The Tampa Tribune du lieu suivant : Tampa, Florida • 27

Saturday, July 25, 1998 FORI No Bull The Chicago Tribune reports that Phil Jackson will not return, and that Tim Floyd will be the coach of the Chicago Bulls next season. Story, Page 8 Storm watch Tampa Bay can wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win against the Iowa Barnstormers at 7:30 tonight at the Ice Palace. Story, Page 6 Send comments and tips through e-mail to: sportstampatrib.com PAUL C. SMITH, Senior Editor for Sports, (81 3) 259-7753 To subscribe to Sports Extra, call (813) TRIBUNE. The Tampa Tribune Saunders savors support I r- nn -'-4 a.

i rK i i i Martin Fennelly Old-Timers' for family in Bouton's book needed them. That plus three RBIs from Bubba Trammell, was the story of a relatively easy Rays' victory, which marked the first time since June 27-28 in Philadelphia they have won consecutive games. And the first time Saunders has won in just say a while. "It's been so long since I had one, it feels like I didn't have one," Saunders said. "Albie Lopez came up and said congratulations.

It was like I had a kid or something." It wasn't easy though. "He battled his way through it," said Rays manager Larry Rothschild, whose hair has often changed colors too when Saunders has pitched mostly to gray. "After going through what he's gone through, it's good to see him See SAUNDERS, Page ST. PETERSBURG Tony Saunders won for the first time in more than three months as the Devil Rays routed Oakland 6-0. By JOE HENDERSON of The Tampa Tribune A couple of nights ago, Tony Saunders walked into the Devil Rays' clubhouse with his latest stab at ending a personal eight-game losing streak: auburn-colored hair.

Saunders was clearly desperate. After all, he hadn't won since April 16, during which time his hair had gone from its natural brown to peroxide blond, and to the latest color. But now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! "I think we're going to stay with this one for a while," Saunders said after Friday night's 6-0 victory over Oakland, his first win Who: Athletics at Devil Rays When: 6:35 Where: Tropicana Field Starters: Kenny Rogers (10-3, 2.80) vs. Julio Santana (2-2, 4.76) TV: SportsChannel Radio: WFLA-970 AM Scouting report. Page 5 since April 16.

In that victory before 25,476 fans at Tropicana Field a park he once derided as "a joke" during his losing streak Saunders did something that looked really different He made big pitches when he DAVID KADLUBOWSKITribune photo The Rays' Bubba Trammell Is congratulated by third-base coach Greg Riddoch after hitting a third-Inning homer Friday. When he's not speaking or writing, Jim Bouton takes time for his latest hobby: masonry. He has built stone walls on his property in North Egre-mont, Mass. He builds walls for other people. Sometimes he laughs at himself.

"I'm the last guy who should be throwing up walls," Bouton said. "You'd think I'd have had enough of them in my life." The Iron Curtain falls today. Jim Bouton, the man who wrote "Ball Four," returns to Yankee Stadium for Old-Timers' Day. It's only right, because he is a Yankee old-timer 59 to be exact The 7 don't know how it's going to fall into place, but I know it will fall into place for me. -horace ccpeland Who: Colorado Rapids (9-10) vs.

Tampa Bay Mutiny (6-15) When: 7:30 Where: Houlihan's Stadium TV: None Radio: WZTM-820 AM Game preview Page 9 I. 4 i 3 I Bulldog won 21 games for New York in 1963 and 18 the next season. It is only right he is back, because, as someone recently noted, Bouton wrote "Ball Four," not "Mein Kampf." Since Bouton published in 1970, the I Li-: i MLS Cup in doubt for Tampa TAMPA Tampa's bid to host -MLS Cup '99 might be lost unless the Mutiny can negotiate a lease to play at RJS. Bouton as; i i i V'- VICTOR JUNCOTribune photo With the emergence of Reidel Anthony (85) and the arrival of Jacquez Green (15) and Bert Emanuel, the Bugs' Horace Copeland (88) finds himself standing In a long line of receivers fighting for a job in camp. Yankees had refused to draw a distinction.

The chief suspects were Mickey Mantle and George Steinbrenner. Bouton humanized Mantle's legend with the truth. "Jim Who?" was Mantle's response to a book that told it like it was. Old Yankees fell in line. George clicked his heels.

Whenever Yankees gathered, Bouton was shut out "I always hoped I'd become the oldest living Yankee," Bouton said by telephone the other day. He laughed. "They'd have to invite me if I was the oldest Only I wouldn't know where I was. Sad, huh?" The phone call came 10 days ago. It was the Yankees, inviting him back.

"I thought it was a friend goofing," Bouton said. "Usually, they do George Steinbrenner's voice." After much convincing, Bouton believed. He scraped together 50 tickets for today's game. For his wife and ex-wife and their children, for his dad, for aunts and uncles. And for friends, people who have to be there, people who've never really left him.

Hell run out on the field and play and laugh. And cry. Again. "It's about family," Jim Bouton said. "That's what this day is.

It's not baseball. It's family." It's the letter. WITHOUT HIS FATHER knowing it, Michael Bouton wrote the New York Times last month. Jim Bouton's youngest son is a 34-year-old philosophy student who's dabbled in Greenpeace. But this wasn't about whales.

