Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 27, 1990

As this goofy baseball season nears a conclusion, who would have thought that:

The National League batting leader would be playing in the American League in September? . . .

Jerry Reuss would be in the major leagues and George Steinbrenner wouldn’t? . . .

Ryne Sandberg would make an error? . . .

Tony Gwynn and Roseanne Barr would be centers of controversy in San Diego? . . .

Ken Griffey Sr. would out-hit Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle? . . .

Orel Hershiser would win only one game? . . .

The Dodgers would be in the pennant race without Hershiser? . . .

Mark Langston would come closer to losing than winning 20 games? . . .

In the era of the incomplete game, a record number of no-hitters would be pitched? . . .

Norm Hitzges would ever stop talking? . . .

You could stump a casual fan by asking him to name the manager of the New York Yankees? . . .

Umpire Joe West would execute the best takedown of the summer? . . .

Nolan Ryan would be more effective at 43 than he was at 33 or 23? . . .

Joe Torre would leave the broadcasting booth for the dugout? . . .

Whitey Herzog would leave the dugout for the fishing pond? . . .

Kevin Maas would be compared to Babe Ruth? . . .

Fay Vincent would have as tough a time in 1990 as in 1989? . . .

Baltimore fans would boo Cal Ripken Jr. because he was playing? . . .

George Brett would be a cinch to win the American League batting title? . . .

Kirby Puckett wouldn’t challenge for the American League batting title? . . .

The Braves would trade Dale Murphy, and Dave Justice would become the best rookie hitter in the National League? . . .

Kansas City would be out of the pennant race in April? . . .

The Dodgers twice would blow leads of at least a touchdown at Dodger Stadium? . . .

An import from Japan would lead the major leagues in home runs? . . .

The Chicago White Sox would be battling for the second-best record in baseball? . . .

Hal Morris would be a key man in the Cincinnati Reds’ bid for the NL West championship? . . .

Robin Yount would be batting in the .240s? . . .

The Yankees wouldn’t beat Oakland once? . . .

Steve Lyons would drop his pants at first base? . . .

Dave Stieb’s no-hitter wouldn’t be broken up in the ninth inning? . . .

Wade Boggs would flirt with hitting below .300? . . .

Tom Lasorda wouldn’t need to expand his belt size? . . .

Jeff Treadway would hit three home runs in a game? . . .

The Mets would have more trouble with lefties than any organization since the House Unamerican Activities Committee? . . .

Bobby Thigpen of the White Sox would have more saves than any National League team? . . .

Kirk Gibson would get booed at Dodger Stadium? . . .

The Boston Red Sox wouldn’t be able to hit many home runs in Fenway Park? . . .

Ron Gant would become a member of the 30-30 club? . . .

Danny Darwin would be leading the National League in earned-run average? . . .

Lou Piniella would win the first base throw for distance? . . .

Don Mattingly would shave his mustache? . . .

Drugs would be out of the headlines? . . .

Between them, Mike Sharperson and Lenny Harris would turn into a .300-hitting major league third baseman? . . .

Dave Stewart would win 20 games again and still not be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award? . . .

Doug Drabek would be the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award? . . .

The Minnesota Twins would make two triple plays in a game? . . .

The Dodgers would go another season without making one triple play? . . .

In these days of parity, a team would win a division title for the third consecutive year? . . .

One successful general manager, Larry Doughty of Pittsburgh, would be in danger of losing his job, and another, Larry Himes of the White Sox, would be fired? . . .

Bo Schembechler wouldn’t smash a headset in Tiger Stadium? . . .

Frank White wouldn’t be in the Kansas City Royals’ starting lineup on Frank White Day? . . .

Making love would be a spectator sport in the Toronto SkyDome?