The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 31

Cowboys sign UCLA's Troy Aikman Page D3 SECTION Horse racing Baseball NBANHL Local sports D2 D4 D3 Friday, April 21, 1989 The Journal-News, Rockland County, N.Y, wmm LATEST SCORES Rodgers said. "We've been struggling and I don't know why." Eight of the 10 Knicks players who dressed (Trent Tucker also sat out, with a sinus infection) scored in double figures. "We need to finish the season on a high note and get back to the way we'd been playing year round," Jackson said. "I think we did that tonight." The Knicks did end a mini two-game losing streak and finish the more than a playoff date against the Detroit Pistons: Despite Ew-ing's absence, they could not rebound. Mark Jackson scored 29 points as the Knicks won, 137-117, hitting their fourth-highest point total all season.

They also reached their scoring average of 116 points for the first time in 11 games, since March 28 against Portland. The Knicks looked strong. They forced 27 turnovers, for 33 points 13 7T SJ NH ill mm3 14 Outrebound Boston even without Ewing By Mike DelNagro Staff Writer Proof that the Knicks are playing out the string: Though archrival Boston was at the Garden last night, Patrick Ewing didn't play. Proof that the Celtics might crave NBA draft lottery status Yank lefties left out By Tom Pedulla Staff Writer CLEVELAND Fourteen games into the young season, life for most of the Yankees' left-handed hitters is like being bathing-suit salesmen at a nudist colony. There's no call for their services.

The club had the day off yesterday before opening a four-game series tonight against Cleveland. The response of lefties such as Ken Phelps, Mike Pagliarulo, and Mel Hall to the off day? "I've had 10 of them already," Hall complained. Indeed, those three lefties have not been in the opening lineup since April 10, when Toronto's Dave Stieb represented one of only three righthanders to start against the Yankees in the first 14 games. With the threat of right-handed power hitters Dave Winfield (back surgery) and Jack Clark (traded to San Diego) no longer present, opposing managers are tempted to throw bat boys against the Yankees if they happen to be left-handed. The Yankees draw yet another lefty tonight, when tough Greg Swindell opens for Cleveland against Al Leiter.

"I've never seen anything like this. This is more time off than I've seen ever," Phelps said. "It's almost like being on the disabled list." Griped Hall, "I platooned my whole career. This ain't even pla-tooning. We're trying to get them to schedule 'B' games." The situation is as difficult for manager Dallas Green as it is for the idle, restless players.

Phelps, Pagliarulo and Hall figure to be three of the Yankees' most dangerous hitters. Phelps totaled 24 home runs last year in time with both Seattle and the Yankees. Pagliarulo clouted 32 home runs two years ago while Hall, acquired from Cleveland to help compensate for the sudden loss of Winfield, has driven in more than 70 runs each of the last three seasons. The problem for Green is how to keep that trio ready for the time the Yankees do see a right-handed starter. Interestingly, the club is 6-5 against lefties but winless the three times righties took the mound to start the game.

"It's a big concern," Green acknowledged. He has offered extra hitting on a regular basis in an attempt to keep rust from building on players he still hopes will be among his biggest run-producers. But hitting coach Frank Howard conceded, "It remains to be seen how ready they'll be. Practice and technique have value, but there really is no substitute for nine Please see YANKEES, D3 and made 9-of-14 three-pointers. More noticeably, considering they were without Ewing (resting a sore right knee), they outrebounded Boston, 62-47.

Backup Knicks centers Eddie Lee Wilkins (12) and Sidney Green (9) had 21 rebounds. For Boston, Robert Parish had nine, Joe Kleine one. The Knicks' apparent speed was perhaps the result of Boston's lethargy. "We didn't play intelligent, I'm disappointed," Boston coach Jimmy nv.v Mets 4, Cubs 3 Next: Cubs, today, 7:35 p.m. Radio: WFAN (AM 660).

TV: Ch. 9 Ojeda (0-2) vs. Sutcliffe (3-0) Mets manager Davey Johnson said. "A lot of good things." More like a lot of strange things. "It was the kind of game we win a lot," the manager said.

