The Daily Tribune from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin • Page 9

IB I i.Illi,.,. I ITT 1 1 ami 1,1 in n. i. i m.i 7L becomes newest miiidwuaire (L(S Brewers sign outfielder to $14.5 million contract MILWAUKEE (AP) Outfielder Jeromy Burnitz is the latest multimil lion-dollar addition to the Milwaukee I' Brewers' core roster signed through the opening of the new retractable-roof Miller Park in 2000. Burnitz was 1v signed Wednesday to a four-year.

$14.5 million home. "It's consistent with what we have done with a number of other young players and that is to tie up a nucleus of players who will be with us through the opening of Miller Park," Gausden said. The contract included an $850,000 signing bonus. Burnitz will get $700,000 next season, $3.4 million in 1999, $4.25 million in 2000 and $5.3 million in 2001. Burnitz was paid $225,000 last season.

He had been seeking $2.6 million in an arbitration claim which was scheduled for a hearing Feb. 12, while the team offered about $1.5 million. The contract agreement settles the arbitration case. "We've worked long and hard with Milwaukee on it, and I think both sides are feeling gratified about it," said Howard Simon, Burnitz's agent. Burnitz was acquired by the Brewers from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for infielder Kevin Seitzer in 1996.

He originally was drafted by the New York Mets in the first round, 17th overall, of the June 1990 free-agent draft. Brewers Update "Jeromy really came into his own last season as an all-around player. He has the ability to become one of baseball's best left-handed power hitters." Sal Bando Brewers general manager history to have at least 20 home runs, 20 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Robin Yount in 1980 and Tommy Harper in 1970 were the other two, the Brewers said. "We recognized an opportunity to tie up a player who we felt has his best years yet to come," said Tom Gausden, the Brewers' vice president of administration, who negotiates player contracts.

With Burnitz's signing, the Brewers now have 18 players under contract on their 1998 40-man roster. Of those 18, eight are signed through 2000, the first year of Miller Park, the Brewers' new "Jeromy real A ly came into his own last season as an all-around player," general manager Sal Bando said. iLJaS "He has the ability to become one of baseball's best left-handed power Burnitz, 28, was the Brewers' home- run leader in 1997, with 27. Burnitz also set club records by hitting home runs in five straight games and in con secutive pinch-hit at bats. Burnitz, who led the team with eight triples and 85 RBIs, last season became only the third player in club Associated Press Outfielder Jeromy Burnitz signed a four-year $14.5 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Holmgren fails to clear picture Associated Press Conchita Martinez celebrates her victory over Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals of the Australian Open today. Hingis, Martinez advance to Australian Open finals MELBOURNE, Australia Defending champion Martina Hingis reached the final of her fifth straight Grand Slam tournament, beating Germany's Anke Huber 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 today in the Australian Open. Hingis, 17, of Switzerland, who also won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, will face Spain's Conchita Martinez in Saturday's final. Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon winner, beat American Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

In men's play, Petr Korda of the Czech Republic beat Karol Kucera of Slovakia 6-1, 64, 1-6, 6-2 to advance to the final against the winner of Friday's match between Chile's Marcelo Rios and France's Nicolas Escude. Carlesimo preparing to testify at Sprewell hearing PORTLAND, Ore. For the first time since the attack that rocked the NBA, Latrell Sprewell and Golden State coach P.J. Car-lesimo met face to face during a hearing over whether Sprewell's punishment was unduly severe. Warriors players Felton Spencer, Joe Smith and Bimbo Coles testified along with assistant coaches Paul Westhead and Rod Higgins.

Carlesimo's testimony, presumably a necessary part of the proceedings, might not come until the sessions shift to New York next week. Red Sox sign Valentin to $25 million contract BOSTON John Valentin, who once vowed to leave the Associated Press Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren answered some questions and didn't answer some others at the Packers end-of-season press conference Wednesday. Lewis meeting with Jones again today GREEN BAY (AP) Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis described his Packers coach won't say he is staying or moving on to new job By TOM MULHERN Thomson Newspapers GREEN BAY Coach Mike Holmgren had a chance to end all the speculation and questions regarding his future with the Green Bay Packers at his season-ending press conference Wednesday. Instead, he simply added to it. By refusing to declare in no uncertain terms that he would be back to coach the Packers next season, Holmgren did more than just leave the door open, he also tossed out a welcome mat to any potential suitors.

Holmgren said he had not been contacted by the Seattle Seahawks and didn't want to speculate on what would happen if he were and the money was right. "I don't want to deal in hypo-theticals right now," he said. "Why? There's no point in it. Maybe I won't have to make that decision." In perhaps his most telling statement in the 30-minute press conference, Holmgren said he wasn't sure right now what he would do if another team like the Seahawks offered him the chance to be both head coach and general manager. "When the time comes, if I do (need to make the decision), I honestly can't tell you right now (what it would be) so let's just wait and see," he said.

