Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • Page 11

SB TRIBUNE SPORTS Section Tuesday, August 26, 1986 NFL squads trim rosters Tribune Photo by Wayne Arnit Mark Whiten of Medicine Hat dives back to the base as Great Falls first baseman applies the tag Legion Park. The umpire ruled Kating missed the tag and Whiten was allowed to remain at first. Mike Pitz mows down By The Associated Press Herman Edwards, a fixture at cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles for a decade and a key figure in one of pro football's most memorable plays, was one of the casualties Monday as NFL teams began paring down to the 50-player limit. Edwards had played in 135 consecutive games and needed just two more interceptions to set a team record. "He had all the things that you look for in a football player.

He was a positive leader, had a good attitude and experience," coach Buddy Ryan said of him. "But he got old and he can't do it anymore." Edwards was joined on the unemployment line by former starting quarterback Richard Todd of the New Orleans Saints and rookie offensive tackle Doug Williams, the New York Jets' second-round draft pick. Todd, whom New Orleans obtained from the Jets for its first-round draft choice in 1984, lost his starting job last season. "Richard is a good quarterback who competed hard to be our number one quarterback. However, at this time I felt that Bobby Hebert and Dave Wilson fit better into our plans than Richard did," Saints coach Jim Mora said.

Charles Alexander, a starter at running back for most of his seven years in the NFL was cut by Cincinnati and two of last year's year's regular punters, Dave Finzer of Seattle and Chris Norman of Denver, also lost their jobs in Monday's cuts. So did Tommy Vigorito, Miami's oft-injured punt return specialist and veteran wide receiver Brian Baschnagel of the Chicago Bears, who missed last year's Super Bowl season with an injury. Free-agent rookie Joe Dudek, the NCAA's leading scorer and third all-time leading rusher at Division III Plymouth State in New Hampshire, was placed on injured reserve by the Broncos. The attrition also began among the USFL players signed when that league suspended its 1986 season three weeks ago. All NFL teams, now limited to 60 players, must be down to 50 by 4 p.m.

EDT Tuesday. The final cut to 45 comes next week. Edwards, 32, was a starter on the Philadelphia team that won the 1980 NFC title and played in the 1981 Super Bowl. He had started every game in his 9-year career and his 33 interceptions were one short of the Eagles record. But he was perhaps best known for his role in what became known as "The Miracle of the Meadowlands" or "The Fumble," depending on from which perspective it was being viewed.

That occurred in 1978 as the New York Giants were leading the Eagles 12-10 with just 31 seconds left and needed only to fall on the ball to insure victory. Instead, quarterback Joe Pisarcik tried to hand off to full back Larry Csonka, the ball squirted loose and Edwards scooped it up and ran 26 yards for the touchdown that gave Philadelphia a 17-12 win. The play eventually cost the Giants coaching staff its job and resulted in an innovation used by most teams today whenever the situation calls for a clock-killing play, a tailback is stationed 10 yards deep as a safety man in case of a miscue. Vigorito, an instant hit as a return man and third-down receiver in 1982, hurt his knee a year later and missed almost two full seasons. He averaged 10.5 yards per punt return, second-best in Dolphins history.

The most heralded draft choice to lose his job Monday was Williams. Originally projected as a middle-to-high first-round pick, the 6-foot-5, 290 pounder lasted until the second, much to the delight at the time of the Jets, who hoped to use team him with first-round choice Mike Haight of Iowa as bookends to solve their offensive line problems. However, he never developed as the team had hoped and was called for two holding penalties in last Saturday's exhibition loss to the New York Giants, hastening his departure. The Jets also cut their second-round of a year ago, tight end Glenn Dennison. Among the USFL refugees cut was linebacker John Corker, the spring league's defensive MVP in its first season of 1983, who was let go by Miami.

Also cut were defensive end Jackie Cline and linebacker John Joyce by Green Bay. Corker, signed last spring, had been in the Dolphins' camp from the start but Cline and Joyce were victims of the numbers game faced by USFL refugees. They came to camp late and never played in an exhibition the roster size exemption given for former USFL players only applies if they don't suit up. I By GEORGE GEISE Tribune Sports Editor When a pitcher fires a two-hit shutout, striking out 16 batters while walking only one, what could he possibly do for an encore? If he's Mike Pitz, the Great Falls Dodgers right-hander who dominated the Medicine Hat Blue Jays Monday night in a 1-0 gem at Legion Park, he simply hopes to get that encore. Because if Pitz does pitch again in this Pioneer League baseball season, it would be Saturday night in the opening round of the league playoffs against the champion Salt Lake City Trappers, a team that has given Pitz fits this summer.