"The ones where it looks like we're not doing anything." Make no mistake about it, for the longest time the Mets weren't doing anything. First, a look back at Strawber outfield for ft Yijt season 3-3 against the Celtics. They also can tie the club record for home victories (35) by beating New Jersey in the regular-season finale tomorrow night. But the Knicks have won only five of the last 10 games and, despite last night's triumph, they are by no means on a roll. "We got a win and we got Patrick rested, which is two good things," coach Rick Pitino said.

Please see KNICKS, D3 NFL DRAFT Who's who on defense By Jim Corbett Staff Writer Sunday's NFL draft may be deeper than many people think, but it's not deep enough in at least two key defensive positions. "It's a very lean year at cor-nerback and on the defensive line," New Orleans Saints personnel director Bill Kuharich said. It's also a lean draft for inside linebackers. "At linebacker there's the two Thomases (Alabama's Derrick and Nebraska's Broderick) and then there's a big dropoff," Kuharich said. "At corner there's (Florida State's) Deion Sanders, then a dropoff to Donnell Woolford (of Clem-son)." Worst of all, an estimated 22 of the 28 NFL teams are seeking pass rushing help.

There are just three pass rushers who make the blue-chip grade the two Thomases and Pitt defensive end Burt Grossman. "There are no Reggie Whites as far as pass rushers go," Kuharich said. "There are no quick fixes along the defensive line." It seems to be a familiar tale of woe. "The list of defensive linemen selected in the first round with pass rushing promise who flopped the last several years is a long one," New England personnel director Dick Steinberg said. "That's why the Rams used that two-man defensive front last year.

It's something you may see becoming more popular." That's not to say some good defensive prospects can't be had in the first few rounds. "Deion Sanders is the best of the defensive talent available," draft analyst Joel Buchsbaum said. "After him Derrick and Broderick Thomas. And after them, Grossman, (LSU linebacker) Eric Hill and Woolford and (University of Florida safety) Louis Oliver. Those are the only sure-fire, first-round picks." The following is a closer look at the top defensive prospects available at each position: Defensive linemen: 1.

BURT GROSSMAN (PITT, 6-5, 260, defensive end). The best pure pass rushing lineman available in the draft. Some clubs, however, have been turned off by his attitude. The knocks against him are that he's a poor practice player, a bit flaky and the step-brother of Margo Adams, she of Wade Boggs fame. He's also known as something of a spoiled rich kid.

So what, said Jets personnel director Mike Hick-ey. "He'll be a rich kid in the NFL for his ability to rush the passer." Please see DRAFT, D3 next year another three weeks and then will begin rehabilitation. "I didn't think it was broken and the trainer didn't think it was broken, either," Munoz said last night from his mother's home in Elizabeth City, N.C. "I had a feeling iM it was hurt 3 but I didn't lou munoz want to miss Please see LOU, D5 I tit 1' NATIONAL METS4 Chicago 3 Philadelphia 9 Pittsburgh 4 Houston 4 Atlanta 3 St. Louis 5 Montreal 2 AMERICAN Minnesota 7 Detroit 2 Boston 5 Cleveland 2 Baltimore 2 Kansas City 0 Seattle 5 Chicago 2 NBA KNICKS 137 Boston 117 Philadelphia 105 NETS 92 Washington 100 Chicago 98 Denver 136 San Antonio 113 Seattle 124 Portland 118 LA.

Lakers 1 18 Sacramento 1 15 STANLEY CUP St. Louis 5 Chicago 4 (2 OT) Calgary 8 Los Angeles 3 HEADLINES LOCAL SUNDAY SOFTBALL: Here is the schedule for Sunday's games in the Rockland Off-Track Betting Softball League: 1:30 p.m.: PRIDE vs. Brenner's. 3 p.m.: Deuce Coupe vs. Augie's Dawgs.

4:30 p.m.: Captain Video vs. Orange Lantern. 6 p.m.: Paul's Mobil vs. Jeremiah's. All games at the Deer Head Inn field in West Nyack.

BOWLING: Nights like Wednesday at Pearl River Lanes don't happen too often. In a matter of two hours, Jim Edsall and Tucker Thurston rolled memorable games. Edsall, competing in the Ham and Egg League, finished with a 299, leaving the No. 4 pin on his final ball. Thurston followed with a 300 game in the Wednesday Night Mixed League.

