Notes on a Scorecard - June 9, 1992

Maybe no one should be so surprised about Pepperdine University, the little school that could. . . .

I mean, Pepperdine is not exactly a tough sell. Its address is 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. The campus is modern and uncrowded. The coaching staffs are excellent. . . .

It all added up this year to NCAA championships in baseball and men’s volleyball, West Coast Conference titles in baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball, a Big West water polo title and a Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. title. . . .

The climax was a 3-2 victory over Cal State Fullerton in the College World Series before a national television audience Saturday. People keep telling me they wish major league games were so exciting and well played. . . .

Six Wave juniors and Patrick Ahearne, the Orel Hershiser-like senior pitcher, were selected in the amateur draft last week. . . .

Steve Rodriguez, the second baseman who hit a grand slam during the seventh inning that beat Texas last Thursday and made the diving stop during the eighth that saved the championship victory Saturday, was taken during the fifth round by the Boston Red Sox and left Monday morning to participate in the U.S. Olympic trials. . . .

The most famous product of the school’s baseball program is Mike Scott, the former Cy Young Award winner for the Houston Astros who pitched at Malibu from 1974-76. Current major leaguers are New York Yankee infielder Andy Stankiewicz, Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Mike Fetters and Detroit Tiger catcher Chad Kreuter. . . .

Pepperdine, which has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,600, was a fan favorite in Omaha. . . .

“Pepperdine merchandise was the biggest seller at the souvenir stands,” said Michael Zapolski, the school’s sports information director. “Most of the schools had been to Omaha a few times. This was only our second trip, and we were a novelty. They constantly had to reorder.” . . .

Among those Waves who quickly made friends in Nebraska was Coach Andy Lopez, the 38-year-old former San Pedro High, Harbor JC and UCLA shortstop. . . .

“Andy is a heck of a good guy,” Zapolski said. So good that he will be the best man at Zapolski’s wedding Aug. 15. . . .

Ken Norton, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame Sunday, should have been awarded the decision over Muhammad Ali in all three of their fights, not merely the first. . . .

Larry Holmes is living in a dream world--and trying to drum up interest in his bout against Evander Holyfield--when he says he is a better fighter today than when he was heavyweight champion and that he would pick Ray Mercer to beat Holyfield. . . .

The U.S. Olympic boxing trials would be better if referees didn’t stop the action every few seconds to issue warnings. . . .

What a job Jim Bush, whose six-man contingent finished third in the NCAA meet, is doing with the USC track and field program. . . .

Quincy Watts’ success in the 400 meters is nothing new for Bush. At UCLA, he coached Wayne Collett, the 400-meter silver medalist in the 1972 Olympic Games, and John Smith, the world record-holder in the 440-yard dash. In fact, Smith should keep that record for all time because the distance no longer is run. . . .

Recommended reading: “Joy in Mudville” (Doubleday) is a collection of baseball stories edited by Dick Schaap. . . .

Pat Leahy, a pitcher from Notre Dame who was drafted during the fifth round by the Florida Marlins, is the grandson of Irish football coaching legend Frank Leahy. . . .

Gary Matthews Jr., a shortstop, was taken during the 37th round by the Minnesota Twins. . . .

Both San Francisco teams, the Giants and 49ers, drafted Darian Hagan of Colorado. . . .

Jason Kidd, the Bay Area basketball star who will enroll at California, is also an accomplished center fielder who has been given permission to play baseball for the Bears his freshman season. . . .

Lloyd Daniels, who says he has been drug-free for a couple of years, had a tryout with the New York Knicks recently and a few other NBA teams are interested in him. . . .

Chicago Bull guard B.J. Armstrong looks younger every year. . . .

Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett, Mark McGwire and Ruben Sierra are doing nothing to hurt their value as free agents after this season. . . .

The Texas Rangers are going to miss Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez, who has a bad back. He might have the best throwing arm of any catcher. . . .

Bobby Bonilla is quickly moving up among the National League RBI leaders. . . .

Firing Jim Lefebvre has helped to turn the Seattle Mariners around--the wrong way.

It won’t be long--maybe another seven suspensions--before Steve Howe runs out of apologists.