The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 20

The Billings Gazette Wednesday, August 15, 1990 3-C Continued stories take August off West NFL camps After the Reds rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Giants 6-5 Monday night, making Piniella's prediction come true, Craig wasn't about to accept Piniella's brashness. "When a guy makes statements like he made, it's a sign of insecuri- -ty," Craig said. "If we stay close to them, we'll beat them, I'll guarantee you. And we'll get close." Responded Piniella: "Let's see if they can stay close, No. 1, and if they can beat us, No.

2." Piniella added sarcastically, "Now he's in the prediction business." Before the game, Piniella tried to make it clear that his victory prediction wasn't intended as a swipe against Craig. "But nobody said you have to like a manager or be his friend during the season," Piniella said. "If he wants to have a margarita after the season, fine." He didn't say who'd pay for the drinks. The Associated Press Many people take August vaca-tions, and this year Eric Dickerson is doing that, too. And that's bad news for the Indianapolis Colts.

Dickerson, who flunked his phys- ical last week because of an injured I left hamstring, probably won't be able to play until the end of Septem- ber. 1 "We hope it changes for the shorter," orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Parr said Tuesday. "I could be off two weeks either way." I Parr predicted Dickerson's ham-; string, which he hurt while working -out during the offseason, would be I almost fully recovered when he re-: turns to the Colts. He said the running back would need less than a week of practice to regain his sharpness.

Colts General Manager Jim Irsay said the injured muscle tested "40 percent weaker than Dickerson's right hamstring, which bothered the running back for most of last season and caused him to miss a game due I to injury for the first time in his sev- en-year career. Jim Finks said. "When I was with the Bears, for many years I watched him win big games. I've always been an admirer of his courage and his intelligence and his leadership qualities just his ability to get the job done. I know the last couple of years were difficult for him." Browns Wide receiver Lawyer Tillman will be out six weeks with a stress fracture of his lower left leg.

The injury occurred prior to the Aug. 4 Hall of Fame game, and Tillman aggravated the injury last week practicing against the Packers. Tillman could begin practicing in five weeks and return for either the San Diego game Sept. 23 or Kansas City Sept. 30.

Cardinals Bob Wallace, Phoenix's chief negotiator, met with the agents for Pro Bowl safety Tim McDonald and rookie running back Anthony Thompson. Both are holdouts. McDonald, a fourth-year pro who had a team-leading seven interceptions last season on a $180,000 salary, is seeking a two-year contract worth $775,000 this season and $800,000 in 1991. The Cardinals are offering a $600,000 salary this year and $650,000 in 1991. Thompson, a second-round draft pick from Indiana and the 1989 Heis-man Trophy runner-up, wants a three-year contract worth $1,325 million.

The Cardinals are offering about $200,000 less. Lions June Jones, a Lions quarterback and receivers coach, said Bob Gaglia-no would probably start at quarterback against Buffalo on Friday. Before the exhibition season started, coach Wayne Fontes had said he would alternate starting quarterbacks the first two weeks. Rodney Peete started last week's game against Houston, with Gagliano relieving him. Kicker Eddie Murray tested his injured left hip.

He will skip this week's game but hopes to play Aug. 24 against Kansas City. From Page One you," Craig said before Monday's game. "Somewhere along the line, you're going to be sorry you said it "I don't play games in the newspapers. If I've got something to say, I say it to a guy's face.

I don't know of any manager who knows he's going to win a ballgame. I like to motivate our club, not the opposition. "If I don't have something nice to say about the other club, I don't say anything." Piniella was fuming over Craig's statements about the spitball and his efforts to make sure the ball was called on Dibble for going to his mouth. Piniella responded to Craig with an expletive. "They lose a couple of games and they have our pitchers checked for spitballs," Piniella said.

"They can't accept that we beat 'em." "He'll be back before the season's well under way," Parr said. 'The important thing is he'll be able to go back and go back safely. He'll be in good shape, probably mid-camp shape, and he'll need some fine-tuning before he can go in and contribute." Saints Former Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer is expected to sign a contract with New Orleans on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Kramer, a 13-year veteran, was a Pro Bowl starter after leading the NFC in passing in 1986. But during the 1986-87 offseason, he was charged with driving while intoxicated.

