Notes on a Scorecard - June 1, 1992

A bus crash that disables one of the better managers in baseball is bad luck. . . .

But the Angels’ dip in the AL West standings has a lot more to do with mediocre personnel than ill fortune. . . .

What figured to be what is known politely as a rebuilding year is shaping up that way after a surprising start. . . .

The Angels had a 2-7 record in the nine games before the accident on the New Jersey Turnpike early the morning of May 21 and are 2-7 since. . . .

“We can’t use the crash as an excuse for losing now,” said John Wathan, the Angels’ acting manager until Buck Rodgers returns. “It’s simple. You don’t hit, you don’t win.” . . .

Last June, Wathan was coaching the youth baseball teams of his two sons and daughter in Missouri after being fired as manager of the Kansas City Royals. Dina Wathan was the only female on a boys’ hardball team. . . .

“I’m anxious to see my friends who said I looked a lot more relaxed since I stopped managing,” said Wathan after losing a series at home to the Cleveland Indians. . . .

One thing the Angels do very well at Anaheim Stadium is conduct Little League Day. On each of the four days, Little Leaguers sing the national anthem and accompany the Angel starters to their positions before the first pitch. What a thrill it must have been for those kids Sunday. . . .

Even if both Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis return to active duty, Eric Karros should remain in the Dodgers’ regular lineup. . . .

Karros has hit one more home run than Eddie Murray in 76 fewer at-bats this season. . . .

Among other things Ramon Martinez did right Friday at Wrigley Field was hustle to first base on a routine ground ball to shortstop and nearly beat the throw. . . .

I could swear I saw the same No. 55 in gray and blue pitching on Channels 2 and 11 Saturday, but it was Patrick Ahearne of Pepperdine in Omaha and Orel Hershiser of the Dodgers in Chicago. . . .

If Tom Lasorda took off his mask while attempting to catch Tom Candiotti’s knuckleballs the other day, Lasorda isn’t as smart as I thought he was. . . .

John Goodman should get the lead role in the John Kruk movie. . . .

Sign at Candlestick Park about the proposed San Jose stadium that would house the Giants: “No, If You Build It, We Won’t Come.” . . .

The underrated Minnesota Twins, who merely won the World Series last season, are winning some believers with their bats. . . .

It is difficult to believe the speculation that the Baltimore Orioles won’t re-sign Cal Ripken Jr., when he becomes a free agent after this season. Have you seen those attendance figures at the new ballpark? . . .

Chris Chelios’ conduct--rather, misconduct--marred what otherwise was a terrific Stanley Cup game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night. . . .

Chelios’ mugging of Penguin defenseman Larry Murphy, a former King, cost the Blackhawks just about any chance of scoring a goal in the last seconds of a 1-0 game. . . .

Recommended reading: “I’m Getting Killed Right Here,” by William Murray (Doubleday)--the latest adventures of Lou (Swifty) Anderson, the magician, horseplayer and now horse owner. . . .

The renovated Hollywood Park, again the track of the lakes and flowers, is worth a visit. . . .

Minorities aged 15 to 20 are being offered a free program in swimming coaching by the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. The first of three four-week sessions will begin this morning at the AAF Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena. . . .

After watching Alberto Mancini fall meekly to Jim Courier in the third set in the French Open Friday, ESPN’s Cliff Drysdale said: “The guy puts on the goggles and flippers. It’s ridiculous.” . . .

Too bad both ESPN and NBC chose to televise the Michael Chang-Nicklas Kulti match on a Saturday when there were other upsets. . . .

Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and challenger Larry Holmes will speak at Markham Junior High School in Watts June 11, eight days before their fight at Caesars Palace. . . .

Holyfield is sparring at 6 a.m. every day in Houston. . . .

Headline writers will be in trouble if Djamolidine Abdujaparov of Uzbekistan wins a leg of the Tour of Italy bicycle race. . . .

The Herschel Walker trade was terrible for the Minnesota Vikings, but probably not the worst in the history of sports. For instance, the New Orleans Jazz once traded a future No. 1 draft pick to the Lakers for Gail Goodrich. The pick turned out to be Magic Johnson. . . .

The NBA finals should be a home-court series--the Bulls winning four at Chicago Stadium and the Trail Blazers three at the Portland Coliseum.