YESTERDAY IN L.A. : LONGDON FINISHES WITH A WIN, HARRICK WITH A LOSS.

Byline: - Tom Hoffarth

As the year 2000 approaches, here's a look at some of the interesting anniversaries that will occur this week in Los Angeles sports history (followed by the ranking of the event from the book ``Unforgettable: The 100 Greatest Moments in Los Angeles Sports History'' in parenthesis):

March 9, 1986: Attracting 10,787 runners, the largest ever for a first-time marathon, the City of Los Angeles Marathon is launched. Two Americans win the first race - Rick Sayre (2:12:50) and Nancy Ditz (2:36:27) - and each win $10,000 and a car.

March 11, 1933: During an exhibition game at Wrigley Field in South-Central L.A., an earthquake sends all members of the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs scurrying out of dugouts and toward second base until the tremors stop.

March 11, 1980: In a game against the Lakers, San Diego Clippers center Bill Walton injures his foot. He wouldn't play in the NBA again for 2-1/2 years.

March 12, 1966: Johnny Longden wins his final race at age 59 with George Royal in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita before 60,792. It is his 6,032nd victory in a career of 32,413 races spanning 40 years. (74)

March 13, 1986: Lakers guard Magic Johnson hands out his 5,000th career assist.

March 14, 1996: Defending national champion UCLA loses to Pete Carril's Princeton squad 43-41 in the opening round of the NCAA basketball tournament. It would turn out to be the final game for coach Jim Harrick, fired before the start of the next season.

Birthdays: Tuesday: Former UCLA soccer star Paul Caliguiri (35). Wednesday: Former Dodgers reliever Steve Howe (41) and former USC star offensive tackle and NFL Hall of Famer Ron Mix (61). Friday: Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi (28) and former Dodgers outfielder Darryl Strawberry (37). Sunday: Dodgers pitcher Kevin Brown (34).

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Former Bruins head coach Jim Harrick coached his last game with UCLA this week in 1996, an NCAA Tournament loss to upset-minded Princeton.

Daily News File Photo