Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 6, 1992

Watching Bjorn Borg play tennis Tuesday at UCLA was like watching Willie Mays bat for the New York Mets, Joe Louis fight Rocky Marciano, or O.J. Simpson run for the San Francisco 49ers. . . .

It took Volvo/Los Angeles tournament announcer Mike Walden nearly as long to introduce Borg as it did Chris Pridham to polish him off in straight sets. . . .

About the only credential Walden failed to mention was the five-time Wimbledon champion’s current world ranking--No. 917 among 1,300. . . .

Pridham, a Canadian Davis Cup player who is ranked 112th, was a ballboy during a match Borg played in Toronto many years ago. . . .

“A lot of older guys talk about making comebacks,” said Pridham, 27, after beating Borg, 36, in 65 minutes. “But they don’t have enough guts to put their name on the line. Borg does. I have tremendous respect for him.” . . .

Tonight in Westwood, Pridham will face another youngster--Jimmy Connors. . . .

Martina Navratilova will try to move ahead of Chris Evert with a seventh championship in the Virginia Slims of Los Angeles next week at the Manhattan Beach Country Club. . . .

As usual, the United States is winning fewer Olympic gold medals than expected by American prognosticators. One reason is that the foreign competitors tend to be underrated by those who aren’t familiar with them. . . .

Don’t be so sure that a major league all-star baseball team would toy with Olympic opposition in the manner of the Dream Team. On his best day, a Cuban, Japanese, or Taiwanese pitcher would at least be able to keep it close. . . .

The upset loss by the United States to the Commonwealth of Independent States on Wednesday didn’t do much for the prospects of a women’s professional basketball league in this country. . . .

Among the few American boxers in Barcelona who improved their bargaining power for turning professional was Danell Nicholson, the young heavyweight who nearly upset Felix Savon of Cuba. . . .

This is the first time since 1956 that the United States has won as few as three medals in boxing. The American gold medalists in Melbourne were heavyweight Pete Rademacher, who began his pro career by fighting Floyd Patterson for the world championship, and light-heavyweight James Boyd. The silver medalist was light-middleweight Jose Torres, who became world light-heavyweight champion. . . .

Jesse Owens’ widow, Ruth, will speak at the opening ceremonies for the 28th ARCO Jesse Owens track and field national championships Friday night at Occidental College’s Patterson Field. Competing in 24 events will be 192 boys and girls, ages 11-14. . . .

Frankie Albert, Bob Chappuis, Bob Griese, Sam Cunningham and Jim Owens, and the late Bill Daddio, Hollis Huntington, Shy Huntington and Elmer Layden will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame this morning. . . .

Stanford halfback Glyn Milburn on the announcement that Bill Walsh had been named Cardinal coach: “I didn’t believe it until I saw the parade outside.” . . .

Former USC center Yamen Sanders, a free agent, and guard Duane Cooper, the Lakers’ second-round draft pick, are drawing raves in the L.A. summer pro league. . . .

Michael Spinks, 35, is back in the gym and thinking about a comeback. . . . Joey Gamache will make the first defense of his World Boxing Assn. lightweight title against Tony Lopez in Gamache’s hometown of Portland, Me., instead of Lopez’s hometown of Sacramento, Oct. 24 on NBC. Co-promoter Don Chargin says Gamache originally agreed to fight for $275,000 on the road. At home, he will have to settle for about $100,000 less. . . .

As good as the Gary Sheffield deal was for the San Diego Padres, the Bip Roberts deal was nearly as bad. . . .

Oakland and Minnesota, who are engaged in the tightest divisional race, will play only three more games, Sept. 14-16, at Oakland. . . .

Bobby Thigpen, who set a major league record with 57 saves two years ago, is being booed by Chicago White Sox fans at Comiskey Park. . . .

The White Sox would have scored more in their 19-11 victory over Minnesota Tuesday, but they left 10 runners on base.