Green Bay Press-Gazette from Green Bay, Wisconsin • Page 15

Coming Tomorrow Coverage of Game 7 of the USHL playoff series between the Gamblers and Twin Cities. In SPORTS Green Bay Press Gazette Comments? Call Sports Editor Denis Dougherty, 431-8222 Wednesday, March 27, 1996 CZSHZZI i 1 He adds veteran presence at wide receiver Beebe's statistics By Pete Dougherty Press-Gazette Veteran wide receiver Don Beebe has been to four Super Bowls and he thinks the Packers Yr. Yds Avg. TP 1989 17 317 18.6 2 1990 11 221 20.1 1 1991 32 414 12.9 6 1992 33 554 16.8 2 1993 31 504 16.3 3 1994 40 527 13.2 4 1995 14 152 10.9 1 Totals 178 2,689 15.1 19 give him the best chance for a fifth. nl I.

1 A V. i 'w i i v.y lr" The Packers replenished their depth at receiver by agreeing to terms on Tuesday with Beebe, who Beebe had also drawn interest from Oakland, Jacksonville and San Diego. 1995 with Carolina and the previous six years with Buffalo, where he played on four Super Bowl-losing teams. The Panthers granted him his release in February after his playing time dwindled last season. The Packers went after Beebe because they've lost depth at receiver this off-season.

Charles Jordan, their No. 4 receiver much of last year, signed as a restricted free agent with Miami, and the Packers have shown no interest in re-signing Mark Ingram, who started nine games in '95. Also, Anthony Morgan, who split time with Ingram as a starter, remains a free agent, though the sides are still negotiating. Beebe's signing does not preclude Morgan's return to Green Bay. Last week the Packers signed Jeff Query as a free agent, but Bee be probably has a better chance of making the team.

Beebe signed a modest three-year deal with Carolina in 1995 that included a $575,000 base salary in '96. The Panthers expected him to challenge for a starting job, but he injured his ribs in training camp and never made a strong push. Beebe caught only 14 passes after averaging 34 receptions the previous four years in Buffalo. With his prospects for playing time dim this year, he asked the Panthers for his release. "He's a veteran guy who's been to four Super Bowls," said agent Bob LaMonte, who is also Holmgren's agent.

"He has some (speed), he's played well in some big games and scored in big games. He kind of got caught in a youth movement along with (quarterback Frank) "I like what I know about coach (Mike) Holmgren, and they have great fans and great facilities," Beebe told reporters in Chadron, where he once attended Cha dron State. "Also, late in my career fumble return in the Cowboys' blowout win. Beebe knocked the ball out of Lett's hand at the goal line, turning a sure touchdown into only a safety. LaMonte said he only negotiated with the Packers because Beebe wanted to come to Green Bay.

More NFLC-4 Reich at Carolina." Beebe, who has participated in the NFL's Fastest Man contest four times, also has been an effective kickoff returner in his career. But it appears the Packers want him as a receiver only. Beebe is perhaps best known for a play in Super Bowl XXVII, when he made up a 25-yard gap while chasing Dallas' Leon Lett on a I'd like to go to the Super Bowl again and finally win it. I think I'll have the best chance to do that at Green Bay." Beebe, 31, will be entering his eighth NFL season after spending Sultans combing for talent AP photo Taking on the world: Cigar, the 1995 Horse of the Year, is ridden by jockey Jerry Bailey in a practice run for today's $4 million Dubai World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Cigar holds on for Dubai win DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Cigar turned back a strong challenge from Soul of the Matter in the final furlong and won the $4 million Dubai World Cup today.

The race featured many of the world's top horses. The 1995 Horse of the Year easily put away L'Carriere turning for home, then held off Soul, who came flying up on the outside. The win was the second this year for Cigar, a 1-5 favorite in New York, and 14th in a row two behind this century's record shared by Citation and Ribot. Cigar earned $2.4 million and became the richest racehorse in North America with career earnings of $7,669,015, surpassing Aly-sheba's total of $6,679,242. It was the 6-year-old's first triumph outside the United States and the first time he raced at night.

