The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 132

The Orlando Sentinel THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1997 Inside, D-2 Stetson University to name its new men's basketball coach today. Solar Dears, 07 TTD one CEMTRAL FIORID ii. mm agio massy Playoff tickets are a hard sell WHO: Orlando Magic vs. To-ronto Raptors. WHEN: 7.

All is well because our Arnie is back AUGUSTA, Ga. As the 61st Masters commences this morning to signal yet again the earth is still spinning on its axis, it would usually be a day for some obscure pro who copped an invitation by tying for 16th in last summer's Open, or back-to- ver the numig WHERE: Sky- Dome, Toronto. With the Magic entrenched in a sub-par season and in the role of the underdog, fans are not flocking to the box office. By Steve Kornacki BROADCAST: TV WCKF-Ch. 18; Radio Magic Network, 580 AM (WDBO) in Orlando.

NBA Eastern Conference Top 8 teams make playoffs OF THE SENTINEL STAFF back runner-up spots on the Ja-carda-Austral-asia-Madagascar Tour to remind the committee the international contingent had no native Pakistanis. If form held, this Masters' first round r--, ii THE SPORTS COLUMN Although it's not official, Orlando seems in control of securing a postseason berth thanks to Toronto. By LC. Johnson OF THE SENTINEL STAFF TORONTO The Orlando Magic aren't looking for any handouts or favors, though they did receive one unexpectedly Tuesday night with the Raptors' 100-94 victory against Washington. The Magic (42-34) will get a chance to thank the Raptors (28-48) tonight at SkyDome and possibly move closer to an NBA playoff berth.

Orlando has a three-game lead over Washington and Cleveland for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With six games remaining in the regular season, Orlando's magic number for clinching at least the No. 8 spot stands at four. (Any combination of Magic victories andor losses by Washington and Cleveland that equal four.) But the Magic have bigger plans in mind coming off their come-from-behind victory at Milwaukee on Tuesday night: Just win, baby.

"We have to go out and try to win all seven," Dennis Scott said. "No more hoping that somebody loses or something of Please see MAGIC, B-6 Team GB Chicago 66 10 Miami 58 18 8 New York 53 23 13 Atlanta 52 24 14 Detroit 51 24 14V4 Charlotte 50 26 16 ORLANDO 42 34 24 x-Washington 39 37 27 Cleveland 39 37 27 holds tiebreaker The Orlando Magic have experienced a slight decline in response from season ticket-holders for the postseason, but they still anticipate selling out for the 15 potential NBA playoff games. "Our response from season ticket-holders is off a little from last year," said Ashleigh Bizzelle, the Magic's director of box-office operations. "We had 90 percent pick up their playoff tickets last year, but won't have an exact percentage for this year until probably the end of the week." Orlando made it to NBA Finals in 1995 and the Eastern Conference Finals in '96, but expectations for a long playoff run are lower this year. Still, the club decided to stay with the policy of selling tickets for all possible games that was instituted two seasons ago.

"The Orlando Solar Bears did not bill for the full playoff run and ended up in the IHL Finals last would be David Berganio day. Or, British Am champpub manager Warren Blaton's day. Or, how about 15 minutes of fame for Spider Miller? The crowning day in Yoshinori Kaneko's career? Nahhhhh. Not even the registered poohbahs such as Faldo, Norman or Couples will claim this day. No Tiger day, either.

This day belongs to Arnie Palmer, and the minute he steps on the first tee around lunch time, the expected morning chill will give way to a warmth not even Arnie has experienced at this tournament he invented. A Masters renewal lets us know all is right with the ASSOCIATED PRESS IF PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY: Chicago (1) vs. Washington (8) Miami (2) vs. Orlando (7) New York (3) vs. Charlotte (6) Atlanta (4) vs.

Detroit (5) Keep hope alive. Dennis Scott knows the Magic are in control of their destiny. Please see TICKETS, B-6 I DEFENDING CHAMPION: Nick Faldo, 12-under276. I TICKETS: Sold out. A waiting list for tournament badges was closed in 1978.

day: p.m., CBS (WCPX-Ch. 6); Sunday: 4-7 p.m., CBS (WCPX-Ch. 6). INSIDE: David Robinson, Glenn Frey are celebrity caddies, B-5 WHERE: Augusta National Golf Club (6,925 yards, Par 72), Augusta, Ga WHEN: Today-Sunday. BWHO: 68 U.S.

professionals, 25 foreign professionals, 4 amateurs. I BROADCAST: TV Today and Friday: p.m. live coverage, USA Network; 9-1 1 :30 p.m., replay of day action, USA Network; 1 1 1 :45 p.m., highlights show. CBS (WCPX-Ch. 6); Satur i i I free world; Arnie returning for his 43rd start less than three months after prostate cancer surgery at age 67 lets us know all is right with the universe.

Never has the love affair been so obviously aglow as this week. The can-dlepower has blinded squirrels and dried out greens (now measuring Mach 3 on the Stimpmeter). Arnie's emotional return has even spurred amazingly life-like Chairman Jack Stephens into multiple eyebrow twitches. "We're just thankful to Arnie," Stephens said Wednesday in his annual state-of-golf s-cathedral address. "He's as exciting as ever still swinging from the heels and attracting fans.

He continues to be an asset to golf and this tournament." Others on the grounds today likely tirill ovnrocc tKnco contlmantc in rJ i ffriT Woods takes on Augusta like a pro By Jeff Babineau OF THE SENTINEL STAFF 17 JDp A TE jf i I -lf" 5 i- i How Tiger Woods has fared since the 1996 Masters: Oct. 2-6, 1996 Won Las Vegas Invitational Oct. 17-20, 1996 Won Walt Disney WorldOldsmobile Classic Jan. 9-12, 1997 Won Mercedes Championships Jan. 23-26, 1997' Tied for 18th at Phoenix Open Jan.

