St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 30

5 JUN 2 1988 4E SPORTS ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH THURSDAY) JUNE 2, 1988 Decision Nears As On Fate Of Sale Talks Steamers Continue "I if -f .) Pat Burns Coached in minor leagues Lendl Tops McEnroe In Paris il PARIS (AP) John McEnroe has answered one question about his lat-, est comeback attempt. Many moje lie head. Despite a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 lois to defending champion Ivan Lend) in the fourth round pf the French open Wednesday, McEnroe showed he! was in good physical shape and couldylay on clay. "I was pleased with what happened, except for the end result," McEnroe said.

"That's an important part of it." Andre Agassi, the 18-year-old son of a Las Vegas, casino showroom captain, became the youngest U.S. men's semifinalist in a Grand Slam tournament when he beat puil-lermo Perez-Roldan 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. "It's a dream come true, almost," Agassi said. "What I've done week is what I've always dreamed about." The final American in eithersin-gles field, he will play in the semis against two-time champ Mats -Wi-lander, who came from almost jtwo sets down and beat Emilio Sanchez. Agassi lost to Wilander in his; first professional tournament 2'2 yfars ago in La Quinta, when hewas 15.

The other semifinal duel wilf be decided today in matches pitting Lendl against Jonas B. Svensson.nd llth-seeded Henri Leconte vs. J4th-seeded Andrei Chesnokov of the Soviet Union. Lendl evened his career record against McEnroe at 14-14 with a powerful display of tennis. After tlie match resumed following an wer-night break, the top-seeded Czechoslovak lost just three points on- his serve and only one in the final set; DaveLuecking yOt the Post-Dispatch Staff The Steamers remained in a state ZZot limb0 Wednesday night, exactly two months to the date they last paid their players.

Chairman Joe Farrell said he was tnegotiating with a group that "has the v.best chance" of buying the Major Soccer League team. TC He sad that group would keep the -t-team in St. Louis, but if the deal fell IIthrough there was a second group in-terested that would move the team of St. Louis. MISL Commissioner Bill Kentling he expected to learn the fate after Farrell's negotiating Farrell said, "I've told them along to hang in there." ZZ.

0nlv two things were known for certain: iZiZ Former San Jose Earthquakes Milan Mandaric, the only to express Interest publicly in the Kteam, is not involved in the group says he was talking with IWednesday. But Farrell said was interested in keeping the in St. Louis. Z-t In a telephone call from San Jose, Mandaric said: "I wish I could -3ell you, 'Yes, we're in. Here's what -were going to But it's still not j-3here.

It's only 50-50. I know Joe Is 1 -talking with other people. I'm interested in getting it done jvJight, or not at all I don't want to involved in something that won't jv'Ae successful." ZZ Tne Steamers have not obtained an extension from the league to post the $400,000 letter of credit necessary to participate in the 1988-89 season, although Farrell said Wednesday afternoon that they had obtained such an extension. The deadline was midnight Wednesday. Farrell: "We've asked for and been verbally given an extension.

They're up to date with what's going on." Kentlirig: "That is not accurate. If somebody asked, I'd respond. No one has asked." Farrell: "I've told him all along we would not have it." The commissioner said only the Cleveland Force had posted the letter of credit The Wichita Wings received an extension on the letter through June 14. Kentling said every team but the Steamers already had a $250,000 letter of credit from last season in force through June 30. Six of the 11 MISL teams have yet to decide whether to return for another season.

In addition to the Steamers, the return of the Minnesota Strikers could hinge on sales to new owners. The Tacoma Stars say they need a better rental agreement In the Tacoma Dome to survive. San Diego is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Chicago Sting owner Lee Stern has said he will not return to Chicago next season. And Wichita is trying to sell enough season tickets and advertising to persuade its owners to bring the team back.