Associated Press Mil's Schaefer listed 'serious' Marquette University track athlete Steve Schaefer, a graduate of Gibraltar High School in Fish Creek, was listed in serious condition in a Tallahassee, hospital on Tuesday night after suffering a head injury in a track meet last week. Schaefer was injured when he missed the landing pads while pole vaulting at the Florida State Relays last Thursday. The senior was competing in the decathlon. He underwent surgery on Friday to relieve a buildup of fluid on his brain, but reportedly was obeying doctors' simple commands and spoke a few words Monday. Press-Gazette By Mike Dauplaise Press-Gazette correspondent Former Twins infielder Terry; Jorgensen heads a list of familiar names committed to play least part-time with the Green; Bay Sultans this summer.

Manager Denny Ruh says he is encouraged by. the interest shown in the new Prairie League franchise by area baseball fans. The Prairie League is a professional independent minor league that is not affiliated with major league baseball. Former Green Bay Blue Ribbons players, as well as players around the country, have given Ruh a steady stream KGy of talent to Hntp choose trom. SO "It's really been going nice," said Ruh, Free-agent draft: April 20.

Open tryout: Mau in.19 Inan- Press-Gazette photo by Ken Wesely Keep away: Green Bay's Dan Zaluski, right, protects period action at De Pere Ice Recreation Center on the puck from Twin Cities' Ryan Schrick during second- Tuesday night. The Gamblers won 4-3. 1 step left in Gamblers' climb Game 7 Tonight Vulcans vs. Gamblers at De Pere Ice Recreation Center, 7:35 p.m. By Jim Hayes Press-Gazette DE PERE The Green Bay Gamblers' regular-season championship and the Twin Cities Vulcans' early-series success have become moot points in the outcome of the teams' first- round playoff What was the only NBA team to score at least 100 points in every game of the season? Answer on C-2 fiamhlr A maicnup.

55, who spent 26 nes stadium, years of finan- Opener: May cial struggle to 30 vs. Brainerd, keep the Blue at Joannes Ribbons alive. stadium- We had 25 calls on Friday, and it's not even baseball season yet. "It's been fun. Now, people are calling us as opposed to me going out and asking for support." Jorgensen, 29, lives and works in the Green Bay area after spending nine seasons in professional baseball, including parts of three seasons with the Twins.

"I'm going to try to play part-time for sure," Jorgensen said. "Exactly how many games I'll be able to make is still uncertain." Jorgensen won't be able to play any weekday road games, but home games look promising along with some weekend road trips. He'll leave details such as his defensive position up to Ruh. "I don't think it would be fair for me to play part-time and do whatever I want to do," Jorgensen said. "The bad part is this is not the Blue Ribbons anymore.

It's professional baseball, and you can't do things the way you could with the Ribbons." 2 Please see SultansC-3 Sultans scheduleC-3 After losing Vulcans 3 the first three front, with Dan Enders setting up the goal with a pass from the side of the net, catching goal-tender Darik Buchar out of position. The Gamblers had entered the third period leading 3-2 on goals from Jesse Sampair, Rob Bracco and Eric Seidel, but the Vulcans tied it 3-3 when Nate Anderson buried a slap shot from the left wing at 2:28. This is the third season the USHL has used a best-of-seven games format for its playoff series. If the Gamblers win tonight, they and last year's Omaha team would be the only USHL teams to win a series after trailing 3-0. "Throw the first six games back," Granato said.

"We couldn't worry about the three losses going into Game 4 and we can't worry about the three wins going into Game 7." Game 7 previewC-3 Gamblers to survive another tense short-handed situation. "It was just what I expected, them playing very defensive and keeping it a one-goal game," Granato said. "It's scary when it gets that late and it's still a one-goal game." The series has evolved into a battle between the Gamblers' talented scorers and the Vulcans' gritty defense. However, when Green Bay limits its mistakes on defense as it did in Game 6, the Vulcans have to play almost error-free in their own end and take some chances on offense in order to win. "We've got to really bear down in our zone and do a good job defensively on a man-to-man basis," Twin Cities coach Jim Johannson said.

"We've gotten into a little bit of trouble the last few games, their individual players have beaten our guys individually." Stauffacher scored the winning goal from about five feet in ago to build its 3-0 series lead. Gresl had 33 saves. "Gresl was solid," Gamblers coach Don Granato said. "He looked comfortable in there. He stopped the shots he had to." No matter what happens tonight, the Gamblers, by virtue of their regular-season title, will play in the national Junior A tournament in Sioux City, Iowa, in May.

