Notes on a Scorecard - July 13, 1993

The young Dodgers are doing just fine. . . .

Mike Piazza is on his way to winning the National League’s rookie-of-the-year award. Last year’s winner, Eric Karros, is avoiding the sophomore jinx. Jose Offerman is becoming one of the better-hitting shortstops in baseball. . . .

But the oldest Dodger, Tom Lasorda, is also responsible for the return to respectability after the franchise’s most dismal season in nearly a century. . . .

Lasorda, 65, never has been more enthusiastic. He never has done a better job of juggling a bullpen--one that is without the high-priced free agent, Todd Worrell, who was supposed to be the closer. Lasorda has given the second-guessers few opportunities in game situations. . . .

Most people thought this would be Lasorda’s final season on the job. . . .

The suggestion during the All-Star break is that Peter O’Malley give his manager an extension instead of a gold watch. . . .

Babe Ruth, 38, was the biggest vote-getter for the first All-Star game in 1933, with slightly more than 10,000 votes. Ballots were available in newspapers in all major league cities, but the turnout was light. . . .

From 1935-46, the eight managers in each league chose the rosters. The vote for the starting lineups was returned to the fans from 1947-57. But it was taken away after ballot-box stuffing resulted in every Cincinnati regular except first baseman George Crowe being selected to the ’57 lineup. . . .

Commissioner Ford Frick ordered that Red outfielders Gus Bell and Wally Post be dropped from the lineup that year. . . .

Players, managers and coaches voted from 1958-69, but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, making one of his wiser moves, got the fans involved again in 1970. . . .

The only write-in candidate ever to be selected most valuable player of the game was Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey in 1974. . . .

Philadelphia outfielder Lenny Dykstra has scored 85 runs--17 more than American League co-leaders Paul Molitor and Devon White--but didn’t make the National League squad. . . .

San Francisco second baseman Robby Thompson has been named to the roster twice and has been forced to miss the game both times because of injuries. . . .

No wonder they don’t call them the runnin’ Yankees. Leadoff hitter Bernie Williams stole his first base of the season during last week’s series against the Angels. . . .

The Boston Red Sox have gained 10 games in the American League East standings since Roger Clemens was put on the disabled list. . . .

Go figure boxing. Rafael Ruelas stopped Jorge Paez in the 10th round Nov. 6 at the Forum. Saturday at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Paez will challenge Freddie Pendleton for the International Boxing Federation lightweight title. On the same card, Ruelas will fight Darryl Tyson with no title at stake. . . .

Hottest basketball ticket in the country this month was in Frankfort, Ind., for the filming of the Paramount movie, “Blue Chips.” . . .

All 5,100 tickets for each of four nights of shooting at the home of the Frankfort High Hot Dogs were sold out at $3 apiece and scalped for as much as $40. . . .

Proceeds went to the Indiana University library and the Boys Club of Frankfort. . . .

Art imitates life: Shaquille O’Neal--one of three star recruits for Coach Nick Nolte’s Western University Dolphins, along with Anfernee Hardaway and Matt Nover--nearly broke down the backboards with his slam dunks Thursday night against a team of Indiana alumni coached by Bob Knight, but went one for 11 from the free-throw line. . . .

A ringer for the Hoosiers was Bobby Hurley, who wanted the opportunity to do his stuff for Knight. . . .

“Blue Chips” consultant Pete Newell, who conducts a big man’s camp, said, “Shaquille’s potential is unlimited because of his attitude. He listens and is eager to improve his game.” . . .

It’s a stretch, but this former rocket scientist portrays a sportswriter in the movie. . . .

A clocking of 3:55.25 was good only for 10th place in the Dream Mile at Oslo on Saturday. . . .

In the new NFL players’ agreement, there is a provision that allows one-third of the Pro Bowl voting to be done by fans, one-third by media and one-third by players and coaches. . . .

Dan McGwire has been working out in a boxing ring to improve his footwork for his fight against rookie Rick Mirer for the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback job. . . .

Trainer Bob Baffert calls Flagship Commander, his highly regarded 2-year-old colt who will race next at Del Mar, “Ham Sandwich,” because he cost only $8,000 at the Keeneland sales.