Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 21, 1994

The Chicago Bulls, who have lost three in a row and scored only 68 points against the New York Knicks Sunday, need Michael Jordan a lot more than the Chicago White Sox do. . . .

Last year, Patrick Ewing didn’t watch the NBA finals because he was disgusted after the Knicks were beaten by Chicago in an Eastern Conference championship series he felt they should have won. . . .

This year, he won’t be watching the finals again because the Knicks will be playing in them. . . .

The Clippers shouldn’t have fined Ron Harper for running off his mouth. I’m a believer in free speech. Leave it to the other clubs in the NBA to hurt him in the pocketbook when he becomes a free agent and they decide he is a troublemaker who doesn’t warrant his asking price. . . .

News item: Arizona Coach Lute Olson, after his Wildcats beat UCLA, said: “. . . . things tend to tighten up when you know a loss could put it (the Pacific 10 Conference race) in a tie.” Reaction: Right, Lute. Just like things tend to tighten up when you know a first-round loss would put you out of the NCAA tournament. . . .

How come Dean Smith isn’t getting heat for all those losses suffered by talented and deep North Carolina recently? . . .

I was more surprised by USC’s split in Arizona than by UCLA’s. . . .

California’s victory over Cincinnati on a neutral court was a much-needed plus for Pac-10 prestige. . . .

Arkansas might remain No. 1 the rest of the regular season. The Razorbacks play Auburn and Mississippi State at home and Georgia and Louisiana State on the road. . . .

*

Gabriel Ruelas had some advice for younger brother Rafael. . . .

“Give it everything you have because you never know when you’ll get another chance to fight for the title,” he said. . . . A year ago Sunday, Gabe lost a close decision to World Boxing Council junior-

lightweight champion Azumah Nelson in Mexico City. One of the judges had the fight even. Ruelas still hasn’t been able to get a rematch although he is ranked No. 1. . . .

On Saturday at the Forum, Rafael made the most of his opportunity, climbing off the canvas twice in the first round to win a unanimous, 12-round decision over Freddie Pendleton for the International Boxing Federation lightweight title. . . .

The biggest roar of the night from the 10,333 fans came when ring announcer Michael Buffer said, “The winner and new. . . . “ . . .

Persistence, a fighting spirit, and superb conditioning brought Rafael, 22, the championship 10 years after he and his brother stepped into the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys. . . .

Only a year and five pounds separate Gabe and Rafael, who often work out together. . . .

“I sparred a few rounds with Rafael about a month ago,” Gabe said. “But I told Joe (trainer Joe Goossen) to get somebody else. Rafael was hitting too hard for me.”. . . .

Ruelas and Pendleton stole the show from the much-anticipated rematch between Michael Carbajal and Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez. . . .

The rumble in Las Vegas 11 months ago, won by Carbajal on a knockout in the seventh round, was not repeated by two warriors who had grown cautious. . . .

It was a tough fight to score because there was nothing close to a knockdown and there was a contrast in styles--Gonzalez running the first four rounds and then moving in and out, and Carbajal coming straight in, but without throwing many punches. I scored it even. . . .

Actually, both benefited financially from the split decision awarded Gonzalez. Only against each other can these 108-pounders make big money, and now a third match is being planned for Las Vegas in May or June. . . .

Look-alikes: Golfer Scott Hoch and actor Jerry (Beaver Cleaver) Mathers. . . .

They won’t be the same old Milwaukee Brewers now that Robin Yount, who played 21 years with them, and Jim Gantner, who played 15, are retired, and Paul Molitor, who played 15, is about to start his second season with the Toronto Blue Jays. . . .

I’ve never read about a big league prospect having a so-so Winter League season. . . .

Former UCLA wide receiver Kurt Altenberg, who caught the touchdown pass from Gary Beban that beat USC in 1965, received a heart transplant at UCLA Medical Center on Thursday. . . .

“I feel like a million bucks, and I’ll be back home Wednesday,” said Altenberg, 50, who has a marketing company. . . .

The all-time, NBA Presidents’ Day team: Guards--Magic Johnson, Earl Monroe. Forwards--Luke Jackson, Marques Johnson. Center--Alvan Adams. Coach--Phil Jackson. Home court--Madison Square Garden.