Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 50

12 ''Section 3 Chicago Tribune, Sunday, March 14, 1993 BASEBALL Cubs' Wilkins proves that perseverance pays Tigers' Henneman signs 3-year deal Notes V. J) Tribune ohoto bv tharles CharnaJ Ctticago Tribun MESA, Ariz. Cubs catcher Rick Wilkins was asked which feat would give him the most satisfaction: With two outs in the ninth inning and the tying or winning run at third base, blocking a pitch in the dirt to prevent the runner from scoring? Or hitting a ninth-inning home run to give the Cubs a 1-0 victory? Wilkins sank into deep thought He was in the dugout, his face flush after a strenuous early-morning workout I knew the answer, having been a good- field, no-hit, Douglas Park American Legion catcher. If it were me, I would rather block the pitch and hold the runner at third. Wilkins didn't answer directly.

He smiled, then replied: "I did both last year in a game at Houston." He went on to explain that on July 24 he hit a ninth-inning solo home run off Doug Jones that broke a scoreless tie. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded, two strikes, the batter swung and missed Bob Scanlan's sinker, which bounced in the dirt Wilkins not only blocked the ball, but he also threw out the batter at first base to end the game. "It was a double thrill," Wilkins conceded. "It was an awesome day." More thrills should be ahead for the husky Wilkins, who is now the Cubs' No. 1 backstop.

For the last two years he was platooned with Joe Girardi, who was left unprotected in the expansion draft and is now with the Colorado Rockies. Wilkins, 25, had only 203 at-bats in '91 and 244 last year, combined, it's the equivalent of a full season. Barring injury or a severe slump, neither of which is anticipated, he could come to the plate 500 times during the long season ahead. "I hope so," manager Jim Lefeb-vre said. "He's a good hitter who's going to improve." Better yet, Wilkins bats left-handed, and lefty-hitting catchers are a rare and valuable commodity.

"If he 'can hit and if he's good defensively," said California manager Buck Rodgers, a former catcher, "he'll be worth twice as much as The Cubs' 1" catcher, Rick Wilkins, will have a long season ahead perhaps up to 500 at-bats if he remains healthy. Jerome Holtzman On baseball anyone on the club." Wilkins, at this point, is slightly above average defensively, but doesn't always have a quick release. He has a strong and accurate arm, but his percentage against would-be base stealers last season was 37 percent; 45 to 48 percent is the desired ratio. The required time on a throw to second, from the catcher's glove to the shortstop or second baseman's glove, is 2 seconds. Thursday, in Tucson, he threw two runners out.

"I'm working on it," he said. The secret is waiting for the pitch to come to him and in transferring the ball from his glove to his bare hand. "Give him two years and he'll be the all-star catcher, Lefebvre said. Then Lefebvre added: "Look at him, he's big and strong, the perfect size for a catcher." Wilkins, 6 feet 2 inches and 215 pounds, has been catching since he was 9 years old, in Little League. His father, Ray, who had been a college ballplayer, was coaching the team and was.

constantly upset because so many runners were scoring from third on wild pitches. "He gave me a chest protector and a mask and told me, 'Get down on your knees and block those Wilkins recalled. "And he showed me how to keep my chin tucked in to prevent getting hit in the throat." It was a tough assignment for a 9-year-old, but Wilkins never changed positions. Like his father, his mother, Pat, always was encouraging him. Today, 1 6 years later, Wilkins is more appreciative than ever.

"I've got the best parents and the best family in the world," Wilkins said, "They're my support system." Growing up in Jacksonville, Wilkins had two big-league heroes, Service Hours: 8 AM To 6 PM Some Centers Open Sun. Prices Effective: both catchers: the late Thurman Munson of the Yankees and Johnny Bench, the Cincinnati Hall of Famer. He idolized Munson, Wilkins recalled, "because he was a sturdy, hard-nosed player. His uniform always was duty. I liked his spirit." As for Johnny Bench, Wilkins said, "If you're a catcher, who wouldn't like Johnny Bench?" The biggest difficulty for a young catcher is knowing the hitters and handling his pitchers.

Steve Lake, a veteran receiver who has returned to the Cubs after a long absence, will be Wilkins' backup. Lake has been tutoring him on game situations. "He made a big step forward in taking charge last year," Lefebvre said. "I can tell that every day the pitchers show him more respect. He's learning his pitchers, which guys he can bark at and which ones he has to pat on the back." Wilkins has a .248 lifetime aver age, but at this stage in his career, doesn't have big home-run power.

