Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 3, 1993

Sorry, baseball traditionalists, but I wish I could be enjoying what would be tight races for the second playoff spots in the American League West, AL East and National League East this season. . . .

Reggie Jackson was in October form on the first day of August when he delivered a terrific induction speech at Cooperstown, N.Y. . . .

The addition of former teammate Yogi Berra and friends Bill White and Pee Wee Reese to the veterans’ committee should enhance the chances of Phil Rizzuto finally being elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame. . . .

After getting two hits against the Chicago Cubs Sunday at Wrigley Field, Orel Hershiser lifted his batting average to .404, two points higher than Toronto Blue Jay John Olerud’s on the same day. . . .

If only Hershiser, who gave up seven earned runs in three innings, had pitched as well as he hit. He doubled in the fourth, but the highlight was a two-strike, two-out, RBI-bunt single in the second. . . .

Look-alikes: San Francisco Giants pitcher Rod Beck and singer David Crosby. . . .

Two of the most awesome statistics in baseball are the Colorado Rockies’ average home attendance and team earned-run average. . . .

In case you haven’t noticed, the New York Mets’ replacement for the injured Howard Johnson at third base is Bobby Bonilla. . . .

The Giants were the first National League team to have two pitchers with at least 15 victories on Aug. 1--John Burkett and Billy Swift--since the 1966 Giants with Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry. . . .

I can’t remember seeing so many cutoff plays botched. . . .

Hollywood Wildcat, an impressive winner on the dirt last month at Hollywood Park and on the grass Sunday at Del Mar, might be developing into the best 3-year-old filly in America. . . .

Sunday was a disappointing day for junk-food eating hunchplayers. Burgers N Fries finished fourth in the first race at Del Mar, and Nancys French Fry was last in the ninth race. . . .

Attention, Elgin Baylor: Dehere won the Saratoga Special last Thursday. . . .

Reporters covering the Mighty Ducks’ games at Anaheim Arena won’t like the location of the press box. It’s in nosebleed country. Oh well, at least the red light will tell us if a goal has been scored. . . .

Andre Cason would have given Olympic champion Linford Christie a lot better race in the 100 meters Sunday at Cologne, Germany, than Carl Lewis did Friday at Gateshead, England, but Christie chose the 200 meters. . . .

Forum Boxing is billing its 11th-anniversary, Aug. 28 show as “Superstar Saturday.” Gabriel Ruelas, Paul Banke, Carlos Gonzalez and Marco Antonio Barrera will be featured in the four main events. What makes the card unique is that it will be televised live on two channels--Prime Ticket from 6 to 8 p.m. and Channel 9 from 9 to 11. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya has been appointed to the “Rebuild L.A.” committee. . . .

Karch Kiraly has joined Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos as the only players ever to earn $1 million on the pro beach volleyball tour. . . .

Cover photograph on the UCLA football media guide shows the victory celebration after the USC game last season at the Rose Bowl and is captioned, “Something to Cheer About.” . . .

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oklahoma star defensive lineman Lee Roy Selmon has become an associate athletic director at South Florida. . . .

Playing defensive back for Saddleback College this football season will be freshman Rashad Wilson. Playing point guard for Irvine Valley College this basketball season will be freshman Rashad Wilson. . . .

That’s right. The same guy. Wilson, a two-sport performer at Lexington High in Boston, will attend classes at Irvine, but will also be allowed to play for Saddleback because Irvine doesn’t have a football team. Both are two-year community colleges in Orange County. . . .

The way Tim Worley performed for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, running back Barry Foster might be wise to end his holdout soon. . . .

Ram scout Jeff Beathard is the son of Bobby Beathard, the San Diego Chargers’ general manager. . . .

Vince Evans, who had a successful second half for the Raiders Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, was John McKay’s last starting quarterback at USC and John Robinson’s first. . . .

Somewhat out of place at the Forum Sunday was the fan yelling, “Dee-fense, dee-fense,” during Magic Johnson’s United Negro College Fund game, won by the Whites over the Blues, 181-179.