"After the 299, everyone was standing behind Tucker, and he did it," said Charles Lesica, the co-owner of the lanes. "It was beautiful." LOOKING BACK 5 years ago today in Rockland County: The Rockland Community College baseball team won a double-header from Ulster C.C., 10-9 on Pete Carey's home run, and 7-2. The victories extended RCC's winning streak to 13 games. TRIVIA Today's question: What year did Mickey Mantle win the Triple Crown? Yesterday's question: Who was the first black player for the Yankees, and what year did he appear? Answer: Elston Howard in 1955. COMING SUNDAY few--1 "Vftli i Staff PhotoJaroslav Waznee STARS OF THE TIME: Pictured above from left to right are Bill Yuda, Jim Metress and Del Hughes, three of the four members of Pearl River High's 1927 "Four Horseman" backfield.

Ray Munkelt, the other member of the backfield, is now living in Maine. Read Sunday's Journal-News for the memories of the four players and how high school football in 1927 differed from high school football of today. Mets shortstop Kevin Elster singles to right to score Gary Carter Mets start late, Staff photoRobert F. Rodriguez in the third inning last night. but win ry- In the top of the third inning he attempted to make a diving catch on a single by Andre Dawson, and his right shoulder, which he injured in batting practice on Wednesday, stiffened.

That's one of those nebulous terms stiffened which can mean anything. So is day-to-day, which is how they list Strawberry's status. By the time Strawberry left, the Cubs had already scored three runs off Dwight Gooden. Is nothing sacred anymore? "(Gooden) just didn't have any Please see METS, D3 Seton Hall By Ed Christine Staff Writer NEW YORK This was one of those games that shows how strange baseball can be sometimes. When it began, Gregg Jefferies and Mookie Wilson were resting comfortably on the bench.

When it ended, Darryl Strawberry and Tim Teufel were resting uncomfortably in the trainer's room. In between, the Mets rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs, and had their first winning streak of 1989. "A lot of good things happened," Dan Munoz to patrol i Lou Munoz sidelined by broken ankle By John Humenn Staff Writer Dan Munoz accepted an offer he couldn't refuse. The offer came from Seton Hall, an NCAA Division I baseball school. In other words, it was just what Munoz was looking for.

Munoz, 20, a sophomore center fielder at Rockland Community College from Suffern, signed a letter of intent Monday to attend Seton Hall, ending speculation COLLEGE BASEBALL years. They said I have some pretty big shoes to fill. "In recruiting junior college players, they want you to step in and do the job right away. It's the kind of of a program where when you lose a big guy, you want to replace him right away." Munoz is following in the footsteps of Bob Schepis, a 25-year-old resident of Pomona, who also made the move from Rockland C.C. to Seton Hall.

Schepis played for the Pirates in 1984-85. "It's the best college program you can play at in the East," Schepis said. "I know Danny and he'll do really well there. They have great coaching and a great atmosphere." Playing two years at RCC and three years at Suffern High before graduating in 1987, Munoz has established himself as one of the best outfielders Rockland has produced. Last year, Munoz hit .475 with three homers and 20 RBI at RCC.

His best season at Suffern was his junior year when he hit .473 with 32 RBI. He's also an excellent fielder with terrific speed. His skills will be put to the test at Seton Hall, which plays some of the top Division I teams in the Please see DAN, D5 as to where he would wind up next I year. His scholarship includes full tuition plus room and board. "That's too good an offer to pass up," said Munoz, who is on time to graduate next month.

I couldnt refuse it. I'm just glad to get it over with early and not have to worry about it. RCC head coach Bob Nadal said, "We're really pleased about it. They want him to come in and play By John Humenn Staff Writer While Dan Munoz plans to have a great future at Seton Hall, his brother, Lou, is wondering what the future holds for him. Munoz, playing for Boston Red Sox' Class A affiliate in Winter Haven, broke his left ankle on April 3 in the team's final exhibition game.

Munoz suffered the injury when his spikes got caught in the dirt while sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play. He'll be in a cast for ft -mFJufm center field for them." dan munoz Munoz is expected to be the Pirates' starting center fielder next season. "They have a center fielder graduating, Dana Brown," Munoz said. "He was All-Big East for two.