He was acquitted, but he missed the start of the 1987 training camp while in treatment at an alcoholism rehabilitation center. "I've always been an admirer of Tommy," Saints general manager Reeves returns From One Page A disappointed when they happened. But I realized I had to do what it takes to get back to 100 percent. "I felt like I belonged in Baltimore the whole time and it was just a matter of me getting 100 percent again. I wanted to get back and help the club out." Robinson sees nothing but big things ahead for McDonald.

"Ben's starting to feel much more comfortable out there," he said. "He's starting to settle in." jf iiium JrA to ronco camp if ball. He pitched in only two games in his final three weeks in Rochester before he was called up. Robinson started McDonald off in the bullpen. On July 18, he made him a starter.

"The injuries definitely set me back," McDonald said. "I was very Dodgers outlast Ponies GREELEY, Colo. (AP) With his best Mike Ditka imitation, Denver coach Dan Reeves returned to training camp Tuesday, refreshed and ready to lead his Broncos after undergoing surgery for blocked arteries. "I'm going to be as mean and ornery as I've always been," the usually low-key Reeves said. "As far as my heart is concerned, I'm going to continue what I've been doing." Ditka, who is known for being mean and ornery, returned to coach the Chicago Bears after suffering a heart attack in 1988.

While Reeves did not have a heart attack, the 46-year-old coach was sufficently warned to take better care of himself. He said he'll watch his diet and try to get his cholesterol level down. Otherwise, it's business as usual. "I feel real fortunate that everything went smoothly," Reeves said. "I'm back full-time; there are no restrictions.

"It was a good warning. I was one of the lucky ones. I'm going to get back on an exercise program and watch my diet. I can do everything the way I've always done." Reeves said he didn't think the pressure of being a football coach casued his heart problem. "I don't feel like my job has anything to do with it and neither do the doctors.

Although, none of us know that for sure," he said. "There's no question there's stress in everybody's job and there's stress in this job." Last Thursday, Reeves was flown to Redwood City, after doctors discovered the blocked arteries. He underwent an atherectomy and was expected to spend the next three to four weeks recovering. But Reeves was back in less than a week. "Certainly one of the most depressing things when I found out I had a problem was they told me I'd be out for four weeks," he said.

"That was devastating to think that I'd be out that long. Being back and only to miss one game is great." Dr. John Simpson of Sequoia Hospital near San Franscisco helped pioneer the procedure. Reeves received a local anesthetic and was awake for the surgery. He stayed at Simpson's home after being released from the hospital and watched the Broncos beat the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday's exhibition game.

Reeves watched a few other games over the weekend. During halftime of the Broncos game, Reeves took a walk and, on Sunday, played some tennis. Reeves had a stress test three months ago and was given a clean bill of health. He visited Dr. Randy Marsh of the Greeley Medical Clinic last Wednesday after suffering a burning pain in his esophagus.

rw tV was administered oxygen and taken to Deaconess Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson said Watts was treated and released. Mustang manager Gerry Gro-ninger said Watts was hit above the heart and had an irregular heartbeat After play was resumed, the Dodgers' Gordon Tipton shut off a Billings' rally in the 12th to pick up his fifth win in six decisions. With one out, Victor Perez singled to right. He was sacrificed to second by Bobby Filotei but Tipton struck out Keith Gordon to end the game.

The loss went to Ferry, who is 2- 2. Great Falls now has nine-game lead over Billings in the Northern Division race. The Mustangs travel to Helena for a two-game series Wednesday. By ED WEST Of the Gazette Staff Two Pioneer League streaks continued Tuesday night at Cobb Field but that wasn't what was uppermost in the minds of the crowd as it left the park. The Great Falls Dodgers ran their winning streak to 11 games by beating the Mustangs 6-5 in 12 innings.

