Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • 14

www.siouxciryjournal.com B2-Sioux City Journal. Monday. May 9. 2005 Baseball earns MVP honor Winners I jf i '2005 A A 1 f19S6 It 1983 XV 1981 fv) 1 Nash Point guard edges out Shaq by narrow margin PHOENIX (AP) Sieve Nash invited all of his Phoenix Suns teammates up to the podium when he accepted the NBAs most valuable player award Sunday. MVP voting Player.

Team Points Steve Nasn. Phoenix (65) 1 ,066 Shaquiiie O'Neal. Miami (58) 1.032 Dirk NovritzKi. Daiias 349 i Tan Duncan, San Antonio (1) 328 Alien Iverson. Philadelphia (2) 240 LeBroo James, Cleveland 93 Tracy McGrady, Houston 44 Dwyane Wade.

Miami 43 Amare StCtidemwe 1 1 41 Bay Seattle 41 Kevin Gamett. Minnesota 15 GiiPert Arenas, Washington 4 5 Vince Carter, New Jersey 3 Marcus Camby. Denver 3 PJ. Brown, New Orleans 1 Shawn Manor), Phoenix "1 first place votes in parentheses The gesture was befitting of a player who earned the trophy by getting everybody involved, and making his team a 62-game inner 33 more victories than the previous season. "I really just ant to share this with my teammates," Nash said.

"This has been an incredible year for me and for our team. For me to come to a new situation and be accepted the way I've been by these guys, and for us to be able to form the bond that we have, it's been special." The Suns point guard edged Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal by 34 points to win the award, the fourth-closest margin since the media began determining the winner in 1980-81. the outcome was first reported Friday, but the official announcement Sunday detailed the balloting by a panel of 127 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada. Nash is from Victoria, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (with ball) was named the NBA's most valuable player on Sunday. (AP photo) continued from page Bl "He was saying all the way over here, 'I'm gonna hit a home April Stroud said of her 9-year-old son, Michael, ho is autistic.

The Miracle League, hich began putting up fields using donations five years ago, is expanding rapidly. Parks enl up in Montgomery and Maudlin, S.C., in recent weeks to push the total to 17, at sites ranging from Phoenix to Monroe, Wash. The organization has another 20 groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled for the summer and early fall and there are 61 fields in some phase of construction, said Diane Alford, who founded the organization in Conyers, and marvels at its rapid growth. "I wake up at 4:30 every morning and scratch my head, like, 'Oh my God," Alford said. Her ambitious goal is 500 fields serving 13 milhon children.

The league draws players with disabilities ranging from autism to spina bifada, Down syndrome to blindness. Lauren Gunder, 15, has osteopetrosis, a rare genetic bone disease. She's had at least 20 broken bones and says matter of factly that she has broken every bone in both arms and legs. She's also legally blind and hearing impaired. That's no impediment in the Miracle League.

From her wheelchair, she swings at a large yellow ball. If she doesn't connect in five pitches, they put the ball on a tee, but her swing is pretty good and "95 percent of the time, she hits a pitch," her mother said. "She's a huge (baseball) fan and always wanted to play but couldn't because of her disabilities," Jennifer Gunder said. "When the opportunity came up, it changed everything." Lauren has been listening to Atlanta Braves games on the radio since she was 3, and her bedroom is filled with Braves memorabilia. Five years ago, the Conyers teen got a league of her own to play in.

It gives her the pleasure of "just being on a team and getting to play sports that people always told me I couldn't do." Lauren always had been relegated to the sidelines while her classmates played sports in gym class. The Miracle League got the aspiring journalist in the game. "It gets her out doing something she really loves and it kind of lets her forget her disability," Jennifer Gunder said. "They're not looking at each other funny and they're not asking questions healthy kids might ask and making them uncomfortable." Lauren's original team has remained mostly intact. Her biggest question when the league formed was why it had taken so long.