Still, if he plays the full season, he is capable of hitting 15 to 18 home runs. "We're in an arena of offensive numbers," Lefebvre observed. "If a player hits 25 home runs, he goes to arbitration, and the arbitrator says, 'Wow, 25 home runs; that's $2 million a That's why it's so hard to get these guys to work on defense. No one pays much attention to defense." Wilkins is different. His biggest concern is improving his skills behind the plate.

"People don't realize how long it took me to get here," Wilkins said. "I was in the minor leagues for four years, four long years, and I learned one thing. I saw many talented players in Double A and Triple and they're still not in the big leagues. It takes perseverance, and that's what I've got." In abundance. PRO FOOTBALL Loyalty pays for low-key Petitbon AUTO SERVICE HUN I 61993 Kmart Corporation From Chicago Tribun wim Relief ace Mike Henneman signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

It replaced a one-year deal he and the Tigers had agreed to, but not signed, to avoid arbitration in February. Terms weren't announced. Henneman, 31, led the Tigers with a career-best 24 saves last season, and had a 3.96 earned-run average. He is the only pitcher in Tigers history to record 20 or more saves in four different seasons. His 104 career saves are third-best in Detroit history behind John Hiller (125) and Willie Hernandez (120).

Andy Van Slyke underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Pittsburgh, and the Pirates said they are optimistic he will be ready to play by Opening Day. Team orthopedist Jack Failla removed loose cartilage from Van Slyke's right knee and said the center-fielder will miss two to three weeks. That would be enough time for Van Slyke to recover for the April 6 opener at Pittsburgh against San Diego. "From what I've been told, I can expect him to be ready for the start of the season," manager Jim Leyland said. Van Slyke is expected to return to the Pirates' camp Monday and begin rehabilitation.

He was bothered by soreness in his right knee last week and tests revealed no structural damage. Van Slyke aggravated the knee Tuesday during an exhibition game. When the New York Mets open the season against Colorado on April 5, they will honor Dennis Byrd of the New York Jets for his inspiring recovery from a paralyzing football injury. Byrd, 26, last went to Shea Stadium on Aug. 16, when he was a banner day judge.

He has spent the past three months recovering from his Nov. 29 neck injury. "You kind of begin to associate with other New York teams," Byrd said Saturday during a telephone conference call. "Maybe it's because it rhymes with Jets. You know us football players, trying to Petitbon will operate the Redskins exactly the way Gibbs did from the other side of the ball.

Gibbs concentrated solely on offense. "He'd give us ideas, things that bothered the offense," Petitbon said. "He helped us a lot withouj ever meddling. He never second-guessed us. Things happen in football games.

Nothing's ever perfect. It's probably like war is; the guy who screws up least wins, but there are screw-ups all over the place. "When thinp would go bad, it was just 'one of those I'm not so sure that's the case in most places because everybody wants to blame somebody else. That never was the case here, and I think that helped our football team because we never blamed the players. It was never the quarterback's fault or the punt returner dropped the ball.

You just take it in stride. You get a more level, even effort out of everybody because nobody has to be made a scapegoat." Gibbs got tagged with the workaholic label when he slept at Redskins Park once or twice a week. "My job is to win football games, Petitbon said. "My sleeping habits don't amount to a hill of beans. It's what happens on Sunday that counts." Petitbon will turn 55 in April.

Sleeping will remain in his plans, but not early retirement. Had he spent more time tooting his own horn, Petitbon might have been a coach in Timbuktu by now. Instead, he professed no genius. When a particular blitz proved so effective it provided a turning point said. "The players are listening to the offers and, for the most part, visiting three or four teams.

"The position we are in here is outstanding. I have talked to about 10 players myself. With the tradition in the city and their knowing we have a quality football club, they are all interested in the Bears. "We have a couple of guys set up for visits, and they are going to bring their wives with them." Cain's wife influenced his decision to sign with the Bears. "His wife lived in Chicago until she was about 16," Wannstedt said.

First Impressions: Backup quarterback Peter Tom Willis is an unrestricted free agent whose status will not be fully evaluated by the Bears until after the minicamp in Mesa. But he is performing well so Sunday, March 14 Through Saturday, March 20 limited Tread Wearout Warranty Details In Store Mounting included No Trade-In Required Road Hazard Warranty Available keep things simple." Before Byrd spoke with reporters, Mets manager Jeff Torborg got on the telephone. "You've been an inspiration to a lot of people," Torborg said. "I just wanted you to know that. I look forward to seeing Since breaking his neck in a collision with teammate Scott Mer-sereau," Byrd has progressively gained arm and leg strength.

