Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 48

Section 4 Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, March 1, 1988 DA5EBALL rimirijallifSi" mm Atlanta Braves Baltimore Orioles WEST PALM BEACH. Fla. The Braves, last in the NL In MIAMI Billy RlDken mav alwavs be known as Cat Rioken mo sfflD brother, but he wants the job as the Orioles' second baseman tor all his own. He hit .308 in 58 games last year before suffering a torn ligament in his right ankle with three weeks left in the season. "I have two goals and both have to do with Opening Day," Ripken said.

"I want to be in Baltimore Opening Day and I want to start Opening Day. If the first happens, then the rest win take care of itself. pitching last season, are looking for a few good arms. Rookie Kevin Coffman provided some evidence Monday that he may own one of them. Coffman allowed just two btoop singles in two innings of an irrtrasquad game and struck out two, including Dale Murphy.

Coffman was 11-11 with Double-A Greenville last year, and was 2-3 with the Braves in September. Dennis Hood, a nonroster player who was at Class-A Durham last season, hit a solo home run and added a run-scoring single in the game. Cincinnati Reds PLANT CITY, Fla. General Manager Murray Cook says he Boston Red Sox WINTER HAVEN, Fla Roger Clemens, Boston's two-time Cy Young Award winner and a holdout throughout most of spring training last season, missed practice Monday. But before you Red Sox diehards begin to panic, this time his absence was authorized.

Manager John McNamara said Clemens had been given permission to fly to Houston to get his wife and young son and bring them to camp. Six-foot-8-inch Mike Smith son says: "I've never been on a team this big. We've got our own basketball roster." Smithson should know. He played at Tennessee with Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld in 1974-75. "I played enough to get my letter," he recalls.

"We were ranked sixth in the country going into the NCAA tournament one year, but Bernard broke his thumb." will exercise the team's right to renew unsigned contracts on Wednesday, eight days before the major league's renewal date, but hoped it would not be necessary. The Reds have four unsigned players following the Monday signings of outfielder Tracy Jones and pitchers BUI Landrum and Pat Pacillo. Still unsigned are pitchers Rob Murphy and Jose Rijo and outfielders Kal Daniel and Leo Garcia. In the renewing process, the clib can sign a player for any figure other than the major league maximum 20 percent cut. Second baseman Ron Cesser has stunned the Reds with his remarkable comeback 0 from reconstructive knee surgery.

"It's almost scary how well he's progressed to this point, said trainer Larry Starr. Oester, whom the Reds released after the career-threatening injury then re-signed, still has to be careful about his lateral motion and putting too much strain on the knee. As a result, he isn't allowed to take batting practice right-handed, and he can't take routine infield practice. He's only allowed to field grounders hit directly at him. Houston Astros KISSIMMEE, Fla.

It is early for Joaquin Andujar's opening remarks. "This is the first time in 19 years I've reported to camp in February," said Andujar, rejoining the Astros' pitching staff as a free agent after tenures in St. Louis and Oakland. He didn't like tne American League. ine games go on tor aw ana 4 hours each," he said.

You can play two NL sIL games in the time it takes to piay one over mere. AP Laserphoto Bearin down Los Angeles Dodgers VERO BEACH, Fla. First baseman Franklin Stubtos, who went 2 for 3 and drove in a run Sunday in the Dodgers' second intrasquad game, said he's progressing well from off-season surgery to repair a dislocated right shoulder. "My batting stroke seems to be coming along pretty well," Stubbs said. "I'm working on hitting the ball to the opposite field.

That's all I'm trying to do right now." Former Cub Ron Davis, battling for a spot on the staff as a nonroster player, didn't allow a hit in two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's game. He'll get another look Tuesday. Also scheduled to pitch are Don Sutton, Tim Crews, Brad Havens and Shawn HiHegas. California Angels MESA, Ariz. After contemplating for months an outfield of Chili Davis in center and Devon White in right, It took only a few days in camp for manager Gene Mauch to change his mind.

He confirmed that Davis, the former San Francisco Giant signed as a free agent in December, would play right while White remains in center. Sore-backed starting pitcher Dan Petty missed his fifth workout to undergo examination at Desert Samaritan Hospital. Results of the magnetic resonance Imaging test were forwarded to club orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum for evaluation. Catcher Bob Boone also is suffering from a sore back and sat out the team's workout Sunday.

Boone felt his back lock as he bent for a bunt during drills Saturday. Cleveland Indians TUCSON Pitchers Tom Candiotti and Rich Yett signed one-year contracts. Candiotti (7-18 last season) tied Scott Belles for the most wins on the staff. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 4.78 eamed-run average In 201 innings. Yett, 25, spent part of last year at Triple-A Buffalo.

