Notes on a Scorecard - April 13, 1993

Let’s hear it for none other than Georgia Frontiere. . . .

By coming up with the necessary cash to sign Shane Conlan, the Rams (a) added a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker who, at 29, should have some productive years left, (b) demonstrated they finally might be sincere about their desire to improve the product and (c) gave themselves the opportunity to fill another need by drafting a runner such as Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis in the first round. . . .

It was 41 years ago that the Rams, coming off an NFL championship season, made headlines when they acquired another linebacker for enough players to stock an entire lineup. . . .

They traded six veterans and five rookies they to the old Dallas Texans for first-round choice Les Richter, a two-time All-American from California. . . .

The Rams have yet to win a second NFL title, but the deal turned out to be one of their best ever. . . .

Richter served two years in the Army, joined the Rams in 1954, and played in the next eight Pro Bowls. . . .

The Texans--not to be confused with the AFL franchise of the same name that became the Kansas City Chiefs--folded in 1953 and their properties were awarded to the new Baltimore Colts. Of the 11 Texans acquired in the Ram deal, the Colts kept only defensive back Tom Keane. . . .

The Raiders also have talked with a linebacker, Carl Banks, but he is a restricted free agent and the New York Giants have indicated they will match any offer. . . .

Marcus Allen would be wise to sign with the Miami Dolphins, where he would get an opportunity to log considerable playing time with a warm-weather team that plays on a grass field. . . .

What a shame that the Pittsburgh Pirates felt it fiscally necessary to release Mike LaValliere, the hustling catcher who contributed so much to their three consecutive National League East championships. . . .

Steve Sax no longer fits into the plans of the Chicago White Sox. . . .

Jack Graham, who hit 48 home runs for the old San Diego Padres in 1948, will be the honored guest at the eighth annual Pacific Coast League Historical Society reunion May 15 at the Radisson Clarion Inn in Carson. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature a promotional film, “Play Ball with the Oakland Oaks.” . . .

An awesome 1,600-meter relay team will be formed by John Smith-coached athletes Saturday at the Mt. SAC Relays--Quincy Watts, Kevin Young, Michael Johnson and the lesser-known but swift Jason Rouser. . . .

Watts, who won two gold medals at Barcelona, is a goodwill ambassador for his sport. During a recent high school meet in Visalia, he signed autographs for two hours. . . .

Happy 80th birthday to Charlie Whittingham. . . .

Apprentice jockey Sal Gonzalez Jr., 17, appears to be skilled enough to stick around the big league Southern California circuit after he loses his bug. . . .

It wasn’t even reported by the wire services, but Julio Cesar Chavez knocked out lightly regarded Silvio Rojas of Argentina during the third round Saturday night in a non-title bout in Guadalajara. . . .

Chavez will be presented the first Hollywood Park Outstanding Achievement Award on April 24. He will conduct a sparring session on the track grounds that morning and a donation will be made to the philanthropic foundation in Culiacan, Mexico, that bears his name. . . .

Business is booming at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. More than 130,000 watched the fight show there that featured Chavez and 120,000 took in Mexico’s 3-0 victory over Honduras in a World Cup qualifying round soccer game Sunday. . . .

The only American-built car in the Long Beach Grand Prix Sunday will be driven by Bobby Rahal, who has been runner-up the last two years. The 27 other cars were built in England. . . .

This should become the first year since 1984 that the NBA most valuable player award goes to someone other than Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or Michael Jordan. . . .

The New York Knicks had lost 23 consecutive games to the Celtics at the Boston Garden before winning both games this season. . . .

Doug Harvey, who has retired after 31 years of umpiring in the National League, probably will draw more applause today than during his entire career when he throws out the first ball at the Dodger Stadium opener.