On Wednesday, the Sting released Paul Holmgren Aide to Mike Keenan Flyers Pick Canadiens By The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA Former assistant coach Paul Holmgren, once a teammate of Philadelphia general manager Bob Clarke and the team's career leader in penalty minutes, was appointed Wednesday as coach of the Flyers. Clarke said the team lacked emotion, enthusiasm and the zest to win last season under Mike Keenan, the winningest active coach in the National Hockey League when he was fired May 11. Holmgren, who at 32 is the youngest coach in the league, said he could instill those characteristics "by creating a solid working environment in which the players want to go to work." Holmgren won the job over John Paddock, the coach of the Flyers' American Hockey League-champion Hershey Bears farm team. He will be the seventh coach in the Flyers' 21-year history. Holmgren was Keenan's assistant for three years after his playing days as a hard-nosed right wing who accumulated 138 goals and 171 assists in eight seasons with the Flyers, 12th on the team's career scoring list.

He's also No. 1 with 1,600 penalty minutes. 'i JOHN ERICKS, JUNIOR '1 University of Illinois, righthanded pitcher year Games IP ER BB SO W-L ERA 0986 10 35.2 38 31 23 30 45 4-2 5.80 1987 13 56.0 63 42 36 59 57 5-4 4.91 988 13 87.1 81 53 42 55 108 7-5 4.33 Totals 36 179.0 182 126 101 144 210 16-11 5.08 BRAD DUVALL, SENIOR Virginia Tech, righthanded pitcher Year Games IP ER BB SO W-L ERA 1985 7 17.0 18 14 10 21 21 1-0 5.29 1986 11 471 60 48 36 36 36 3-2 6.85 .1987 14 88.2 66 34 25 48 90 9-2 2.54 17 99.0 89 57 42 47 94 11-3 3.82 Totals 49 252.0 233 153 113 152 241 24-7 4.04 New NBA Teams Hire Coaches if 7 Ericks Duvall Holmgren; Select Burns Canadiens Choose Pat Burns MONTREAL Pat Burns, who grew up just a few blocks from the Forum, realized a dream when he was named coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Burns, 36, who coached the Sher-brooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League last season, replaces Jean Perron, who stepped down on May 16 after the team was eliminated by Boston in the Adams Division finals. "It's a big dream come true to be able to come into the Forum and know I'm the coach of the Montreal Canadiens," Burns said.

Burns, an ex-police officer, caught the eye of Canadiens general manager Serge Savard by stressing a tough, defensive style of play while spending four years as coach of the Hull Olympiques in the offense-minded Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He joined the Canadiens organization as coach of their top minor-league team last summer after Pierre Creamer left to become coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sherbrooke finished third in the AHL's Northern Division but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. (N.C.) Hornets, sources told The Charlotte Observer. Harter, 57, will be starting his professional head coaching career this fall at the same time the Hornets begin their first season as an NBA expansion team.

He has been an NBA assistant coach for five seasons, after 19 as a college head coach at four schools. Sources said Harter will be given a two-year contract. No salary details were available, but sources said first-year coaches in the league are paid about $200,000. 100's 35 more SHRCiEON CiBNERALS WARNING Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health. II players, including stars Batata and Pato Margetic, to comply with the league's salary stabilization plan.

Kentling, reached Wednesday evening at his home in New York, said Farrell still had not asked for an extension and that he hoped the Steamers' fate would be determined today. "It will be a yes or no," he said. "But let me make one thing clear. I'm going to get my response, yes or no, today, but if the answer is yes, it would then take an amount of days or weeks to get something final. "If the answer is yes, Joe will provide the details.

Anything we do is contingent on league approval." The MISL will look at the situation closely. The last attempt to save the Steamers, just last season, ended in failure by mldseason when money became tight. Farrell has said the Steamers lost up to $1 million this season. Also Wednesday, Farrell contradicted Kentling, saying that if no sale agreement is reached other options existed. "I'm not stopping," he said.

The worst-case scenario will be the club goes on a one-year leave of absence. "That would give me time to put something together to keep soccer in St. Louis, but it's undetermined at this point." Kentling said the one-year layoff was news to him: "We haven't discussed any alternatives." This story contains information from The Associated Press and Knight-Ridder Newspapers. Sockers Subdue Force 6-5 In OT SAN DIEGO (AP) Fernando Clavijo scored at 7 minutes 36 seconds in overtime, giving the San Diego Sockers a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Force in the opening game of the Major Indoor Soccer League championship series Wednesday night Clavijo, a defender who had scored just two goals in the Sockers' 11 previous playoff games, launched a 15-foot line drive over the shoulders of Cleveland goalkeeper P.J. Johns for his second goal of the game.

