The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 36

6C Sunday. July 9, 2000 THE TENNESSEAN www.lennessean.oom SPORTS: BASEBALL M-Stars'return to Atlanta warms leart of Aaron i -j Li -r' All-Star Game events Still treasures homer he hit in 1972 classic at Fulton Co. Stadium By CHARLES ODUM Knight Milder News Service ATLANTA The last time the All-Star Game was staged in Atlanta, Hank Aaron's thoughts were with his mother and family. In the 1972 Midsummer Classic at old Fulton County Stadium, Aaron hit a two-run homer off Gaylord Perry in the sixth inning, earning a fourth standing ovation from his hometown fans on a night he lists near the top of his career highlights. Even so, by the time the National League won 4-3, thanks to a lOth-inning single by foe Morgan, Aaron was on a plane to Mobile, so that he could have a full 1.

AutoZone Park, located in downtown Memphis, has debuted this season with the top attendance in the PCL BILLY KINGSLEY an average of 11,630 per game. Ms: Park breeds i iff .1 i off-day with his mother, Estella. Now, 28 years later, the All-Star Game will return to Atlanta on Tuesday night. Accompanied by :4 VikL children from his AARON Chasing the Dream Foundation, Aaron throw out the ceremonial will first pitch. Still a star among stars in baseball, Aaron, 66, has not stopped trying to make his mother happy, even now as he is consumed with a new car dealership.

Aaron could retire to the lifestyle of a baseball legend. The all-time home-run king has plenty to do without immersing himself in his 7-month-old Hank Aaron BMW dealership near Atlanta. Adhering to a lesson learned from his mother, who still lives in Mobile, Aaron says he could not just give his name to the dealership and ignore the business. "My mother always told me a long time ago, 'The only thing you've got that's going to be with you for the rest of your life is how you treat people and your Aaron said. "You just can't let people abuse-it.

I worked very hard in my 23 years of playing baseball, and my life since then, for that not to happen. This is one of the biggest financial undertakings of my life, and I want to make sure it is done at an age when other Hall of Famers might relax, Aaron is busier than ever. As a senior vice-president for the Braves, Turner Broadcasting and the Airport Channel, the own- -1 I Today: Minor League Futures game. TV: 2 p.m., ESPN2. Tomorrow: Home run contest.

TV: 7 p.m., ESPN. Tuesday: All-Star Game from Turner Field. TV: 7 p.m., WSMV-4. Radio: 560-AM. er of a franchise of fast-food restaurants, and the head of his Chasing The Dream Foundation, Aaron had a full life without taking on a lot full of $40,000 German cars.

A visit to the showroom quickly proves Aaron is there to do more than sign autographs. "Customers are just amazed," said Sid Barron, the general manager of the dealership. "Their first impression is "Yeah, here's another celebrity who has a business who you'll never Then they walk in and see he operates from the dealership, he is here and actually involved. It's incredible. From day one, it was never a thought that he wouldn't be here." Back in 1972, Aaron was still warming up to the pursuit of Babe Ruth's all-time home-run record, and all the pressures of the chase.

The Braves' only representative in that year's All-Star Game, Aaron earned standing ovatioas throughout the night. "To receive four standing ovations is something I bet no president ever received," he said. When he was able to deliver the home run for the home fans, Aaron's night was complete long before the game ended. Aaron played in a record 24 All-Star games early in his career baseball staged two All-Star games but in 67 at-bats in those games, he hit only two home runs. He remains grateful one of those two was in Atlanta.

"I said that in this one I was going to have a good All-Star game," he remembers. On Tuesday night, Aaron will add another favorite All-Star memory. "This is a tremendous honor for me, not only because I'm throwing out the first pitch, but simply because I'm still here to see the second All-Star Game in Atlanta." Bit on Wednesday, Aaron probably will be back at his showroom. "I'm not about to retire from anything," he said. "Somebody once told me that if you retire from something, pretty soon people are looking to put flowers on you." Concussion fa keep Rodriguez sidcHxd SEATTLE Shortstop Alex Rodriguez will miss Tuesday night's All-Star Kame because of a concussion: Rodriguez was knocked unconscious by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Akar Cora when the Seattle Marine star tried to break up a double play Friday night.

Rodriguez sakf Cora's knee hit him in the earflap of his helmet "I realty feel blessed, blessed more than ever; Rodriguez said after being examined before last night's game. "The Ail-Star game suddenly becomes very small. I'm more concerned about my health. I could have been out for the season." Rodriguez's injury means that either Derek Jeter of the New Vbrk Yankees or Boston's Nomar Garciaparra wiB start in Atlanta. "Believe me, the American League will be well represented at shortstopr Rodriguez said.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS starter at first base for the eighth time, and it would have been his 12th appearance overalL He's not as disappointed about missing the game, considering he's 4-for-20 with a pair of singles and two RBI, as he is about missing the home run derby tomorrow. "I haven't been too successful in the game, so the home run derby is probably the most fun about it," McGwire said. "We've got a great thing going here and you want to be strong toward the end of the year." BILLY KINGSLEY One of several wood cutouts of players stands watch as fans head out of AutoZone Park after Friday's game. Build it, and they will come AutoZone Park in Memphis is one of 12 Class AAA stadiums opened in the past six years. In each case, attendance has risen appreciably for the first full season over the last full year in the team's previous home.

