Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 9, 1989

When Fay Vincent is convinced that Pete Rose is making sufficient progress in his addictive gambling recovery program, he should reinstate him. . . .

On “Donahue” Wednesday, though, Rose didn’t help his image by making a sexist remark and often displaying a flippant attitude. . . .

How would you like to have shelled out big money on tickets for the Laker-Phoenix game Tuesday night, gotten stuck in traffic, and arrived at the Forum just in time to discover that Magic Johnson had been sent to the showers?

The punishments handed Johnson and Johnson didn’t fit their crimes. Referee Bill Oakes over-reacted by ejecting Magic and Kevin. Then the NBA compounded the error by fining both players. It was more patty-cake than brawl. In the National Football League, offsetting 15-yard penalties would have been called and the stars of their respective teams would have lined up for the next play. . . .

Until Larry Bird proves otherwise on his comeback mission, James Worthy is the best forward in basketball. . . . Judging by the reaction to the public address announcements of their defeats Tuesday, the Pistons, not the Celtics, are No. 27 in the NBA in the hearts of Forum fans. . . .

Veteran punster Mychal Thompson says his favorite new frontcourt duo is Green-Acres. That’s Sidney Green and Mark Acres of the Orlando Magic. . .

Michael Cooper is perfecting the three-point bank shot. . . . An indication that Boston Coach Jimmy Rodgers will use his bench extensively this season was given opening night against Milwaukee when no Celtic played more than Larry Bird with 33 minutes. . . .

If you think USC-Arizona is the hottest ticket in Tucson, guess again. Seats are still available for the football game Saturday. But basketball season tickets are being scalped for as much as $5,000. . . .

Harold Miner, the 6-5 freshman forward-guard from Inglewood High, is opening eyes at USC basketball practice. And that is no mean trick at 6 a.m. . . .

Look-alikes: Bill Cartwright and Thomas Hearns. . . .

The difference between football and baseball seasons is that you see Mike Ditka instead of Orel Hershiser on TV commercials every night. . . .

Strange sight in many NHL arenas is that of the penalty box official wearing suit, tie, and helmet. . . .

Raider executive Al LoCasale says the introduction of the defensive team before the game last Sunday against Cincinnati had nothing to do with the possibility of fans booing Jay Schroeder. The offense and defense switch weeks being introduced and it was the defense’s turn. . . .

Local race tracks should follow New York’s lead and use clockings to the hundredth of a second. Anything to make handicapping more scientific for the horseplayer. . . .

High finance: In 1984, Eugene Klein sold his 56% interest in the San Diego Chargers to Alex Spanos for $40 million. Monday, he sold his stable of 114 thoroughbreds at auction for $29.6 million. . . .

UCLA will open play in the NCAA soccer tournament Sunday at 2 p.m. against San Diego State at El Camino College. Sorry, World Cup fans, but a scoreless tie in regulation time is unlikely. The favored Bruins are averaging more than two goals a game. . . .

Manager Lou Duva once caught his young junior welterweight star, Meldrick Taylor, snacking on a pizza the night before a fight. Meldrick will have a severe case of indigestion if he tries the same thing before taking on Julio Cesar Chavez next March in Las Vegas. . . .

Most memorable prefight feast at the Forum was the prime rib devoured by Lionel Rose in his dressing room two hours before he attempted to defend his bantamweight championship title against Ruben Olivares in 1969. The Australian aborigine was knocked out by Olivares in the fifth round. . . .

London promoter Jarvis Astaire after watching Jamaican-born Alex Stewart give Evander Holyfield a tough fight: “Do you realize what this means? A British heavyweight with a chin! He’s going straight to London.” . . .

The match race between Matt Biondi and Tom Jager will bring some fans to the U.S. National Grand Prix Dec. 2 in Long Beach, but an exhibition by Mark Spitz would be an even better draw. . . .

Here’s hoping that owner Bob Lurie changes his mind and the San Francisco Giants remain in Candlestick Park, which has saved more lives than any baseball stadium ever.