Notes on a Scorecard - April 30, 1991

Thanks for the joy ride, Kings. . . .

It was too short, but it was fun while it lasted. . . .

You showed Los Angeles just how terrific a spectator sport hockey can be--perhaps the best of them all. . . .

You displayed courage, especially Tomas Sandstrom, who shrugged off the inconvenience of a broken leg and resumed a regular shift only three games after Craig (Meanie) Muni chopped him down. . . .

You met every challenge during the regular season and won your first Smythe Division championship. . . .

You tested our hearts and nerves during six overtime games in the playoffs. . . .

It is a shame, though, that the Forum is dark tonight. The place would have been rocking for Game 7 against Edmonton. “Tuesday! Tuesday! Tuesday!” the fans chanted Friday. “Next year! Next year! Next year!” they are saying now. . . .

Bruce McNall still hasn’t been able to buy the Stanley Cup, but it is doubtful that any major changes will be made in the off-season. . . .

What the Kings could use is one or two more solid defensemen. . . .

Maybe Tom Webster ought to rest Wayne Gretzky occasionally during the regular season so he will be fresher for the playoffs. . . .

Gretzky isn’t a big, physical player, and the wear and tear of a long career might be showing. Besides, next season starts early with the Canada Cup. . . .

The Angels better take advantage of this stretch of 18 home games out of 21. . . .

How could a solid baseball man like Al Rosen open the season with the San Francisco Giants’ pitching staff and expect to win a pennant? . . .

Part of the problem is that Giant Manager Roger Craig is partial to older pitchers. . . .

Mark McGwire, who hit more home runs than anyone the previous four years, hasn’t hit one this year. It may have something to do with a former singles’ hitter, Rick Burleson, being Oakland’s new hitting instructor. . . .

USC’s first Pacific 10 Southern Division baseball championship means the Trojans probably will be the host team for the NCAA regional playoffs for the first time since 1978. . . .

Best high school catching prospect is supposed to be Greg Luzinski’s son, Ryan, in New Jersey. . . .

Among the outfielders expected to go high in the June draft is Manny Ramirez of George Washington High in New York, Rod Carew’s alma mater. . . .

Consensus is that the Phoenix Cardinals took too big a risk when they drafted Eric Swann, the defensive lineman who didn’t attend college, with the sixth pick in the first round. . . . Reggie Barrett of Texas El Paso was ranked the top wide receiver by the national scouting combine but lasted until the third round, when Detroit took him 58th overall. . . .

University of Washington quarterback Mark Brunell, who underwent surgery last week after suffering a knee injury in spring practice, isn’t expected to play next season. As a precautionary measure, UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox is not participating in scrimmages this spring. . . .

If Evander Holyfield can survive the early rounds, a big if, he has a good chance to win a decision from Mike Tyson on ability, condition and heart. . . .

Only in Palm Springs: Skybox patio seats are being sold for the Terry Norris-Donald Curry, Meldrick Taylor-Luis Garcia doubleheader at the Radisson June 1. . . .

That Pat Riley-Bob Costas shooting contest on NBC is getting out of hand. Byron Scott was standing by to be interviewed after the Laker-Houston game Saturday, but the network went back to studios for Riley vs. Costas. . . .

Don’t go overboard on the Chicago Bulls yet. They’re beating a sub-.500 team, New York, that doesn’t belong in the playoffs. . . .

Dallas guard Derek Harper averaged 19.7 points and became the first player to increase his scoring average each of his first eight seasons in the NBA. . . .

The Charlotte Hornets, who led the league in attendance for the second time in their three years, rewarded season-ticket holders with a day at an amusement park. . . .

Laz Barrera always will be remembered for 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed, but he might have done his best training when he turned Bold Forbes from a sprinter into the 1976 Kentucky Derby winner. . . .

There ought to be a law against a horse like Big Al’s Express making his racing debut in a stakes like the Derby Trial. . . .

Opening-week attendance at the new Hollywood Park was up 34.6% from last year. . . .

The important thing was that everyone seemed to be having fun. . . .

Richard Jenkins, Los Angeles County’s acting head deputy district attorney at Pomona Municipal Court, says he is getting calls and letters urging him not to file misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence against Bill Shoemaker.