Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 30, 1992

The best news is that Magic Johnson is well enough to return to work. . . .

The second-best news is that the Lakers should be an NBA contender again. . . .

There aren’t many teams that will be able to present a starting lineup as imposing as Magic and Byron Scott at guards, James Worthy and Sam Perkins at forwards, and Vlade Divac at center 50 to 60 times during the regular season--or reserves as formidable as A.C. Green, Anthony Peeler, James Edwards and Sedale Threatt. . . .

Ticket brokers are dry-washing their hands in anticipation of the opening game between the Lakers and Clippers Nov. 6 at the Sports Arena. . . .

I wonder what next Tuesday’s news conference at the Forum is going to be about. . . .

After USC freshman linebacker Jon McGee was struck by a stray bullet that was fired about a quarter-mile away Monday, a television reporter asked a school official if there were plans to put a dome on the practice field. . . .

Poor Washington is down to Beno Bryant and Napoleon Kaufman at tailback after the injury to starter Jay Barry. . . .

The Raiders’ offense Monday night resembled the one in the commercial that depicted the first night football game 100 years ago. . . .

This season will be a learning process for a couple of second-year quarterbacks whose teams are winless--the Raiders’ Todd Marinovich and the New York Jets’ Browning Nagle. . . .

*

Joy ride: After their loss to the Rams on Sunday, the Jets were grounded for more than two hours at L.A. International Airport because of repairs to their charter. . . .

The best passer in the NFL, Dan Marino, will help to make Keith Jackson an even better tight end. . . .

San Francisco 49er running back Ricky Watters might be the next Roger Craig. . . .

The Seattle Seahawks are 0-2 against the Shulas this season. . . .

Please, no more sideline shots of Mike Ditka now that the Chicago Bear coach is behaving himself so well. . . .

Promoter Al Franken wants to match Marshall Faulk, Curtis Conway, Napoleon Kaufman, Beno Bryant and Kevin Williams in a football players’ 50-meter dash at the Sunkist meet Feb. 20 at the Sports Arena. . . .

Horseplayers looking for winning bloodlines might be aware that 14 sons and daughters of Pirate’s Bounty, who could be the successor to the late Flying Paster as California’s premier stallion, won 16 races at the Del Mar meeting. . . .

Kentucky Derby runner-up Casual Lies, who was injured in the Belmont Stakes, will return to racing in the $200,000 Goodwood Handicap on Oct. 11, the first Sunday of the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita. . . .

All thoroughbred trainers should have the kind of disappointing year Wayne Lukas, who probably will win the money-winning title for the 10th consecutive time, is experiencing. . . .

*

Among those who have bought commercial spots on Jim Lampley’s KMPC morning show is Channel 2, which used to employ Lampley. . . .

The Kings, who will make their Forum debut against the Vancouver Canucks in an exhibition tonight, have sold nearly 12,000 season tickets, roughly the same as last year, despite another disappointing finish and another increase in prices. . . .

“Rebuild L.A.” will benefit from the Kings’ golf tournament Thursday at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. . . .

Our annual baseball awards--National League most valuable player: Barry Bonds. Cy Young: Tom Glavine. Rookie: Eric Karros. Manager: Jim Leyland. American League MVP: Dennis Eckersley. Cy Young: Eckersley. Rookie: Cal Eldred. Manager: Phil Garner. . . .

The Atlanta Braves, in anticipation of the National League championship series, assigned five scouts to the recent two-game set between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos. . . .

The difference between Atlanta and Cincinnati is that the Braves are a good road club. . . .

Frank Thomas of the White Sox and Mickey Tettleton of the Tigers are in position to finish 1-2 in walks in the American League for the second season in a row. . . .

Ozzie Canseco, Jose’s twin brother who had a big year with Louisville of the American Assn., might be protected from the expansion draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and moved to first base. If not, the Florida Marlins probably will pick him. . . .

Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 1,730th consecutive game Tuesday night, bringing him to within 400 of Lou Gehrig’s record. . . .

The Angels have revealed that they will have a new logo, uniforms and radio announcers next season. Better yet, how about some new players?