, need more young pitchers like Charles Nagy. . . .

David Newhan, the Cypress College second baseman who was drafted on the 49th round by the Detroit Tigers, is the son of Times baseball writer Ross Newhan. . . .

Hal Sherbeck, the legendary junior college football coach, will be honored at a retirement dinner June 26 at the Holiday Inn in Fullerton. . . .

Coach Larry Smith isn’t delighted that USC has to play its first three games at San Diego State, Oklahoma and Washington, but is thankful that the Trojans will have two weeks each to prepare for the Sooners and Huskies. . . .

Smith believes USC will face a more difficult challenge recruiting Los Angeles prospects than those from out-of-state because of the riots. . . . Among reporters who have been issued credentials to the Evander Holyfield-Larry Holmes heavyweight title fight at Caesars Palace June 19 is Kevin Barry of the Christchurch, New Zealand, Press. Barry was the benefactor of the controversial disqualification of Holyfield in the 1984 Olympic Games at the Sports Arena. . . .

It took some remote control handiwork, but the well-rounded sports fan had a wonderful day in front of the tube Saturday watching the Pepperdine-Cal State Fullerton game, the Monica Seles-Steffi Graf French Open final and the Belmont Stakes. . . .

Jeff Siegel, the syndicated handicapper who co-owns My Memoirs, picked his horse to finish fourth in the Belmont Stakes. Fresh off the plane from England and competing on dirt for the first time, My Memoirs surprised Siegel and the betting public by finishing second, only three-quarters of a length behind A.P. Indy. . . .

“With an eighth of a mile to go, I thought we were going to win,” Siegel said. “Then I realized that we had to get past a horse ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye. That’s just about impossible.” . . .

The $168,000 second-place purse made the $50,000 supplemental fee that Siegel paid to get 18-1 shot My Memories into the race seem like a bargain. In 1989, Siegel’s Clover Stables supplemented Martial Law for $40,000 in the Santa Anita Handicap. The 50-1 shot won the first prize of $550,000. . . .

Trainer Neil Drysdale has done a terrific job with A.P. Indy, both before and after the injury that kept him out of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. . . .

ABC’s lighthearted “Guys and Dolls” opening on the Belmont telecast beat the usual overly dramatic approach. . . .

I wonder what Sid Craig will buy wife Jenny for her birthday. . . .

Imagine how effective Jim Courier would be if he had any natural ability.