The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 81

3tC THE PALM BEACH POST WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1993 Miner committed to improvement MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AL Standings 1 East iumi-- -Ti List "All in all I learned a lot," Miner said. "What I realized is that so many guys can do the same things you can do. You don't have to do it all by yourself." The Miami Heat are happy with the second-year guard's presence at rookie camp. By TOM D'ANGELO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer MIAMI Harold Miner just wants to be Harold Miner. He says position occupied by some of the league's most prolific scorers.

"He has to work on his defense away from the ball and defensive rotations," assistant coach Alvin Gentry said. Perimeter shooting. Miner shot .475, but his outside shooting was erratic. The Heat would like to see Miner become a consistent 18- to 20-foot jump shooter. Schaffel so in one of those turn-back-the- Miner clock commercials shown repeat edly during the playoffs.

The Harold Miner the Miami Heat want is one with a commitment, one who is willing to work on his defense and expand his offense. And, one who is showing signs of maturity at age 22. Urn Won Lost Pet. CB Tuesday Streak 10 "Toronto 49 40 .551 Did nol play Lost 5 1-9 'Detroit 48 40 .545 Did not play Lost 1 5-5 New York 48 41 .539 1 Did not play Lost 2 2-8 Baltimore 47 41 .534 Vh Did not play Lost 1 5-5 Boston 45 42 .517 3 Did not play Won 2 7-3 -Cleveland 40 48 .455 8'i Did not play Lost 4 4-6 Milwaukee 37 49 .430 IQ'fe Did not play Won 2 5-5 I West Chicago 45 41 .523 Did not play Won 1 6-4 I 'Kansas City 44 42 .512 1 Did not play Won 1 6-4 i Texas 44 42 .512 1 Did not play Won 4 8-2 Seattle 44 44 .500 2 Did not play Won 5 6-4 California 43 43 .500 2 Did not play Won 2 6-4 Oakland 38 46 .452 6 Did not play Lost 2 5-5 Ilflinnesota 36 49 .424 Vi Did not play Lost 2 4-6 Results Schedule -Teesday Monday Thursday American 9, National 3 No games scheduled Calif, at 7:05 Oakland at New York, 7:30 K.C. at Toronto, 7:35 Minn, at 7:35 Seattle at Boston, 7:35 Chicago at 8:05 Detroit at Texas, 8:35 Pro Basketball Coach Kevin Loughery repeatedly has said this is a critical summer for Miner's development.

That development will be closely watched this weekend in games against Atlanta, Orlando and Charlotte at the University of Central Florida. "This is the atmosphere we want to see him in," Loughery said. "We'll be able to gear a lot of the offense to him and see him defensively against some pretty good players." NOTEWORTHY: Forward Willie Burton participated in the morning practice but skipped the afternoon session. Loughery did not know his whereabouts and isn't sure if he will join the team at the Rookie Revue. Burton missed Monday's sessions because of la toe infection.

The team reduce the 16-man camp roster (including Burton and Miner) to 10 to 12 today for the Rookie Revue. One practice has been scheduled for today. John Salley has worked out with coach Bob Staak this week at Barry. Salley underwent radial keratotomy to correct his vision eight days ago. He said he will continue to wear goggles but they no longer will be prescription.

Loughery praised Gary Alexander, a 6-foot-7 for "Range is not as important as just shooting consistently to where he is comfortable," Gentry said. Isolation. The Heat are looking for Miner to make his move quicker when isolated against a defender and hit the open man immediately when he is double teamed. "Sometimes I like to play with the ball a little to put the guy to sleep," Miner said. "But I have to make a move quicker when they start to double team." At times, Miner appeared lost.

Many expected the 12th overall pick to show much of the same scoring proficiency that allowed him to average 23.6 points in three seasons at Southern Cal and earn the nickname Baby Jordan, for his style and similarities to Michael Jordan. But for two months, he watched as Kevin Edwards and As far as the Heat are concerned, Miner has made all the right moves otherwise. He weighs 217 pounds, down from 224 pounds at the start of last season, the result of a seven-day-a-week program at Loyola Marymount that included work on a treadmill and 1,000 crunches (similar to a sit-up) a day. Next month, he will work with Olympian John Smith, a track coach at UCLA. Tuesday, Miner continued to work with scout Tony Fiorentino long after most of the free agents had showered.

"You realize at a certain point what it takes to get better," Miner said. "To be a good player in this league you have to do these things. I want to get better." The Heat have their ideas of what Miner needs to improve from the player who averaged 10.3 points in 73 games last season after leaving Southern Cal a year early: Defense. Miner's lack of playing time was a result of his poor defensive habits, especially team defense. This deficiency is magnified at the shooting guard, a League Leaders Tuesday, the Heat were pleased with the Harold Miner who appeared at their rookie free-agent camp at Barry University.

