Notes on a Scorecard - March 9, 1993

How strange that the University of California was criticized for making a decision on Lou Campanelli during the season and UCLA is being criticized for not making a decision on Jim Harrick. . . .

Chancellor Charles Young and Athletic Director Peter Dalis have every right to wait until after the Bruins play their final game to decide on the coach’s future. . . .

After all, shouldn’t an evaluation include how the team fares in the NCAA tournament? . . .

The decision ought to be whether to extend Harrick’s contract or terminate it. Merely welcoming him back for the final year on his contract would give a lame-duck impression and harm recruiting. . . .

Fred (Mad Dog) Carter, who will coach the Philadelphia 76ers the rest of the season after the firing of Doug Moe, was the leading scorer on the 76ers’ record-setters, who went 9-73 during the 1972-73 season. He averaged 20 points. . . .

It was surprising that no American League team was willing to take a chance on Pedro Guerrero, 36, as a designated hitter before he signed with the Jalisco Charros of the Mexican League. . . .

Among the 10 finalists for the public address announcer’s job for San Francisco Giant games at Candlestick Park is legal secretary Sherry Davis. . . .

Consider yourself a baseball fanatic if you check the exhibition standings every morning. . . .

Interleague play can only increase interest. . . .

So much for the slow start of UCLA’s Ryan McGuire, the preseason All-American who had only one home run and three runs batted in during his first eight games and was hitting .212. . . .

McGuire--a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior who should not be confused with another slugging, red-haired first baseman named Mark McGwire--had eight home runs and 22 RBIs, went 13 for 20 and scored 15 runs in the Bruins’ three victories at Arizona and one over Loyola Marymount last week. . . .

UCLA outscored the Wildcats, 20-15, Sunday in Tucson, but fell eight runs short of the school record set against Wheaton College in 1978. . . .

The Raiders could more than offset the loss of Ronnie Lott, who will be 34 next season, by signing free-agent safety Tim McDonald, 28. . . .

John Robinson was so pleased by the turnout at a question-and-answer session at Bovard Auditorium recently that the USC coach plans to meet with students and faculty every week during the football season. . . .

Former disc jockey Johnny Magnus is executive producer and host of “So You Wanna Be a Sportscaster,” a cable TV show now in the developmental stage. . . .

Who do you like in the Iditarod? . . .

I wonder how the UC Irvine Anteaters feel now that they no longer have the wackiest nickname in Orange County. . . .

Eliza’s burst of speed around the final turn during the Santa Anita Oaks on Sunday reminded me of Arazi during the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Both horses were ridden by Pat Valenzuela and are owned by Allen Paulsen. . . .

Laffit Pincay, 46, is riding as well as ever. . . .

The Punchstat feature on HBO’s boxing telecasts does nothing for me because it doesn’t take into account the strength of the punches. . . .

Curtis Strong, who gave Oscar De La Hoya a decent fight before he was stopped last month in San Diego, is serving as a sparring partner for De La Hoya before the Olympic champion’s bout against Jeff Mayweather on Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton. . . .

News item: Evander Holyfield, who weighed 205 for their first fight, says he wants to come in at 220 for his rematch against Riddick Bowe. Reaction: Could Holyfield, a blown-up cruiserweight, move at 220? . . .

Don King plans to promote the Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker bout Sept. 9, one day before Bowe-Holyfield. . . .

GTE West Classic champion Al Geiberger may soon be losing his caddie. Son John is going to try to qualify for the regular PGA Tour. . . .

Quietly, King left winger Luc Robitaille is on a pace to score 58 goals. His NHL high is 53, set during the 1987-88 season. . . .

Only four points separate the three New York area teams--the Devils, Rangers and Islanders--in a battle for Patrick Division playoff spots. . . .

I don’t think there will be a three-peater among the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Bulls and Duke Blue Devils. . . .

Why are they known as the World Figure Skating Championships when figures no longer are skated? . . .

Then again, why is it known as the Big Ten basketball race when there are 11 schools competing?