Billings' K.C. Gillum went 2-for-5 to stretch his hitting streak to 24 games, two off the league record. But the game was marred by an injury to Great Falls third baseman Burgess Watts in the 12th inning. The Dodgers took the lead when the first batter of the inning, Mike Busch hit a home run. The mammoth shot off the Mustangs' Mike Ferry hit a wire over the center-field fence.

On the next pitch, a Ferry pitch hit Watts on the left side of the chest. An ambulance was called and Watts Associated Press Denver coach Dan Reeves returned to work today. PGA's Hillberg will play Bigfork pro-am arris happy with choice sponsorships. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Montana Hope Project which benefits Montana children with life-threatening illnesses. There will be no admission fee, but donations will be taken at the Pro Shop at Eagle Bend Golf Club for the Hope Project.

For information, contact Bill Leininger, Eagle Bend Golf Club, The Mountain States Insurance Charity Pro-Am has received confirmation that Senior PGA Tour players Homero Blancas and Gary Hillberg will join Eagle Bend Golf Club's PGA Tour Representative, Lon Hinkle, in its 2nd annual tournament The tournament which is hosted by the Eagle Bend Golf Club in Big-fork, is open for professional and amateur participants. Openings are still available for players and tournament It would be stupid to have a goal I can't control. They play who they want to play. Major Harris B.C. quarterback 99 Billings team 2nd in tourney Adjusting to life in western Canada hasn't been too difficult, Harris said.

"I'm basically doing the same things I was doing in Morgantown," he said. "Going to practice, playing basketball The only difference is you don't have to deal with the books." The Pittsburgh native said lie phones home often and also talks to former West Virginia teammates such as fullback Rico Tyler. "I came in with Rico and those guys, so yeah, I'm going to cheer them on," Harris said. Weather and fishing opportunities are pluses in British Columbia, Harris said. His residence is about 12 miles southeast of Vancouver, where the Lions are based.

"It's been really nice since I've been here," he said. "They don't have weather like this in Morgan-town. "You also can go fishing every day. There's really nowhere to go fishing in Morgantown." But Canadian football fans don't take the sport as seriously as their American counterparts, he said. "They like football, but it isn't like down in the States," he said.

"Canadians come out and watch the game, but it's entertainment "Down in the States, football is everything." MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) Major Harris said Tuesday he has no regrets about giving up his final year of eligibility at West Virginia to play in the Canadian Football League. Harris, who is on the British Columbia Lions' injured reserve list, also said he has no long-term goals in football because it wouldn't matter if he "If I did hav a plan, it's not up to me anyway," Harris said in an lierview fiom Surrey, British Columbia. "It would be to have a goal I can't controL They play who they want to play." The Lions signed former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie earlier this summer. "I'm not going to say anything about" Flutie, said Harris, who can be activated at any time.

"But I will say Flutie's finding two downs to make 10 yards is a big adjustment," Harris said. "I think if you interviewed him, he would tell you it's a big adjustment" CFL teams have three total downs compared with four in the NFL. CFL teams use 12 players on the field compared with 11 in American footbalL The CFL field also is wider and longer than NFL fields. "The biggest difference isn't the size of the field, it isn't the number of players. It's only having two downs to make 10 yards," said Harris, who played in one exhibition game before the injury.

ment, advanced to the championship game with a 17-4 victory over Pizza Hut of Missoula. of Great Falls edged Lamplighter 8-7 in the title game. The Lamplighter Tigers of Billings finished second in the State Over 34 men's softball tournament this weekend in Great Falls. The Tigers, 5-2 in the tourna Harris, who finished third in last season's Heisman Trophy balloting behind Andre Ware of Houston and Anthony Thompson of Indiana, said he doesn't regret leaving the Mountaineers with a year of eligibility left Harris entered this year's NFL draft believing he would be a high pick, but wasn't taken by the Los Angeles Raiders until the 12th and final round. "If I had come back (to WVU) this year, the same thing might have happened," Harris said.