Draft From page one pitcher Steve Avery of John F. Kennedy High School in Taylor, and Baltimore chose righthanded pitcher Gregg Olsen of Auburn University. The Associated Press learned that Pete Rose the son of the Cincinnati Reds manager, was not picked through the first five rounds. Rose plays third base for Oak Hills High School in suburban Cincinnati and was expected to go in the first three rounds. The Angels made Abbott the fifth pitcher selected, though most teams thought he would not be drafted until the end of the first round or the start of the second.

Abbott, the 1987 Sullivan Award winner, faces not only the usual struggle of trying to make the major leagues, but he must also convince doubters he can pitch despite his handicap and protect himself from balls hit back to the mound. "We've watched him, and we felt he's been able to make the adjustments necessary. He has no fear of the ball. Once we were convinced he could handle that part of the game, we knew he'd be able to play. He's a remarkable young man," Angels scouting director Bob Fontaine Jr.

said. Before going into his windup, Abbott balances his glove on the nub of his right wrist. He delivers the ball and jams his left hand into the glove by the time the ball reaches the plate. When he catches the ball, he jams the glove under his right arm and the ball rolls into his left hand. It takes about a second.

"I don't think of myself as different" Abbott said. "I don't think of myself as courageous. I grew up learning to do things within my capabilities. I've had a good time doing what I've done." bronze medal. The volleyball gold medal was her third of the competition.

She won the gold medal in horseshoes and the shot put on Tuesday. After her team won the gold medal, she immediately went to table tennis and took the silver medal. The award for determination goes to Aaron Landau, 70, of Creve Coeur. Landau was scheduled to compete in racquetball and volleyball. A broken hand suffered while playing racquetball forced him out of both events.

Instead of sulking, he promptly entered shuffleboard and won the bronze medal, broken hand and all. "I Just wanted to compete in something," Landau said. The spincasting event attracted four people from Canada. Joe Phillips and Jory North are from Oakville, Ontario; Samuel Tomkinson and Ellen Lyon are from Weston York, Ontario. The competition ends at 5 p.m.

today with the one-mile fun walk. Closing ceremonies begin at 5:30, followed by a free dance at 7 p.m. in the JCCA auditorium. Compiled From News Services Two coaches have been hired by National Basketball Association expansion teams. On Wednesday, the Orlando Magic signed former Philadelphia 76ers coach Matt Guokas, 44, to a three-year coaching contract that will take effect in August 1989.

Other terms of the contract were not announced. The team will begin play in fall 1989. Indiana Pacers assistant coach Dick Harter will be named today as the first head coach of the Charlotte CARTON II A 6 Pack A I Cans I Also Available Warm il Californian Breaks; NCAA Track Mark: EUGENE, Ore. (AP) Sylvia Mosqueda of Cal State-Los Angeles, the leader for the first 17 miles of the U.S. women's Olympic marathon trials, romped -to victory Wednesday night in the; women's 10,000 meters in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, breaking the; collegiate record.

Mosqueda, who dropped out of the marathon trials after 18 miles, had no problems in this shorter race, finishing in 32 minutes 28.57 seconds. The 10,000 was the only final; Wednesday on a program filled' with qualifying, trials and the; first four.events of the heptath-; Ion in the opening session of the! meet at rainy and cold; Hayward Field at the University! of Oregon. i BRANDS 6.5 oz. We Accept SM AY'S Wmrviir ill Picks From page one might be a little different." Ericks struck out a school-record 108 batters this spring. He struck out i ,18 in a game against Bradley.

He at-; tributed his late-season struggles to the fast start. "You have to start out slow and work your way up. I lost some of velocity because I pitched too -much too soon," he said. "Once I threw 157 pitches and came back on three days' rest to throw 181. I felt good.

