St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 41

"fi Bottom Line On Clark Exit: Cardinals Blew It ANALYSIS vember, so close that the amount of games played for an incentive bonus to be paid was only disputed by five games, yet it was a deal that seemed so far away to Clark. Somehow, it never should have happened, but it did. Clark, in his first interview with a St. Louis reporter since the free-agent signing, said: "I wasn't looking to leave. I wasn't looking to go anywhere." Clark, who was still in New York trying to set up his new life, said he wasn't angry.

"I was never mad. I was frustrated and disappointed. "It's one word against another, and that's the way it will be." It is safe to say the Cardinals probably erred in signing catcher Tony Pena to a two-year contract, calling for a $100,000 cut, to $1.1 million a year. The error was that that contract was done during the season and Clark's was not They also erred if they presumed Clark would receive no offers other than theirs, which had been the rule of thumb for high-priced free agents the last two years. Clark's side erred in that the Cardinals presumed they were close to a deal and then there were no return telephone calls from agent Bill Landman to general manager Dal Maxvill during the Christmas holidays.

Clark insists that Maxvill told Landman he wasn't going to call back that the Cardinals had made their final offer. I But when the new year dawned, Reich was in the forefront and was true to his word that if he found a deal for Clark somewhere else, Clark would not be coming back to the Cardinals. Clark said he already had agreed to the Yankees' proposal by the time Lou Susman of the Cardinals' executive committee raised the Cardinals' offer to either $1.75 million and a $250,000 signing bonus for each of two years or a $1.6 million base with a chance to go to $1.9 million a year for two years, plus the same signing bonus. "I don't know why Maxvill was so involved in the deal," Clark said. "Susman admitted when he called back that they had made a mistake and they would make it right.

It's OK to look after the fact and say maybe they should have done this or that. "But it didn't make any difference if it was $100,000 more or $500,000 more. It just doesn't count. It was like one of their fill-in-the-blanks. The last one didn't count." Clark said that he had a deal with the Yankees at 7:30 p.m.

last Tuesday and that the Cardinals' revised proposal came the next morning, although the Cardinals and Reich indicated it bad come later Tuesday night. But this is just one of the incongruities of the situation. Clark acknowledges that he "should still be here (in St. Louis). "It seemed like it was a perfect fit for me in St.

Louis. We had friends. We had life-after-baseball friends. I had peace of mind. "What a place to play.

Even in '86 that's the year I'll remember more than anything. We drew almost 3 million people and we were awful. I didn't hear a lot of boos. They still appreciated us giving our best effort. I was really proud and honored to put the uniform on, to step onto the field and play.

It was a super place to play and See CARDS, Page 12 By Rick Hummel Of the Post-Dispatch Staff There have been things said, things that shouldn't have been said and things that wilt never be said publicly about why the Cardinals and Jack Clark no longer have a management-labor relationship. From Clark's standpoint, partly from second-person conversations, he is convinced that the Cardinals' management wanted him to leave. The Cardinals no doubt are convinced that noted agent Tom Reich wanted to make a splash by delivering a high-priced free agent to a team other than his own and that Clark was never going to sign here. It was a deal that the Cardinals thought was close to being done at the end of No ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH PORT SECTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 1988 iBrowns Top Colts 38-21 Carter Sets Playoff Mark With 227 Yards Receiving i mm i i imp iraimnrmnw IMP1 I I Vfv-l iv 'i v-.

ii (Saturday's Results) AFC Divisional Playoffs Cleveland 38, Indianapolis 21 NFC Divisional Playoffs Minnesota 36, San Francisco 24 (Sunday's Games) NFC Divisional Playoffs Washington at Chicago, 11:30 a.m. (KMOV, Channel 4) AFC Divisional Playoffs Houston at Denver, 3 p.m. (KSDK, Channel 5) (Sunday, Jan. 17) AFC Championship Cleveland vs. Houston-Denver winner, time to be announced (KSDK, Channel 5) NFC Championship Minnesota at Washington-Chicago winner, time to be an-nounced (KMOV, Channel 4) (Sunday, Jan.

