Notes on a Scorecard - April 20, 1994

This is a year when the Raiders and Rams should draft for need on the first round. . . .

That means a running back for the Raiders and, oh, an offensive lineman, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker or understudy quarterback for the Rams. . . .

Heath Shuler of Tennessee and Trent Dilfer of Fresno State will be the first two quarterbacks taken, but the best competitor might be Glen Foley of Boston College. . . .

The most improved teams in the league should be the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals. . . .

The question about Willie McGinest, the outside linebacker from USC whose draft stock has soared during the off-season, is whether he will play as well as he projects. . . .

Warren Moon, a youthful 37, might have three productive years with the Minnesota Vikings. . . .

If I’m a passer, I don’t look forward to playing Green Bay and having Reggie White coming at me from one side and Sean Jones from the other. . . .

The 1992 Heisman Trophy winner, Gino Torretta of Miami, was drafted on the seventh round by the Vikings. The 1993 winner, Charlie Ward of Florida State, might last until the fourth round. . . .

Jim Rome can probably get away with calling the Rams’ new starting quarterback “Chris.”. . . .

Cincinnati Red outfielder Reggie Sanders’ five-day suspension for charging Montreal Expos pitcher Pedro Martinez should be appealed. It was too short. . . .

Wearing a New York Met uniform tonight at Dodger Stadium will be pitcher Bobby Jones, who was selected between the first and second rounds in 1991 with the draft choice the Mets obtained from the Dodgers as compensation for Darryl Strawberry. . . .

Dave Hansen is in the wrong league. He would be a fine designated hitter. . . .

Souped-up baseballs and lousy pitching are the two best explanations for the home run explosion. . . .

Sid Fernandez’s behind is to the American League what Steve Johnson’s used to be to the NBA. . . .

Note to Channel 5: Isn’t it about time to start listing Dodger batting averages for this season rather than what the player did against the opposing pitcher last season? . . . .

Sign of the times: There won’t be a stakes race opening day Wednesday at Hollywood Park, but the $100,000 A Gleam Handicap is carded on the first Friday night program April 29. . . . The Kentucky Derby is shaping up as East vs. West, Holy Bull against Brocco, on May 7, but the Kentucky Oaks a day earlier has the look of a Western showdown between unbeaten Lakeway and Sardula. . . .

The 14th annual “Swim With Mike” at USC raised a record $150,000 for physically challenged athletes. . . .

Former athletic director Dick Perry has formed the Inland Empire Trojan Club. . . .

The Caltech men’s cross-country team led the NCAA Division III with a 3.78 grade-point average. . . .

John Wooden will be the keynote speaker at the Cal State Fullerton fund-raising program and auction “A Bid of Excitement” April 30. Titan Coach Brad Holland was the last player Wooden recruited at UCLA. . . .

Is there a more improved player in the NBA than Don MacLean? . . . .

Riddick Bowe is booked for HBO bouts in June, July and August. . . . .

Sugar Ray Leonard, who used to own the title, agrees with those who call Pernell Whitaker the best fighter pound-for-pound, but describes James Toney as a “little Sonny Liston.” . . . .

“Terry Norris never proved himself,” Leonard said. “Who did he ever beat?” Yes, he beat Leonard, but that was the washed-up version. . . .

Leonard’s old rival Roberto Duran is scheduled to fight Vinny Pazienza June 25, nine days after Duran’s 43rd birthday. . . .

If three Southwest Conference schools move to the WAC as expected, Houston would be a cinch to win the 1996 SWC football title. Of course, it would be the only school left. . . .

Southern California does have a team in the playoffs--the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League. . . .

Jacques Demers on Montreal Canadien goaltender Patrick Roy: “Without him, I’m a very average coach.”. . . .

If the New York teams play a fifth game at Madison Square Garden, I like the Rangers to beat the Islanders, 6-0. . . .

News item: Pittsburgh Penguins announce that some ticket prices will be cut next season. Reaction: The Kings should cut all ticket prices.