Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 10, 1994

Jose Mota would like to say a word or two on behalf of the minor leaguers of this nation. . . .

“I think it’s totally unfair that Michael Jordan is going to spring training with a triple-A contract,” Mota said. “There are guys who have been playing pro ball for years who never get to triple-A. He hasn’t played since high school, but he’s liable to take away a paycheck from someone who is more deserving and has paid his dues.” . . .

Mota, 28, is one of four sons of Dodger Coach Manny Mota in professional baseball. He began his career in 1985 and had a cup of instant coffee with the San Diego Padres in 1991. . . .

It might prove to be embarrassing for Jordan if he is given a spot on the Nashville Sounds’ roster because of his drawing power rather than his batting power. . . .

“It’s going to be awfully tough for him,” Mota said. “He’s going to see balls coming at him at 85 or 90 m.p.h. He’s going to face pitchers who know how to cut a ball and sink it. It’s a lot different than batting practice.” . . .

Mota might get a closeup view of Jordan’s quest. He is an infielder in the Kansas City Royals’ organization and is expected to open the season for Omaha, a Nashville rival in the American Assn. . . .

Mota has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal State Fullerton and would like to become a sportscaster. . . .

There is a better chance that Jordan will be playing in the NBA than in the American League when Mota starts work behind a microphone. . . .

For those who say baseball is lacking big names, what about Jordan, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders? . . .

There is no truth to the rumor that the Dodgers are interested in trading for Joe Magrane. . . .

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What is your favorite late-night show--David Letterman, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall or UCLA basketball? The Bruins were supposed to get some prime-time exposure tonight, but their game against Washington at Pauley Pavilion will be shown tape-delayed at 11 p.m. on Prime Ticket after the Laker-Sacramento King game that was rescheduled because of the earthquake. . . .

Jim Harrick would like to see one carryover from the loss at Notre Dame--improved free-throw shooting. The Bruins are only 65.5% for the season, but shot 85.2% (23 of 27) Saturday. . . .

George Raveling and Kelvin Sampson will be opponents when USC plays Washington State tonight at the Sports Arena. This summer, Raveling will be the coach of the U.S. team in the Goodwill Games at St. Petersburg, Russia, and Sampson will be an assistant. . . .

Charlie Ward is expected to join Dave Winfield as the only athletes to be drafted in three sports--football, basketball and baseball. Ward was selected in the 59th round last year by the Milwaukee Brewers. . . .

Actually, Winfield was drafted by four teams--the Utah Stars of the old American Basketball Assn., the Atlanta Hawks, the San Diego Padres and the Minnesota Vikings. . . .

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Perennial volleyball powers UCLA and Pepperdine will play in the 17th annual Kilgour Cup Friday night at Pauley Pavilion. . . .

Horses aren’t the only ones who run at Santa Anita. Laffit Pincay, 47, jogs around the one-mile track most mornings. . . .

That was a nasty cut former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe suffered in training last month. He has resumed road work, but won’t be able to spar for a few more weeks. . . .

The Hockey News rates Mighty Duck first choice Paul Kariya behind only Peter Forsberg among those NHL draftees who are playing outside the league. Kariya will play for Canada, and Forsberg, who is property of the Quebec Nordiques, for Sweden in the Winter Olympics. . . .

Kadar Hamilton, a defensive back from Loyola High and son of Raider defensive line coach Ray Hamilton, has been awarded a football scholarship by Stanford. . . .

Attention NFL draftniks: Your big days are April 24-25. . . .

As expected, Ray Rhodes returned to the San Francisco 49ers after spending the last two seasons as the Green Bay Packer defensive coordinator. . . .

Most active NFL team in the free-agent market probably will be the New England Patriots, who are $20 million under the salary cap. They have new ownership, and Bill Parcells is eager to build a winner. . . .

Tom Kite is the defending champion and all-time leading money-winner, and Fred Couples has won two of the last four L.A. Opens, but look for Jack Nicklaus to attract the biggest gallery today at Riviera.