Notes on a Scorecard - July 10, 1995

Go figure the Dodgers. . . .

Last year at the break, they were four games above .500, led the NL West by five games, and had one player on the All-Star team. . . .

This year, they are a game below .500, trail Colorado by five games, and have five players on the All-Star team. . . .

If I’m Fred Claire, I attempt to trade for a starter and/or middle reliever and hire a defensive coordinator. . . .

Bret Saberhagen, whom the New York Mets are looking to deal, grew up in the San Fernando Valley and would love to pitch in L.A. or Anaheim. . . .

Against the Cincinnati Reds this season, the Dodgers are 0-2 with Mike Piazza in the lineup and 1-0 without him. . . .

What’s with Billy Ashley, making like Joe Rudi in left field during the Reds series? . . .

Even more surprising than the Angels’ being tied for the AL West lead is that they have a better record than the second-place teams in the other two divisions. . . .

Of course, that is significant because a wild card from each league will get a spot in the playoffs. That is, if there are playoffs. . . .

This is the year of the comeback as staged by Oakland A’s first baseman Mark McGwire and Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield in the American League and Cincinnati outfielder Ron Gant and Dodger reliever Todd Worrell in the National, among others. . . .

In their three years of existence, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A California League have drawn more than a million fans to the Epicenter. Of their first 180 home dates, 96 were sellouts. . . .

The Minnesota Twins, who were 11-1 at the Metrodome in the postseason in 1987 and 1991, are 11-26 there this season. . . .

Look-alikes: Kansas City Royals pitcher Kevin Appier and San Diego Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries. . . .

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It was advertised by NBC as Breakfast at Wimbledon, but Pete Sampras had Boris Becker for lunch Sunday. . . .

There was more excitement in the 11th game of the third set of Steffi Graf’s victory over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario for the ladies’ championship Saturday than in the entire gentleman’s championship match. . . .

Maybe Sampras makes it look too easy. . . .

It has taken him only 11 sets to win his three consecutive Wimbledon titles. . . .

At the very least, Andre Agassi would have made him work harder than Becker did. The longest rally Sunday lasted six shots. . . .

Jeff Tarango will play in the Infiniti Open July 31-Aug. 6 at the L.A. Tennis Center, but chair umpire Bruno Rebeuh is not scheduled to participate. . . .

Keeny Teran, at one time a terrific flyweight prospect who was plagued by drug problems, died recently at 62. . . .

Tracy Harris Patterson’s second-round knockout over International Boxing Federation super- featherweight champion Ed Hopson on Sunday surprised those who thought the previously unbeaten Hopson would enjoy a long reign. . . .

*

The inaugural $4-million Dubai World Cup, with $2.4 million going to the winner, has been set for March 27 on Nad Al Sheba’s sand track. The 1 1/4-mile race for four- year-olds and up might lower the quality of the field for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 9. . . .

Thunder Gulch will race in the $500,000 Swaps Stakes on July 23 at Hollywood Park, but his credentials as a Kentucky Derby winner might not help him. The last two Derby winners who ran in the Swaps--Sunday Silence in 1989 and Seattle Slew in 1977--were upset. . . .

Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew suffered his first defeat in the 1977 Swaps, which was won by J.O. Tobin before 68,132 fans. . . .

Jim Harrick, yes that Jim Harrick, earned his master of science degree in education from USC in 1966. . . .

Those interested in serving as volunteers at the PGA championship at Riviera Country Club Aug. 7-13 can get information by calling 1-800-PGA-IN-95. . . .

Vic Sabatini, who is 78 and lost the sight in his left eye six years ago, shot a 76 last month at the Calabasas Country Club. . . .

I hope the Kings’ trade of their 1996 first-round draft pick to the Washington Capitals turns out better than similar deals they’ve made in the past. With a pick they got from the Kings for goaltender Ron Grahame in 1979, the Boston Bruins selected Ray Bourque. . . .

“Miami will give up football when Sports Illustrated gives up its swimsuit issue,” ESPN commentator Beano Cook said after the magazine suggested the university drop the sport.