"I was excited that somebody had finally come up with the idea," she said. "When you think about it, it's not that complex of an idea. I was just so happy somebody finally put it down on paper and was serious about it." The Miracle League is not just for kids. Phil Meadows, 34, of Montgomery, is among the adults who play once the kids are a El (Ssfi SuperSonics suffer injuries in loss to Spurs Justin Clemens rounds third with help from his father and game "buddy" Doug Clemens during a Miracle League game last month in Montgomery, Ala. (AP photo) done with their Saturday afternoon games, which typically last about an hour.

"It's a dream come true," said Meadows, confined to a wheelchair with spina bifida. "It's an absolute miracle, it really is. The smiles on parents' faces are unbelievable and the smiles on the kids' faces are heartwarming." And a steady rain didn't faze them on a recent Saturday at the Montgomery park, which is tucked amid Little League fields. Michael Stroud and his 4-year-old brother, Austin, who like his sibling is autistic, didn't even bother seeking the shelter of the dugout as they watched the action and awaited their turns at bat. Michael cheered his brother on, calling out, "Go Austin" and happily exclaiming "Aaah" when he reached first base.

"To tell you how much they appreciate this, they're scared to death of the rain," April Stroud said. "And they're out here in the rain. Any other time, they'd be screaming. The rain scares them to death but they're out here playing." Like manv of the other kids. Michael can't play sports in gym class at school because there's nobody to assist him.

Now, he and his little brother get to play ball every week. "It's the greatest thing that's ever happened to him," April Stroud said. "I think it's the highlight of their lives, I really do. Because that's all they talk about nonstop. It's great." ifiere's notfiing lika it Helps with Posture and Plantar Fasciitas Foot Problems! Energetic Men's Women's We Fit Siouxland! 1 "South of the Mall-Southern Hills Drive Sioux City 712-276-2727 km urn Steve Nash, Phoenix Kevin Gamett.

Minnesota Tim Duncan. San Antonto Tim Duncan, San Antonio Allen Ivenson, Philadelphia Shaqume O'Neal. LA. Lakers Karl Malone. Utah Michael Jordan.

Chicago Karl Malone, Utah Michael Jordan, Chicago David Robinson. San Antonto Hakeem Olajuwon. Houston Charles BanOey, Phoenix Michael Jordan, Chicago Michael Jordan, Chicago I Magic Johnson, LA. LaKers Magic Johnson, LA. LaKers Michael Jordan, Chicago Magic Johnson, LA.

Lakers Larry Bird, Boston Larry Bird, Boston Larry Bird, Boston Moses Malone, Phila. 1 Moses Malone, Houston Julius Erving, Phila. K. Abdul-Jabbar, LA. Lakers Moses Malone, Houston Bill Walton, Portland K.

Abdul-Jabbar, LA. Lakers K.Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers Bob McAdoo. Buffalo K. Abdul-Jabbar.

Milwaukee 4 Dave Cowens. Boston K. Abduklabbar. Milwaukee K. Abduklabbar, Milwaukee i Willis Reed, New York Was Unseld, Baltimore Witt Chamberlain, Phila.

Wilt Chamberlain, Phila. Wilt Chamberlain, Phila. Bill Russell. Boston Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati Bill Russell, Boston Bill Russell, Boston Bill Russell, Boston Wilt Chamberlain, Phila. Bob Pettit, St.

Louis Bill Russell, Boston Bob Cousy, Boston Bob Pettit, St. Louis Nash was asked what he thought when looked at the names "Magic, Bird and Shaq, then Steve Nash" on the MVP list. "Who does not I guess" he joked. Then he turned serious. "It's incredible," Nash said.

"I'm there with my heroes. Like Jerry said, it's been a long road for me. Actually I just feel really proud to accomplish this by playing as a team, and by just trying to be a good teammate." with 19 points and Antonio Daniels scored 15. Parker said before the series started he would attack the Sonics defense from the get-go. He drove inside for San Antonio's first three baskets.

Ten of the Spurs' 12 field goals in the first quarter were layups, and Duncan had a dunk. Manu Ginobili hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to give San Antonio a 18-8 lead midway through the first quarter. Two layups by Allen and a short jumper by Lewis cut it to 19-14, but the Spurs then finished the period by outscoring Seattle 16-8. time the largest in Auditorium history for a hockey In '86, a crowd of 2,432 watched the Musketeers complete a three-game sweep of Rochester, taking the deciding game, 8-4. That Sioux City team would eventually win the franchise's only Junior 'A' national championship, also at the Auditorium that The casual fan shouldn't confuse the Clark Cup champion as the USA Hockey Junior 'A' national champ.

