Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 5, 1990

Among those benefiting from the Kings’ fast start is General Manager Rogie Vachon, who has been rewarded with a new three-year contract. . . .

What vindication for the former all-star goaltender who was blamed every time the Kings made a bad trade and then had to hear how the good deals were really made by Bruce McNall and Wayne Gretzky. . . .

It was Vachon who pulled off the heist that has helped to lift Los Angeles to the top of the Smythe Division standings--forward Craig Duncanson to Minnesota for goaltender Daniel Berthiaume. . . .

Those exhibitions between NHL and Soviet Union teams should be dumped. The crowds have been dwindling, and both sides are taking unnecessary risks in the middle of the season. . . .

If that was great defense Monday night at Candlestick, then I’d much rather watch great offense. . . .

New York took Jerry Rice and Rodney Hampton out of the game. . . .

O.J. Anderson’s best runs were off Phil Simms’ fumbles, but Bill Parcells stuck with the veteran over the talented rookie Hampton. . . .

The bottom line was that Joe Montana made the big pass play and Phil Simms didn’t. . . .

Although they are in different divisions, the Giants and 49ers have played each other at least once every season since 1984 in the regular season and/or playoffs. San Francisco has won six of the nine games. . . .

I don’t think Ronnie Lott and Simms were discussing the delightful San Francisco weather after the game. . . .

Highlight of my evening was watching a tape of Philadelphia quarterback Randall Cunningham’s incredible touchdown pass against Buffalo Sunday. . . .

Something ought to be done about the loose interpretation of the intentional grounding rule. . . .

The Bills might be the best team in the NFL right now. . . .

Cleveland and Tampa Bay chose off-weeks to change coaches, as though that would make a difference. . . .

Look-alikes: Steve Spurrier and Pat Sajak. . . .

If college football season lasted much longer, Miami would keep winning and fall out of the top 10. . . .

It’s a wonder more quarterbacks don’t wear shields to keep them from tipping off pass plays with their eyes. . . .

The battle for control of Hollywood Park is getting nasty. . . .

Jose Santos, who hasn’t been landing good mounts, showed prospective clients that he’s sincere about making Southern California his base when he signed a lease on a house in the San Gabriel Valley. . . .

Three Kentucky Derby winners and seven Breeders’ Cup winners have competed in the Futurity at Hollywood Park, which will be run Sunday, but none has won the $1-million race that decides the meeting’s 2-year-old championship. . . .

The Clippers are advertising “guaranteed seats for all playoff games” to those who buy rest-of-the-season tickets. But can they guarantee the playoffs? . . .

Bill Musselman, coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, is partial to overachievers who follow his orders. He has five former Continental Basketball Assn. players on the roster. . . .

The New York Knicks must have wanted to hide their coaching change, making it on the day of the Giant-49er game. . . .

It will be surprising if weary John Thompson remains at Georgetown longer than two more years. . . .

Notre Dame might have the fourth-best basketball team in Indiana behind Indiana, Purdue and Butler. . . .

My college hoops guru, Sonny Vaccaro, says to watch out for Georgia. . . .

UCLA could start all M’s--Tracy Murray, Don MacLean and Zan Mason up front and Darrick Martin and Gerald Madkins in the backcourt. . . .

The Bruin-Arizona game Jan. 12 in Tucson probably will be a matchup of unbeatens. . . .

Dick Enberg and Keith Jackson used to do sports on the Channel 5 news programs. . . .

You mean to tell me that the United States doesn’t begin Davis Cup zone play until February? . . .

Myrella Moses, wife of Edwin, phoned Angela Worthy, wife of James, with words of encouragement. . . .

When Brett Butler becomes eligible for new-look free agency in January, the Dodgers should run, not walk, to his door. He would fill two needs--center fielder and leadoff hitter. . . .

The Ken Griffeys, Jr. and Sr., will be typecast as Seattle Mariner ballplayers on an episode of the Fox television network series, “Harry and the Hendersons.” . . .

Don’t confuse Junior Felix with Felix Jose. . . .

Remember when $2 million a year wasn’t a standard wage in baseball?