Gresl came up with a couple of his biggest saves when the Vulcans went to the power play after Stauffacher was whistled for interference at 10:03 of the third period. Brian McDonald then was called for checking from behind at 12:10, forcing the games in the best-of-seven United States Hockey League battle to be pushed to the brink of elimination, the Gamblers have rallied to tie the series at three games apiece. Chad Stauffacher's power-play goal at 8:19 of the third period Tuesday night gave Green Bay a 4-3 win at De Pere Ice Recreation Center. The series will be decided tonight in De Pere after goaltend-er Mike Gresl withstood the Vulcans' best effort since Twin Cities beat the Gamblers a week NHL's winningest teams Most wins in a season by an NHL team (through March 26): 60: Montreal Canadians, 1976-77 (60-8-12). 59: Montreal Canadiens, 1977-78 (59-10-11).

58: Montreal Canadiens, 1975-76 (58-11-11). 57: Boston Bruins, 1970-71 (57-14-7). 57: Edmonton Oilers, 1983-84 (57-18-5). 56: x-Detroit Red Wings, 1995-96 (56-12-5). 56: Edmonton Oilers, 1985-86 (56-17-7).

56: Pittsburgh Penguins, 1992-93 (56-21-7. x-current 1 Sparks knuckles down for best results How will the Brewers do? The Milwaukee Brewers will open the 1996 season with a night game on Tuesday at California. Milwaukee has added a that was the most embar-- -rasaing because I got sent down to New Orleans the next day and spent the whole year there," Sparks said. "Now in different cities fans have me sign telephone books." "Win or lose, he's brought a certain dimension to this club that was sorely missing previously. And that's not to denigrate the people who managed before him.

It's Just that Davey has something that a whole lot of others don't have. He's a winner." Peter Angelos, owner of the Baltimore Orioles, on new manager Davey Johnson No. 1 pitcher in Ben McDonald and a speedy enterfielder in Chuck Carr. Will it be Sparks Went 9-11 in rookie season people out. I didn't know what I was going to do with the knuckleball or how patient they were going to be," Sparks said.

"But after I thought about it, I figured I needed to go ahead and do it with my full heart or it wasn't going to work at all." Now he throws 95 percent knucklers with a few fastballs thrown in. Rowe said Sparks seemed to have the proper ingredients physical and mental to become a knuckleball pitcher. "You have to be the right kind of guy. It takes a lot of nerve to go out there and throw balls at 60 mph against big league hitters who are going to kill it if it doesn't break," Rowe said. "We just stayed with him and he got better and better." Brewers winC-3 More baseballC-3 making him the most valuable and versatile member of manager Phil Garner's thin staff.

"If your starter doesn't last long, he can fill the gap so your bullpen doesn't get overworked, and then he can come back and start like nothing happened," Garner said. Sparks led the AL last year in inducing batters to hit into double plays (29) and led the staff in innings pitched (202) and strikeouts (96). "Last year we got nine wins out of him," Rowe said. "If you got nine wins out of every guy that you develop rather than release, you'd have one hell of an organization." At first, Sparks, whose fastball was only 83 mph, wasn't so sure he wanted to spend three years experimenting with the knuckler. "I was disappointed because I felt I had good enough stuff to get By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press CHANDLER, Ariz.

Five years ago, Steve Sparks was given a choice: Learn to throw the knuck-leball or hit the road. "The organization decided we didn't care how he did or what his record was, we'd give him three years to develop his knuckleball," said Milwaukee Brewers pitching coach Don Rowe. Sparks had never thrown a knuckler, but the righthander agreed to give it a try. And he was right on schedule when a freak clubhouse accident at spring training in 1994 added an extra year to that plan. Attempting to duplicate the feats of a motivational speaker.

Sparks separated his left shoulder trying to tear a telephone book in half. "I've separated it six times, but enoughHor the Brewers to contend for a playoff berth? How will the team do this year? Let us know your opinion by calling the Sportsline from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. The local numbers are 436-7838 and 436-7839 The toll-tree numbers are (800) 510-5353 and (800) 820-5858.

Responses will appear as part of the Press-Gazette baseball season preview in Sunday's paper. Sparks finally reached the major leagues last season after eight years in the minors. He went 9-11 in 27 starts and six relief appearances. He's pegged as the Brewers fourth starter this season. Because the knuckleball doesn't exact much stress on a pitcher's arm, Sparks was often called upon as an emergency reliever last year, II Waterfowl show: Manitowoc Gun Club's waterfowl carver and collector show, Sunday from 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m. at the Bil Mar Supper Club on County Highway CR south of Manitowoc..