First year in Last year in new stadium old stadium success Meniphb Redbirds Tickets: 901-721-6000. Directions: Take I-40 West, which turns into Sam Cooper Boulevard and then Broad Street in Memphis. When Broad Street deadends into Parkway, turn left Take Parkway to Union and turn right Follow Union to the stadium, which is on the right. Comparison shopping Looking at ticket prices for AutoZone Park, Greer Stadium in Nashville and Tim McCarver Stadium, where the Redbirds played before this season: AutoZone: Bluff (beyond left-field wall) outfieldpaviiion box field box $750; upper dugout box tower dugout box $12; outfield club $14; infield club $15 Greer. General admission regular box premium box $9 McCarver General admission first basethird base terrace reserved grandstand box $8.

MAURICE PATTON The clubhouses for both teams are spacious and there are a pair of indxr batting cages and a video room perks that are absent from a number of older minor league stadiums, such as the 23-year-old Greer Stadium. people that designed Camden Yards and Coors Field also designed this stadium, and they say it's the finest in the minors," Prescott said. "The people that built Turner Field also built this one, and they say the same thing. So it's not just us saying this; it's respected professionals in that business as well." The Sounds are making their first trip to the new ballpark this weekend. "This really sets the standard," Nashville infielder Eddie Zosky said.

"It's better than some big league setups." "I was in Rochester the year they got a new stadium 1997," catcher Tim Laker said. "This is nicer. This and Oklahoma are the two best in either Triple-A league, I'd say. It's a little more fun to play in a place like this." Maurice Pattern covers minor league baseball tor The Tennessean. He can be reached at 259-8018 or by e-mail at American Conference Central Division I Pet.

.549 GB Albuquerque (Dodgers) Col.Springs (Rockies) Omana (Royals) Iowa (Cubs) 50 .500 .455 40 38 .418 12 eastern LX vision Memphis (Cardinals) 55 35 OWorwma (Rangers) 44 45 New Orleans (Astros) 44 45 Nashville (Pirates) 43 46 Pacific Conference Southern Division .611 .494 10 'h .494 10 ll'l Pet. C6 .567 Sacramento Athletics) Las Vegas (Padres) Tucson rDiamondbodu) 51 47 .547 .500 rresno (ijiants) 32 57 .360 18 Northern Division Salt Lake (Twins) 55 .618 .528 8 .500 10 .378 21 Vj Tacoma (Mariners) Edmonton (Angels) 47 43 34 (Monms) Friday' aamet Memphis 3, Nashville 0 Albuquerque 1 1 Omaha 3 Calgary 13 las Vegas I Iowa 7, Colorado Springs 4 Tucson 6. Edmonton 4 Tacoma 4, Fresno 3 Oklahoma 9, New Orleans 8 Sacramento 5, Sail Lake 4 Yesterdayi games Nashville 6, Memphis 2 Albuquerque 8, Omaha 6 Calgary at Las Vegas Iowa 4, Colorado Springs I Edmonton at Tucson Fresno at Tacoma New Orleans 6. Oklahoma 5 Soft Lake at Sacramento McGwire will miss game with sore knee Whitmore said. "It's a great atmosphere." The team's administration has worked hard with its parent club, the St.

Louis Cardinals, to create that big-time attitude. The result has been an organization that has appealed to veterans, such as Whitmore, and allowed the club to put together a team that went into yesterday's play tied for the best record in the league at 55-34. Memphis leads the league in average attendance at 11,630, just ahead of the league's other new ballpark in Sacramento, at 11.465. Salt Lake is next at 6,616. "Itiose three have the top three records in the PCL "We've played well at home," said Memphis Manager Gaylen Pitts, whose team is 31-14 at AutoZone.

"I think they get a little pumped up, going out and knowing there are going to be people in the stands. We've added to our fan base and they've gotten into the games, gotten behind these guys. That really helps. "Also, the ownership and the general manager treat these guys iike big-leaguers. We take three or four charter flights off tough trips.

That all figures into the equation." Thus far, the players have responded. But while director of player development Mike Jor-gensen says there was no "concerted effort" to give Memphis a winner in its first year at AutoZone, it certainly seems to be working out that way. "St. Louis made a pledge to us that they'd sign some six-year free agents," said Kedbirds General Manager Allie Prescott, a Memphis native. "They wanted us to come out of the blocks strong, but also, they knew they were going to be very good and they wanted to have players available to step in up there in the event of an injury.

"It's helped them to sign good players for us." For the Cardinals, the payoff has come as players such as Keith McDonald, Larry Sutton, Eduardo Perez and Gene Stechschulte have contributed to their run to the top of the National League Central Division. For Memphis, the success has added to the excitement in a city that was already keyed up about baseball's part in the downtown re-vitalization. The brick and wrought-iron exterior quickly catches the eye of those traveling past the stadium. Wilson plays, By MAURICE PATTON Sports Writer MEMPHIS Following an 0-for-4, three-strikeout night Friday, Nashville's Craig Wilson was expected to sit out yesterday's game against Memphis. In hindsight, it was a pretty shrewd decision by Sounds Manager Richie Hebner to play the Pacific Coast I-eague All-Star, whose home run in the sixth inning keyed a 6-2 victory Nashville's ninth in its last 11 games.

