Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 27, 1992

The trouble with Fay Vincent’s realignment is that he didn’t go far enough. . . .

What baseball really needs is a complete overhaul: natural rivalries, a cut-down in travel expenses, more divisions, more playoff games and fewer meaningless regular-season games. . . .

How about this realignment? . . .

National League West--Dodgers, Angels, San Diego, Oakland, Seattle. . . .

NL Central--Houston, Texas, Kansas City, Colorado. . . .

NL East--Atlanta, Florida, St. Petersburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. . . .

American League West--Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit. . . .

AL Central--Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Baltimore. . . .

AL East--New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston, Toronto, Montreal. . . .

Four teams in each league would advance to the playoffs--the winners of each division and a wild card with the best record of the also-rans. . . .

Postseason play would begin with two best-of-five series in each league. The winners would meet in a best-of-seven league championship series, and the survivors would play in the World Series. . . .

Sorry, traditionalists, but the grand old game could use a lift. . . .

Wouldn’t it make sense for Todd Marinovich to start the Raiders’ final exhibition game Saturday against Houston at the Coliseum so he could gain some experience against a first-string defense? . . .

For 14 years with the Rams, Doug Smith was the kind of offensive lineman coaches cherish--competitive, steady and durable. . . .

Dennis Green’s Minnesota Vikings--who have outscored their three opponents, 110-6 in exhibitions--will find out early about their chances in the NFC Central. Five of their first six games are against division rivals. . . .

What should worry the Dodgers about Jose Offerman is that he continues to make the same errors during his first full season in the National League. . . .

The Milwaukee Brewer owner has become known to his detractors as Bud (Lite) Selig. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya, who shaved his mustache before winning the 132-pound gold medal match at the Olympic Games, did the same thing two years ago at the Goodwill Games in Seattle. “It makes me look younger, and it makes my opponent angry,” De La Hoya said. “He says to himself, ‘How could I lose to this kid?’ ” . . .

De La Hoya does everything left-handed except fight. He was converted to an orthodox style in the gym at age 6. . . .

For the record: The $1-million Pacific Classic will be contested Sunday at Del Mar and televised during an hour-long ABC special. It will be the fourth race on the card. Post time is 2:42 p.m., but the Channel 7 telecast locally will be shown on a two-hour delay. . . .

Trainer Paco Gonzalez has an outstanding prospect in Seattle Sleet, a 2-year-old son of Seattle Slew who won his debut at Del Mar last week in a sizzling 1:09 for the six furlongs. . . .

There is still a possibility that Arazi will run in the Breeders’ Cup Oct. 31 at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old who made his name in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year may be entered in the Classic or Mile if he comes up big in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp Sept. 6. . . .

Arazi or no, foreign horses should be a major factor on Cup day again. Among them is Clan O’Sullivan, a 3-year-old sprinter who has won nearly $2 million in Australia. . . .

Looking for a piece of history? Framed pieces of the basketball court that were used at the Forum from 1967-91 are being sold for $995 by Midwest Trophy of Del City, Okla. . . .

Vlade Divac will portray a priest on an episode of the Fox network’s “Rachel Gunn, R.N.” . . .

Promoter Al Franken would like to match Olympic 400-meter champion Quincy Watts and Butch Reynolds in a 500-yard race in the Sunkist meet at the Sports Arena next winter. . . .

Don’t be surprised if athletes demand a piece of the action in track and field’s World Championships now that European television rights for the 1993 and ’95 meets have been sold for $95 million. . . .

Demetrius DuBose, the linebacker who has been declared ineligible by Notre Dame pending a decision by the NCAA, is featured with quarterback Rick Mirer on the cover of the Irish media guide. . . .

Thumbs down on the NHL for refusing to outlaw fighting and, instead, settling for a milk-toast rule that ejects any player who instigates a fight.