"I want Salt Lake bad," said the 21-year-old Pitz, who evened his record at 5-5 with the best mound performance of the season. "I've had two (lousy) games against them this year and I want another shot at those guys." That shot will come only if the Dodgers can maintain their slim one-game hold on second place over the Helena Gold Sox, who defeated the Billings Mustangs 8-4 Monday in Billings. Billings moves to Helena (36-30) tonight for a four-game, season-ending series, while the Dodgers (37-29) travel to Medicine Hat tonight to begin a similar four-game set against the Jays. Great Falls has won 9 of 10 outings against Medicine Hat this season, including a three-game sweep in the series that just concluded. The Dodgers now have won seven straight games all at home while receiving their best pitching efforts of the season.

"Ever since the Helena series here, our pitchers have really thrown Great Falls baserunner Tim Anderson is caught off first in the opening inning Monday night at Legion Park. during action Monday night at Jays was perched on third base. Kating was on first, and he broke for second with Jeff Brown at bat. Catcher Andy Dziadkowiec's throw to second was on line, but Kating stopped short of second and shortstop Lindsay Foster fired home in an attempt to throw out White. The throw was late and both White and Kating were safe.

"We've tried that play (double steal) in a lot of different situations this season, and the guys have executed it well," said Kennedy. "I didn't think we would need it to win the ballgame, but their left-hander (Alan Foster) threw the ball well." Foster saw his record drop to 0-4 despite allowing just three hits in six innings. Ramon Santana followed with two innings of one-hit relief. The Blue Jays threatened in just one inning, the second, when a walk to Mark Whiten and a single by Ray McDonald put runners at first and third with one out. But Pitz fanned Foster and Derrick Ware to end the See DODGERS, 2-B JAYS (0) DODGERS (1) ob bi Anderson ss 3 0 10 ob bi 4 0 10 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 Felix cf Suero 2b Maxwell If Knorr lb Whiten rf TM White It Kesslmork cf Kating lb J.

Brown dh Knopp 3b Hansen rf Ferradas Esteban 2b 2 10 0 3 0 10 4 0 10 4 0 0 0 3 0 10 2 0 10 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 McDonald 3b 3 0 10 Foster ss 3 0 0 0 Dzdkwiec Ware dh Rivers ph Totals 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 10 0 0 28 0 3 0 Totals 27 1 4 0 i 0000 Medicine Hat Great Falls 100 000 OOx 1 Whiten. LOB Medicine Hat 2, Great Falls 10. 2B Kesselmark. SB TM White, Kating, Knapp. IP ER BB SO Medicine Hot Butler L.0-4 6 3 1 1 6 5 Santana 2 1 0 0 2 1 Great Falls Pitz W.5-5 9 PB Dziadkowiec.

2:32. A 3,136. 2 0 0 1 16 BALK Santana. this is my second with Alabama. But this has been the toughest week because this happened on the football field and the others didn't." Ninth-ranked Ohio State also has had its share of preseason problems and distractions.

Last Thursday, Coach Earle Bruce kicked starting free safety Terry White and backup tailback Roman Bates off the squad and suspended starting linebacker Derek Isaman for one game for violating undisclosed "team regulations. "We just told the team that they violated team regulations and they were dismissed from the football team," he added. "One of those young men was a tremendous football player but he chose to go another way so he's not with us." Baseball today Death disrupts Tide preparation Tribune Photo by Wayne Arnst we'll get Salt Lake, the way we're playing now." The only run Pitz required scored in the first inning when Kennedy called for one of his favorite plays the double steal with runners on first and third base. He tried it three times in the Medicine Hat series and it worked twice. Mike White, who had walked, advanced to second and taken third on Jim Kating's two-out infield single, has had what Perkins called "a good training period.

I think under the circumstances our players have shown an exceptional amount of class and character and fortitude and stickabil-ity, whatever you want to call it. "I'm exceptionally proud of the way our players have handled things, over the course of the last week especially. There've been some tough times and some sad times for our football team but I think we've prepared as well as we can prepare. They've handled things extremely well. "It's been a difficult week, probably the most difficult week of my life.