"We're all encouraged by what we are seeing," Heat Managing Partner Lewis Schaffel said. "He's in better condition than anytime last year, and he's willing to learn." Miner will work out for two days and join the team at the Rookie Revue Thursday for three days of games. He arrived in Miami Monday but skipped the workout after feeling ill. Schaffel said he'll accept the excuse but told Miner to make more of an effort to reach the team. Through Sunday's garnet TRIPLES BATTING Olerud, Tor.

..395 O'Neill, N.Y. ..329 Hamiltn, Mil. .326 Lofton, Cle. ..321 HOME RUNS Tettletn, Det. 24 Gonzalz, Tex.

23 Belle, Cle. 23 Fielder, Det. 23 Griffey, Sea. 22 RUNS White, Tor. 68 Molitor, Tor.

68 Brian Shaw manned the off-guard position. At midseason, about the same time Miner won the league's slam-dunk contest, the team decided to bench Edwards and elevate Miner to backup shooting guard behind Shaw. Gonzalz, Tex. .320 -RBI ward trom bouth Florida, for his play during camp. "He's aggressive, can rebound and really hustles." Fielder, Det.

77 Tettletn, Det. 73 Belle, Cle. 72 STOLEN BASES Curtis, Cal. 37 Lofton, Cle. 34 RAIomar, Tor.

28 Hendersn, Oak. 28 Polonia, Cal. 25 ERA Key, N.Y. .2.31 Femndz, Chi. 2.77 Langstn, Cal.

2.82 Finley, Cal. .2.87 Quantril, Bos. 2.92 SAVES Montgmry, K.C.25 Olson, Bait. 23 Aguiler, Min. 23 DWard, Tor.

22 Eckrsly, Oak. .21 Uohnson, Chi. 9 Hulse, Tex. 8 Lofton, Cle. 7 Cuyler, Det.

7 3 tied with 5 PITCHING REC. Key, N.Y. Langstn, Cal. Hentgn, Tor. Wickman, N.Y.

8-3 3 tied with 104 STRIKEOUTS RJohnsn, Sea. 1 7 1 Langstn, Cal. 114 Hanson, Sea. 107 Appier, K.C. 105 2 tied with 104 RAIomar, Tor.

63 69 62 Olerud, Tor. 2 tied with 68 61 Lofton, Cle. Baerga, Cle. DOUBLES WS Sunshine, WBFS-33 to televise Panthers Olerud. Tor.

120 VlcRae, K.C. 110 37 26 22 22 22 Olerud, Tor. White, Tor. Belle, Cle. Griffey, Sea.

Puckett, Min. Molitor, Tor. 107 lofton, Cle. 105 By CRAIG DOLCH Palm Beach Post Staff Writer 7 tied with 103 Pro Hockey NL Standings FORT LAUDERDALE The Florida Panthers have reached a three-year agreement that begins with 35 of their 84 games televised on Sunshine Network and Miami-based WBFS-33 during the expansion team's inaugural season. East NHL.

Reddick, 29, signed a free-agent contract Tuesday with the Panthers. Reddick, who played with Winnipeg aiid Edmonton, led the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Komets to the International Hockey League title by going an amazing 12-0 in the playoffs. In the finals, he posted a 1.49 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage to help the Komets upset the San Diego Gulls. He was during the regular season while playing for Edmonton's top affiliate. "I've been playing well, but I also played just as well when I was in the NHL," Reddick said.

"I just had some personal problems back then that I couldn't deal with." 'l Reddick, who has a 46-57-16 record in the NHL, will be hard-pressed to beat out Panthers goalies John Vanbiesbrouck and Mark Fitzpatrick. He said he choose the Panthers over offers from "four or five" other clubs. "No matter where you go it's the same situation; every team has a couple of good goalies," Reddick said. "Nobody gives out jobs in the NHL." Under the deal, 25 games will be carried on Sunshine Network, the state's largest sports cable network, and 10 games will be shown on WBFS. The televised games will be primarily road games.

"We will start with 25 games on Sunshine, and televised by a West Palm Beach-based station. Bill Brooks, general manager of WPTV-5, said he can't pick up most games because he would have to pre-empt first-run network shows. "If I get a chance to pick up a weekend game, that would be our only hope," Brooks said. The Panthers previously announced a radio deal with WQAM-560AM to broadcast all 84 games. Jordan said he has been negotiating with West Palm Beach-based WJNO-1230AM and 1330AM.

Jordan said he hopes to hire announcers for the radio and television networks within a month. Among the candidates for the television play-by-play job is veteran New York Islanders announcer Jiggs McDonald. PANTHERS SIGN REDDICK: Former NHL goalie Eldon "Pokey" Reddick is hoping to ride a red-hot playoff streak back into the Jordan we have the option of adding up to 35 games" during the second and third years of the deal, said Dean Jordan, the Panthers' vice president of business and marketing. It's unlikely any Panthers games will be List Woe Lost Pet. GB Tuesday Streak 10 Philadelphia 57 32 .640 Did not play Lost 1 5-5 St.

