HISTORY SELLS: There’s nothing quite like some...

HISTORY SELLS: There’s nothing quite like some notoriety to bring out the sports memorabilia collectors, and the O.J. Simpson case is no exception. . . . Before O.J. became a murder suspect, in fact, his stuff mostly sat on the sidelines. No longer. “I sold out every O.J. thing I had,” said T.J. Schwartz, owner of Porky’s Baseball Cards and Stuff Sports Emporium in North Hollywood.

BIDDING ADIEU: It may be too early to determine the full cost of 20th Century’s decision to stop selling earthquake policies, but already, there is some fallout. . . . Rick Dinon, vice president of the Woodland Hills insurer, said between 200 and 300 homeowners have canceled policies since notified of the change.

WELCOME: Love it or leave it, the World Cup has taken over L.A. One example is a soccer mural that hangs in front of the main terminal at Burbank Airport (above). Painted, in part, by 100 youngsters at the Kidspace Children’s Museum, the 10-foot-wide by 22-foot-long project is expected to be seen by more than 1 million.

HARD LOSS: They say the good ones usually get away, and they must be right. The latest is CSUN’s Gary Torgeson, the winningest softball coach in school history, who will become dean of health, physical education and recreation at Sacramento City College (C10). . . . Torgeson leaves on a high note. His team finished second in the recent College World Series.

WESTLAKE HERO: Wally Androski is a Las Vegas blackjack dealer, so he knows a good hand when he sees one. And a good foot too. Androski played soccer at Westlake High in the late 1980s with U.S. World Cup teammates Eric Wynalda and Cobi Jones. . . . Wynalda’s goal against Switzerland brought back memories. “That’s probably the most important goal he’ll ever score,” Androski said (C10).