Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 9, 1994

After occupying the cellar two years ago, Tom Lasorda got a letter from the grandson of the last Dodger manager to finish last. . . .

“He said that his grandfather (Ned Hanlon) was a winner and that I was, too,” Lasorda said. . . .

Indeed, Hanlon had a .508 record and won two National League pennants in seven seasons, although his last Brooklyn team was 48-104 in 1905. . . .

Next week, Lasorda will begin working toward improving upon a .526 record in 17 seasons and winning a fifth pennant when he welcomes pitchers, catchers and rehab players to Vero Beach, Fla. . . .

“People ask me if I have the same enthusiasm as when I started,” he said. “If anything, I’ve got even more. My only regret is that I know my career eventually will have to end and I don’t want it to. It’s year-to-year now.” . . .

Lasorda envisions this batting order on opening day, April 5, against the Florida Marlins at Dodger Stadium: 1--Brett Butler, CF; 2--Jose Offerman, SS; 3--Delino DeShields, 2B; 4--Darryl Strawberry, LF; 5--Mike Piazza, C; 6--Eric Karros, 1B; 7--Raul Mondesi, RF; 8--Tim Wallach, 3B; 9--Orel Hershiser, P. . . .

“We’ve got an improved lineup because of the speed that DeShields and Mondesi bring us,” Lasorda said. “Speed on the bases does four things for you--it takes some of the concentration away from the pitcher; it forces the pitcher to throw more fastballs; it makes one of the two middle infielders leave his position, and it allows you to stay out of the double play.” . . . Of course, DeShields didn’t come cheaply from Montreal. The Dodgers had to give the Expos Pedro Martinez, who gave them terrific middle relief pitching last season. . . .

“The key is Todd Worrell,” Lasorda said. “If he is able to return to form, he’ll be our closer, and we can move Jim Gott into the set-up role.” . . .

Then there are the questions about Strawberry, who has become the most unpopular ballplayer in Los Angeles history. . . .

“I’m hoping that he will be healthy and productive and that the fans will forgive him for some of the things he has said,” Lasorda said. . . .

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The Mighty Ducks, who expect to sell out the rest of the season, will average about 17,000 per date at Anaheim Arena. . . .

During their first season of 1967-68, the Kings averaged 7,621 for home games at the Forum, Sports Arena and Long Beach Arena. . . .

Indiana gets no home-court advantage at Assembly Hall when the visiting team is shooting free throws. Bob Knight won’t allow waving, taunting or booing by the fans sitting behind the basket. . . .

Recommended reading: “The Clown Prince of Baseball,” by Max Patkin and Stan Hochman (WRS Publishing). . . .

George Foreman’s farewell fight will be at New Orleans in June in conjunction with the opening of casino gambling. Three title matches also will be on the Bob Arum-promoted card. . . .

Breeders’ Cup sprint champion Cardmania will attempt to win a two-turn race for the first time in this country Sunday in the 1 1/8-mile $250,000 San Antonio Handicap. . . .

Of the 58 stakes races at Santa Anita this season, 32 begin with either “San” or “Santa.” . . .

Gee, I wonder why the figure skating exhibitions on CBS and ABC Saturday got such high ratings. . . .

ESPN has big plans for Jim Rome. . . .

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Saddest story of the NHL season is the chronic back problem that has sidelined Mario Lemieux and threatens to end his career. . . .

The U.S. hockey team’s biggest improvement from the last two Olympic Winter Games might be the coach--Tim Taylor, instead of Dave Peterson. . . .

Just call him Slim John Williams. The reinstated Clipper looks as though he weighs less than the reported 280 pounds. . . .

Sorry, but the NBA Eastern Conference’s starting duo of B.J. Armstrong and Kenny Anderson isn’t my idea of a dream backcourt. . . .

Look-alikes, courtesy of reader Nancy Travis: Shaquille O’Neal and Isaiah Rider. . . .

Only one doubleheader, San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies, is on the 1994 major league baseball schedules. . . . The injury to the Braves’ Ron Gant could mean playing time in left field for Santa Monica High product Tony Tarasco. . . .

I give Jason Kidd a better chance to make the California baseball team than I do Michael Jordan the Nashville Sounds. . . .

So the Dodgers are worried about setting a precedent if they give second-year player Mike Piazza a seven-figure contract. Yeah, just imagine, they’ll have to give even more money to the next guy coming off a .318, 35-homer, 112-RBI rookie season.