Notes on a Scorecard - June 13, 1994

The officiating is becoming nearly as atrocious as the shooting in the NBA finals. . . .

I mean, how about that ticky-tack, stepping-into-a-pick call against Patrick Ewing during crunch time of Game 3 Sunday night?. . . .

If neither the Houston Rockets nor New York Knicks score 100 points in any game--a distinct possibility--it will be the first time it has happened in the finals since the Minneapolis Lakers’ seven-game conquest of the Syracuse Nationals in 1954, the season before the 24-second clock was installed. . . .

The Dodgers’ best closers are Tom Candiotti, Ramon Martinez and Kevin Gross. . . .

Ah, to be in the NL West, where you can have a 3-6 trip and lose only a half-game of your four-game lead. . . .

Harry Caray, marveling at the reaction of a fan who caught a ball during what would be the Cubs’ 10th consecutive loss Friday: “Imagine how she would react if the Cubs won the pennant.” . . .

WGN broadcast partner Steve Stone: “The pennant would be nice, Harry, but right now the Cubs are just looking for a run.” . . .

Firing Buck Rodgers sure has straightened out the Angels, hasn’t it?. . . .

A 4.04 earned-run-average used to be terrible. Sunday, it was good enough to get Todd Stottlemyre of the Toronto Blue Jays the No. 18 spot in the American League statistics. . . .

Don Drysdale’s definition of a “quality start” was a complete-game victory. . . .

The chances of a strike increased when the baseball owners decided it would take 75% of their votes, instead of 50%, for approval of a new labor contract. . . .

Oklahoma won the College World Series, but the tape-measure home run Jason Varitek hit in the championship game made it easy to see why the Georgia Tech catcher was voted to CBS’ all-time tournament team. . . .

The Dodgers drafted a high school catcher over Varitek. That must mean that if they move Mike Piazza to third base, it won’t be for another few years. . . .

I was rooting for the Vancouver Canucks to win Saturday night because I didn’t want the Stanley Cup playoffs to end so soon. . . .

Rarely has as much intensity been shown on ice as in the first period of Game 6. . . .

Think there will be any pressure on the Rangers Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden?. . . . The Canucks might not be so loose, either. They were given up for dead after falling behind, 3-1, in the series. But seventh games are a whole different matter. . . .

Look-alikes: Houston Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich and rock singer Bryan Ferry. . . .

Under circumstances that would have deflated lesser spirits, Wayne Lukas has done a remarkable job training Tabasco Cat. . . .

Last December, Tabasco Cat trampled and nearly killed Lukas’ son Jeff. . . .

On the first Saturday in May, he was one of many who had bad racing luck and he finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby. . . .

Three weeks ago, he won the Preakness. . . .

Saturday, he won the Belmont Stakes despite the fact that he wasn’t bred to handle the 1 1/2-mile distance. . . .

When Lukas is going good, it’s great for thoroughbred racing. The sport does not have a better spokesperson. With his knowledge, creativity, and work ethic, he would make a terrific commissioner some day. . . .

Another Southland trainer, Randy Winick, showed uncommon grace after suffering the bitter disappointment of having Brocco scratched from the Belmont. . . .

Winick was on the phone Saturday morning from the stable area to give Roger Stein and his XTRA radio listeners the details of the misfortune that had struck his star. . . .

“SoccerFest ‘94,” scheduled for July 7-17 at the L.A. Convention Center, will utilize 2,500 volunteer workers. Those interested should contact World Cup USA 1994 in Century City. . . .

Don’t invite ‘ems: Roberto Duran and Vinny Pazienza, who will fight June 25 at the MGM Grand, refused to fly on the same plane from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for a news conference today. . . .

Jorge Paez jumped out of the ring after his victory at the Forum Saturday night and shook hands with spectator Oscar De La Hoya. No wonder. Paez will make the biggest payday of his career when he fights De La Hoya, probably July 29 at the Grand Garden. . . .

Judging by their performances for Brazil against the U.S. in the women’s world championships, the Knicks and Rockets might be better off with a backcourt of Hortencia and Paula.