Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 25, 1993

What does Chuck Knox have against T.J. Rubley? . . .

He threw him to the wolves--i.e., the San Francisco 49ers--four weeks ago and will do the same Sunday. . . .

Actually, Knox’s decision to replace Jim Everett is a real no-brainer after the way Rubley rallied the Rams to victory over the Washington Redskins. . . .

Knox also made a logical move when he decided to cut Mike Pagel instead of Everett, who might bring a third- to fifth-round draft choice in a trade after the season. . . .

The Rams haven’t beaten the 49ers at Anaheim Stadium since 1986 and have scored only 10 points in each of the last three meetings there. . . .

Boomer Esiason has surpassed Ken Stabler as the NFL’s leader in passing yardage among left-handers. . . .

The Raiders will be looking for a spot of revenge Sunday at Cincinnati and it might be easy to get, despite their tendency to self-destruct. The Bengals have gone 3-21 since their 24-21 victory over the Raiders in overtime the second week of last season. . . .

The Bengals’ video director is Al Davis, no relation. . . .

Sorry, Joe Theismann, but I can’t agree with your remark that Bill Parcells of the New England Patriots (1-9) is a coach-of-the-year candidate. . . .

The Sharpe brothers have caught 122 passes this season--Sterling 70 for the Green Bay Packers and Shannon 52 for the Denver Broncos. . . .

Reggie White is earning his pay with the Packers. Only Anthony Smith of the Raiders and Renaldo Turnbull of the New Orleans Saints have more than White’s 10 1/2 sacks. . . .

The four golfers in the Skins Game will contribute 20% of their earnings to charity. . . .

Arnold Palmer is doing a film on the etiquette, tradition and integrity of golf for the USGA. . . .

*

Every time I look at the Olympic Auditorium from the freeway, I hope to see a sign saying, “Open for business soon.” . . .

UCLA’s loss to the Australian national team in an exhibition at Pauley Pavilion last week doesn’t look nearly so bad now. The Aussies’ upset Kentucky at Lexington on Tuesday. . . .

The list of nominees for the Wooden Award, which includes Bruins Ed O’Bannon and Shon Tarver, has been expanded from 25 to 50. . . .

Mitchell Butler, the free agent from UCLA who wasn’t given much of a chance to make an NBA roster, has been a contributor to the Washington Bullets’ surprising start. . . .

George Raveling on his highly regarded USC freshmen: “They’re very attentive. They’ve left their egos at home.” . . .

Trojan season sales are up 18%. . . .

Two of the nation’s best small-college basketball teams--defending NCAA Division II champion Cal State Bakersfield and Azusa Pacific, ranked seventh in the NAIA--will play Saturday night at Azusa. . . .

Azusa Pacific beat High Five America, which beat USC. . . .

Remember Elgin Baylor’s promise that season ticket-holders could get the rest of their money back if they weren’t satisfied with the Clippers’ performance opening night at the Sports Arena? Only four tickets were returned after the Clippers beat Portland on Mark Aguirre’s three-pointer at the buzzer. . . .

Big leagues: Among major conferences are the Big Ten, Big East, Big Eight, Big Sky and Big West. . . .

*

The NHL ought to put goaltenders in the penalty box for infractions, just like any other player. The rule stipulating that a skater sit down instead was installed when teams dressed only one goalie. . . .

The infield at Hollywood Park, which was known as “the track of the lakes and flowers” during its heyday, never has looked prettier. . . .

Bobby Valentine and Jimmy Lefebvre are taking different routes in trying to make it back as major league managers. Valentine is manager of the New York Mets’ Norfolk farm club in the International League, and Lefebvre is batting coach of the Oakland Athletics. . . .

The Baltimore Orioles may try to deal for the Mets’ Bobby Bonilla. Part of the Orioles’ package reportedly would include prospect Manny Alexander. He is another in the line of shortstops from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, but the Orioles have this veteran named Cal Ripken who still wants to play every day. . . .

Irish Lose to Rich Kids: Playing key roles in Notre Dame’s last two defeats were Boston College field-goal kicker David Gordon, son of the Hartford Whalers’ owner, last Saturday, and Stanford safety John Lynch, son of the XTRA radio station owner, in 1992.