Fort Lauderdale News from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 49

Spring traimSeg report 6C NewsSun-Sentinel, Sunday, March 4, 1984 shoulder Breining out with injury TODAY MONOAV TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATUROAY 4 5 6 7 I 9 10 EXPOS BRAVES EXPOS DODGERS Al OrMM I 1:30 m. 1:30 p.m. r.M p.m. 1:30 p.m. (Miami) I 7:30 p.m.

I At Onow Al ipoe (Miami) (W Film) 1 JO O-m. p.m. Al Aaliaa DODGERS Al Vankaaa EXPOS Al Rengere EXPOS ON (Cocoa) 1:30 p.m. Fl. Laud.) 1:30 m.

(Pompano) 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. r.miTTiijto' YANKEES Al Yankaaa DODGERS BRAVES ORIOLES BRAVES 01! 1:30 m.

(Fl. Laud.) 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. Al Vankaaa 7J0 p.m. "There's no reason why he can't return to his form of 1982," Herzog said. "He's got the physical equipment and be seems to be throwing as well as ever." Andujar was the Cardinals' leading pitcher in 1982 when he scored two World Series victories as the Cards gained the world championship against the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1982, Andujar won 15 games and lost 10 during the regular season.

However, Andujar slumped to 6-16 in 1983. Houk returns to Red Sox 2 days early WINTER HAVEN, Manager Ralph Houk, who nearly collapsed from a virus attack Thursday, surprised the Boston Red Sox Saturday, returning to direct a three-hour workout. "Never felt better in my life," Houk quipped after he checked into his clubhouse office long before the players. "I think that's only the second day I've missed in about 40 years," the 64-year-old dean of American League managers said. "The other was when my father died." Houk gave the Red Sox a big scare Thursday when he nearly passed out during the club's annual photo session.

His problem was diagnosed quickly and he was sent home to bed. more than the $200,000 he gets each season from the Tigers. "I've never asked for a trade, but at this point I'd welcome one," Wockenfuss said again this year following a workout in Marchant Stadium, where Detroit's players work out the winter's kinks. "I feel dumped on, then they turn around and give someone $800,000 a year, or something close to that," he said. "You bet I'd welcome a trade.

I'd wish all the guys the best and go somewhere they'd take better care of me." Boggs apologizes to family, baseball POMPANO BEACH Pitcher Tommy Boggs apologized to baseball in general and to his family Friday following a guilty plea to misdemeanor gambling charges in DeKalb County, Georgia, superior court. Boggs was fined $1,000 and given a 12-month probated sentence by Judge Daniel M. Coursey jr. Herzog: Andujar will return to old form ST. PETERSBURG Joaquin Andujar pitched batting practice Saturday for the first time this spring during St Louis Cardinals' drills at Busch Field, and Manager Whitey Herzog said he was impressed.

NewiSu -SenliaH wire services WEST PALM BEACH Six days after being traded from the San Francisco Giants to Montreal for Al Oliver, Fred Breining reported to the Expos' camp Saturday with a damaged shoulder. Breining, 11-12 last year, said he injured the shoulder during his last start against Houston in September. Montreal doctor Larry Coughlin described the injury as inflammation of the muscle in the right shoulder. Breining, 28, had not been taking treatment over the winter and he will not be able to throw for 10 days or two weeks at least. Expos' President John McHale said he was told by Giants' management that Breining had experienced spring-training soreness but had not been informed of a carry-over injury.

"We're not gonna think of what we might do if he can't pitch in a few weeks," McHale said. "He thinks he will be all right and until then we'll just hope for the best" Wockenfuss would welcome trade LAKELAND John Wockenfuss says he feels dumped on again. And the veteran Detroit utility man for the third spring training in a row indicates he'd welcome a trade to any team willing to pay him YANKEES Al White Sol RANGERS Al Royale Al Eiooa YANKEES WO m. OM (Saraaola) 1:30 p.m. (Fl.

Myara) (W. Palm) 7:30 pm 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. At Oriolaa Al Dodgara BRAVES ROYALS ON ON (Miami) (Vara) 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. 130 p.m. 1:30 p.m. NEW YORK YANKEES: Fort Lauderdale Stadium 5301 NW 12th Ave Fori Lauderdale ATLANTA BRAVES: West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. 71S Hank Aaron Or West Palm Beach MONTREAL EXPOS: West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium.

715 Hank Aaron West Palm Beach BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Miami Stadium 2301 NW 10th Ave Miami TEXAS RANGERS: Pompano Bench Municipal Stadium. 1601 NE 8th St Pompano Beach -nHMaB I WM i iKri rrx V-AW sJK They're calling Komminsk next Braves9 superstar ir i Wii -X i If f--V- ill I 3i' I i fSfrmJ A Surf photo by DONNIE BEAUCHAMP SUff photo by DONNIE Baltimore Orioles third baseman Wayne Gross keeps eye on bouncing ball as Yankees' Toby Harrah slides safely into third .4 Hot dogs taste fine, but buns are stale FORT LAUDERDALE To owner George Steinbrenner, the hot dogs at Fort Lauderdale Stadium Saturday were as good as his New York Yankees. Steinbrenner, who had complained in the past that he wanted all-meat hot dogs served at the stadium, finally got his wish during the Yankees' 12-3 exhibition victory over Baltimore. But for a moment, he thought good hot dogs had been traded for not-so-good buns. "The hot dogs are great," Steinbrenner said, "but check this bun.

