Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 22, 1994

Ever optimistic, the Angels are proceeding as though there will be an American League season in 1995. . . .

“We’re going to be better next year,” said club President Richard Brown. “We’ll fill some weaknesses at the market place, our youngsters will be more experienced, and our manager, Marcel Lachemann, will be here from the start of spring training.” . . .

The reports from Venezuela on first baseman J.T. Snow are terrific, but have you ever heard about anyone having a lousy winter league season? . . .

“Our three biggest needs are a closer, a quality right-handed starter, and another power hitter,” Brown said. . . .

Thus far, the only player the Angels admit they are trying to sign is closer Lee Smith. . . .

They also are seeking a new, baseball-only stadium in Anaheim. . . .

“We’re not sitting back and telling the city to build us a stadium,” Brown said. “This would be a joint venture, a kind of quasi-partnership.” . . .

The city is expected to decide on the project--which would include retail shops, motels and other businesses--within three weeks. . . .

Brown is hoping that baseball will have a new labor agreement by then. . . .

“The Angels will lose $8.5 million this year,” he said. “It would have been about $2 million if the entire season had been played.” . . .

I’ll take his word without asking to see the books. . . .

*

Taft High in Woodland Hills has alumni who coach in the NFL--the Houston Oilers’ Jeff Fisher of the class of ‘72--and manage in the major leagues--the Boston Red Sox’s Kevin Kennedy of the class of ’76. . . .

Another Taft class of ’76 member, XTRA talk-show host Steve Hartman, believes no other high school in the nation can match that. . . .

If the NFL playoffs were going to start this week, which they aren’t, the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets would be the AFC wild-card teams. . . .

The Raiders, Jets and Buffalo Bills are tied at 6-5, but the Jets have the best intra-conference record and have beaten the Bills twice. . . .

Three of the Raiders’ five remaining games are at home and three are against teams that now have winning records. . . .

Three of the Jets’ last five are at home and two are against teams with winning records. . . .

Two of the Bills’ last five are at home and two are against teams with winning records. . . .

Former Ram linebacker Don Paul recently shook hands with an old rival, NFL Hall of Fame running back Hugh McElhenny, at a luncheon. “That’s the first time I ever touched him,” Paul said. . . .

Wayne Cook became the first UCLA starting quarterback since the Bruins switched from the single-wing in 1962 to beat USC in consecutive games. . . .

Fashion note: Corey Nakatani wore a ski mask to protect his face from the cold at Hollywood Park Friday night and rode three winners. . . .

Irvine Valley College basketball Coach Bill Mulligan says 7-0 center Keon Clark of Danville, Ill., is the best prospect he’s had in a college career spanning more than 30 years. . . .

Getting Chris Webber from the Golden State Warriors for Tom Gugliotta and first-round draft choices in 1996, 1998 and 2000 was a steal for the Washington Bullets. . . .

That is if Webber, who is eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season, stays with the Bullets and they finish high enough to lower the quality of those picks. . . .

Congratulations to talented producer-director Susan Stratton, who has been promoted to executive producer for sports programming at Channel 9. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya looked terrific on the Roy Jones-James Toney card when, making every punch count, he stopped Carl Griffith in the third round. . . .

The Golden Boy from East L.A. hasn’t faced strong opponents yet, but gives every indication he will be able to handle a rise in competition. . . . He has stopped the pre-fight smiling and waving to the crowd and is all business from the moment he leaves his dressing room. . . . Friday was the 50th anniversary of the day that newspapers reported that Louie Zamperini, who had won two NCAA mile titles at USC, was shot down and killed in World War II.

Zamperini is still alive and well and working on youth projects in Hollywood. He was rescued in the Pacific Ocean after spending weeks in a life raft.