Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 9, 1992

Baseball always has been a numbers game, but I liked it better when the headlines were about hitters approaching .400, sluggers aiming for 60 home runs and pitchers chasing 30 victories rather than contracts escalating to $43.75 million. . . .

The Angels probably solved their problem at third base when they traded for Kelly Gruber, who is young enough to rebound from an off year. However, Cory Snyder isn’t the answer to the Dodger problem at that position. Free agent Wade Boggs could be, although he showed signs of aging last season. . . .

J.T. Snow, the new Angel first baseman, was born James Thomas Snow Jr. . . .

Three Cuban defectors--Osmany Estrada, Alexis Cabreja and Ivan Alvarez--are working out for pro baseball scouts at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. . . .

This time it was the ballclub, the Milwaukee Brewers, that showed no loyalty to the ballplayer, Paul Molitor. The Brewers wanted to cut Molitor in pay although he batted .320 and drove in 89 runs during his 15th season in Milwaukee. . . .

Rick Dempsey, who will begin his career with the Dodgers’ Bakersfield farm club, is my idea of a future major league manager. . . .

If the Raiders had played consistent football this season, there would be no need for them to complain about a difficult schedule down the stretch. . . .

Don’t be so surprised that the San Francisco 49ers’ Steve Young is the top-ranked passer in the NFL. He was last year, too. . . .

The Canadian Football League might expand to San Antonio and St. Petersburg next season, but a name change won’t be necessary. After all, Shreveport, La.; Jackson, Miss.; Tulsa, Wichita, and Arkansas play baseball in the Texas League. . . .

Touchdown Tommy Vardell has yet to score a touchdown during his rookie year with the Cleveland Browns. . . .

Whatever happened to Scott Davis? . . .

It’s a pity that Cal State Fullerton was forced to drop its Division I-A football program after playing only one season in a new 10,000-seat stadium. . . .

The most intriguing bowl coaching matchup is Bill Walsh of Stanford against Joe Paterno of Penn State in the Blockbuster. . . .

For openers next season, USC will face Houston and 1992 NCAA total offense leader Jimmy Klingler Sept. 4 at the Coliseum. . . .

Eight Pacific 10 schools finished the regular season with winning records, compared to three in the Big Ten. . . .

News item: Evander Holyfield says if he returns to the ring, it will be without promoter Dan Duva. Reaction: Every time the former heavyweight champion counts his money, he should thank Duva. . . .

George Foreman will be trying to juggle two careers the next couple of weeks. He is in Hollywood rehearsing for the pilot of “The George Foreman Show,” a half-hour sitcom, and also training for his Jan. 16 bout against Pierre Coetzer in Reno. . . .

Produced by Tony Danza, the television program is about a retired heavyweight fighter and his wife, a school teacher, who have a large family. . . .

If Foreman and Tommy Morrison, who will fight Carl (the Truth) Williams, win as expected in Reno, they will be paired next spring or summer. . . .

The master plan has Foreman fighting champion Riddick Bowe or Larry Holmes in the final match of his three-fight deal with HBO. . . .

Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez, who is scheduled to fight Michael Carbajal in a light-flyweight title unification bout next March, couldn’t have scared Carbajal with his lackluster performance against Melchor Cob Castro Monday night at the Forum. . . .

Lightning is not even striking twice some nights now that Tampa Bay, the early sensation of the NHL, has lost nine of its last 10 games. . . .

Among amateur jockeys riding in a special race Saturday at Hollywood Park will be Matt McCarron, son of Gregg and nephew of Chris, and Mandy McKaughan, co-host of “The Backstretch” TV show. . . .

Three-time world 110-meter hurdles champion Greg Foster, 34, who will compete in the Sunkist meet Feb. 20 at the Sports Arena, has announced plans to retire after this season. . . .

Laker rookie guard Anthony Peeler is shooting a higher percentage from three-point range than two-point. . . .

Typical poll logic: UCLA is 4-1 and Florida State 3-2. UCLA beat Florida State on a neutral court. Florida State is ranked ahead of UCLA in both polls. . . .

Thumbs up to the Amateur Athletic Foundation, which continues to assist youth sports organizations in Los Angeles neighborhoods that were affected by the rioting last April. The AAF’s contributions to 14 programs have reached $259,745.