Notes on a Scorecard - July 2, 1992

Several questions have arisen about the four doubleheadaches that will be played at Dodger Stadium during a span of six days:

--Will “Meals on Wheels” be hired to fulfill the early snack, dinner, and late snack requirements of John Kruk in the Philadelphia Phillie clubhouse Friday? . . .

--Can Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres, Don Newcombe, Ron Perranoski and Tommy John--who will pitch in the old-timers’ game Sunday--be activated for the doubleheaders Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday? . . .

--Will fans arrive during the second inning of the first game, leave during the seventh inning, return during the second inning of the second game and depart during the seventh? . . .

--Will the Dodgers call up the Mimbs twins to pitch a twinbill? . . .

--Will Ernie (Let’s Play Two) Banks, who lives in Encino, be asked to throw out the first ball one day? . . .

--Can the Dodgers make a more definitive statement after splitting seven of their last nine doubleheaders since August of 1988? . . .

--Will the national anthem be sung before the first game and “Oh Canada” before the second game against the Montreal Expos Monday through Wednesday? . . .

--Will admission prices be cut in half for the single games Saturday and Sunday? . . .

--How many one-run games will the Dodgers lose in one day? . . .

News item: The Cleveland Indians extend the contract of Mike Hargrove through the 1993 season with an option for 1994. Reaction: It is nice to see a manager rewarded for having his team entrenched in seventh place. . . .

Steve Balboni, the former New York Yankee and Kansas City Royal first baseman who is with Oklahoma City of the American Assn., has become the first player to be named minor league player of the month during each of three decades. . . .

Atlanta Brave outfielder Otis Nixon has hit three home runs in the last seven years, two of them in the past week against Trevor Wilson of the San Francisco Giants. . . .

It might not be long before the Giants have an across-the-bay answer to Dennis Eckersley. Steve Reed has 27 saves in the minor leagues this season and recently walked his first batter in 29 innings. . . .

A St. Louis newspaper asked readers whether Ozzie Smith, who is eligible to become a free agent after the season, should be re-signed for 1993 by the Cardinals. Saying yes were 96.5 % of the voters. . . .

I was surprised it took the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays only 3 hours 45 minutes to play their 16-13 game Tuesday night. . . .

Chick Hearn should order a shipment of refrigerators for his Olympic triplecast calls of the Dream Team games at Barcelona. . . .

It’s a good thing those USA jerseys say “basketball.” Otherwise, how would anyone know what sport was being played? . . .

The Golden State Warriors reported no increase in season ticket sales after drafting Latrell Sprewell on the first round. . . .

The New York Rangers’ offer to the Quebec Nordiques for Eric Lindros was better than the Philadelphia Flyers’. . . .

Sure, the Herschel Walker deal backfired on the Minnesota Vikings, but teams that trade a package of players for a star usually seem to get the better of it. . . .

Consider that Wilt Chamberlain was traded from San Francisco to Philadelphia for Paul Neumann, Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer and cash in 1965 and from Philadelphia to the Lakers for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark and Darrall Imhoff in 1968. . . .

I still like Gabriela Sabatini’s chances at Wimbledon, even though it took her two days to beat Jennifer Capriati. . . .

Three UCLA Bruins--wide receiver Sean LaChapelle, cornerback Carlton Gray and offensive tackle Vaughn Parker--are getting a lot of All-American mention in the preseason football magazines. . . .

Pro Football Weekly says USC, which features Curtis Conway and Johnnie Morton, has the best collection of collegiate receivers in the nation. . . .

It would be sporting of PattiSue Plumer, who made the U.S. Olympic team in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters, to give up her spot in the 1,500 to Mary Slaney. Besides, Plumer has a better chance to win a medal in the 3,000. . . .

Dan O’Brien is not the only fallen Reebok hero. Joe Falcon, the 1,500-meter runner who tripped in the trials, had appeared in print advertisements for the shoe company. The good news is that Suzy Hamilton survived and will be given more exposure before Barcelona. . . .

I guess Mike Tyson won’t be asked to do those “stay in school” TV spots, after all.