I was throwing 90 in the ninth, then I lost my velocity." Z'l Ericks lost his concentration be-cause of all the attention from major-league scouts. "I was trying to impress everyone," Ericks said. "I shouldn't have let it bother me, but I did. It's over, and now I just want to start my career." Duvall also is eager to get started. He took a chance going back into the draft and finished his senior year I with an 11-3 record and a 3.82 ERA.

He was 9-2 with a 2.54 ERA as a junior. He struck out 184 over 187 innings over two years and walked 95. That came after undistinguished performances as a freshman and sophomore. "I really can't explain it; everything fell into place," Duvall said. "It just happened, kind of storybook.

I couldn't throw straight as a freshman, and I was 3-2 as a sophomore. Just playing more in the summer and getting to pitch helped. "My coaches worked hard and together we made it." McAlister said Ericks and Duvall probably would be assigned to Cardinals farm teams either Class A. Hamilton, Ontario, or Johnson City, in the Rookie League. Director of player development Lee Thomas and general manager Dal Maxvill will make the final decision.

"Magrane and Worrell started in the rookie leagues," McAlister said. Olympics From page one she returned home to Maroa, 111., where she married and taught high school. Maroa is a small, rural town about 140 miles northeast of St Louis. Berry's athletic interests didn't wane after she settled down. She has been teaching swimming lessons In her own pool since 1957.

"After I got married, I wanted to keep swimming," Berry said. "My husband told me that if I wanted a pool, I would have to build it myself and I could do what I wanted with it." Bill Berry said: "She's taught over 4,000 kids how to swim. She will start again this Saturday after all of this is 1 oyer. We've never advertised that she gives lessons. People just find out by word of mouth and they keep coming." I The Senior Olympics is Berry's 1 third competition in as many weeks.

I She has competed in regional events in Edwardsville and Peoria, 111. She jteeps a daily training regimen to stay I in shape. I'She formerly worked out on her ijarm, but shestopped after her 150- pound Great Dane ran into her while she was running, and she suffered a broken arm. Berry now trains at the local high school tracl EVERYDAY LOW PRICE ON ALL "They can go down there, have a little success and feel good about going up, rather than starting at Double A and having to go back if they have trouble." This is contingent on them signing before the rookie leagues begin In two weeks. Although McAlister said he anticipated no problems, Duvall turned down a $100,000 signing bonus from the Baltimore Orioles last year.

The Orioles made Duvall the 15th selection in the draft last year, couldn't sign him and received a supplemental choice after Wednesday's first round. "It didn't work out between us," said Duvall, who was represented by his father, Marcel. "Money wasn't the total problem. They didn't handle the negotiations very well. They never negotiated really.

They made a few offers, really ridiculous." The final offer was $100,000. "I turned them down," he said. "I told them I'd go back in the draft and be a first-round pick. I'm happy with that." Ericks said he would be happy with whatever the Cardinals give him. "I wouldn't turn down 100 grand," Ericks said.

"I'm sure they'll be good to me, and I'll be fair with them. "I'm really happy I got picked by St. Louis. I grew up a White Sox fan, but I was surrounded by Cardinals fans in Champaign. I'll get a lot of support all around." Duvall also said he was glad the Cardinals picked him.

"I know they're a really good organization," he said. "It's a big old friendly dog and it just wanted to play," Bill Berry said. "That slowed her down for a little while, but she didn't stay down long." One of the most exciting events of the day was the women's volleyball final between the "Girls?" and the Scramblers. The "Girls" won the best of three series two games to one. They trailed 9-4 in the deciding game before rallying for the victory.

They have been playing together for the better part of four years. The players are Ardelle Dischinger, Delores Harbert, Helen Tendler, Dot Boverie, Mickey Welling, Eunice Schownberger and Evelyn Schmidt. The game featured action that one might find on the beaches of California. Spikes, perfect sets, digs, players diving for loose balls and boisterous fans made for an exciting match. "We love playing this Schmidt said.

"It really gets intense once the game goes on." Schmidt, 60, also plays on a team in the coed division. She played a total of 15 games on Tuesday in round-robin play. Her coed team won the mmmmmi POTATO CHIPS liiiiiSili WJMJM mmm IlELOEn The St id Corporation Get the good things easy; Prices Good At Participating Stores More Sports On Pages 9, 10, 1 1.