Detroit Tigers LAKELAND, Fla. Third baseman Tom Brookens, one of seven players declared free agents by arbitrator Tom Roberts in January, has signed a one-year contract extension. "I'm signed, sealed and delivered," Brookens said after agreeing to the extension for $475,000 that will bind him to Detroit for two more years. "I'm glad it's done." Kansas City Royals HAINES CITY, Fla. Outfielder Danny Tartabul said Monday it would be embarrassing for him to come to camp now and suggests the team ought to trade him.

"If they don't feel I'm that important to their team, then send me to a team that does," TartabuH said. "My market value is very high right now. I just want to be treated fairly, so if they don't want me, trade me." General Manager John Schuerholz said there have been no trade talks involving Tartabutl, adding, "They can't make us trade him." Tartabull, who hit 34 homers with 101 RBIs last season, could be fined if he doesn't appear by Wednesday. He made $145,000 last season and IS asking for $425,000, down from his original request for $550,000. The Royals have Increased their offer by $100,000 to $325,000, and Schuerholz said if Tartabull doesn't accept that, his contract will be renewed automatically (at $290,000 according to Tartabull's representatives) on Tuesday.

Shortstop Kurt StJHweN, acquired in an off-season trade with Cincinnati, signed a one-year contract. Houston coach Yogi Berra gets in the swing of things Monday at the Astros' training camp in Kissimmee, by hitting grounders during infield practice. Cub fights for job after fighting cancer Montreal Expos WEST PALM BEACH. Fla. Luis Rivera is probably the only person in camp who won't admit he has the starting shortstop job locked up.

"As far as I'm concerned, I have to go out and win the job," said the 24-year-old Puerto Rican native. Actually, Rivera has to go out and lose the job to keep himself out of the Opening Day lineup. Manager Buck Rodger all but confirmed it when he moved shortstop Hubie Brook to right field. Rivera is coming off the best offensive year of his career, a .312 season at Triple-A Indianapolis. "He could hit .180 and be an asset to us, Kke Mark Betanger was to the Orioles," said pitcher Dennis Martinez.

"He'll be able to save as many games for us with his glove as someone else might win with their bat." One week after the start of camp, pitcher Pascual Perez hasn't reported. Last year, he was 42 days late. Milwaukee Brewers CHANDLER, Ariz. Dan Plesac, one of the AL's leaders with 23 saves last year despite missing most of the month of September with an elbow injury, is anxious to get started, "it's super," he said of his arm Monday. "There are no problems at all.

My arm feels as good or better than last spring. I threw on the side a couple times and really let It go." New York Mets PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. Dwight Gooden drew rave reviews from teammates after throwing 10 minutes of batting practice. He overpowered Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry and Bill Almon with a mixture of fastballs and changeups.

Carter was the only one to hit a ball out of the infield. Strawberry fouled off most of the pitches he could lay his bat on. "It looks like he's a lot stronger," said Strawberry. Gooden, whose first exhibition start is scheduled for Sunday against Boston, said his fastball was at "60 percent" of peak velocity. "It'H be maybe three weeks before my fastball is 100 percent" Gooden said.

"But it felt good for my first time out facing live hitters. My control was good." Philadelphia Phillies CLEARWATER, Fla. Center-fielder Milt Thompson signed a one-year contract worth $240,000. He led the Phillies with a .302 average and 46 stolen bases last season. Phillies President Bil Giles told outfielder Jeff Stone last season that the team would do what It could to trade him during the off-season.

He's still waiting. "I was sure I'd go somewhere over the winter," said Stone, a speedster in his third year in the maors. "I had prepared myself to be with a new team. I wouldn't say they made a commitment when they'd trade me, but I was told I'd be traded." Several years ago, Stone, now 27, was expected to play a key role reshaping the Phillies from an aging squad to a young, aggressive running team. But that has changed.

"A good ballplayer like myself I can't believe I'm in this situation," said Stone. 1 Minnesota Twins ORLANDO Wearing a World Series ring won't change manager Tom Kelly. He's still as straightforward as ever. "Basically, we're going to do the same things this spring we did last year," he said. "Oh, we'H change a few things, but basically we 1 just worry about the Minnesota Twins.

I not smart enough to worry about the other teams." Trlouna photo by Ed Waflnaf New York Yankees FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. Don Slaught is hoping to bring to the Yankees' catching position, something they haven't naa on a consistent Dasis since tne days ot Tnurman Mtmson. Slaught, 29, came from Texas in the off-season for pitcher Bred Amsberg and is battling Rick Cerone and Joel Skinner for the By Alan Solomon Chicago Tribune MESA, Ariz. He noticed the growth during the last three weeks of the 1987 minor-league season at Triple-A Iowa.

