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Notes on a Scorecard - May 25, 1994

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Most people give me the same answer when I ask them how they feel about the possibility of L.A. and Orange Counties being NFL-less by 1995. . . .

It goes something like this: “Oh, that’s too bad, but it’ll mean more games on TV every Sunday and that’s great.” . . .

The lack of passion for the local teams is reflected at the gate. . . .

Al Davis’ Raiders were last in the NFL in number of tickets sold for home games last season. . . .

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Georgia Frontiere’s Rams were 24th among the 28 teams. . . .

The Raiders have an outdated facility, but the Cleveland Browns drew far more fans in a stadium that is even less attractive than the Coliseum. . . .

The Rams had a 5-11 record, but sold fewer tickets than the Cincinnati Bengals, who were 3-13. . . .

The Southland likes to bill itself as the sports capital of the nation. However, when it comes to pro football, it is the stay-away capital. . . .

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This might not only be the best Dodger team in a number of years, but the most pleasant. . . .

“Stewardesses have told me that, as a rule, they don’t enjoy working chartered flights involving athletic teams, but that they like this team because it is so well mannered,” Tom Lasorda said. . . .

What sophomore jinx? Mike Piazza was chosen as the National League player of the week for May 16-22. Tim Salmon was chosen as the American League player of the week for May 9-15. . . . Kevin Gross’ home run Monday night against the Chicago Cubs was the first by a Dodger pitcher this season. Too bad Darren Dreifort rarely gets to bat. He hit 22 home runs last year at Wichita State, where he also played the outfield. . . .

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Both cleanup hitters Tuesday, the Dodgers’ Tim Wallach and the Cubs’ Mark Grace, played at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

Harry Caray, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a baseball broadcaster, might limit his duty to Cub home games next season. . . .

Hall of Fame outfielder Billy Williams is listed as the Cubs’ offensive coordinator and Chuck Cottier as their defensive coordinator. But, no, they don’t have a quarterback coach. . . .

Mickey Mantle hit 52 home runs in 1956, the year he set the record of 20 home runs in the first two months that was broken by Ken Griffey Jr. on Monday. . . .

The Colorado Rockies have never drawn fewer than 40,000 for a game at Mile High Stadium. . . .

Paul O’Neill, who is tearing up the American League and batted .311 for the New York Yankees last year, has a National League average of .259 in 799 at-bats with the Cincinnati Reds. . . .

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Suspended former King Bernie Nicholls was replaced on the New Jersey Devils’ roster by former King Corey Millen last Saturday. . . .

Nearly 1,000 athletes, the largest number for any collegiate meet in the nation, will compete in the NAIA track and field championships Thursday through Saturday at Azusa Pacific. . . .

Among those who have participated in the meet are Bob Hayes, Florida A & M; Bobby Morrow, Abilene Christian; Bruce Jenner, Graceland of Iowa; Rod Milburn, Southern; Billy Olson, Abilene Christian; Al Feuerbach, Emporia State, and Dave Johnson and Christian Okoye of Azusa Pacific, which is favored to win its 10th team title in 12 years. . . .

I wonder how Buster Mathis Jr., who fights Riddick Bowe June 11 at Caesars Palace, feels about the announcement that Bowe will oppose Larry Donald July 15 at Hollywood Park. . . .

According to the Collegiate Licensing Company, the University of Michigan leads NCAA schools in nationwide sales of sports apparel and merchandise. Georgetown is second, Florida State third, North Carolina fourth and Alabama fifth. . . .

Hakeem Olajuwon’s performance in the playoffs makes his selection as NBA most valuable player, a regular-season award, look good. . . .

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It is a given that the Milwaukee Bucks will draft Glenn Robinson first. The Dallas Mavericks, who need a point guard more than a small forward, should take Jason Kidd second over Grant Hill. . . .

Reggie Miller, the Indiana Pacers’ 6-foot-7 shooting guard, is supposed to weigh 185 pounds, but he doesn’t look that heavy. . . .

The weekly Sprint Soccer Poll has the following top 10 three weeks before the start of the World Cup: Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, Italy, Colombia, Belgium, a tie for eighth between Norway and Spain, and Nigeria. Mexico is 12th and the United States 13th. . . .

John McEnroe probably doesn’t care about my opinion, but I think Mary Carillo is the best tennis commentator on TV. . . .

The license-plate bracket on Laffit Pincay’s Porsche says: “My other car is a race horse.”

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