30-Feb. 2, 1997 Tied for 2nd at Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Feb. 27-March 3, 1997 Tied for 20th in Nissan Open March 20-23, 1997 Tied for 9th at Bay Hill Invitational AUGUSTA, Ga One year after pulling up to the front of the stately clubhouse at Augusta National as a college sophomore, Tiger Woods has changed majors. At 21, now armed with a new perspective on the Masters and golf in general as a full-time professional, Woods' new major is, well, winning majors. And Augusta National is more than a stomping ground to spend spring break.

Is Tiger Woods ready to contend at Augusta? History tells us he probably isn't, that one must pay certain dues before learning firsthand how to deal with the intense pressure that lurks amid the majestic pines of Augusta's final nine holes Sunday. At the same time, many of Woods' peers are listing him as one of the players to watch when the 61st edition of golfs most venerable, hallowed championship begins this morning. In four days, we'll all have pur answer. Woods, for one, seems rather secure in how the final chapter will unfold. He is a different player today than the amateur who finished tied for 41st in 1995 and missed the cut a year ago.

"To be honest, I don't care what anybody else says, as always," said Woods, who lives at Isleworth. "I just came here to win. That's what I'm going to do in every tournament Is it realistic? I think so. If things go my way, I might have a chance to win this tournament" Woods would be the youngest player to win at Augusta National, younger than Seve Ballesteros, who won the first of his two green jackets in 1980 only four days past his 23rd birthday. Woods Please see MASTERS, B-5 March 27-30, 1997 Tied for 31st at Players Championship ing terms.

Such as, "GO GET'M, AR-NEEEEEEEEEE! And perhaps an occasional, The latter will no doubt follow each of Arnie's pars. In the event of birdies, a massive supply of green oxygen masks and smelling salts will be rushed to the scene. And don't rule out birdies by Arnie. He birdied several this week in practice, even the beastly, par-3 12th. Smacked an 8-iron aboard the green and tapped in the short putt for a 2.

Said it reminded him of the '62 playoff when Arnie also knocked an 8-iron aboard and drained the putt. For one nostalgic moment, he tethered 35 glorious years. For the past three days around here, Arnie has been even more gracious and charming and joyous, if that seems possible. During his February convalescence, he was spurred by old films of the Masters. He was determined to have his strength and his health back to a point he could come and appreciate what this place has meant to him and all of golf.

Naturally, he came in pursuit of a fifth green jacket. As always. "Whether it could happen, mathematically or mentally, it's nice to think that you might. I've never come without that thought," he said. But Arnie the Realist confesses his mission also is to stop and smell the roses, to relish the time on the practice tee to savor his bond with fans and media, to see what joke Sam Snead would tell at the past-champs' dinner, to "enjoy the young people and, in my own private way, critique what's happening." He said anew his vows of responsibility to golfs traditions and integrity, which he's is trying to ingrain in young stars such as Orlando neighbor Tiger Woods, who last Saturday paid for a round of golf with Arnie at Bay Hill listening to another gentle sermon.

Arnie would reveal only that he admires Tiger as a player and as a person, and hopes the phenom will re-think his laments about being unable to live the life of a 2 1-year-old young man. Sure, Arnie's heydays were kinder, gentler, and there are more people, more media now. "But that's not the whole answer. My first contract was $5,000 and his was $50 million. So maybe there's a trade-off there." Arnie told Tiger the fishbowl is just "the price you must pay for the success you're enjoying.

I never considered it a penalty. I was amazed and honored that people wanted my autograph and thought it was a reward." One of Arnie's many rewards comes today. He may break par for the first time here in 14 years. Maybe shoot a respectable, oh, 75. Maybe an 80, or worse.

No matter. It'll still be Arnie's fday. -i 4 Up a creek. Tiger Woods tied for 41st and missed the cut in 2 appearances as an amateur at the Masters. New-look Bucs dressed for success By Charean Williams OF THE SENTINEL STAFF worked on the orange and white for so many years.

It's going to be hard to get used to the new colors. But as you know, a change of scenery does a heart well. Maybe this is what the team needs. Jerry Corrte, the Bucs' team tailor for 12 years tNnk the new uniforms are excellent. It's just very catchy.

Its definitely a step above where i was at It's new more of an everyday tern you can wear. With the orange and white, you would only wear I on game day. This now is an outfit you can wear in public. John Perry, Jumbo Sports, Tampa tNnk the new uniforms are beautiful. They really needed a change.

Karen Matias, manager of Long John Silvers, Tampa 1 Sues show off uniforms: A-1 mark embossed on the sleeves depicts a ship in full sail with the skull and swords on the front sail. "He's like laughing at you," Bucs fullback Mike Alstott said of the skulL "It's kind of a joke laugh. You know, 'Ha! Ha! I can't believe you're even attempt-ing to be in front of The Bucs were the joke of the NFL in their first 21 seasons. They were called "popsicle sticks" in their orange uniforms. Bucco Bruce, their plumed, one- Please see BUCS, B-5 TAMPA So how do you like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now? The Bucs have shed their old uniforms, and, they hope, their image as losers.

"We're not fooling around anymore," Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer said. "We mean business." To a crowd estimated at 1,000, the Bucs unveiled their new uniforms and logo Wednesday. The primary colors are pewter and red with secondary colors of black and burnt orange. The logo, which is displayed on both sides of the pewter helmet, is a skull and crossed swords on a wind-swept pirate flag. A secondary.