Notes on a Scorecard - June 2, 1994

I can do without “The Fishin’ Hole,” “Body Shaping,” “The National Spelling Bee,” and even “The College Cheerleading Championships,” but it is during times like these that I wonder how I survived all those decades without ESPN. . . .

The major networks still put ice hockey right up there in importance with field hockey, but the all-sports network has allowed us to enjoy one of the most exciting Stanley Cup tournaments ever. . . .

Beginning Friday, ESPN will televise another of my favorite things--the College World Series. . . .

Most of these players actually run full speed to first base after hitting routine ground balls even though they are not being paid $5,000 per plate appearance. . . .

ESPN will televise what could be as many as 13 tournament games, starting with Cal State Fullerton-Georgia Tech on Friday at 12:30 p.m. ESPN2 will show four and CBS two, including the title game. . . .

In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals on Tuesday, Kirk McLean demonstrated the importance of a hot goaltender. . . .

The New York Rangers outplayed the Vancouver Canucks most of the night, including overtime, but lost. . . .

The same thing happened to the Kings last year against the Montreal masked man, Patrick Roy, during the championship series. . . .

It was as though they were a baseball team facing a fresh Sandy Koufax five consecutive games. . . .

Among the most improved performers during the playoffs is ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, the Kings’ coach who has become more comfortable in front of the cameras and is showing his sense of humor. . . .

More surprising than the Canucks’ one game lead over New York is the Pacers’ one-game lead over New York. . . .

Reggie Miller’s fourth quarter explosion Wednesday night was exactly what the dullest NBA tournament in memory needed. . . .

Is it too late to switch coach of the year ballots to Larry Brown? . . .

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The Dodgers might always regret not acquiring Ozzie Smith when they had the chance in 1990. . . .

Dodger farm report: Through 29 games at Albuquerque, Billy Ashley was batting .371 with nine home runs and 30 runs batted in. At San Antonio, Chan Ho Park is 0-2 with a 3.34 earned-run average and has struck out 36 and walked 21 in 29 2/3 innings. . . .

Neither Bob Knight nor Pete Newell had watched his horse, Gogarty, during any of his eight consecutive defeats. Finally, Newell went to see him run Sunday at Hollywood Park. . . .

“If Gogarty doesn’t win today,” Newell told trainer Wayne Lukas, “we’ll have to get ‘the Great Motivator’ out there to look him in the eye.” . . .

Gogarty, forewarned, won easily. . . .

While The Wicked North’s owner, Philip Hersh, keeps trying to regain last March’s Santa Anita Handicap from Stuka in the courts, the two horses will take to the track Sunday in the $300,000 Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park. . . .

The fifth annual Toyota/Jerry Buss celebrity golf tournament, proceeds benefiting the Lakers-YMCA Junior League, will be held Monday at Riviera Country Club. Tickets for a dinner and auction at 6:30 p.m. are available. . . .

USC sent a small, but talented, team to the NCAA men’s track and field meet at Boise State, reviving memories of the four-man team that won the Trojans’ 12th championship in 1943 at Evanston, Ill. . . .

Local schools used to dominate the national meet but haven’t won since UCLA in 1988. . . .

Light-flyweight champion Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez--who, at 5 feet 1 and 108 pounds, is smaller than most jockeys--has been added to the July 15 card at Hollywood Park. . . .

Bert Cooper, who is dangerous for a few rounds and once had Evander Holyfield in big trouble, may be able to give Jeremy Williams a test on the Olympic Auditorium’s next show June 24. . . .

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What do Dick Enberg, Madonna and Laker publicist John Black have in common? They all lived in Bay City, Mich. . . . Home-field disadvantage: It won’t surprise me if 90% of the crowd Saturday at the Rose Bowl roots for Mexico against the U.S. soccer team. . . .

Dave Taylor, who wants to get into coaching, would be a good choice to fill the vacancy at the Kings’ Phoenix farm club in the International Hockey League. . . .

Bill Clement, on Vancouver Canuck defenseman Dave Babych: “He’s played most of his career with the Winnipeg Jets, and that’s why nobody has heard of him.”