Notes on a Scorecard - May 22, 1995

Opposites: The last-place Dodgers are leaving town for New York after being swept by Chicago, and the first-place Angels are coming home to play New York after sweeping Chicago. . . .

The Dodgers’ run production will improve once Mike Piazza returns to the lineup, but the pitching outlook is iffy at best. . . .

As expected, Brett Butler’s leadoff hitting is sorely missed. . . .

The NL Central-leading Cubs have two coaches who are in the Hall of Fame, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins, and a manager, Jim Riggleman, who never played a major league game. . . .

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One of the best baseball games I’ve seen this year was USC’s 4-0 victory over Washington State on Friday night that brought the Trojans the Pacific-10 Conference title. . . .

Right fielder Geoff Jenkins didn’t get a hit, but made a sensational diving catch in the eighth inning that preserved the shutout. . . .

George Foreman says he wants to be one of the first two fighters to wear headgear in a world title bout. . . .

He is volunteering to wear the equipment for a rematch against Axel Schulz. . . .

But it’s a longshot that the rival camp would agree to such extra protection for both fighters or that the International Boxing Federation would approve it. . . .

Foreman became an advocate for extra precautions long before Jimmy Garcia died of a brain injury after being stopped by Gabriel Ruelas in the 11th round on May 6 in Las Vegas. . . .

Some physicians believe that the type of headgear now used in amateur bouts and sparring sessions doesn’t prevent serious injuries. . . .

If not, then design a better product. . . .

It is also argued that fans wouldn’t pay to see bouts between fighters wearing helmets. Well, it doesn’t seem to have hurt attendance at Olympic competition. Or for NHL games after helmets became mandatory. . . .

Evander Holyfield won his comeback bout over Ray Mercer, but I hate to see the former heavyweight champion still risking his health in the ring. . . .

Holyfield is not in need of a payday, has been in many tough fights, had a heart condition, and has gone through drastic physical changes since his cruiserweight days. . . .

The signing of an Oscar De La Hoya-Genaro Hernandez bout for September appears imminent. . . .

If the Clippers aren’t going to take my suggestion and trade down in the draft to get Ed O’Bannon and a veteran, they should take Antonio McDyess, the sophomore center from Alabama. Golden State figures to select another sophomore center, Joe Smith of Maryland, first. . . .

Look for Jerry West to make a trade or sign an important free agent. Remember, the Lakers don’t have a draft pick. . . .

I’ll believe Magic Johnson as a Laker power forward next season when I see him. . . .

In a year when his alma mater finally got there again, UCLA graduate Reggie Miller has led his team to the Final Four for the second time. . . .

NBC might not be too happy about having the three biggest TV markets--New York, Los Angeles and Chicago--out of the playoffs, but Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon should attract a few viewers. . . .

Clinching its Eastern Conference semifinal series against Chicago at crunch time on the road should boost Orlando’s confidence. . . .

Houston guard Sam Cassell fouled out on a lousy call Saturday, but continued to get air time when NBC showed two of his shoe commercials. . . .

Charles Barkley wouldn’t be the first NBA star to retire without having won an NBA championship. Others include Elgin Baylor, who retired the November before the Lakers won the 1971-72 title; Bob Lanier, Nate Thurmond, Pete Maravich and George Gervin. . . .

Over the weekend, the UCLA men’s track team won its fourth consecutive Pacific 10 Conference title and the women’s team its third in a row, the softball team advanced to the College World Series for the ninth consecutive time, and Keri Phebus became the first Bruin to win the NCAA women’s tennis title. . . .

This isn’t a great year for hockey in Canada. Winnipeg and Quebec are battling to save their franchises and Vancouver is the only team north of the border that reached the final eight in the playoffs. . . .

Word is that Sports Illustrated will pick USC to win the national football championship. The magazine picked Arizona last season. But it also selected UCLA to win the NCAA basketball title. . . .

If the America’s Cup people were in charge, Al Unser Jr. would be in the Indy 500 lineup.