Louis 51 36 .586 5 Did not play Lost 1 5-5 Montreal 48 40 .545 8'fe Did not play Won 5 6-4 Chicago 41 45 .477 Did not play Lost 3 3-7 Pittsburgh 42 46 .477 14Vfe Did not play Won 1 4-6 Florida 37 50 .425 19 Did not play Lest 1 2-8 New York 27 60 .310 29 Did not play Lost 1 4-6 San Francisco 59 30 .663 Did not play Won 1 7-3 Jtlanta 50 39 .562 9 Did not play Won 1 5-5 Houston 46 41 .529 12 Did not play Won 3 6-4 Hos Angeles 46 41 .529 12 Did not play Won 1 5-5 i Cincinnati 45 45 .500 14Vfe Did not play Lost 1 7-3 Colorado 33 54 .379 25 Did not play Won 1 7-3 San Diego 33 56 .371 26 Did not play Lost 4 3-7 I Results Schedule Tuesday I Monday Thursday American 9, National 3 No games scheduled Florida at 7:35 Phil, at S.D., 4:05 N.Y. at San 4:05 Pitt, at Atlanta, 7:40 I Colorado at Chic, 8:05 Houston at 8:35 Montreal at L.A., 10:35 Factors favor Miami in signing Byars Dolphins trade reserve OG Williams DAVIE The Miami Dolphins traded reserve guard Gene Williams to the Cleveland DOLPHINS From 1C play. At 6-1 and 238 pounds, Byars could fill the void because he is a good blocker, excellent receiver, and an adequate runner. Byars rushed 41 times for 176 yards and caught 56 passes for 502 yards in 15 games last year. I M.I'l'J League Leaders Browns Tuesday for an unspecified conditional draft choice.

Williams, who never started a game in two he would not be with the team in 1993. "This is a chance for me to start fresh in a different environment where people will judge me based on my performance," Williams said. If Williams earns a spot on the Cleveland roster and plays in at least nine games, the Dolphins could get as high as a fifth-round draft pick. In other roster news, the Dolphins placed cornerback Chuck Carswell on the waived-injured list. ARMANDO SALGUERO Through Sunday'! game -BATTING Galarre.

Col. .391 Me a good player, and that's obviously why we're talking to him and trying to sign him," said Miami General Manager Ed- 1 Merced, Pit. ..362 Kruk, Phi. ..350 Bonds, S.F. ..348 St.L.

.343 Williams sons with the Dolphins, had been critical of coach Don Shula in recent weeks and had predicted that -RBI STOLEN BASES Coleman, N.Y. 37 DLewis, S.F. 30 Carr, Fla. 28 Jeffens, St.L 27 DeShilds, Mon. 26 Ira Benes, S.D.

.2.57 Hill, Mtl. .2.62 Mlhllnd, Phil. 2.72 Maddux, Atl. 2.83 Glavine, Atl. .2.90 SAVES HOME RUNS TRIPLES Bonds, S.F.

24 Coleman, N.Y. 7 Williams, S.F. 21 Castilla, Col. ..6 Justice, Atl. 20 Morandin, Phi.

6 Gant, Atl 20 DLewis, S.F. 6 Bonilla, N.Y. 20 Finley, Hou. 6 BUNS PITCHING REC. Dykstra, Phi.

85 Kile, Hou. Bonds, S.F. 71 TGreene, Phi. 1 1-2 Kruk, Phi. 64 Burkett, S.F.

13-3 Biggio, Hou. 62 Avery, Atl. DLewis, S.F. 57 Osborne, St.L. 8-3 DOUBLES STRIKEOUTS Bichette, Col.

26 Rijo, Cm. 120 Dykstra, Phi. .26 Smoltz, Atl. .119 Biggio, Hou. 25 GMaddux, Atl.

1 13 3 tied with 24 Benes, S.D. 107 Hamsch, Hou. 106 71 65 65 64 60 -Bonds, S.F. "palarrg. Col.

-baulton, Phi. yilliams. S.F. 'Z Crace, Chi. for all of it because they have changed their offensive philoso HITS phy to suit recently acquired quar terback Joe Montana's passing.

The Chiefs have offered 30 27 25 24 Smith, St.L. Myers, Chi. Harvey, Fla. Beck, S.F. 2 tied with 23 Jeffens, St.L.

112 Cin. 109 Bagwell, Hou. 107 Galarrg, Col. 106 j- Butler, L.A. 105 Okoye to the Dolphins, but Miami Jones' be- Bvars came involved in the negotiations with Owens late Tuesday afternoon.

