Notes on a Scorecard - July 19, 1994

Baseball, anyone? . . .

Maybe all the bats are corked like Albert Belle’s, and that’s why all the balls are traveling so far. . . .

If I’m running the Dodgers, I don’t give up major league hitting prospects such as Billy Ashley and Todd Hollandsworth for a veteran reliever such as Randy Myers. . . .

Remember Boston trading Jeff Bagwell to Houston for Larry Andersen? . . .

The Dodgers’ poor record against left-handed starting pitchers shows how overrated the righty vs. lefty, lefty vs. righty thing can be. . . .

L.A.’s lineup, you know, is packed with right-handed batters. . . .

Walter Alston taught me to hate the emphasis put on such matchups when he platooned like crazy, especially at the Coliseum. . . .

The Dodgers, who were supposed to be faster, are way behind last year’s stolen-base pace. . . .

Maybe what Darryl Strawberry needed was a change of scenery, but nine games do not constitute a comeback. . . .

Roger Clemens, who starts against the Angels tonight, pitches to Ty Cobb, as portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, in the film, “Cobb,” that is scheduled to open in December. . . .

However, it will be hard to recognize Clemens, who wears a 1916-style uniform and sports a mean, unshaven look. . . .

Jimmie Reese is still with the angels. . . .

Buck Showalter should stick to managing and leave the fashion critiques to Mr. Blackwell. . . .

How nice that owners and players are talking not about averting a strike, but averting a long strike. . . .

Because of the strike threat, don’t expect many trades the rest of the way. . . .

Most teams looking to strengthen themselves will look toward the minor leagues. . . .

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Houston is loaded with talent on the triple-A level and the White Sox have several young pitching prospects. . . .

One veteran who might be dealt is Pittsburgh outfielder Andy Van Slyke, who will be eligible for free agency after the season. . . .

Bret Boone has become one of the best infielders in the National League. . . .

Don Baylor, the only Angel to win the MVP award, is getting the most out of the Colorado Rockies. . . .

Ken Griffey Jr., Kenny Lofton and Devon White get more attention, but Brian McRae of Kansas City might be the finest defensive center fielder in the American League. . . .

Tony Gwynn makes sense, as usual, when he says it is tougher to bat .400 than to hit 60 home runs. . . .

Without Ryne Sandberg, the Chicago Cubs are nondescript. . . .

The young lions are powerful, but have you noticed that Kirby Puckett, 33, is leading the American League in RBIs? . . .

Sign of the times: Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox will gear his pitching rotation toward the playoffs, not the division championship race, once the Braves clinch a postseason spot. . . .

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The folly of the balanced scheduled is demonstrated in the American League Central, where Cleveland and Chicago will play one another for the last time next weekend. . . .

The AL East race could hinge on the arm of Baltimore reliever Lee Smith. . . .

Cal Ripken Jr.’s consecutive-game streak will reach 2,000 on July 31, barring injury. . . . What makes Ripken’s streak even more remarkable is that he plays a taxing position, shortstop. . . .

Look-a-likes: Moises Alou and a young Darryl Strawberry. . . .

Key element in the National League West race might be the physical condition of San Francisco pitcher Billy Swift. . . .

The Yankees aren’t the only team in New York having a disappointing time at the box office. . . .

The Mets attracted only 24,855 Sunday to Shea Stadium. Granted, the San Diego Padres were the opponents, but there was an old-timers’ game saluting the 25th anniversary of the 1969 World Series champions. . . .

No one has pitched a shutout for either Detroit or Baltimore. . . .

How much does the thin air at Mile High Stadium in Denver help the Rockies’ batting averages? The Air Force Academy at nearby Colorado Springs led the NCAA this year with a team average of .360. . . .

After moving to within 4 1/2 games of the Dodgers on Sunday, San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker said, “We can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but it’s not high noon, either.”