Notes on a Scorecard - July 6, 1995

I would love to see Magic Johnson play for the Lakers next season. . . .

Magic has reiterated his interest in rejoining the Lakers, but what surprises me is that so many people seem to disagree--and for reasons that have nothing to do with health risks. . . .

A lot of radio talk-show hosts, their callers and letter writers to this desk are afraid that Magic would disrupt the Lakers’ chemistry, that he has been away from the game too long and that he is too old. . . .

I fail to see where one of the all-time great basketball players could hurt any team’s chemistry. He would be like a coach on the court--he was a coach on the bench as recently as 1994--and could play power forward, allowing Nick Van Exel to continue to run the offense at point guard. . . .

Johnson hasn’t played an NBA game since 1991, when he announced his retirement after contracting the virus that causes AIDS, but he has stayed active the last few years touring the nation and several foreign countries with his all-star team and was the star of the Dream Team in the ’92 Olympics. . . .

He will celebrate his 36th birthday Aug. 14. . . .

At 36, Wilt Chamberlain led the NBA in rebounding and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still had six seasons ahead of him. . . .

Of course, a return to the rigors of the NBA by Johnson would depend on his receiving the blessings of his doctor--and rival players, whom it is hoped have a better understanding of his illness than when they scotched his first comeback attempt. . . .

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Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi has 11 assists in 65 games this season. Roberto Clemente’s single-season high as a Pittsburgh Pirate right fielder was 27 in 146 games in 1961. . . .

The announced sellout crowd of 61,292 at Anaheim Stadium on July 4, biggest in the majors this season, was only 1,359 fewer than the total attendance for the Angels’ previous four home games. . . .

Look-alikes: Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina and Chicago White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura. . . .

Remember Pat Ahearne, the Orel Hershiser look-alike who pitched for Pepperdine’s 1992 NCAA champions? He recently was called up by the Detroit Tigers but lost his only two decisions and was sent back to Toledo of the International League. . . .

False advertising: A glove manufacturer’s pitch singing the praises of Ruben Sierra, “They say he’s a sure bet to earn a place in the Hall of Fame.” . . .

The firing of manager Joe Torre hasn’t exactly turned it around for the St. Louis Cardinals. . . .

Baseball is a simple game, but do you understand half the balk rules? . . .

I can’t think of a better entree for breakfast at Wimbledon on Sunday than Andre Agassi vs. Pete Sampras for the gentlemen’s singles title. . . .

Billie Jean King--insightful, informative and humorous on HBO during Wimbledon--should do more tennis commentary. . . .

On those occasions when he did attend high school classes, Pancho Gonzalez went to Manual Arts. . . .

Defending champion Nick Price heads a foreign contingent of 20 entered in the PGA Championship Aug. 10-13 at Riviera Country Club. . . .

More than $1 million in improvements have been made at Del Mar, whose 56th thoroughbred season will run from July 26 through Sept. 13. . . .

Nigel Benn will return to the ring for the first time since his near-fatal beating of Gerald McClellan when the World Boxing Council super-middleweight champion defends the title against Vincenzo Nardiello July 22 at London in a bout to be televised by Showtime. . . .

NCAA women’s basketball attendance was up for the 14th consecutive year. This time, the increase was 9%. . . .

The September issue of Successful Farming magazine will feature the first All-American farm football team, consisting of the top 22 college players who have lived on family farms. . . .

Jockey Kelly Castenada has a new agent--his wife, Ann, mother of four. . . .

The Special Olympics World Games offer sports at its best. . . .

I’ll be more concerned about the NBA lockout if it’s still in effect in November. . . .

Hector (Macho) Camacho continues to build his record against carefully selected opponents on his way toward a probable title shot at welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker, who would give him a boxing lesson. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya, training for his Sept. 9 bout against Genaro Hernandez at Caesars Palace, has moved into the gym that he had built in Big Bear. . . .

Noted NFL brawler Buddy Ryan has bought a percentage of the managerial contract of Cincinnati middleweight prospect Frankie Rhodes. “His right hand is much better than mine,” said the coach of the Arizona Cardinals.