The Junior 'A' title went to the Texas Tornado, based in Frisco, for a second straight year after the team defeated the Fargo-Moorhead Jets 6-1 in the title game in Bismarck, N.D., just over a week ago. Since the USHL is the only Tier 1 junior league in the country, winning the league's playoff Clark Cup is the ultimate postseason Chris Imes has been named head coach of the Chicago Steel franchise in the USHL. Imes was an assistant coach at Sioux Falls this season. He replaces Wil Nichol, a former Sioux City Musketeers player, as head coach. Nichol was the USHL's coach of the year in 2003-04.

least a quarter-century to complete a game-winning 'Hail Mary' under two different popes." By the way, those Amazin' Mets of 1962 lost 120 National League games. Colorado and Kansas City are on pace to erase that dubious record for losses. The Rockies could take the mark down when they, fittingly, play in Shea Stadium, home of the Mets, in their final four games of the season. Journal sports riter Steven Allspach may be reached at 712-293-4207 or e-mail at Steven, allspach lee. net ISO 1963 M962 1961 f1960 1959 1 1958 '1957 :1956 and is the first Canadian to win the NBA's MVP award.

"It's an incredible oddity in many ways," Nash said. "My neighborhood didn't have any NBA players. I was offered one scholarship. Obviously hockey is the first, second and third story in our country, so to be here is very unlikely. "At the same time I think that makes it a great accomplishment for me to kind of cherish because there were a lot of obstacles for me just to be a professional basketball player." Nash, 31, was drafted by Phoenix as the No.

15 pick overall out of Santa Clara in 1996. Two years later, with Kevin In the span of less than a minute during the second quarter, the Sonics lost Ray Allen and Vladimir Radmanovic to ankle sprains. The Spurs then went on a 17-2 run to make it 58-28 with about two minutes remaining in the half. Allen, an Ail-Star who averaged 32.4 points in the SuperSonics' first-round series win over Sacramento, sprained his right ankle while driving to the basket with about eight minutes left in the first half. Radmanovic rolled his right ankle while defending Brent Barry and had to be carried from the court by roared its approval when Martin sent in the winning goal.

"That's the biggest, most important goal I've ever scored in my life," said Martin. "To be able to help my teammates win a game like that. Wow, I wasn't even sure the shot went in the net." Martin was behind and to the left of the Cedar Rapids goal when he threw a centering pass in front hoping a Musketeer might pick up the puck. The puck never got to a teammate. Instead, it bounced off the leg of Rider goaltender Alex Stalock and slithered past the goal line.

Cedar Rapids won the first game on home ice, 5-0, with Stalock pitching the shutout. The Musketeers responded with a 2-1 victory at Cedar Rapids. The Riders then won in sudden death in the Tyson Events Center, 4-3. Again, a rousing City response ensued Saturday. "Playing the deciding game should help benefit us," said Mark Carlson, who guided his team to 42 regular season victories in the East Division of the USHL and was rewarded by video screen in Gateway Arena.

The managing partner and franchise president said a decision would be made early today and fans should contact the club office (712-252-2116) to verify the plans for televising the contest. The B2 Network and USHL.com have made all five games available on a pay-per-view basis for $6 a game. Slowly but surely we, I mean, they, the Colorado Rockies, are gaining ground on their American League counterparts, the Kansas City Royals. Mere percentage points separate the two Johnson and Jason Kidd playing ahead of him, he asked for a trade and was sent to Dallas. The deal included the draft choice that the Suns used to get Shawn Marion.

Nash received 65 first-place votes to O'Neal's 58. The NBA assist leader at 11.5 a game, Nash is the sixth guard to win the award, joining Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. Nash is the first player to lead the league in assists (11.5) and be named MVP since Johnson in 1987, and the second Phoenix player to win the award. The other was Charles Barkley in 1993. teammates.

