THE WRITING ON (AND OFF) THE WALL : RADIO'S VERSION OF RIDDLER'S REVENGE.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

Going out on top with USC's College World Series win, recently deposed play-by-play man Larry Kahn and broadcast/business partner Mike Lamb delivered fairly classy parting shots at the end of the broadcast on KPLS-AM (830) Saturday - which probably whizzed right by anyone in the Valley who had no chance of picking up the reception from the Orange County station on their transistors.

``To the majority of the people in the (USC) athletic department, you were great,'' said Kahn. ``No matter what certain people like to believe, this is only the beginning. We'll see you somewhere, folks.'' . . .

'Twas fitting that the last game Kahn was allowed to do as the radio voice of USC sports was a baseball game that ended up with a football score. . . .

It's also prrrrrrretty well known that USC athletic director Mike ``Get Your &)$ Outtahere'' Garrett has been trying to shove Trojans baseball coach Mike Gillespie toward the John Robinson Memorial Exit Sign for some time. How 'bout now, for another public-relations blunder? Gillespie will regularly check his phone machine this offseason. . . .

Fearing a Sports Illustrated piece in the works will only further besmirch Garrett's reputation, USC has sent out a preemptive strike. Senior VP Dennis Dougherty's office dashed off a multi-page memo to certain SC alums, explaining how some higher-ups have been interviewed for this probably slanted story by Don Yeager (publishing date unknown). They also issued a statement signed by school prez Steven Sample and other esteemed colleagues pledging full support for Garrett. . . .

Legal eagles representing recently ousted AM-1150 ``Sportsgods'' co-host Joey Haim have filed a bunch of paperwork in L.A. Superior Court complaining about 14 things (wrongful termination, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, stuff like that) against the all-sports station, its general manager Roy Laughlin and program director Beau Bennett . . . aaaaaannnnd the Dodgers. . . .

The reason Fox's blue boys are listed as a defendant - Haim contends his bosses at 1150 told him that his previously promised contract wasn't renewed last December because its new high-rent clients thought he ``attracted an urban, minority listening audience.'' No monetary compensation sought is listed. . . .

Haim's suit also contends he ``suffered great anxiety, public humiliation, embarrassment . . . loss of enjoyment of life and severe physical and emotional distress in an amount to be proven at trial.'' That would be from from his firing, not from dealing with Dave Smith while on the air. . . .

The guy who handles Byron Scott's business affairs says the ex-Lakers guard will listen to offers from Europe and the U.S. - who, the CBA? - if that Greek League team he helped win a title with last season doesn't throw more fetta his way by noon Wednesday. Scott was left in ruins after he signed a two-year, $2.3 million deal with Panathinaikos Athens moments after the Lakers gratuitously paid him the league minimum a year ago. . . .

A statement released by agent Brian McInerney says Scott needs more dough because of ``an unforeseen international tax issue.'' Try using that as a reason for filing late with the IRS next April. . . .

Don't see Jerry West checking the classifieds yet for a streak-shooting 37-year-old backcourt man. . . .

Sport magazine's bosses at L.A.-based Petersen Publishing spent $8 million to buy out, then shut down, competitor Inside Sports. What they were really interested in was IS' subscriber list. . . .

Vin Scully, during Saturday's Dodgers-Seattle game, describing Mariners reliever Bob Wells: ``He has the moustache and goatee . . . as does (the Dodgers' Dave) Mlicki . . . as does everyone else in the world.'' . . .

Movie that NBC should show after one of its NBA Finals broadcast: ``Losing Isiah.'' . . .

In the past two weeks, WNBA Phoenix coach Cheryl Miller broke the big toe on her right foot from kicking the scorer's table during an exhibition game and lost four championship basketball rings, $900 in cash and a VCR during a burglary at her apartment. . . .

First living, breathing man, woman or child who does an Andres Cantor imitation over the next four weeks gets a trip to the moon, Ralph Cramden style.