Notes on a Scorecard - May 10, 1994

News item: Georgia Frontiere says she is willing to sell part of the Rams to facilitate a move. Reaction: Great, but I was hoping she would sell her entire interest to someone who would improve the product and keep it in Anaheim. . . .

With their robust hitting and dismal pitching, no lead is too safe for the Dodgers and no deficit too severe. . . .

The danger exists that reliever Darren Dreifort, who appeared in 16 of the Dodgers’ first 31 games, will be overworked during his rookie season. . . .

Why is Kevin Gross wearing “K. Gross” on his back even though Kip Gross is at Albuquerque? Kip’s jersey simply said “Gross” when he was pitching for L.A. . . .

Depending on the language, Montreal pitcher Pedro Martinez is known as Mr. Plunk, Senor Plunk, or Monsieur Plunk. . . .

If there was a baseball commissioner, he would be wise to campaign for a rule that would automatically suspend any player leaving the dugout or bullpen during an altercation. Since the adoption of such a rule, bench-clearing brawls have been practically eliminated in the NHL. . . .

Hofstra University in New York will conduct a three-day conference next April on Babe Ruth’s impact on various aspects of American life, including baseball. . . .

It is possible the San Francisco Giants, who aren’t hitting, eventually will sign Ron Gant, who is still recovering from a broken leg. . . .

New St. Louis relief pitcher Willie Smith resembles an old Cardinal reliever named Smith--Lee--on the mound. . . .

Oakland A’s Manager Tony La Russa might have to revise his prediction that it would take 90 victories to win the American League West. . . .

Here’s hoping the career of Frank Viola, one of the nicest people in baseball, isn’t over. . . .

Julio Franco has ended the Chicago White Sox’s designated-hitter problems. . . .

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The deep New York Knicks are dominating fourth quarters in the playoffs. . . .

The Atlanta Hawks, who were extended to the five-game limit by the Miami Heat, probably will have another tough series against the Indiana Pacers. Larry Brown’s team has won 11 consecutive games, eight in the regular season and three in the playoffs. . . .

If the Lakers can’t sign free agent Horace Grant, maybe they can land brother Harvey, who has the right to exercise a clause in his Portland Trail Blazer contract that would make him a free agent. . . .

The stock of Arizona guard Khalid Reeves rose at the recent NBA scouting combine at Phoenix. Reeves is the kind of outside shooter the Clippers need. . . .

The best reason to watch “SportsNight” on ESPN2 is Suzy Kolber, who brings knowledge, humor and enthusiasm to the co-anchor desk. . . .

“We try to get the facts across, but also have fun,” said Kolber, a University of Miami graduate who has been a producer and was doing weekend sports for a station in West Palm Beach, Fla., before “The Deuce” began operations last October. . . .

At 10, she earned a spot on a summer league football team as a tight end, but never got into a game because too many boys said, “If she plays, we don’t.” . . .

The Forum Boxing Club has held informal talks with the California State Athletic Commission about posting judges’ cards on the scoreboard after every round. . . .

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Sorry, but the shootout is still a lousy way to decide a major title, even when Luc Robitaille is producing the game winner for Canada in the World Ice Hockey Championships. . . . As demonstrated in the NHL during the playoffs, the most exciting and fairest way to decide an overtime game is to play until somebody scores a goal, no matter how many additional periods it takes. . . . Jim Finks, who died Sunday at 66, was one of the most skillful and personable general managers ever in the NFL and showed his versatility during a stint with the Chicago Cubs. He also was the veteran quarterback who helped to keep rookie hopeful Johnny Unitas from winning a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955. . . .

Coach Bora Milutinovic and the U.S. soccer team will be saluted and the FIFA World Cup trophy will be on display at a luncheon sponsored by the L.A. Sports Council and Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. . . .

Judging by the results of their first game, a 19-0 defeat by the Northern League All-Stars, the Colorado Silver Bullets belong in a league of their own.