Notes on a Scorecard - Oct. 27, 1994

Bob Miller cleaned his swimming pool cover, washed and waxed his car and took a two-mile walk in Woodland Hills on Wednesday. . . .

He would much rather have been in Tampa preparing for the scheduled Prime Ticket telecast of the King-Lightning game. . . .

“What really bothers me about the lockout is that both sides aren’t in a room every day for 10 or 12 hours trying to hammer this thing out,” said Miller, the voice of the Kings for the last 21 years. “I don’t care about posturing or negotiating protocol. I just say get in a room and settle it. Nobody is making a move and it’s utterly ridiculous.” . . .

Miller was eager to return to work about mid-August. The Kings didn’t make the Stanley Cup playoffs last season and his postseason assignments were limited to three games for ESPN2. . . .

“I liked what I saw of the Kings in the exhibition games,” he said. “This is a bigger, stronger team. Matt Johnson was becoming a huge fan favorite at the Forum. He’s only 18 years old, but he’s not afraid to stand up and hit people.” . . .

“Rick Tocchet is going to be popular too. He’s a tough winger who can score. He’s an outstanding team player. I compare him, personality-wise, to Terry Ruskowski. ‘What do you want me to do? I’ll do anything,’ he says.” . . .

The question remains when Tocchet, who came to the Kings from Pittsburgh in the Luc Robitaille deal, will be able to play his first regular-season game at the Forum. . . .

“I keep reading about players who want to play in the International League or in Europe and say that it’s not the money, it’s just that they want to play,” Miller said. “Well, if that’s the case, they should call Bob Goodenow and say sign an agreement and let’s play. Why would you want to play in the IHL for $2,000 a game instead of in the NHL for $1 million a year?” . . .

*

Hundred-Yard Harvey Williams figures to stay busy Sunday at the Coliseum when the Raiders play the Houston Oilers. . . .

Among AFC teams, only the Indianapolis Colts have given up more yards rushing than the Oilers. . . .

In contrast, only the Pittsburgh Steelers have given up fewer yards passing than the Oilers. . . .

There will be no justice if Lynn Swann, who was a finalist last year, isn’t voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. . . .

June Jones, the former quarterback who coaches the Atlanta Falcons, says playing center is the toughest job in football. . . .

Unbeaten Colorado vs. unbeaten Nebraska on Saturday at Lincoln is billed as a battle of running backs, Rashaan Salaam of the Buffaloes and Lawrence Phillips of the Cornhuskers, but the difference might be at quarterback. . . .

Colorado has Kordell Stewart, who ranks fifth in the nation in pass efficiency. Nebraska has Brook Berringer, who would be stuck on the bench if Tommie Frazier hadn’t been injured. . . .

I was wrong about Bobby Bowden leaving Florida State for the NFL years ago but am convinced that Terry Bowden won’t stay at Auburn much longer. . . .

It will be UCLA vs. Stanford in three sports Saturday. . . .

The women’s soccer teams play at 10 a.m. at the North Soccer Field on the Bruin campus, the water polo teams at noon at the Rose Bowl aquatic center, and the football teams at 3:30 at the Rose Bowl. . . .

California Cup officials should think about moving their $1-million series of nine races to an earlier date when it doesn’t conflict with the Breeders’ Cup. . . .

Cal Cup V at Santa Anita this Saturday lost much of its marquee value when the owners of Best Pal and Bertrando opted to run them, instead, in Breeders’ Cup XI at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. . . .

Hartford Whaler General Manager Jim Rutherford claims his franchise will lose between $8 million and $10 million if there is an NHL season--and $6 million if there isn’t. . . .

Former San Francisco Giant scout George Genovese will manage one of the teams in the benefit exhibition games between professional and collegiate players Saturday and Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at Blair Field in Long Beach. Few people have a better eye for talent than Genovese, who would be a great hire. . . .

Michael Jordan’s No. 23 will be retired by the Chicago Bulls their new home arena, the United Center, in ceremonies next week. But that doesn’t mean they can’t bring it down from the rafters if he decides to play again. . . .

Talk about the ultimate home-field advantage--the Miami Dolphins could become the first team to play a Super Bowl game at their home field Jan. 29, 1995, at Joe Robbie Stadium.