It's as hard as a rock." The owner was soon informed that the stone-like buns had come from the media luncheon trailer provided by the Yankees, not the concession stand. So he was given a hot dog and bun from the concession stand for his examination. The bun was softer. "That's the way it should be," Steinbrenner said. And, he was told, concession hot dog business was doing better.

"It should be," he said as he ordered new buns for the press trailer. Craig Barnes By Robbie Andrea SUff Writer WEST PALM BEACH He is 2,992 hits shy of 3,000. He has yet to throw out a baserunner, steal a base or hit a home run. His lifetime batting average in the major leagues is .222. Brad Komminsk is not exactly on his way to the Hall of Fame.

But when the Atlanta Braves suggest he may end up there one day, they do so with a straight face. "Brad Komminsk can do things that Dale Murphy only dreams about doing," said Hank Aaron, major-league baseball's home run king and the Braves' director of player development. Others in the Atlanta organization regard Komminsk just as highly. After hitting .334 with 24 homers and 103 RBI last year with the Braves' AAA club in Richmond, Atlanta's top front office executives voted him Minor League Player of the Year in their organization. At 22, the outfielder from Lima, Ohio, is being promoted as the Braves' next superstar.

But Komminsk can't understand why everyone is gushing. He has yet to impress himself. "I don't really know how to respond when people start talking about how good I'm going to be," Komminsk said. "I'm honored that so many people think so highly of me. But to me, it's all just talk.

I haven't done anything yet "Talk and potential can only get you so far. There comes a time when you have to show that all that ability is really there." That time is now for Komminsk, who after five productive years in the minors must prove his ability in the major leagues. He will have the opportunity this spring. He is currently in a heated struggle with Terry Harper and Gerald Perry for the starting job in left field, which became vacant when Brett Butler was traded to Cleveland. Many in the Braves' organization believe Komminsk will take command in left and become a fixture for years to come.

But Komminsk is not convinced things will turn out that way. "There are a lot of good ballplayers working out in left I'm considered a good prospect, but there are a lot of good prospects in this organization," Komminsk said. "The way I look at it, I'm at the bottom right now and I have to work my way up. "Everyone says I have great ability. But it remains to be seen whether I do or not" If Komminsk struggles this spring and fails make the final roster, he says he will gladly go back to Richmond for more seasoning.

He hasn't learned to act like a superstar yet "There's a chance that I won't make the club. If I don't that's OK," Komminsk said. "There are still a lot of things that I have to work on, and Richmond is a great place to learn. "A lot depends on what the Braves are looking for in left If they want 'St j.ianKees at Continued from naee 1C Brad Komminsk: 'I haven't done anything speed, Harper and Perry have a better chance. If they want power, then my chances are good." Although Komminsk has hit for average in the minors, his reputation is built on power.

In five years, he has hit 102 home runs. Last year and in 1981 with Class A Durham, he drove in more than 100 runs. He got his first taste of major-league pitching last August, when the Braves called him up. He played in 19 games and drove in four runs. "I got my feet wet in a hurry, though," Komminsk said.

"My first game came against the Dodgers before 50,000 people. I didn't do too well. I was nervous. I just couldn't relax. "Once I settled down, I think I did just fine with the Braves." Atlanta sent Komminsk to Richmond at the end of August then recalled him nine days later.

In his second stay with the Braves he hit .292. "I really enjoyed myself when they brought me up for the second time," Komminsk said. "I felt more at home. The experience I gained last year should help me this year. I'll know more of what to expect" Komminsk knows that if he makes the team, he will be expected to produce home runs and RBI.

"When you get your chance, you have to make the most of it," Komminsk said. "I hope I'll have my chance this season. It's important that I find out now what kind of a player I'm going to be in the major leagues. "People say that I have time on my hands because I'm only 22. But that's only talk, too.

You can get old in this game fast. I just think it's up to me now whether I make it or not." NOTES Ken Dayley, Bob Walk, Tony Brizzolara and Jeff Dedmon will pitch in the Braves' opener Monday against the Astros in Cocoa Beach. The Braves also reported that Pascual Perez is still in jail in the Dominican Republic and that there have been no new developments in the pitcher's drug case. Manager Joe Torre said if Perez is not in camp by the middle of the month, he would consider a trade for another pitcher. 7 I suffered a fracture of the second cervical vertebra as well as a dislo- Jcated left shoulder.