31) Super Bowl AFC champion vs. NFC champion in San Diego, 5 p.m. (KTVI, Channel 2) (St Louis times) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Anthony Carter set a National Football League postseason record with 227 yards receiving, and Wade Wilson threw two touchdown passes as the Minnesota Vikings humbled San Francisco's top-ranked defense with a 36-24 upset of the 49ers Saturday, earning a trip to the National Football Conference title game. Wilson's first touchdown pass, a 7-yarder to tight end Carl Hilton, began a 17-point outburst in the second quarter, carrying the Vikings to a 20-3 half time lead. The 49ers, whose 13-2 regular-season record was the best in the league, did not allow a TD over their last three games and had not allowed a passing touchdown in their last four games.

Minnesota virtually shut down 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who set an NFL record by catching touchdown passes in 13 consecutive regular-season games. He had 23 touchdowns this season, but none in this game. In fact, he caught only three passes for 28 yards. Carter set up a field goal, one of an NFL postseason-record five in the game by Chuck Nelson, with a 63-yard gain on a reception in the second quarter. Carter caught 10 passes for his total, which broke the record of 198 yards by the Los Angeles Rams' Tom Fears in 1950.

Carter also gained 30 yards on an end-around running play. Wilson totaled 298 yards passing, completing 20 of 34 attempts. The Vikings advanced to a Jan. 17 conference title game at the winner of Sunday's Washington Redskins-Chicago Bears game. Minnesota (8-7 in the regular season) beat New Orleans 44-10 last weekend in the NFC wild-card game after backing into the playoffs when the Cardinals lost on the final Sunday of the regular season.

The Vikings lost three of their last four season games. The 49ers become the first team in CLEVELAND (AP) An upset stomach turned Cleveland's two-back set into a one-back attack, but the Browns turned back Indianapolis' upset bid Saturday in the American Football Conference semifinals. Earnest Byner, carrying most of the load because of Kevin Mack's stomachache, scored twice, and Ber-nie Kosar threw for three touchdowns as Cleveland beat the Colts 38-21, moving into the AFC title game for the second consecutive year. Byner rushed for 122 yards on a slippery field, one on which the Colts' Eric Dickerson was limited to just 50 in 15 carries. It was sweet revenge because of Byner's role as goat in Clevland's last loss, a 9-7 decision to the Colts a month ago in which he fumbled on the Indianapolis 4-yard line late in the game.

"That was probably the low point of my season," said Byner, who did full-time duty when Mack became sick after gaining 38 yards in six carries on Cleveland's first-quarter touchdown drive. "After that fumble, I just rededicat-ed myself to doing what I could do, and I think I proved that today," Byner said. Browns coach Marty Schotten-heimer concurred and so did Kosar, who completed 20 of 31 pass attempts for 229 yards. "I sensed all week that Earnest Byner was planning on a big day," Schottenheimer said. "I think Earnest Byner would have had a big day even if he had to play all by himself." "He's truly a competitive person and an excellent player," Kosar said.

"He came in today and did a great job." Kosar also threw a 39-yard scoring pass to Reggie Langhorne in the second quarter and a 2-yarder to Brian Brennan with 3:44 left in the game. Cleveland, which lost the AFC championship game in overtime to Denver last year, will play the winner BEARS TRY to rebound from "checkered Page 7H OILERS READY to challenge Broncos' home record 8H ROSTERS, matchups for Sunday's playoff 9H AP Byron Darby (72), Jon Hand and Duane Bickett (50). Mack later became ill and left the game. Browns running back Kevin Mack is surrounded by Indianapolis Colts Barry Krauss (55), a decade to fail to reach the Super Bowl after compiling the best regular-season record in the NFC The Los Angeles Rams went to the 1980 1 Super Bowl with a 9-7 record after' Dallas and Philadelphia went 11-5. The 49ers also ensured this will be the first Super Bowl since 1984 that won't be won by the team with the See NFC Page I with a sprained right wrist with two minutes left.

