Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 30

Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D. Wednesday, April 3, 1991 4D Baseball AL West: A's are strongest in division With shoulder aching, Ramharter Continued from 1D leaves camp with fond memories inter-squad game was added before tomorrow's Relief pitcher Steve Ramharter of Sioux Falls after June 7, third-best in the majors. The Rangers are loaded with hard-throwing young arms to complement 43-year-old Nolan Ryan. If the bullpen gets healthy and a few hitters rebound from disappointing 1990 seasons, Texas could be the surprise of the year. Strengths: Starting pitchers Ryan, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown and Scott Chiamparino Offensive potential, featuring Ruben Sierra, Rafael Palmeiro, Julio Franco and rookie Juan Gonzalez.

Questions: How much longer can the amazing Ryan overpower hitters 20 years younger? Can former bullpen ace Jeff Russell return to form after elbow surgery? Can big years by the offensive mainstays offset a few soft spots in the lineup? Could the Rangers really afford to release Pete Incaviglia? Possible lineup: CF Gary Pettis, 2B Franco, IB Palmeiro, RF Sierra, CF Gonzalez, DH Jack Daugherty, 3B Steve Buechele, Mike StanleyGeno Petralli, SS Jeff Huson. 7 is I v- rn i game to make up for the innings lost APRIL 1 The double-bladed ax fell today. I found out that I need surgery and that I was being released. After throwing two innings today and experiencing shoulder pain, I decided that it was finally time to tell the Rangers the whole story about my injury. For the first time this spring I felt pain during the game.

It usually only bothers me while warming up. The funny things was that I pitched extremely well two shutout innings. I first approached a trainer who then went to the minor league director. I met with him and was told that an appointment was set up for me and then if I need surgery the Rangers would cover all costs for it as well as the therapy. The very bad news, however, was that they were releasing me.

A total of 20 players were let go with around 15 more expected to be released. A visit to the doctor revealed what I expected all along. The condition of my shoulder was worse than originally diagnosed. Staying away from too much medical terminology, what my shoulder needs is orthoscopic surgery to shave down one of the bones to allow freer movement. There is also a chance that pins may be needed because that bone failed to completely ossify thus leaving a gap.

It is a procedure that will keep me out at least two months and possibly a career. I realize that this is probably the end of the line for my pro career, but I'm not completely ready to give up. One would look at my last three years in which I have broken and dislocated my foot, broken my hand and now this, and tell me it just isn't meant to be. It's not that easy though. I'll just have to see how the surgery goes.

APRIL 2: As I get ready to head for home with a million positive and negative thoughts going through my mind, I can't help but remember several childhood incidents where I was posed with the popular question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always replied, "A pro baseball player." Frequently I was warned that sometimes such dreams don't always come true. Well, I just want to say that sometimes they do because for a short time I was able to live mine out. was in the Texas Rangers' minor-league spring-training camp. Here is the final installment from his spring training journal. By STEVE RAMHARTER For the Argus Leader PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.

MARCH 29: I truly believe that the amount of fun you have over the course of a baseball season is dependent on how well you get along with your roommate. You are with your roommate at all times on the road, and most of the time in the minor leagues that same person is your roommate at home, too. I know of several guys here at spring training who really cannot stand their roommate. It takes the fun out of being here when you're around people you don't care for. There are also those cases where people are paired with someone they don't know.

That can also be uncomfortable. I'm lucky enough to have the same roommate as I had last summer in Butte, Mont His name is Rusty Greer and we are a perfect match. Considering the fact that the only time we are apart is when we are on the field practicing, I feel very fortunate having a roomie that I get along with and is fun to be around. MARCH 30: The rumor around here was that the first cuts were going to be made today. I can't put into words the feeling you experience when you see the minor league director and the director of player personnel driving up to your field in their golf cart with a list in their hand.

All I could think was, "Please don't let it be me." It turned out no one was released today. I talked to a player who has been here two years. He said they have done it differently both years when it comes to releasing players. One year they drove up and pulled players off the field. The other year they sent someone to tell them in the locker room that the minor league director wanted to see them.

