Notes on a Scorecard - June 21, 1995

Among the boys of this summer will be Raul Mondesi from the Dominican Republic, Ismael Valdes from Mexico and Hideo Nomo from Japan. . . .

But if you think the Dodgers have an international flavor now, just wait. . . .

At the start of the year, 97 of the 246 players in the organization’s minor league system were foreign born. . . .

They represented 13 countries. . . .

The Dominican Republic led the way with 66, followed by Venezuela with 11, Mexico eight, Australia three and Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Korea and the Netherlands with one apiece. There also were six from Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth. . . . Of course, the Dodgers have an advantage in the Dominican Republic, where they own and operate a baseball academy and the Santo Domingo and La Romana professional franchises. . . .

Remember when you were familiar with the name of virtually every player in the major leagues? . . .

Kansas City came roaring into Anaheim Stadium on Monday with one of the best records in the American League--and a starting lineup that included Jon Nunnally, Edgar Caceras, Jeff Grotewold and Brent Mayne. . . .

Caceras, Grotewold and Jose Mota, son of Manny, are replacement players who made the varsity. . . .

The Royals’ new gray caps, with the blue bills, look like something out of the 1920s. . . . Gene Autry is still interested enough in the Angels to come out early on a Monday night and watch them take batting practice. . . .

*

What always has been rare in baseball is a left-handed knuckeballer. The one who comes to mind is Wilbur Wood, who won 20 games for the Chicago White Sox four times and lost 20 twice. . . .

On Tuesday, the Florida Marlins at Colorado drew an announced crowd of 48,145, compared to 48,999 for the San Francisco-Pittsburgh, Philadelphia-Mets, Chicago-San Diego and Houston-Montreal games combined. . . .

The best place to watch a game from behind home plate used to be old Seals Stadium in San Francisco, where fans got to look through a glass backstop instead of wire. . . .

Most umpires don’t put enough energy into ball-and-strike calls. . . .

Phil Regan, who became known as “the Vulture” when he was 14-1 in relief for the 1966 Dodgers, would be a lot more successful in his managerial debut if the Baltimore Orioles still had Lee Smith. . . .

It’s a toss-up as to whether Camden Yards in Baltimore or Jacobs Field in Cleveland is the nicest ballpark. . . .

I’m not particular, just so the place doesn’t have a roof or artificial turf. . . .

*

Paul Pierce, the Kansas recruit from Inglewood High, was dazzling during the opening weekend of the summer basketball league at Cal State L.A. . . .

Hollywood Park’s simulcasts last Sunday included races involving thoroughbreds, quarter horses, harness horses, Arabians and mules. . . .

Tickets will go on sale Saturday at The Pond of Anaheim for the second John R. Wooden Classic that will match UCLA against Maryland and Purdue against Villanova on

Dec. 9. . . .

After the Bruins’ NCAA championship, the doubleheader should sell out earlier than last year’s. . . .

Tentative starting date for the construction of Roger Penske’s track in Fontana is September and the first event, probably for Winston Cup stock cars, might be in early 1997. . . .

Compare the “who’s he?” heavyweight rankings of the alphabet groups today to this top 10 that appeared in an issue of Ring magazine in 1973: 1. Muhammad Ali, 2. Joe Frazier, 3. Ken Norton, 4. Jerry Quarry, 5. Ron Lyle, 6. Earnie Shavers, 7. Oscar Bonavena, 8. Joe Bugner, 9. Jimmy Ellis, 10. Chuck Wepner. And there was only one recognized champion--George Foreman. . . . *

Roy Jones Jr. should toy with Vinny Pazienza Saturday. . . .

The question is, is there anyone who can test Jones? . . .

Attention boxing safety advocates: Stock car driver Lake Speed, who was wearing a helmet, emerged without injury after being punched twice by rival Michael Waltrip after a race last Sunday. . . .

Wonder if I can still get a good pair of tickets for ballroom dancing at the Atlanta Olympics. . . .

Anyone casting a golf movie must consider Jeremy Irons, James Woods, Ann Wedgeworth and Mr. T.