The team made a contract proposal, believed to be for three years, averaging $1.2 million a season. Byars has already turned down a three-year proposal from the Eagles that averages $13 million, but he has stated that he would be willing to take less money from another team just to get out of Philadelphia. The Dolphins also have the advantage of not having a city tax on the money Byars would earn locally. Another factor that could give the Dolphins the edge is that Byars recently built a home in Boca Raton. St.

Petersburg tops Expos 4-1 There has been a exodus of talent from the Eagles since the end of the 1991-92 season, with the Dolphins the primary beneficiaries. Miami has signed tight end Keith Jackson, offensive tackle Ron Heller and defensive tackle Mike Golic off the Eagles' free agent roster. If a deal with Byars cannot be reached today, the Dolphins are continuing to explore trade possibilities to improve the backfield. A club source confirmed Tuesday that the Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs have had discussions about a trade involving Kansas City fullbacks Barry Word and Christian Okoye. The Chiefs have a glut of talent at fullback.

But they have little use would preter to get Word, who is more versatile and a better blocker. Kansas City, in return, is seeking a receiver. Yet another possibility for Miami is Seattle fullback John L. Williams, a former University of Florida star, who has expressed interest in returning to his home state. Williams, 28, became disenchanted in Seattle when his playing time diminished in 1992 and the load of the rushing attack was handed to Chris Warren.

-Special to The Palm Beach Post WEST PALM BEACH Sean Lowe allowed one run in innings to lead the St. Cardinals to a 4-1 JTvictory over the West Palm 'Beach Expos Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium. Scott Gentile (5-9) took the loss for the Expos, despite allowing only three hits in six innings. ST. LUCIE 3, FORT MYERS 1: Randy Curtis drove in all three St.

Lucie runs and Brad Schorr pitched seven shutout innings, leading the Mets (9-7) over the over the Miracle (9-9) Tuesday afternoon at Thomas J. White Stadium. St. Petersburg 4, WPbT 'Florida State Raiders' offense called too easy to read Lock -In Today's IjDwAtrroLoANi Rate For Call93O4100 League Lowe (4-7) allowed four hits and struck out three. Forpst WEST PALM iCACM ST.

PETERSBURG trt 7 3 I It I 401 right cornerback, sustained a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone Monday. The injury will require surgery today, and he's expected to miss six to eight weeks. ill High School graduate Alan pitched a scoreless inching for the Cardinals (11-7). 0 Griffin cf Tower 2 Horn If 2 Daniel lb 0 Mortfirwp rf 0 Sentana dh Law 3b Coauillette lb 1 I I J0I 41 I 41 I itt 4(0 400 400 II 4 4 41 I 400 I I 401 2(1 2 I 300 Hubert Redztewtcz Cantu lt Gerald rt wmuiih do Meia 3b Prybylinjki Warner 2b Total (I trihia For Same Day Approval. Terry Bradshaw singled.

fl Allen 4 TotaH I 1 4 walked twice and scored three jnns for St Petersburg, and h- i 0 I Palm Beach Post Wire Services Eric Dickerson, recently traded to the Atlanta Falcons after a one-year stay with the Los Angeles Raiders, couldn't resist a parting shot Tuesday. In a conference call with reporters, Dickerson said that on separate occasions last season, opponents said the Raiders' offense was childish. "Now I didn't say this, but in games against Dallas and Buffalo, their players would be making all kinds of cracks," Dickerson said. "They would say. 'This offense is first-grade stuff.

These plays are too easy to Wwt Palm teat Dickerson added, "It was like the other players always knew what the next play would be. They always figured it out" Meanwhile, the Raiders' Bob Golic, a 14-year veteran defensive tackle, announced his retirement Golic, 35, played the last four seasons with Los Angeles. NEW YORK JETS: Released veteran safety Lonnie Young after he failed a physical on his injured right knee. ATLANTA FALCONS: Six-year veteran Melvin Jenkins, who was expected to replace now-baseball star Deion Sanders at LTD Tviuxe ianru naa two Ktsi. Trace Coauillette.

in his i-Molbert LOt-St Petersburg ett Palm Beacti S-Coauiliettt SB-Bredtnew. Hot- ben a hoi ben. first at-bat for West Palm Beach tt Eft BB SO DALLAS COWBOYS: Quarterback Troy Aikman threw a football Monday for the first time since his June 19 operation for a herniated disk. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Signed quarterback Elvis Grbac, the team's eighth-round draft pick out of Michigan, to a two-year contract. Terms were not Lowe First Federal OF THE PALM BEACHES 18-10), singled in Kevin North-Tup with the Expos' only run in Jhe second.

Coquillette was just Botkin Corona. Ibut Paka lxt railed up from Montreal's Gulf Coast Rookie League team. ScftnuOt Memrwt (TUC P-Gentltt, Law T-2 XI A 377.