A meeting means only one thing you're gone. MARCH 31: I was scheduled to pitch two innings today, but the weather took care of that. We've practiced 16 days in a row so everyone was happy to see the rain. It wasn't a full day off though. We were able to get our complete pregame practice in.

An CHICAGO Sox WHITE SOX 4 Manager: Jeff Torborg. AP photo Ken Griffey Jr. is a standout outfielder whom the Seattle Mariners believe is destined for baseball superstardom in the American League. 4 KirbyPuckett George Brett Nolan Ryan Jack Morris Liriano is among Twins' cuts Billboard Last year: 94-68, 2nd place, 9 games behind. Notes: New Comiskey Park will open with newcomers Tim Raines and Cory Snyder on the roster, and fans and management talking pennant.

They could be ripe for a letdown. The 1990 White Sox enjoyed a team-record 25-game improvement and posted the third-best record in the majors. Torborg said he never saw a team play closer to its potential. The White Sox had a 52-31 record in games decided by one or two runs, and 16 victories came in the final at-bat. The bullpen performed heroics it probably can't repeat.

This is a decent club, but it also could be the most overrated AL team heading into the 1991 season. Strengths: Leadoff hitter Raines and budding slugger Frank Thomas Bullpen, featuring Bobby Thigpen Shortstop Ozzie Guillen's glove Team speed. Questions: How much longer can 43-year-old catcher Carlton Fisk produce? Can Snyder bounce back and supply much-needed power? Can ancient knuckleballer Charlie Hough stabilize a young starting rotation Who will replace the traded Barry Jones as Thigpen's setup man? Possible lineup: LF Raines, 3B Robin Ventura, IB Thomas, Fisk, DH Dan PasquaSnyder, RF Sammy Sosa, CF Lance Johnson, 2B Scott Fletcher, SS Guillen. Reynolds, 3B Edgar Martinez, CF Griffey, DH Alvin Davis, RF Buhner, IB O'Brien Tino Martinez, LF Tracy Jones, Dave Valle, SS Omar Vizquel. For Lease aging players, can the Angels expect any fewer than the 819 manpower games lost to injury last year? Does Bert Blyleven, 21 wins shy of 300, have anything left? Can Junior Felix handle center field? Possible lineup: LF Luis Po-lonia, 2B Luis Sojo, IB Wally Joyner, RF Winfield, DH Parker, Parrish, 3B Gaetti, CF Felix, SS Dick Schofield.

MINNESOTA TWINS The Twins also released left-hander Paul Mirabella and placed right-hander Tim Drummond on waivers. Left-hander Gary Wayne and outfielder Pedro Munoz were optioned to Portland. Right-handers Tom Edens and Carl Willis, and infielder Chip Hale were sent to the club's minor-league camp for FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Nelson Liriano, who started at second base for Minnesota last year after being traded from Toronto in July, was released Tuesday as the Twins cut their roster from 35 players to 27. Liriano, 26, batted .234 in 103 games and is a career .252 hitter.

He hit .278 this spring but was beaten out by rookie Chuck Knoblauch, who is hitting .373. "That was the hardest decision we had to make," Manager Tom Kelly said. "Nelson is one classy individual. He probably worked harder than anyone in this camp. It's just that the kid outplayed him." The Brandon Chamber of Commerce has a 20 12 ft bnhted billboard (ocated at Brandon Ljdt 1-90 on westbound crossread available for (easing.

Call Darrell at 582-6322 for terms and priccl SEATTLE MARINERS Manager: Jim Lefebvre. SIOUX FALLS FLEA MARKET Coliseum THIS WEEKEND 5th Main CALIFORNIA ANGELS 5 Manager: Doug Rader. Manager: Tom Kelly. Last year: 74-88, 7th place, 29 games behind. Notes: It is difficult to believe that this team won the world championship in 1987.

