Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 7, 1992

So far, the Colorado Rockies’ draft has done more than anything else to improve the Dodgers’ chances of escaping the National League West cellar next season. . . .

The last time the San Francisco Giants tried to sign Barry Bonds--after selecting him on the second round of the June, 1982 draft--they fell $5,000 short. . . .

For Jim Abbott, shouldn’t the Angels have gotten at least one proven major leaguer? . . .

The signing of Bonds would bring some excitement to Candlestick Park, but the Houston Astros, with Doug Drabek and Greg Swindell in their starting rotation, have a better chance than the Giants to become pennant contenders. . . .

When owners have enough money to offer Bonds $43 million and sign free-agent pitchers to four-year contracts, it is difficult for major league baseball to plead poverty. . . .

If the Raiders had shown even half the intensity they did Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and beaten the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, they would be tied for the AFC West lead. . . .

It was nice to see Eric Dickerson’s 3 p.m. Coliseum curfew lifted. . . .

The Raiders’ offensive line operates a lot more efficiently when Max Montoya is in peak form and physical condition. . . .

Scoreboard message before a couple of fights broke out in the stands during the second half: “Raider football is a contact sport, but let’s keep that contact on the field.” . . .

After a two-year absence, Howie Long should be back in the Pro Bowl. . . .

If you turned off the Ram-Tampa Bay game at halftime, you made a mistake. . . .

Will the 19,429 fans please explain to their psychiatrists what they were doing watching the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots exchange punts at Foxboro, Mass., where the windchill factor was minus-5? . . .

Titletown U.S.A.: The Penguins won the Stanley Cup again, sure. The Pirates repeated in the NL East, all right. But I have trouble believing that the Pittsburgh Steelers have the best record in the AFC with only three games remaining. . . .

The Denver Broncos’ two-quarterback rotation of Tommy Maddox and Shawn Moore against the Dallas Cowboys brought back memories of the San Francisco 49ers’ more potent three-quarterback rotation of Y.A. Tittle, Bobby Waters and John Brodie. . . .

During an exciting day of television viewing Saturday, no event was better than the United States’ comeback victory over Switzerland in the Davis Cup doubles match. . . .

Alabama’s 28-21 victory over Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game showed just how exciting an NCAA Division I football tournament would be. . . .

Miami has to be a solid choice to defeat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and win the national title. The Hurricanes probably are better defensively, as well as offensively, than the Crimson Tide. . . .

Another unbeaten team that figures to lose on New Year’s Day is Texas A&M;, which plays Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. . . .

You hardly ever notice Kings defensemen Charlie Huddy and Darryl Sydor, which means they are doing their jobs well. . . .

It will never happen, but the NHL should suspend someone who delivers a deliberate, illegal blow for the same number of games that the injured player misses. . . .

Big Little Men: Saturday, 5-foot-3 Charlotte Hornet guard Tyrone (Muggsy) Bogues scored 10 points against the Clippers at the Sports Arena. Tonight, 5-1 Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez will defend his World Boxing Council 108-pound championship against 5-2 Melchor Cob Castro in a rematch at the Forum. . . .

I got the impression that Bobby Knight wasn’t too unhappy about Indiana losing to Kansas. The defeat taught his players the importance of free-throw shooting. . . .

It didn’t take Jason Kidd long to enter the University of California record book. On opening night against Cal State Sacramento last week, the freshman guard tied the school record of six steals. . . .

Laker assistant general manager Michael Cooper and assistant coach Larry Drew will give basketball tips to homeless people today at 1:30 at the Los Angeles Mission gymnasium downtown. . . .

Any other coach besides Larry Brown and the Clippers would be 6-9 instead of

9-6. . . .

Among other things I like about Shaquille O’Neal is that he doesn’t complain to officials. . . .

No wonder Jerry Tarkanian isn’t feeling so hot. His San Antonio Spurs have lost three times as many games this season as his Nevada Las Vegas Rebels did the previous two entire seasons.