Notes on a Scorecard - April 11, 1994

Any day now, the Atlanta Braves should clinch a National League playoff berth. . . .

The Dodgers’ nine-hit explosion Sunday rocketed their team batting average from .134 to .158. . . .

If the Braves don’t re-sign third baseman Terry Pendleton, the Dodgers ought to be ready with pen in hand. . . .

They had their chance in 1991 when Pendleton left the St. Louis Cardinals. He was born in Los Angeles, graduated from Channel Islands High, attended Oxnard College, and always wanted to become a Dodger. But they didn’t make him an offer three years ago because the front office still felt Jeff Hamilton was their third baseman of the future. . . .

Ryan Klesko--the Braves’ 6-3, 220-pound, left-handed hitting rookie outfielder from Westminster High--is so powerful that he hit an opposite-field home run off Orel Hershiser in the first inning with what appeared to be little more than a check swing. . . .

Have all those pitches caught up with Mark Langston, who is the only active major leaguer to have worked at least 223 innings each of the last eight seasons? . . .

Now that he is in the bus leagues, Air Jordan has become Ground Jordan. . . .

A private viewing area on the lawn of a cottage behind the 3/8ths pole was set up for Jeff Lukas to watch the Santa Anita Derby Saturday. . . .

“It was the most fun Jeff has had since the accident,” Wayne Lukas said. . . .

Tabasco Cat, the colt who knocked Jeff Lukas down and injured him critically last December, finished second to Brocco in a race that will send the first three finishers, including Strodes Creek, to Louisville with much support. . . .

Gary Stevens couldn’t have ridden Brocco any better. . . .

“I remember when ‘Dr. No’ opened in London and people broke down the doors trying to get in,” said Albert (Cubby) Broccoli, the movie producer and thoroughbred owner. “Today was just as big a thrill for me.” . . .

One of the actors who portrayed James Bond, Roger Moore, presented a trophy Saturday. But it was to the winner of the Santa Paula Stakes, not the Santa Anita Derby. . . .

Calvin Hill isn’t the only former Dallas Cowboy whose son went on to play at Duke in another sport. Jeff Staubach, son of Roger, is a freshman catcher who hit a home run in his first at-bat. It came against Navy, his father’s alma mater. . . .

On some days, the Florida Marlin lineup has Conine (Jeff) and then 09 (Benito Santiago). . . .

Raider executive Al LoCasale signed Texas Western basketball player Nolan Richardson--now the Arkansas coach--to a San Diego Charger contract as a defensive back in 1963 although Richardson hadn’t played football since high school. “If we had a developmental squad then, he might have stayed around,” LoCasale said of Richardson, who was cut before the season. . . .

The Tallahassee, Fla., Quarterback Club will present the first Biletnikoff Award next season to the nation’s best college receiver. . . .

Billy Tubbs’ move from Oklahoma to Texas Christian surprised those who believed Tubbs soon would succeed Rollie Massimino at Nevada Las Vegas. . . .

That was some recital Pernell Whitaker put on for 12 rounds Saturday night against tough Santos Cardona. . . .

Another claimant to the title of best fighter, James Toney, is supposed to fight unbeaten Roy Jones in October at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. . . .

Bob Arum suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon playing tennis last week. . . .

Arum will have to miss the French Open and Wimbledon, but he made a positive move the other day by hiring Dan Goossen as executive vice president of Top Rank Inc. Goossen knows how to sell and will help move the season tickets at the Olympic Auditorium. . . .

“I don’t think a lack of talent is a problem,” said Arum, who will promote a minimum of 24 shows in the next 12 months at the Olympic. “The problem has been a lack of opportunity. I’m besieged by managers asking for work for their fighters.” . . .

Drag racing update: Former home run hitter Jack Clark is the new driver of the “Taco Bell Express” and Don (Big Daddy) Garlits is running for Congress in Florida. . . .

Jim Rome was guilty of poor judgment and Jim Everett of even worse. . . .

One of the most capable people on the pro basketball beat, Frank Brady, 56, died Saturday. Brady, who suffered a stroke recently, was writing for the San Diego Union-Tribune and had covered the Lakers for the L.A. Herald Examiner and the 76ers for the Philadelphia Bulletin. His insight, wit and friendship will be missed.