Most of those players are gone, and their replacements don't measure up. Playing in one of the best parks for hitters in the majors, the Metrodome, the 1990 Twins ranked 12th in the AL in runs and tied for last with 100 home runs. The pitching staff's 4.12 ERA ranked 11th. Only four teams stole fewer bases. After June 1, when the Twins were 28-19, the team was 46-69.

Attendance has fallen by 1.3 million in two years. Strengths: Potential of starting rotation, with Kevin Tapani, Scott Erickson, Dave West, Allan Anderson and long-time Detroit ace Jack Morris Reliever Rick Aguilera Sluggers Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek Catchers Brian Harper and Junior Ortiz. Questions: Is the pitching staff half as good as general manager Andy MacPhail claims? Can Steve Bedrosian help Aguilera in the bullpen? When will promising pitchers Willie Banks and Rich Garces be ready? Is Shane Mack an every-day center fielder? Possible lineup: LF Dan Gladden, CF Mack, RF Puckett, IB Hrbek, DH Chili Davis, Harper, 3B Mike Pagliarulo, SS Greg Gagne, 2B Chuck 4 hours and $25 that can build the bottom line of your business Outlook '91 is an economic seminar so packed with useful information that we expect it to change the way you will do business in the future. Will the recession hit Sioux Fails? Last year: 77-85, 5th place, 26 games behind. Notes: An impressive batch of young pitchers and emerging superstar outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.

are the main reasons the 15-year-old Mariners have a remote chance to post their first winning season. Seattle's pitching staff was good last year (third-ranked 3.69 ERA; league-leading 1,064 strikeouts; allowed only 1,319 hits in 1,443 innings) and should be even better in 1991. Griffey (.300, 22 HRs, 80 RBI) has only begun to tap his potential, but he needs help from a few veteran hitters who came up short last year. Strengths: Starting pitchers Erik Hanson, Randy Johnson, Scott Holman and possibly Rich DeLucia Reliever Mike Schooler Young sluggers Griffey and Tino Martinez. Questions: Can Scott Bank-head rebound from shoulder surgery to anchor the starting rotation? Can first baseman Pete O'Brien do the job if Martinez needs another year of seasoning? Can talented but injury-prone outfielder Jay Buhner stay healthy? Possible lineup: 2B Harold Last year: 80-82, 4th place, 23 games behind.

Notes: The Angels, with Dave Winfield, Dave Parker, Lance Parrish, Gary Gaetti, Bert Blyleven, Floyd Bannister and Bob McClure, would be the team to beat in 1985. California unloaded one-dimensional players Johnny Ray, Chili Davis and Brian Downing, and plans to stress player development. Gene Autry's moneybags couldn't buy a championship team, so the organization will try to build one. It won't happen quickly. Strengths: Potential of starting rotation, with Chuck Finley, Mark Langston, Jim Abbott and Kirk McCaskill Veterans who know how to play, but have seen better days.

Questions: With so many The Kiplinger Letter, a respected national newsletter, called Sioux Falls one of the eight recession-proof cities in the country. Dr. Jerry Johnson, dean of the School of Business at the University of South Dakota, will explain how the Sioux Falls economy is affected by the national economy. You will learn how national productivity and consumer confidence affects your business. i 1 mm Baltimore tops Braves; Davis leads Twins 6-3 7 players let go as spring total boosted to 36 By The Associated Press FINALLY! The facts about the labor availability in Sioux Falls! The results of a recent labor availability research study commissioned by Forward Sioux Falls will be made public for the the first time.

This research will help you plan for hiring needs. Seven more players were let go Tuesday, the last possible day to place a player on waivers without guaranteeing his entire 1991 salary. Pitchers Kevin Hickey and John Mitchell of Baltimore, 13 Sioux Falls STILL A Coca TKInu Research in 1981 provided the marketing knowledge to start the "Sioux Falls: A Good Thing Going campaign. Ten years later, we wiif unveil new research to determine directions Sioux. Falls needs to follow for future growth.

