Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 27, 1996

When the Kings trade Wayne Gretzky or re-sign him, please tell me. . . .

Meanwhile, I am enthralled by the struggle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL Western Conference among Winnipeg, the Kings, the Mighty Ducks, Dallas and Edmonton. . . .

None of these juggernauts is close to playing .500 hockey. . . .

*

Sam Wyche could be a better TV commentator than he was an NFL coach. Hey, it’s far from impossible. . . .

Illinois linebacker Kevin Hardy is a cinch to become the second person with that name to be selected on the first round of an NFL draft. Notre Dame defensive end Kevin Hardy, no relation, was picked by the New Orleans Saints in 1968, then traded to the San Francisco 49ers. . . .

Funny how the same USC alums who never go to the Sports Arena are up in arms over the dismissal of Charlie Parker. . . .

Trojan interim coach Henry Bibby’s game plan against UCLA last week was outstanding. Bibby wouldn’t be a bad selection for permanent coach. . . .

Paul Westphal, who would be a popular choice to succeed Parker, doesn’t seem quite so appealing now that the Phoenix Suns are winning without him. . . .

Bibby’s son Michael, a guard who plays for Shadow Mountain High in Phoenix and is headed to Arizona, is among six finalists for the Boost-Naismith prep player-of-the-year award. . . .

Basketball City: The biggest crowd for a women’s college basketball game this season, 15,187, saw Tennessee beat Vanderbilt on Sunday at Nashville. . . .

One of the finest prospects in boxing is Erik Morales, the unbeaten 19-year-old super- bantamweight from Tijuana. . . .

If heavyweight Jimmy Thunder could only live up to his name. . . .

Butterbean looks great, now that his weight has stabilized at 310. . . .

Michael Stemberg of Jesuit High in Sacramento made a terrific first impression at the Sports Arena Saturday when he ran 4:07.1, the third-fastest indoor mile by a prep athlete. He is charismatic, has a crowd- pleasing come-from-behind style, and should break four minutes outdoors this year if given the opportunity in open competition. . . .

The sponsors of the Mt. SAC Relays ought to put on a mile race and invite Stemberg. . . .

The UCLA men’s and women’s track and field teams, both runners-up for NCAA titles last spring, will open their schedules Saturday at Drake Stadium in a meet also involving UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State and Cal State L.A. . . .

Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye is winless in 14 Santa Anita Handicap rides, but his agent, Terry Lipham, won aboard Bates Motel in 1983. . . .

Delahoussaye will ride longshot Mr Purple in the 59th Big ‘Cap on Saturday. . . .

As usual, the undercard will be one of the best of the year. Included are the $250,000 San Rafael Stakes for 3-year-olds with Honour And Glory, Afleetaffair and Smithfield in the lineup; the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs with Lit De Justice and Dramatic Gold, and the $125,000 Buena Vista Handicap on the grass with Didina, Dirca and Matiara. . . .

How clouded is the 3-year-old picture in Florida? Gomtuu, a 144-1 shot, finished only two lengths behind winner Built For Pleasure, a 143-1 shot, in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. . . .

Frank Mirahmadi, best known locally for his imitations of famous race callers at Hollywood Park, will be the voice of the Hialeah meeting March 17-May 22. . . .

Anthony LaPaglia will play the title role in “The Jim Valvano Story,” a TV movie that will be shown on CBS Tuesday, April 2, the night after the NCAA championship game. . . .

Life begins at 50: When the senior pro golf tour came to Ojai in 1985, first prize was $37,500. It will be $120,000 this week for the FHP Health Care Classic that features Jim Colbert, Dave Stockton, Gary Player, Al Geiberger and Isao Aoki. . . .

*

Count me among the minority that continues to favor the designated-hitter rule. Watching pitchers trying to hit is about as exciting as watching intentional walks. . . .

Cal State Fullerton, the defending NCAA champion, will play the California Angels, last season’s American League West runner-up, Thursday in Tempe, Ariz., for the Orange County baseball title. . . .

I trust that the Dodgers, during the lulls when they aren’t talking about winning the pennant, are working hard on fundamentals in Vero Beach.