Notes on a Scorecard - April 23, 1992

First came the Elvis Presley stamp controversy: Fat or thin? Now the Tom Lasorda statue debate: Before or after? . . .

Two disc jockeys at WPYX radio in Albany, N.Y., are asking listeners whether the proposed monument to Lasorda in Schenectady, N.Y., should depict him as “Tubby” or “Tiny.” . . .

Tubby Lasorda has moved to a comfortable lead in the voting with two days left, but the question remains why a small city in Upstate New York would want to honor the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania. . . .

Lasorda pitched one season for Schenectady in the Canadian-American League. He was 9-12 with a 4.64 earned-run average in 1948 despite striking out 25 batters and driving in the winning run during a 15-inning game. His manager was Lee Riley, father of New York Knick Coach Pat Riley. . . .

City Councilman Gus Bessinger, who came up with the idea of the statue and is spearheading a fund-raising drive to get it built, says Lasorda got his start in baseball with Schenectady. Well, not quite. Lasorda began his professional career with Concord, N.C., in the Tar Heel League in 1945. . . .

“During my first month in Schenectady, my mother didn’t know where I was,” Lasorda said. “I would send letters home, but I couldn’t spell Schenectady. So I wrote her that I was 10 miles away from Albany.” . . .

What is Lasorda’s preference, Tubby or Tiny? “I really don’t care,” he says. “When somebody wants to build a statue of you, you can’t be particular.” . . .

After watching the Kings and Edmonton Oilers the night before, I kept expecting the umpires to hand out 10-minute misconduct penalties following the Dodger-Cincinnati Red altercations Tuesday. . . .

In the old movie “Experiment in Terror,” that was shown on TV the other night, Don Drysdale was seen pitching in a Dodger uniform at Candlestick Park. But, no, the title had nothing to do with Drysdale’s brushback pitches. . . .

Too bad about Ozzie Guillen. This was the year when the Chicago White Sox were going to win the American League West title, and their shortstop was going to be recognized as one of the great players of his time. . . .

Is it my imagination or are major league outfielders dropping more routine fly balls this season? . . .

I wonder if Cincinnati Red minor league pitcher Will Schock will live up to his name. . . .

Four of the top 25 draft prospects, according to Baseball America, will perform in the UCLA-Arizona State series this weekend--Bruin pitcher Pete Janicki and outfielder Michael Moore and Sun Devil pitcher Sean Lowe and outfielder Todd Steverson. . . .

Looking for a bargain? Ticket prices for the games Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for youths under 16. . . .

Cammi Granato, a standout for the United States team that has advanced to the semifinals of the world women’s ice hockey championships, is the sister of King winger Tony Granato. . . .

The Washington Capitals seem to have regained their form of the early season when they might have been the best team in hockey. . . .

Two of the most memorable rides at Santa Anita have come in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, which will be run for the 53rd time Sunday. . . .

In 1962, Bill Shoemaker brought sprint specialist Olden Times home first in the 1 3/4-mile race in what he considers the best ride of his career. Four years later, in his last ride, Johnny Longden rode George Royal to victory. . . .

Trainer Wayne Lukas does not carry a stopwatch during morning workouts or read past performances in the Daily Racing Form. . . .

Do you know anyone who doesn’t think the Chicago Bulls are going to repeat as NBA champions? . . .

Among those caught by surprise by USC swim Coach Peter Daland’s retirement announcement at the team banquet Tuesday was his daughter Leslie, a former All-American who works in the university athletic department. . . .

Walt Hazzard and Willie Williams, the newly chosen Los Angeles police chief, were members of the 1960 graduating class at Overbrook High in Philadelphia. . . .

One victory for the Lakers during their best-of-five series against the Portland Trail Blazers would be a moral victory. . . .

Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Rams, who need bodies, to trade the third pick overall in the draft for a couple of lower choices. . . .

The rest of the NFC East must be delighted that the Washington Redskins are getting the sixth pick overall.