I've gone through some tough situations before. I went through two such tough situations here with the (New York) Giants with two players and Lendl in By BOB GREENE AP Tennis Writer NEW YORK His hard court game fine-tuned, Ivan Lendl opens the defense of his U.S. Open title Tuesday when he faces Glenn Layen-decker at the National Tennis Center as the year's final Grand Slam tournament begins its 13-day run. Ranked No. 1 in the world, Lendl wrapped up his preparation Sunday by manhandling John McEnroe 6-2, 6-4 to capture the Norstar Bank Hamlet Challenge Cup.

McEnroe, a four-time U.S. Open winner, also will see action Tuesday, as will defending women's champion Hana Mandlikova of Czechoslovakia and top-ranked Martina Navratilova. The $3.5 million tournament will go a long way toward deciding who's No. 1 in the world. Lendl and Chris Evert Lloyd captured the French Open, while West Germany's Boris Becker and Navratilova were victorious at Wimbledon.

If any two of those wind up with the U.S. Open crown and its $210,000 well," said manager Kevin Kennedy. "The guys are throwing strikes and they are pitching with confidence." Pitz acknowledged that the pitchers have been feeling and also responding to the pressure of the playoff battle. "The (pitching staff) has gotten together and said 'we aren't going to beat ourselves. We're going to go out there and throw strikes and make the other guys beat I really believe "I never worry about a team being overcharged for a game," he said.

"I don't think anyone can stay on an emotional high for 60 minutes. At some point in time, talent has to take over." Alabama's woes began last April when running back George Scruggs died in an automobile accident which also left starting cornerback Vernon Wilkinson sidelined for the season. Offensive tackle Gary Otten, who was out all last year, reinjured his knee in practice and will miss the Kickoff Classic. Cornelius Bennett, one of the nation's top linebackers, is out with a pulled hamstring and strong safeties Rory Turner and Shon Lee went down with a knee and elbow, respectively. Nevertheless, the Crimson Tide AP Photo U.S.

Open tennis title Tues- AL leaders By The Associated Press i Based on NO at Bats. AB Pet. Boggs Bsn 116 440 82 153 .348 124 526 93 179 .340 Mattlngly NY 124 522 84 176 .337 Rice Bsn 120 482 74 158 .328 Bell Tor 123 493 86 158 .320 YountMil 107 398 60 126 .317 Fletcher Tex 114 411 67 130 .316 Ward Tex 96 354 52 112 .316 ji BernzrdCle 119 443 71 138 .312 TablerCle 96 339 39 105 .310 i Hits Puckett. Minnesota, 179; Mattlngly. New York, 176; Fernandez, Toronto, 162; Belt, Toronto, 158; Rice.

Boston, 158. Doubles Mattlngly, New York. 40; Barrett. Boston, 34; Boggs. Boston, 33; Buckner.

Boston, 33; Rice, Boston, 33. Triples Sierra, Texas, Cleveland, Fernandez. Toronto, 7 are tied with 6. Home runs Barfteld, Toronto, Deer, Milwaukee, 29; Kingman, Oakland, 28; Pagllorulo. New York, 28; Balborri, Kansas City, 27; Bell.

Toronto. Canseco, Oakland, 26; Goettl, Minnesota, 26; Hrbek, Minnesota, 26. RBIs Conseco, Oakland, 95; BarfleldV Toronto, 91; Bell, Toronto, 91; Joyner, California, 89; Carter, Cleveland, 84; Mattingly, New York, 84; Goetti, Minnesota. 81 Tortabull. Seattle, 81.

Pitching (11 decisions) Clemens. Boston, 19-4, Rasmussen, New York, 13-4, King, Detroit, 9-3, Henke, Toronto, 8-3, Elchhorn, Toronto, 10-4. Schrom. Cleveland, 11-5, MWltt, California, 15-7, are tied with .667. 1982 and the U.S.

Open in both 1982 and 1983. Wilander, the No. 2 seed, is the leader of a host of Swedes who are legitimate contenders: fourth-seeded Stefan Edberg, No. 7 Joakim Nys-trom, and No. 11 Mikael Pernfors.

And although he has won four Grand Slam titles two Australian Opens and two French Opens Wilander usually quietly makes his way though the draw as everyone pays more attention to McEnroe, Connors and Becker. This could be the year Becker proves that he can win on another surface besides grass. The redhaired 18-year-old has ridden his big serve and lunging volleys to two consecutive Wimbledon titles. In women's singles, Navratilova will be out to avenge last year's loss in the final to Mandlikova. But also in the running will be third-seeded Steffi Graf of West Germany; and No.