They were the last three weeks of the best year in Damn Jackson's seven-year minor-league career. .274 batting average, 23 home runs, 81 runs batted in. The Cubs brought him up for the last month of the season, and he went 3 for 4 as a pinch-hitter, 4 for 5 overall. It was in Chicago that he first felt the pain. And suddenly, his season was over.

The tumor they cut out of Darrin Jackson was malignant. "I was thinking, Here I am, finally getting a chance to play in the major leagues the last month of the season, and I'm going into the hospital," said Jackson. "It was really disappointing, but 1 wasn't afraid at all. My wife was hanging in there with me, keeping me thinking positive." There was more surgery, and Jackson dropped 25 pounds during his ordeal. But the pounds are back now, he has been pronounced fit, and he's given a good shot at making the Cubs' 24-man roster.

"Damn's one of the best center-fielders in baseball," said Larry Cox, Jackson's manager at Iowa. "Last year, he really developed into a hitter, with some power. "He surprised some people. Especially me." "I haven't done great through the minor leagues," said Jackson, and the numbers provide evidence. His best batting average since signing as a 17-year-old was .276 at Class-A Quad City in 1982.

He hit .252 with three homers at Double-A Pittsfield in 1985, .267 there in 1986. The big club gave him a look in 1985, and he didn't show much a single in 1 1 at-bats. "When we brought him up in '85," remembered manager Don Zimmer, a Cub coach at the time, "he was overmatched. Last year, he hit." Jackson isn't the only good young outfielder in the Cubs' camp. All three outfielders from last yeai's Pittsfield club are here, too, and they make quite a trio.

Doug Dascenzo, a switch-hitter, batted .306 and stole 36 bases a vear ago. Rolando Roomes, who, at 2o, has the longest length of service (eight seasons) with the Cubs of any player in the organization, hit .308 with 21 homers, an Eastern League-high 12 triples and 32 stolen bases. And Dwight Smith hit .337 with 18 home runs and led the league in both runs scored (111) and stolen bases (60). Jackson is accustomed to being surrounded by outfield talent. "There was always somebody in front of me," he said.

"They had Billy Hatcher in front of me when I was younger. They starting spot. I realize tnat it a not spot in a not city, siaugnt said. In New York, I would expect to get some criticism. Nobody is perfect for a whole season.

The Yankees are looking for stability and I think that I can give It to them. I want to provide defense and get the best out of the pitchers." Slaught believes he has the inside track on the starting job, and he does provide what manager Billy Martin is looking for. "I want a guy who can throw out runners and handle our pitchers," Martin saia, "ana it ne is a gooa nitter, i consider tnat a plus. Pittsburgh Pirates BRADENTON, Fla. Yes, that was the same Brian Fisher the Yankees had grown impatient with (sound familiar?) after a sub-par 1986 season who went 7-3 after the Ail-Star break last season for the Pirates.

The big difference, though, was Fisher was able to relax. And the results showed. After struggling as a reliever early in the year, manager Jim Leyland moved him into the starting rotation. He won his last four decisions, and had three shutouts for the season, including a two-hitter against the Cardinals in September. "Nobody panicked in Pittsburgh, but In New York it would have been, 'Uh, oh, he hasn't pitched well in two Fisher said.

There's not as much pressure In Pittsburgh, there's not as many reporters to answer to, It's a little easier place to play than New York. The media isn't as hyped up as it is in New York. Now, I enjoy every minute I'm at the park." Oakland A's SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Jose Canseco got a sample of his teammates' biting humor and a lecture from manager Tony LaRussa after arriving five days later than most players. "I was Darrin Jackson is convinced he has beaten cancer.

Now, he wants to beat the competition for a roster spot. moved Dave Martinez in front of me. "I don't really get frustrated, because I've gotten 500 at-bats a year wherever I've played, and as long as I'm playing, I'm happy. "But now I'm 24 years old. I've got a wife.

I just want a chance to prove myself." He may get it. "I like Darrin Jackson," said Zimmer. "First of all, everyone knows he can play defense with anybody. And being right-handed on the club right now is a plus for him." Martinez, who bats left-handed, will start in center field on Opening Day, and Rafael Palmeiro, who bats left, will probably start in left field. Neithef batted much last year against left-handed pitching.

Martinez hit .348 in 23 at-bats against southpaws (.289 in 436 at-bats vs. right-handers); Palmeiro hit in 26 at-bats against lefties and .297 in 195 at-bats against righties. If Zimmer wants to platoon with either outfielder and stay within the organization, Jackson may be the man. "I told him the first day in camp, 'I know you had a little problem this and I told him, 'The things that bother you? Don't do remembered Zimmer. "'Oh, he said.