"The unfortunate thing is that we came out in the second half and put a good drive together, and I feel like we were going to really put Cleveland in a bind," said Trudeau, a former University of Illinois standout. "Then the tide turns and all of a See AFC, Page Johnson, who forced an interception of quarterback Jack Trudeau just as Indianapolis appeared set to take the lead midway through the third quarter. Cleveland then matched 85 yards and scored on Byner's 2-yard run. The Browns also shut down Dicker-son, although he did catch seven passes, one for his first playoff touchdown since his rookie season. He left of Sunday's Houston-Denver game next Sunday for the conference title.

If the Broncos win, the game will be in Denver. If Houston wins, it will be at Cleveland Stadium, where 78,586 fans watched Saturday's game, during which the was in the low 20s. Kosar and Byner got help from a defense led by linebacker Eddie Top 20 KU Defeats Mizzou 78-74, Keeps Home Streak Going lllini Free Throws Doom Spartans Kansas 78, Missouri 74 Illinois 77, Michigan St. 62 Oklahoma 108, Oklahoma St. 80 Duke 77, Virginia 59 Florida 87, Georgia 70 Others CHIEVOUS STARTS game on the Tigers' bench 2H Throw in the 15,800 screaming fans at Allen Field House, and there is nothing quite like Kansas basketball.

Especially when those villains in black, the Missouri Tigers, are in town. And there is nothing quite like KU's 54-game home winning streak a Big Eight record that the Jay-hawks extended by adding Mizzou's scalp to their collection. The 18th-ranked Jayhawks are 11-3. Defending league champion Missouri, which had won five in a row, is 9-3. Manning, a senior, never has lost See MIZZOU, Page 2 Illinois is 11-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.

Michigan State, which has lost four successive games and six of its last seven, is 5-7 and 0-2 in the conference. The teams botched the most rudimentary skills. Shooting: The teams combined to -shoot less than 45 percent from the field, Illinois hitting just 41.9 percent The Illini's leading scorer Ken Battle missed all seven of his field-goal attempts. Battle had been averaging 16 9 points. He finished with See ILLINL Page 10 By Dave Luecking Of the Post-Dispatch Staff CHAMPAIGN, III.

Illinois coach Lou Henson might want to save the film from Saturday's game against Michigan State. It might come in handy at one of his summer basketball clinics a seminar on bow not to play the game. But then again, he might want to burn it The 19th-ranked lllini beat the Spartans 77-62, but the sellout crowd of 16.616 at the Assembly Hall did not see Big Ten Conference basketball at its best By Jim Thomas Of the Post-Dispatch Staff LAWRENCE, Kan. The sign was barely noticeable, but it summed things up succinctly. "Go KU, beat MU," was scrawled across a toll ticket and taped to a toll booth along the turnpike to Lawrence.

The Jayhawks complied with the request trimming archrival Missouri 78-74 Saturday afternoon in the Big Eight Conference opener for both teams. The sign was just one of many, real and symbolic, illustrating the fact that University of Kansas basketball borders on a religious experience. NYU 75, Washington U. 64 Maryland 68. Clemson 53 Tennessee 80, Vanderbilt 72 Va.

Tech 82, Memphis St. 80 (ot) Bradley 88, Wichita St. 70 Wisconsin 64, Ohio St. 63 Oregon St 80, USC 77 (ot) Utah 81, Hawaii 65 Wash. St 70, Washington 63 Connecticut 79.