5 Pam Shriver, whose best Grand Slam performances have come; at Flushing Meadow. NL leaders The Associated Press Based on 30 at Bats. AB Pet. Brooks Man 80 306 50 104 .340 GwvnnSD 124 491 83 164 .334 RalneSMon 114 443 67 148 .334 Backman NY 94 307 S3 102 .332 CBrownSP 105 393 53 128 .326 Sax LA 119 477 65 153 .321 Boss Htn 122 454 65 140 .308 Rov Pit 117 439 55 133 .303 KMernndz NY 118 445 74 134 .301 DvkstraNY 112 340 59 102 .300 Hits Gwvnn, San Diego, 164; Sax. Los Angeles.

153; Raines, Montreal, 148; Bass, Houston, 140; Sandberg, Chicago, 138. Doubles Haves. Philadelphia, 32; Reynolds. Pittsburgh, 30; Dunston, Chicago. 29; Raines, Montreal, 29; Ray.

Pittsburgh, 29; Sax, Los Angeles, 29. Triples Raines, Montreal, 10; Samuel, Philadelphia. 10; Webster, Montreal. Coleman, StLouls, McGee, StLouls, 7. Home runs Schmidt.

Philadelphia. 27; GDavis, Houston, 25; Murphy, Atlanta, 24; Parker, Cincinnati, 24; Stubtos, Los Angeles. 20. RBIs Schmidt, Philadelphia, 89; Carter, New York, 87; Parker, Cincinnati, 85; GDavis, Houston, 78; Haves, Philadelphia, 69; Garvev, San Olego, 68; Strawberry. New York, 68; Walloch, Montreal, 68.

Pitching (11 decisions) Fernandez, New York, 14-4, Oleda, New York, 14-4, Geoden, New York, 13-4, Darling, New York, 12-4, Deshales, Houston. 9-3, Bedroslan, Philadelphia, 8-3, Robinson, Cincinnati, 8-3. Mathews. StLouls. 9-4, .692.

singles titles on all three surfaces on which the Grand Slam tournament has been played grass, clay and hard court. "Don't ever count me out," the veteran left-hander said. "You never know." But he added, "I've won enough in the past to last me a lifetime." Most observers have counted Connors out, seeing as he hasn't won a tournament in almost two years and fell to Sweden's Mats Wilander in the title match of the ATP Championships on Sunday. "The biggest difference with Connors is that the fear factor is gone," says Arthur Ashe, the 1968 U.S. Open champion who defeated Connors in the final at Wimbledon in 1975.

"It used to be that when somebody walked out on court with him, they'd be thinking, 'God, he's going to bludgeon me to Now everybody feels they have a shot at him." But Connors has been overlooked before as being too old. He surprised everybody by winning Wimbledon in top form as Open begins EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) In the wake of what he calls "probably the most difficult week of my life" following the death of defensive tackle Willie Ryles, Alabama coach Ray Perkins says that talent rather than emotion will decide Wednesday night's season-opening Kickoff Classic against Ohio State. "I don't think you can play a football game on emotion. I believe in intensity a lot more than I do in emotion," Perkins said Monday.

Ryles, who was slated to be a starter, collapsed during practice last Monday and died Saturday of a blood clot on the brain. Perkins discounted any "Win one for Willie" atmosphere surrounding his team, which is ranked fifth in the Associated Press preseason poll. Ivan Lendl begins defense of his day. iiiki first-place prize, they will have solidly established themselves as No. 1.

USA Network will broadcast up to 50 hours of live coverage, beginning Tuesday and continuing through the men's and women's quarterfinals. CBS will televise third-round matches Saturday and Sunday and the final weekend, beginning Friday, Sept. 5. In all 82 hours of live action will be televised in the United States, while another 70 countries will show portions of the event, placing the U.S. Open behind only the Olympics and World Cup soccer in world-wide popularity.

While the pre-toumament favorites are Lendl, Becker, Navratilova and Lloyd, the fans who will crowd into Louis Armstrong Stadium will be closely watching two former champions, McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Connors, who will turn 34 before the two-week extravaganza is completed, is a five-time U.S. Open champion and the only player to win.