'1 can do Jackson is convinced of that. He's also confident his testicular cancer is history. "It's just a lot of follow-up," he said. "I've got to get a checkup every month. "But right now, everything's going fine for me.

Just give me a chance. 1 know if they give me a chance, I'll do the job." unoer tne impression an along tnat tne reporting date was March 1, and I had made commitments 3Vi months aoo." said Canseco, who had committed to sign autographs at two baseball card shows on the East Coast over the weekend. As Canseco headed for the practice field, he had to pass a table with a sign, written by some teammates, which read: "Welcome to Jose Canseco Autograph Day. Appearing for the first time, Jose Canseco. Evening lecture concepts of team play.

Special guest speaKer, jose uarosnow Canseco. Seattle Mariners St. Louis Cardinals ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Third baseman Terry Pendleton, who fouled a bail off his foot during batting practice Sunday, worked out Monday after X-rays of his right foot showed no broken bones.

Manager Whltey Herzog says former White Sox right-hander Jose DeLeon will be the starter in the team's spring opener Friday against the Texas Rangers. If VTnce Coleman stays healthy, Herzog sees no reason why the team should have any trouble stealing 200 or more bases for the seventh straight season. The achievement would tie the Cardinals for second on the all-time list, behind the Cubs, who had eight consecutive 200-plus steal seasons from 1901-08. Relief pitcher Jeff LahtJ has been placed on the voluntary retired list. He missed virtually all of the last two seasons because of shoulder problems.

His best season was 1985, when he had a 5-2 record and 19 saves with a 1.84 ERA. TEMPE, Ariz. Manager Dick Williams has been tinkering with various lineups, favoring ones that have former -Cub Henry Cotto in center field and leading off. "Cotto has good speed, good range and a strong arm. We're going to give him a chance to play." Cotto signed a one-year contract Monday, as aid catcner Dave vaiie.

Texas Rangers PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. Outfielder Ruben Sierra, who San Diego Padres YUMA, Ariz. A two-year contract has been offered to re ended his five-day holdout Sunday, says he will reluctantly settle for the Rangers' $215,000 offer If the team renews his contract automatically, as the Rangers have said they will do. "They're going to make me sad, but It won't make me mad," said Sierra, who earned $97,500 last year. "I I show them what Ruben liever Lance McC users, one ot 15 unsranea payers on tne team, club President Chub Feeney said.

But so far, McCuNers' agent Jerry Kapstein, has declined the offer. Terms were not Cubs notes disclosed. Mccuiiers naa a team-nign 10 saves wst year. sierra can oo. San Francisco Giants Toronto Blue Jays DUNEDIN, Fla.

Pitchers John CerutU and Juan Guzman and first baseman-designated hitter Cecil Fielder signed one-year contracts. Five players are still unsigned: shortstop Manny Lee, outfielder Rob Ducey, pitchers Jeff Mussetman and Jose SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Hall of Famer Willie Mays is in camp and is eager to talk with new center-fielder Brett Butler. "I want to work with Butler because Candlestick Park will be a little strange to him," said Mays, who will be In Arizona most of the spring to serve as a special coach with the Giants. Catcher Bob Brenty is back in camp following a two-day bout with strep throat.

"I dropped 10 pounds," Brenly reported. "My chest feels his right knee drained Sunday and probably won't run or throw until the end of the week. Shawon Dunston remains unsigned, but his agent, Richie Bry, said the parties are dose and expects an agreement this week. Also reported close Is Calvin SchlrakM. Not so close Is.

Dave Martinet. "We're still pretty far apart," said Grenesko. Alan Solomon Chicago Tribune MESA, Ariz. At expected, Olck Mon, Andre Dawson's agent, was at the Cubs' training camp In anticipation of talks Tuasday with business operations boss Don Orenesko. Moss attempted to clarify Dawson's position on staying with the Cubs.

"I think he feels this Is an Ideal situation," Moss said. 'He wants to be here. It's a special thing with the Cubs and the city of Chicago. "On the other hand, If his opportunities are going to be a lot better elsewhere, you've got to at least listen to those opportunities." There's a charice an arbitrator's ruling on alleged collusion by baseball's owners could restore Dawson's free agency sometime during the season. Left-hander Ray Hayward had Nunez and third baseman KeNy ruber Jesse BarfleM, who had surgery on nis left wrist the off-season, says he had 20 cortisone shots in the wrist before he finally submitted to surgery last winter.

"I think people realize we have the ability to like a sunken treasure. win, ne says. out we are getting oreo hearing it it a tune we era someming bdoui it. Compiled by Rich Strom from staff, wire reports..