Whatever his intentions, Holmgren indicated the matter should be resolved this week. "I would suspect, if anything does happen, hopefully, it'll all be done by the end of the week," he said. None of this means that Holmgren, 49, is leaving or that the Seahawks will definitely come calling. But it does mean he's keeping his options open. "Everyone knows my current status, I have two years left on my contract," Holmgren said.

Please see HOLMGREN28 prospects with Dallas as reaching the semifinals. Lewis said Dallas owner Jerry Jones contacted him Wednesday, and he expected to be in Dallas today for an inter JOHN MANIACIDally Tribune reasons the Green Devils are Wisconsin's eighth-ranked Division 2 team this week. Adams-Friendship senior Aaron Hoernke has recovered from an injury to his shoulder and is one of the Boston Red Sox, agreed to a $25 million, four-year contract with a team option for 2002 that push the deal to $30.8 million. Valentin, 30, who made $3.8 million last Sherm Lewis You're only young once Prep Sports John Valentin year, had asked for $7 million in salary arbitration, $1.5 million more than the view for the Cowboys' vacant head coaching job. They also talked Monday in San Diego after the Super Bowl.

Lewis, 55, has spoken with Arizona and Atlanta about employment in the last few years, but he does not classify those as legitimate job interviews compared with his discussions with Jones. "I was hoping that I could get to the next stage," Lewis said. "This is like getting to the semis." used to it. You got used to being in pain all the time." Hoernke shook Monday evening as he recalled last year's hardship. The senior has come a long way since the pain began one morning in July 1996, when he woke up and suddenly could not move his right arm.

How good is life these days? Hoernke is averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season as the starting center on the state's eighth-ranked Divi- Please see YOUNG2B A-F athlete revives shoulder muscle after nerve ailment leaves it useless By JEFF SHERRY Tribune Sports Writer A ADAMS Listening to Aaron Hoernke describe his most challenging course at Adams-Friendship High School, it's clear that "Pain Management Techniques" was not an elective. A rare ailment in his right shoulder, along with a burning desire to play basketball, made the course a requirement for Hoernke one he studied last year during every waking hour. "The pain was there all the time, even if I wasn't moving my arm," Hoernke said. "You could feel it with every heartbeat. It felt like pins.

"After a while, you just got team offer. Super Bowl brought record $77.2 million in wagers CARSON CITY, Nev. Nevada sports books took in a record $77.2 million in Super Bowl bets, but barely managed to make money, the There's anew savior for Wisconsin sports fans state Gaming Control Board says. The agency said Wednesday The Bullpen Jim Austin that the 133 legal books won $472,033, only 0.6 percent of the total wagered on the game Sunday, which ended with Denver beating Green Bay 31-24. ij The Associated Press vice president for the north region.

"This channel is an outstanding value for our customers and we are pleased to offer a greatly expanded coverage area for the Brewers and Bucks." In addition to the Bucks and Brewers, MSC viewers can catch action from the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timber-wolves and University of Minnesota athletics. MSC gets much of its national programming through FOX Sports Net, including a comprehensive schedule of nationally telecast games and events, and daily coverage of FOX Sports News. April 1 can't get here soon enough. Now, if we could only get the Classic Sports Network. Austin is the sports editor for the Daily Tribune.

The cries from central Wisconsin have been heard! Starting April 1, just in time for those who still care about baseball, Marcus Cable will offer Midwest Sports Channel as part of its extended basic cable package. MSC calls itself the region's leading 24-hour sports network and is available to more than 1.4 million viewers throughout the region that number will increase to more than 2.5 million with the expansion into Wisconsin. Marcus Cable is one of the largest cable system providers in the state. For those of us who would like to watch the Milwaukee Brewers and the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as other Midwest sports teams, it sounds like a match made in heaven. press release.

"Marcus is a major player in the Wisconsin cable market and its viewers are an important audience for MSC. This is a partnership we hope can grow and prosper for years to come." Apparently, the extra revenue has already helped the Brewers, who signed outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to a four-year $14.5 million contract Wednesday. Beginning this summer, MSC will offer 130 Brewers games to Marcus Cable viewers all 130 games will be exclusive to Marcus Cable. The release from MSC also states that the network will telecast Milwaukee Bucks basketball games the number of which is unclear. "Wisconsin has been one of the few areas without a regional sports network," said Dave Hansen, Marcus Cable senior Scoreboard The final shove that got the ball rolling at full speed was the finalization of a six-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, giving MSC the right to telecast Brewers games in Wisconsin.

"We are thrilled that Marcus Cable has made A commitment to MSC and that MSC will be part of Marcus Cable's sports programming mix," MSC vice president and general manager Kevin Cattoor said in a BASKETBALL NBA I Boston 104, Washington 102 I Detroit 91, Orlando 86 I Indiana 93, Philadelphia 90 (OT) I Miami 86, New York 82 I San Antonio 109, L.A. Clippers 86 I Seattle 101, Utah 93 I New Jersey 106, L.A. Lakers 95.