Notes on a Scorecard - Oct. 8, 1992

This time, the Dodgers didn’t drop the ball. . . .

Not inviting Tom Lasorda back to complete his contract would have been putting the blame for 99 losses in the wrong lap. . . .

Lasorda didn’t construct this no-field, no-hit, lots-of-injuries bunch, and there wasn’t much any other manager could have done with it. . . .

If quarterback Rob Walker can’t get the UCLA offense moving early Saturday night against Stanford at the Rose Bowl, Terry Donahue should not hesitate to make a change. . . .

Donahue was pretty quick two years ago when he summoned a redshirt freshman named Tommy Maddox to replace junior Jim Bonds in the second half of the opener against Oklahoma. Two games later at Michigan, Maddox was installed as the starter. . . .

Granted, Maddox had a year’s experience practicing with the varsity. The most logical replacements for Walker are Ryan Fien and Scott Fitterer, who played high school football last season. . . .

However, both Fien and Fitterer have strong arms, which is something Walker, a redshirt freshman, lacks. . . .

As was evident Saturday night against Arizona when a late field goal was necessary to keep the Bruins’ consecutive-game scoring streak alive, a Pacific 10 team needs a passer who can keep defenses honest to be competitive in the conference. . . .

I hate to think what will happen to the Bruin offense if it doesn’t show more life against a Stanford defense that shut out Notre Dame in the second half at South Bend Saturday and ranks fifth in the nation. . . .

The 60th anniversary of USC’s 1932 national championship will be recognized during a ceremony at the Oregon game Saturday. Representing that team will be Julie Bescos, who later was a head basketball and assistant football coach at USC. . . .

Outside linebacker Willie McGinest gets most of the attention, but inside linebacker Brian Williams, the quick sophomore from Dallas, leads USC in tackles. . . .

A lot of people didn’t think the Kings would still be unbeaten and untied this late in the season. . . .

But work ethic, something that was missing last season, got the job done Tuesday night at Calgary during a 5-4 overtime victory over the Flames. . . .

On opening night, the Kings put out the kind of effort needed to compensate for the loss of Wayne Gretzky. . . .

For the first time in a while they appear to have stability behind the bench in Barry Melrose, who will make his Forum coaching debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. . . .

After naming Luc Robitaille captain and explaining the duties that go along with the job, Melrose said: “The captain is not just there to carry the cup around at the end.” . . .

It has been a good week for Ross Porter, who signed a five-year broadcasting contract with the Dodgers on Monday and another five-year deal with KABC radio Wednesday to host “Dodger Talk.” . . .

The New York Knicks are trying to persuade Bo Kimble to play in Europe so they can free the necessary funds under the salary cap to sign unrestricted free agent Herb Williams. . . .

Boxing promoter Dan Goossen sounded as though he had just been hit by a left hook to the belly and a straight right to the jaw. . . .

“I’m reeling,” Goossen said. “First, Terry Norris’ fight with Simon Brown gets canceled at the last minute. Then Jorge Paez is injured and can’t fight Rafael Ruelas on Oct. 19. Finally, I’m told that Azumah Nelson is asking for $2 million to fight Gabriel Ruelas, which means that Nelson is backing out. What next?” . . .

Michael Dokes is being considered as an opponent for George Foreman. Why not? Dokes weighed 258 for his unimpressive victory by decision over Jose Ribalta on Tuesday night. . . .

Evander Holyfield’s people think he is overdoing his loyalty to the Atlanta Braves. The heavyweight champion, who trains in Houston, wants to attend the rest of the Braves’ games during the postseason. The World Series could end as late as Oct. 25, which is only 19 days before Holyfield’s fight against Riddick Bowe in Las Vegas. . . .

Lou Piniella should write a book about managing baseball teams owned by George Steinbrenner and Marge Schott. Or maybe Stephen King could ghost write it for him.