You will receive your own Executive Summary of the findings and learn new opportunities for attracting regional shoppers. infielder Edgar Diaz and out Ml Join us for breakfast and hear Darrell Butterwlck, commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development kick off the seminar with an update on regional economic development HGSiSiil By The Associated Press Bob Melvin hit a three-run homer and Randy Milligan added his fourth home run of the spring Tuesday in West Palm Beach, as Baltimore beat Atlanta 10-5 in exhibition baseball. The Orioles received three one-hit innings from comeback candidate Mike Flanagan. Deion Sanders homered and Otis Nixon went 3-for-4 for Atlanta. MINNESOTA 6, ST.

LOUIS 3 in Fort Myers, Fla. Chili Davis hit his sixth home run of the spring and Dan Gladden was 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Twins, 18-9. Kevin Tapani went six innings for the victory. OAKLAND 10, CLEVELAND 7 in Tucson, Ariz. Jose Canseco hit a 450-foot homer and Willie Wilson had four Oakland hits.

LOS ANGELES 2, HOUSTON 0 in Kissimee, Fla. Mike Morgan pitched six innings for the Dodgers, who managed only one run and four hits in seven innings off Mark Portugal. MONTREAL 8, NEW YORK YANKEES 0 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Junior Noboa had three hits and three stolen bases to pace the Expos. KANSAS CITY 9, NEW YORK METS 0 in Haines City, Fla.

Storm Davis pitched seven scoreless innings to earn the victory. Danny Tartabull singled twice and drove in three runs. PITTSBURGH 5, DETROIT 2 in Bradenton, Fla. Barry Bonds Exhibition drove in the go-ahead run on a sixth-inning groundout for the Pirates and Jay Bell scored three runs. Randy Tomlin allowed only two hits in six innings for the win.

SEATTLE 11, CHICAGO CUBS 5 in Tempe, Ariz. Omar Vizquel tripled home two runs in the first inning for the Mariners. Vizquel, a career .231 hitter, raised his exhibition average to .390 and increased his RBI total to 13. CALIFORNIA 10, SAN DIEGO 4 in Palm Springs, Calif. Rookie Scott Lewis took a big step toward winning a job as California's fifth starter, pitching six strong innings for the Angels.

MILWAUKEE 7, SAN FRANCISCO in Chandler, Ariz. Gary Sheffield, Candy Maldonado, Greg Vaughn and Jim Gantner had RBI singles in a six-run third inning for Milwaukee. CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3, TEXAS 2 in Sarasota, Fla. Jack McDowell struck out nine in seven shutout innings as Chicago ended a three-game losing streak. PHILADELPHIA TORONTO 3 in Clearwater, Fla.

John Kruk had three hits, including a two-run double in a three-run first inning, to spark the Phillies. BOSTON 5, CINCINNATI 3 in Plant City, Fla. Ellis Burks drove in a pair of runs to help Boston overcome1 three errors. fielder Mike Felder of Milwaukee, infielder Nelson Lir-iano of Minnesota, pitcher Jose Guzman of Texas and pitcher Don Carman of Houston all were placed on unconditional-release waivers. That brought the total waived during spring training to 36.

The three dozen, some of whom still may be claimed through Friday, will get a total of $4,798,510 in termination pay instead of $18,102,500 in salaries. Pitcher Fernando Valen-zuela, placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers last Thursday, cleared Tuesday and became a free agent. While some players were shuffling off, several found spots on major league rosters. The biggest name among them was 39-year-old pitcher Mike Flanagan, who agreed to a one-year, $250,000 contract with the Orioles. "It was nice to get the thing finalized," Flanagan said.

"I felt that I had a good spring and the numbers worked out for me." Thursday, April 4 Ranftota Inn at Russel Street 1-29 Cost $25 in advance ($30 en day of sender) Registration: a.m. Seminar tench: p.m. For more information, call the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce at 336-1620.