"I might have finished second or fifth in the voting." A final year in college probably wouldn't have helped him in the draft, Harris said. "I had a lot of publicity coming out this year and it didnt matter," he said. A mericans roily over Aussies CommNeT2000, Montana's cellular phone company, is proud to support the Big Sky Air Show. We're also proud to offer cellular mobile phone service in: Billings Missoula Butte Helena We provide extended local calling. With CowMeT2000 cellular service, all of eastern Montana is yours FREE from long distance charges.

We feature a wide selection of mobile, portable and transportable phones, including a full line-up from Motorola Other services available include Call Forwarding, 3-Way Calling and Call Waiting. mmm mmm rnmm't mi p.m Are you ready to Improve your business communications? berry's steal of an inbounds pass and a layup after Day's free throw. With 1:17 to play, the United States had its first lead since 32-31 with 4:20 left in the first half. "I started downcourt and then cut back, and someone did a great job of getting the big man out of the lane," Mayberry said. "I was looking to do that and it worked." Mourning blocked a shot by Longley on the next Australian possession and Day stuffed Gaze when he grabbed the rebound.

The United States then opted for possession rather than attempt free throws after three Australian fouls, and time expired. "That was a great win," U.S. coach Mike Krzy-zewski said, "especially after last night" an emotional 104-100 victory over host Argentina. As happy as the U.S. team was, the Australians were just as disconsolate.

Coach Adrian Hurley was asked what he felt was the key to the U.S. comeback. "Our ability to pass the ball to them in the last four minutes," he said. "We just gave the game away. We're sitting here analyzing why the USA played so badly.

There were two teams out there; one kept its composure at the end." The United States did play poorly much of the game, shooting 10 for 28 from the field in the first half, as Longley dominated inside. saw Kenny, and we sat on the bench and said someone had to step forward, and instead the whole bench stepped forward," Day said. He wasnt far off. Of the United States' 15 steals in the game, the bench players produced 11. Australia scored three points on free throws to make it 74-62, and that's when Mourning called the team together for a huddle.

"They were on the foul line and we were down 1L and I called everyone together and said we were going to win the game," he said. "Lee, Todd, Henry (Williams) and Doug (Smith) all stepped up to play some sensational defense and give us a big and Mourning each hit two free throws, and Smith and Day each scored on drives as Australia began to turn the ball over against the pressure defense. The United States was within 74-70 with 3:23 left Andrew Gaze, who played at Seton HalL hit two free throws to restore the margin to six. But Smith converted a miss by Day, and Mourning stole the ball at midcourt and went in for a layup to get the United States within two points with 2:29 to go. Gaze scored Australia's final points on two free throws 26 seconds later.

Australian turnovers ted to a dunk by Day, a free throw by Day, and then the clincher May- BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) The United States overcame a 13-point deficit with seven minutes to play, injuries to two star players, and the career performance of a fellow American college player to beat Australia 79-78 on Tuesday to virtually clinch a semifinal berth in the the World Basketball Championships. The berth didn't look so sure on Tuesday as Australia (0-2) nearly registered its first-ever victory over the United States behind 7-foot-2 center Luc Longley, who plays at New Mexico. Australia took a 70-57 lead with 7:17 to play after a 3-pointer by Phil Smyth. The United States played without Billy Owens, who pulled a muscle in his back in the opening minute, and Kenny Anderson, who took an elbow in the face during a scramble for a rebound with 11:40 to play. Yet the loss of Owens and Anderson didnt seem to matter when the Americans swarmed on defense, ted by reserves Lee May berry and Todd Day, who are teammates at Arkansas, and Alonzo Mourning, who said after the game he knew what was going to happen.

Christian Laettner hit two free throws to start the U.S. team's 22-8 run to victory. After a free throw by Austrlia's Ray Borner, Day hit a er, his first points of the game and the first of 10 he scored in the final 6 :31. "We knew Billy wasn't going to play and we Call us today! 248-1990 or 1-800-942-2060 1701 Grand Avenue, Billings Mnntana's cellular Dhone COmDanv. Currently serving Billings, Butte, Helena, fjf Missoula and neighboring communities.