The Times printed the entire letter. 'Today is Father's Day," Michael began, "but the date I have circled on my calendar is July 25. That is Old-Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium It is the day my father, Jim Bouton, No. 56, the Bulldog, is snubbed Although I know an invitation to attend Old-Timers' Day is an honor my father can live without, it is what I wish for him for this year." Michael explained his younger sis- ter, Laurie, died last August Old-Timers' Day, Michael said, is a day for families and memories. If Old-Timers' Day had been in the Boutons' life all By BILL WARD of The Tampa Tribune Tampa's bid to host Major League Soccer's championship game next year could vaporize unless the Tampa Bay Mutiny can finalize a lease agreement to play next season at Raymond James Stadium.

"You can understand that it does not make sense to award our premier, showcase event to a city which has one of our 12' teams that doesn't have a stadi- um contract" said MLS Execu- tive Vice President Randy Bern-1 stein, who oversees the league's marketing. "How can we go to that stadium when our team 2 there does not have a contract with that stadium?" Earlier this year, the Tampa Sports Authority put the final 1 touches on its bid to host MLS Ic Cup '99. Bernstein says the package submitted to his office was a strong one and made Tan pa one of the leaders to receive the title match. Since then, lease negotiations between the Mutiny and Tampa Sports Authority have stalled while other cities have entered -the bid process for the MLS Cup. TSA Executive Director Hen-1 ry Saavedra and Mutiny General Manager Nick Sakiewicz say they will meet early next week to try and iron out a three-year lease agreement.

Because of the TSA's lease, however, with the See MUTINY, Page 9 DM? LnXal "GLrQ JAGUARS: Amidst very high hopes, Jacksonville opens camp with all 85 players in pads. peland or anyone associated with the Bucs, for that matter will be about his future. It's hazy at best A favorite among fans, teammates and coaches, Copeland is on the bubble. Look at the numbers and there's little doubt High-priced free agent Bert Emanuel was brought in from Atlanta and Jacquez Green was See COPELAND, Page 6 Instead, it's right after Copeland finishes lunch on a recent day during training camp. "There's no doubt that I'm going to get better," Copeland said.

"I know I'm going to be a better receiver this year. That's the only thing I can control right now. If I continue to get better, it's going to work out no matter what One way or another, everything's going to turn out all right" That's about as direct as Co TAMPA Horace Copeland, once a rising star, is fighting for a spot among the Bucs' talented corps of receivers. By PAT YASINSKAS of The Tampa Tribune On another hot afternoon at the University of Tampa, Horace Copeland streaks down-field, stops on a dime and cuts in another direction. This is not on the practice field at PepinRood Stadium.

BIG DEAL: Denver signs running back Terrell Davis to a nine-year deal worth $56.1 million. Bucs coverage Page 6 NFL coverage Page 1 Floyd finds 70s enjoyable along, there would have been more ''days with Laurie. Michael pleaded. "I see this as an i v. 1 i i j' -j- rfftiTiT'r Hinmir 1 in i n- Vucinich each shot even-par 71 for the second straight day Friday, giving them 142 totals.

Summerhays would have fared even better had he not bogeyed the final three holes, but he wasn't dismayed. "Even-par after two rounds on this golf course is great," he said. "I'm not going to dwell on it" Next at 143 were Dave Stockton, who had a 1-under-par 70 in the second round, and Isao Aoki, who had a 71. Four shots off the pace entering today's third round of the 72-hole event were Gibby Gilbert and Brian Barnes, each of whom had See SENIOR OPEN, Page 9 Se Ri Pak shoots a 65 to tie (or the lead at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. Golf roundup, Page 9 satisfied to repeat today and Sunday what he accomplished in the first two rounds.

"You bet I'm pleased," he said. "I hit a lot of fairways today, I hit a lot of solid shots. I might have even played better today than I played yesterday." Floyd's first-round performance over the par-71 Riviera course was the only under-par score of the day, and it gave him a one-shot lead over five golfers. Two of those five Bruce Summerhays and club pro Roy LOS ANGELES Raymond Floyd shoots his second consecutive 70 to take a two-shot lead midway through the Senior Open. By JOHN NADEL of The Associated Press LOS ANGELES Overjoyed with another 70 in the 19th U.S.

Senior Open, Raymond Floyd said he'd gladly take two more. In search of his first Senior Open championship, Floyd took a two-shot lead halfway through the tournament by carding his second straight 1-under-par 70 Friday for a 36-hole score of 140. "In a minute," Floyd quickly replied when asked if he would be opportunity to get my father hugs at a time in his life when he could use all the hugs he can get It is something he would never seek for himself he is going to kill me if he reads this and maybe the kind of thing only a son or daughter can do for a father. "I am not asking for any favors, just reconsideration. That is all.

Life is short. Time is at hand." When the newspaper came out, David, another Bouton son, phoned his father and read the letter. They were crying long distance by the first punc- See FENNELLY, Page 4 AP photo trouble on the 16th Bruce Summerhays blasts himself out of the Senior Open. hole and cards his second straight 71 at.