He was later seen being pushed in a wheelchair. It was not immediately known if either would be able to play in Game 2 on Tuesday night. Tony Parker matched his career playoff high with 29 points for the Spurs, who lost Game 1 of their first-round series at home against Denver after coming out slow and then shooting poorly in the fourth quarter. San Antonio then won the next four games to advance. Tim Duncan added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.

Glenn Robinson added 16 points. Rashard Lewis led Seattle being named the league's coach of the year. "The two of us know each other pretty well by now. "It's a matter of execution and desire at this point." The Musketeers have been outshot in the four games, 112-94, but finally forged an advantage Saturday, 25-18, including a 4-0 edge in the overtime. Sioux City's Tim Kennedy and Brian Bales rank 1-2 in overall playoff points with 16 and 15, respectively.

Jimmy Spratt is the winningest goal-tender with eight wins. Ted Purcell leads Cedar Rapids with 13 points and line-mate Matt Vokes has 11. Each has scored five goals. Kennedy has six goals, center-man Bales seven, and the third member of the line, Justin Bostrom, has four goals and 10 points in 12 eames. CUP NOTES: While Sioux City's last Clark Cup championship came on the road in Omaha in 2002, the franchise's first two Cups were won in the old Sioux City Auditorium in 1982 and 1986.

In '82, the Musketeers defeated Des Moines in a fifth and deciding game, 8-2, before a crowd of 2,802, at the in their race to determine the most pitiful teams in major league baseball. The two pulled off a rare' daily double Sunday, each winning. The Royals are 8-23 but the Rockies are closing in at 7-21 Doug Flutie, the forever young 43-year-old quarterback of fame and fortune, has signed with the New England Patriots. Dan Daly, in the Washington Times, penned recently that "One thing he'd (Flutie) definitely like to do before he retires, he's told friends, is become the first quarterback in at SAN ANTONIO (AP) -Shortly after losing two of their best players, the Seattle SuperSonics had all but lost the game. And it wasn't even halftime yet.

PLAYOFFS The San Antonio Spurs didn't have the same type of Game 1 letdown they had in the opening round, taking a big first-half lead and holding it the rest of the way in a 103-81 victory over Seattle on Sunday night in the opener of their second-round series. Musketeers continued from page Bl "We've got to concentrate, focus and play disciplined, desperate hockey for 60 minutes. "Win or lose, the guys on this team have played wonderfully all season. They've come back from adversity so many times, during the season and in the playoffs. Think back, we won a game over Lincoln in the first round, then got absolutely drilled (9-1) by them in Lincoln and came back to win the series.

Same thing with Tri-City, we were on the brink of elimination and came back to win with a great outing. "I said this series with Cedar Rapids could very well end up being five one-goal games and we've had three of the four that way so far." Sioux City squared the keenly-contested series at two games each Saturday with a dramatic 2-1 victory in sudden death overtime. Blake Martin's goal 4:29 in the extra session decided the issue. A crowd of 4,130 in the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, the largest for any USHL post-season playoff game this year, Allspach continued from page Bl "We've had 6,000 in the Tyson Events Center on New Year's Eve and all that, but the crowd Saturday was absolutely the best we've had since I've been in Sioux City," said the second-winningest coach in USHL history. "It was just terrific and one of those special nights.

"We've played 78 games, including five exhibitions this year, and it has all boiled dow to one game. We won the Cup on the road the last time and we're going to try to do it again." As of late Sunday evening, Kronschnabel was still tinkering with the idea of showing the game live tonight on the big on sale for AFTER $50 MAIL-IN-REBATE Toro SR4 Personal Pace Mower Personal Pace Self-Propel System puts you in control 1 90 c.c. Toro GTS engine guaranteed to start on the first or second pull for 5 years or Toro fixes it FREE Patented Super Recycler cutting for a beautiful, healthy lawn Bag included Industry leading 5-year FULL Warranty FREE Supercare "4 1 Model 20055 Jj" Visit ut at www.toro.com 1K0)NC0 sm. I ii ill in I n. I j).