Notes on a Scorecard - July 27, 1995

The Kings finally did something right. . . .

They couldn’t have made a better choice than Larry Robinson. . . .

The future Hall of Fame defenseman had coach written all over him during his 20-year playing career that included distinguished service with six Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadien teams. . . .

He has the smarts, personality, temperament and work ethic to make a smooth transition from assistant coach at New Jersey, where he was given much of the credit for the defense that helped bring the Devils the Cup, to head coach of a team that has underachieved the last two seasons. . . .

Whether he has enough talent to build a contender quickly is another matter. . . .

For sure, his hiring at a hefty salary reported to be $3 million for four years will lessen the widespread belief in the NHL that this is a franchise in disarray. . . .

“I haven’t had this much fun in my year and a half here,” Chairman Joe Cohen said at the Kings’ news conference where Robinson was introduced as coach. . . .

Cohen was instrumental in the signing, having spent three hours along with club President Rogie Vachon and General Manager Sam McMaster in Montreal last Friday, persuading Robinson that the franchise was stable and then flying to New York to iron out contract details with agent Rick Shapiro. . . .

So now the Kings have their 17th coach in 29 seasons. . . .

However, this one figures to stay around for a while. . . .

*

The Angels passed their midseason test for class when they took three of five from the Cleveland Indians during a 10-day stretch and outscored the winningest team in baseball, 32-27. . . .

That’s it for the regular season between the Angels and the Indians, and it is a shame that seven meetings scheduled for April were wiped out because of the strike. . . .

The three games at Anaheim Stadium this week lasted 3:57, 3:23 and 3:07 but were so entertaining that nobody complained. . . .

In absentia, Matt Williams is showing how valuable he is to the San Francisco Giants. . . .

A poll of Baseball America correspondents, who consulted managers, rates Williams as the best power hitter and best defensive third baseman in the National League. . . .

Dodgers ranked in the top three of various categories are Raul Mondesi (best outfield arm, third-most exciting player, third-best outfielder), Mike Piazza (No. 2 power hitter, No. 3 hitter), Hideo Nomo (No. 2 pitcher) and Ramon Martinez (No. 3 changeup). . . .

Angels in the American League ratings are Lee Smith (No. 2 reliever), Troy Percival (No. 3 fastball), J.T. Snow (No. 2 defensive first baseman) and Tim Salmon (No. 3 outfield arm). . . .

The balloting was done before Smith went into a slump. . . .

“I won’t hesitate to bring Lee in tonight if needed,” Marcel Lachemann said at the first “Lunch with Lach” gathering that attracted a turnaway crowd Tuesday at the Stadium Club. . . .

A few hours later, the Angel manager made good on his word. . . .

“People aren’t giving our defense enough credit,” said Lachemann, who gave special credit to coaches Bobby Knoop and Joe Maddon. . . .

Knoop, the second baseman who won the Angels’ most-valuable-player award a record four times, positions the infielders and Maddon moves the outfielders. . . .

*

Karch Kiraly has earned a record $1.8 million and won 107 tournaments on the Miller Lite Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, but what he hasn’t done is win at Seal Beach, not far from his home in San Clemente. . . .

After finishing second the last two years, Kiraly will try for the $125,000 first prize Friday through Sunday. . . .

Among the best entertainment bargains this weekend are the qualifying sessions for the Infiniti Open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sunset Canyon Courts and L.A. Tennis Center at UCLA. Admission is free. Thirty-two players will compete for the four singles spots. . . .

Who is the only horse nominated both for next year’s Kentucky Derby and the Gold Rush Derby at Los Alamitos? Hollywood Futurity winner Hennessy. Don’t expect trainer Wayne Lukas to keep up payments for the Gold Rush Derby, but he figured Hennessy had enough speed to win the 870-yard event that is open to thoroughbreds and quarter horses. . . .

Upgrade: The Indians used to play in Municipal Stadium, which was known as the Mistake by the Lake. Now they play at Jacobs Field, known as Jake by the Lake.