Foli injured his shoulder in a game at Seattle in early August. Robertson, who played five in-t pings, had one hit in three at-bats and handled three chances at short- Jtop. He threw out Gary Roenicke Jon a relatively difficult chance to his left in the second inning, handled the a Jfront end of a force play on a ball hit i Roenicke in the third inning and tooted a ball hit by Rick Dempsey in Jthe fifth inning. "I'm surprised I'm playing now," oRobertson said. "I came down here Robertson, who said he seldom throws a ball to first base hard but could if necessary, said he was more satisfied with his hitting.

"I figured I might strike out a couple of times, but I made contact and got a hit," he said. "Considering I haven't played since August that was encouraging. I was able to show myself today so I guess everybody else saw as well." Berra played Robertson because of the warm weather. He plans to alternate Robertson and Foli for a while. "I want to field the ball and throw it down here," said Foli, who was obtained from the California Angels in the off-season.

"You can learn to hit once the season starts, but not to catch and throw. "It's a different world when you hit the regular season anyway. You go from perfect weather to cold weather. "I threw the ball hard for the first time Friday. I'm looking forward to playing," Foli said.

"My prayers have been answered. Pm about where I expected to be at this stage. Now I just need some playing time. Sttff photo by DONNIE BEAUCHAMP Andre Robertson had a single in three at-bats Saturday: 'After Saturday, I feel optimistic I can be ready for opening "After today, I feel optimistic I can be ready for opening day. I'm liDSet I marie an orrnr Fithpr I'm i iinat getting older or the ball isn't doing what it's supposed to do." It 1 l- ITT .1 V-t II.

oct-tjuu uctscman wiuie nanaoipn aid Dempsey's ball scooted a little on Robertson. I "I think he was a little windprl "Both guys have been coming along well," said coach Gene Michael, who works with the infielders. "Their immediate progress, especially Robertson's, was excellent Now the improvement will be more gradual, but we still have four weeks." NOTES The Yankees ham-mered Orioles' starter Mike Flanagan for nine runs in the first two innings. He faced 13 hitters. In addi tion to Griffey's two-run homer, he gave up a two-run single to Harrah and a two-run double to Roy Smalley.

Harrah and Smalley had additional RBI singles. Rick Cerone had two RBI. Bob Shirley, the second Yankee pitcher, threw three shutout innings. Jay Howell was the starter Phil Niekro will start for New York today against Baltimore's Mike Boddicker in a 1:30 game at Miami Stadium. then," Randolph said, "but I thought played aggressively and looked Jjood.

It was good to have him out Jjthei-e." ehr 'astonished' at Williams' statements on urinalysis raiff Barnes nprwm't riahte I thniirrht tha A morntan eire a i i i i i Craig Barnes person's rights. I thought the American By admits to a chemical dependency problem system was based on proving a person's euilt spent reviewing last year and explaining SUff Writer resignation, realizing public accusations stick in the minds of the people and can't be erased, even if they are retracted. Kenny itmrDTiitei t-i ui Vi cnai auons are going tor me negotiations scheduled at the end of the season. Players were interested in the feelings of Fehr and special assistant Mark Belanger about a possible confrontation and strike in 1984. "I can't predict whether there will be a strike or not" Fehr said, "and I have no feeling about a possible confrontation at this time.

"The owners, I hope, learned in 1981 that if they throw the gaunUet down at the feet of the players, the players will pick it up and throw it right back." Baseball went through a 50-day strike over a labor impasse in 1981. is given help and not disciplined for a first offense. "The problem," Fehr said, "is admitting to the problem. We would like to see help offered to players suspected of having a problem without fear of disciplinary action." In a recent interview, Ken Moffett, who was fired as executive director of the association, alleged the FBI had pictures of several players using drugs in bullpens and clubhouses. "We discussed the events leading to Kenny's dismissal," Fehr said, "and we discussed the irresponsible vain in which his statements were made.

"The players accepted it with regret and not the person having to prove his innocence. "Take the Yankees for example. Should a player be tested every time George Steinbrenner gets mad at him? On the same note, should George have to be tested every time a player gets mad at him?" Fehr indicated the joint committee of players and owners on drugs is hoping to formulate a program "to help and assist people who need it, do it at a time when it is advantageous to all parties and at the same time, do it without breaking down the disciplinary structure or violating a player's basic rights." Currently, any player who voluntarily I nas naa to ao a lot oi Dacktracking lately." Two players indirectly implicated in Moffetfs statements were New York Mets' first baseman Keith Hernandez and Detroit Tigers' relief pitcher Doug Bair. It was alleged by Moffett both players were traded from St. Louis because of possible drug use.

"Hernandez, Bair and possibly some other players are going to sue Ken," Fehr said. "And they are going to win." Fehr said the players are anxious for the season and ready to play. He said a good part of the meeting with the Yankees was ruivi lavuuvualci LAjnaiu ear, 1 acting Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players' Association, said Saturday he was astonished by the sugges-J; tion of Baltimore Orioles' owner Edward Bennett Williams that players submit to urinalysis as a means of controlling drug use. "If he was quoted correctly, I am aston- ished," Fehr said following a 95-rninute meeting with the New York Yankees at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. "He has spent his entire life defending people's rights.

"He wants to go from testing nobody to testing everybody. It's a basic violation of a i.