Providence 72 Rhode Island 99, St Joseph's 80 Lafayette 75, Brown 74 Princeton 66, Fordham 59 St. Peter's 81, tona 76 (2 ot) T-shirts bore slogans imploring coach Larry Brown not to leave the Sunflower State for the National Basketball Danny Manning, arguably America's top college player, wore a wristband with No. 23 on it in honor of injured comrade Archie Marshall Former NBA great Rick Barry was on hand to watch his son Scooter And, oh yes, that funky chant of "Rock Chalk Jayhawk." irSdlteDirdls Here's A Tribute To The Best Of The Ail-Time Worst I KEVIN HORRIGAN SPORTS EDITOR DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Scott Bergold Leo Brooks Rush Brown Kirby Criswen Charlie Davis Randy Holloway OudiousLee Stafford Mays Wart Patulski Dan Ralph John Zook LINEBACKERS Charlie Baker Johnny Bareneld Calvin Favron Tim Gray Bob Harris Thomas Howard Crtet Parlavecchio Craig Puki Garland Boyette Enc WiMiams PLACE -KICKERS NovoBojovic Jess Atkinson Enc Schubert John Lee Steve Little TIGHT ENDS Al Charidler John Goode Doug Marsh Eddie McGill Eason Ramson Greg LaFleur OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Dan Audick George Collins Bobby Duncum Fate Echols Art Plunkett Carlos Scott Ken Kortas PUNTERS Larry Swider Jeff West Evan Arapostatfits DEFENSIVE BACKS Carl Allen Vance Bedford Don Bessillieu Tm Cottier Robert Gibfm Doug Greene Jeff Grrffm Victor Heflm Lift ort Hobtey Lee Nelson COACHES Bud Wilkinson Jim Hanifan Charlie Winner Bob Hollway QUARTERBACKS Scott runner Gary Cuozzo Sam Etcheverry Steve Pisarkiewicz Tim Van GakJer Ketty Stouffer NeKLomax RUNNING BACKS Theotis Brown Perry Harrington Randy Love Larry Stegent Willard MarreN Ottis Anderson George Franklin Eric Drain Tony Mumford Willis Crenshaw WIDE RECEIVERS Taz Anderson Clyde Duncan Danny Pmman Bobby Moore Mike Shuqarn known for their attention to smalt off-the-wall details. The panel included several football writers, a golf writer, a movie critic who used to be a football writer and a baseball writer who knows everything about every sport ever played. Presenting our squad: COACH Could there be any other choice? Charles "Bud Wilkinson, who built the Oklahoma Sooners Into a dynasty in a 17-year career as a college coach, was living happily as a businessman and certified legend when the special Gridbird magic wand reached out and tapped him on the shoulder.

Goodbye, happiness. Goodbye, legend. Team owner Bill Bid wilt who just loves surprises, named Wilkinson as the successor to bead coach Don Coryell in 1978 "because Amos Alonzo Stagg was unavailable," said panel member Steve Kelley. "Bud Wilkinson will bring leadership, superb organizational ability and mature stability to our franchise," Bidwill said at the time. Instead, Bud brought a 15-year absence from the game to an aging and unhappy bunch of gladiators.

The result was a 6-10 record in 78, and a 3-10 record before he resigned in late 1979 rather than start our next winner at quarterback. QUARTERBACK In a close race, Steve Plsarklewicx Bud wasn't for you, Steve nudged out Kelly Stouf fer for the starting berth. No. 1 draft choices 10 years apart Zark and Stouffer were both "gotcha" picks by Bidwill and bis Rasputinesque draft director, George Boone. "Coryell would just stand there at practice, shaking his head." recalled Doug Grow, a Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist who covered Zark career for the Post-Dispatch.

"He'd say, Glasses, maybe. Maybe the guy needs As for Stouffer, the jury is still out mainly because Stouffer is still oat The sawy youngster and GRIDBIRDS, Page I Last week we presented the All-Time Cardinals football team. This week, it's the Ail-Time Gridbir-diest Gridbirds. What's the difference? Well, the All-Time Cardinals team was legit picked with the help of a blue-ribbon panel. The All-Time Gridbirds is the kind of a team you'd pick over a six-pack of Blue Ribbon.

The All-Time Cardinals recognized excellence, a quality not always synonymous with pro football in St Louis. Other qualities often have prevailed. Zaniness. Misfortune. Dedicated mediocrity.

To recognize ffiem, this bureau 'Sought out a panel of expert.