Wilson, who has only caught knuckleball pitcher Rob Mattson once this year, stayed in the lineup and played first base last night. The move paid off as Wilson hammered a Fred Rath pitch for his team-leading 18th homer, driving in John Wehner and padding a 1-0 cushion the Sounds had built when Ray Montgomery scored earlier in the inninu. I Team Yr. Avq. Durham (IL) Edmonton (PCL) Indianapolis (IL) Rochester (IL) Syracuse (IL) New Orleans (PCL) Oklahoma (PCL) Tucson (PCL) Pawtucket (IL) Louisville (IL) '95 '95 '97 '97 '97 '97 '98 '98 '99 '00 00 5,578 6,762 9,226 7726 5,982 7143 7221 4,419 8,403 9,178 11,630 11,465 Memphis (PCL) SSacramento (PCL) '00 '-Class A until the 1998 season.

Moved from Vancouver for the Inside the front gate, a plaza somewhat like that near the front doors of the Gaylord Fntertainment Center is the site of pregame entertainment, such as live bands. Capacity Avg. 3,711 4,397 5,308 5,97 4,694 2,542 4,859 4,203 6,995 5,020 5,674 3,834 Capacity 6,000 6,200 12,078 11,000 8,000 5,000 15,000 8,000 7002 33,500 8,988 6,500 8,500 9,200 15,500 10,846 11,000 10,000 13,066 11,000 10,031 13,200 14,300 13,700 2000 season. -MAURICE PATTON Concession stands are set up facing the field, so fans never have to lose sight of the game. And two decks of skyboxes are sold out for the next 15 years.

Sounds 6, Redbirds MEMPHIS ab bi 3000 IrrHeci 5120 Clopp2b 3210 Richard rf 3123 rounglf 4 100 Haas lb 4 000 Lucca 3b 4 112 WJkinic 40 20 Martinez 1000 Rath 0000 Womhouje 1000 Whitmore ph 0000 Brunettep McDill Sutton ph 32 6 8 5 Totolt NASHVILLE Brown cf Nunez Montgomery Loker Wehner 2b Hernondel rf Wilton lb Wood 3b Molhon Rosengren Brede ph Bailey ab bi 3000 4000 3000 4000 3000 3110 4000 4010 2000 0000 I I II 0000 0000 1000 32 2 3 I Toioli No.hville 000 003 300 6 Memphit 000 000 200 2 Montgomery, Wehner, Wood, Willrini, Martinez. DP Memphis 1 LOB Naihville 5, Memphii 7. 2B Montgomery, Whitmore. HR Laker (12), Wilson (IB). Mattson i.

50 Nunez, wenner. Little Lucca. CS Brown. bb Noshvlle MamonW.4 Rosengren Bailey Memphh Rath 4.4 Wainhouse Brunette McM WP Wainhouse T2.2 A 14 123 6 '6 I ii I 5 rj i and makes Redbirds pay Assmiutetl Press ST. LOUIS The All-Star break will last a week for Mark McGwire.

The major leagues' home run leader didn't play for the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, won't play today and will skip Tuesday's All-Star Game in Atlanta to rest a sore right knee. McGwire, who has 30 homers and 69 RBI, left after three innings Thursday because of pain in the knee. Braves Manager Bobby Cox named his first baseman, Andres Galarraga, as the new NL starter and replaced McGwire on the roster with Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria, who was batting .274 with 10 homers, 38 RBI and 50 runs. McGwire, batting .303 with a major league-leading 75 walks, will stay in St.

Louis for treatment. He hopes to play next Thursday when McGwire the NL Central leaders start the second half at Chicago against the White Sox. "My first concern is to try to do everything I can to get ready for Thursday, even though there's no guarantees I'll be ready," McGwire said yesterday before the Cardinals played the San Francisco Giants. "But we've got to do something because we've got to stop what I'm feeling and get it better." McGwire, 37, has been taking treatment for patella tendinitis since spring training and the knee has worsened the last 6-7 weeks. The knee bothered him only in the field before Thursday, when he said the knee was "on fire" as he ran to first base.

McGwire was voted in as a i Today's game At Memphis, 2:05 p.m., LHP Dan Serafini (4-4, 5.51 EFIA) goes for his third straight win against RHP Luther Hackman (4-2, 3.88). "I just decided to play him," said lebner, who added that before the game, "I told him, You could go l-for-4 and hit a three-run "I told him, 2-for-4 or 3-for-4 would be nicer," Wilson said. "It felt g(xd to make solid contact." Nashville, which lost 3-0 Friday, added a three-run homer by veteran catcher Tim liiker in the seventh to help Mattson (4-6) to his third straight victory. "It was nice to get some runs," Laker said. "It makes it easier for the nitcher to out there.".