Notes on a Scorecard - March 10, 1993

The contract extension awarded Jim Harrick through the 1996-97 season should provide the UCLA basketball program with something it has lacked too often since the retirement of John Wooden--stability. . . .

What the program really didn’t need was a seventh coaching change in 19 years. . . .

Now that potential Bruins can be confident they will be playing for the same coach during their entire careers, recruiting might pick up. . . .

Michael Carbajal and Humberto Gonzalez each will earn at least $300,000 Saturday night--a record for boxers weighing 108 pounds--but that will not be the only unique thing about the card at the Las Vegas Hilton. . . .

Have you ever heard dueling ring announcers? . . .

Jimmy Lennon Jr. was going to work the entire pay-per-view show until promoter Bob Arum got a phone call the other day from Danny Carbajal, older brother and trainer of Michael. . . .

“Nothing against Jimmy, but we’d love to have Michael Buffer introduce us,” Danny Carbajal told Arum. “We’re unbeaten with Buffer and we don’t want to change now. He’s a very good friend. It would be a big favor to us.” . . .

Arum said yes. So Buffer will introduce Carbajal, the International Boxing Federation light-flyweight champion. But Lennon will introduce every other fighter on the program, including Gonzalez, the World Boxing Council champion. . . .

The winner’s announcer will grab the microphone after the fight, meaning all the suspense would be taken out of the rendering of the scorecards of a 12-round decision. . . .

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Maybe the Clippers ought to go back to black shoes. Since switching to white after the All-Star break, they are 3-5. . . .

The Golden State Warriors’ four highest scorers last season--Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, Sarunas Marciulionis and Billy Owens--have been on the court together for a total of 2 1/2 minutes this season. . . .

Laker General Manager Jerry West always has liked Detlef Schrempf, the Indiana Pacer forward who plans to become a free agent after this season. . . .

Not even the Dallas Mavericks will be able to threaten the Philadelphia 76ers’ record of finishing 59 games behind the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division in 1973. . . .

Racing Hall of Fame candidate Eddie Delahoussaye will have six chances at Santa Anita today to become the 14th North American jockey to win 5,000 races. . . .

First question senior golfer and thoroughbred breeder Gary Player asked after completing his round in the GTE West Classic at Ojai Saturday was, “Who won the Big ‘Cap?” . . .

Shotputters John Godina, who finished seventh last year, and defending champion Dawn Dumble are UCLA’s best hopes in the NCAA men’s and women’s indoor track and field meet this weekend in the Hoosier Dome at Indianapolis. . . .

“We’re not sending anybody,” USC Coach Jim Bush said. “I don’t believe in the indoor meets. We’re trying to get ready for the NCAA outdoor meet. I really think we’ve got a chance to win it. People think I’m crazy. They did last year, too, when I said the same thing before we finished third.” . . .

Top-ranked UCLA and second-ranked USC will meet in a rematch today at 1:30 p.m. at the L.A. Tennis Center on the Westwood campus. The Bruins gained the top spot by defeating the Trojans, 7-0, in the national indoor team championships last month. . . .

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The only surprising thing about Ronnie Lott signing with the New York Jets, who are shelling out big money on free agents, is that he showed a willingness to spend the rest of his career playing home games on artificial turf. . . .

Trivia buffs should be aware that catcher Steve Decker of the Florida Marlins and third baseman Jim Tatum of the Colorado Rockies got their franchises’ first hits in spring training games. . . .

If new regulations can speed up golf--rounds were played an average of 15 to 20 minutes faster than last year at the Doral Open in Florida last week--why not baseball? . . .

The Baseball Encyclopedia flatters the memory of Babe Ruth when it lists his playing weight as 215 pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame. . . .

Toronto Blue Jay pitcher Jack Morris’ opening-day assignment will be his 14th consecutive, a major league record. . . .

How is this for an all-star team made up of present day managers and coaches: 1B--Tony Perez. 2B--Rod Carew. SS--Jim Fregosi. 3B--Clete Boyer. OF--Billy Williams, Bobby Bonds, Dusty Baker. C--Joe Torre. DH--Don Baylor. LHP--Johnny Podres. RHP--Mel Stottlemyre. Relief P--Ron Perranoski. . . .

What would the NCAA basketball tournament be without March Madness, Selection Sunday, the Sweet Sixteen and the Final Four?