He has gone from quadriplegia to quadriparesis, a change from paralysis to weakness. "Everything is going real well," Byrd said. "For lack of better words, they are going at an amaz-' ing pace. I'm walking much better and am using my left hand in ways that are sort of normal. I'm working a lot at muscle endurance." Sherry Davis, the legal secretary who is the first full-time woman public-address announcer in major-league history, made a three-inning debut when the San Francisco Giants played the Oak-; land Athletics in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"I was scared to death, and then I settled down," said Davis, who worked the middle three innings under the scrutiny of several cameras and a record crowd of 9,997 in Scottsdale Stadium. "The best part was the reaction of the fans. I was moved by the ovation before I said a word. The, worst part is that there are a lot of substitutions in spring training and it's hard keeping track." Davis, who was selected among approximately 500 made some rookie mistakes. She announced Giants catcher Andy Allanson as "Alan Allanson," and later mistakenly announced Dave Anderson as "Andy Allanson." But her voice became stronger as the game progressed and she enjoyed the trial run before beginning her $75-per-game job during home games in Candlestick Park.

"It was very nerve-wracking, but it also was very exciting," Davis said. AP file photo Redskins coach Richie Petitbon. in trouncing the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI, Petitbon was asked to describe its origin. Rather than attribute it to hours of film study and computer analysis tracing tendencies of left guards to leave gaps on second and long early in third quarters against 4-3 defenses, Petit- bon shrugged and told the truth: "Larry Peccatiello linebacker coach made it up on the bus on the way to the game." Sometimes, things turn out better than you plan. Sometimes, things are perfect in football.

"There's got to be a guy upstairs, man," Petitbon said. He didn't mean Mr. Cooke. competition far in unstructured indoor practices. Said Wannstedt "I have been impressed.

He has worked extremely hard and has shown some very encouraging things." In demand: Fullback Brad Muster is attracting interest from the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers as an unrestricted free agent. Former Bears running backs coach Johnny Roland now has that job with the Jets. In-Vince-abie: Defensive end Richard Dent denounces critics of former Bears defensive coordinator Vince Tobin. Although the unit's productivity slacked off dramatically (17th in the NFL) last season, Dent says the fault was not all Tobin's. "We didn't have the kind of players we had back in '85 under Buddy Ryan.

That's not Vince's fault" I 197l55SR12 Blackwali IS BLACKWALL PRICE WHITEWALL PRICE psPI 17570R13 31.97 P15560R13 27.97 I 18570R13 33.97 P19575R14 37.97 DOMESTIC 18570R14 35.97 p20575R1S 43.97 pIMill Other sizes are also available LwnJ ttfiriB iH AU-seasonradial By Don Pierson Pro football writer New Washington Redskins coach Richie Petitbon never campaigned for head coaching jobs and frequently was bypassed by owners who never pursued him, so it was fitting when a secretary came to his office and told him Jack Kent Cooke wanted to see him. "You have to do something bad for Mr. Cooke to want to see you," Petitbon said. The owner of the Redskins always had paid Petitbon and other assistants well enough so they stayed happy and stayed in Washington. Petitbon arrived to help run the defense in 1978, when Jack Pardee preceded Joe Gibbs as head coach.

"If I could have done what I was doing for the rest of my life, I would have been very happy," Petitbon said. "Washington really had become my home. "I was only interested in two other jobs. One was New Orleans, and the other was Chicago, for obvious reasons." Petitbon grew up in New Orleans and played for the Bears from 1959-68. "Just to be a head coach in Timbuktu, that didn't really interest me." When Mike Ditka was fired, Petitbon was interested.

Bears President Michael McCaskey called. "My gut feeling is they wanted Dave Wannstedt from the outset," Petitbon said. "They got what they wanted. If he didn't get it, it would have been anybody's L-l-oSe7iuS guess. I really enjoyed meeting with McCaskey, talking to him on the phone a couple times.

I think he's a nice guy. He treated me well. I was pleased with the way things went. No question I'd have been very happy to take the Bears' job. It didn't work out, and quite frankly I'm happy about that.

Because while I like the Bears, I like this place better." Petitbon had just returned from a scouting trip to Notre Dame when he was summoned to Cooke's office. "I went in and Joe was sitting there," Petitbon said. "As soori as I saw it, I said, 'Joe I knew it right then." Petitbon was the obvious successor. His five Super Bowls with the Redskins, including one as player, was one more than Gibbs had experienced. Gibbs said Petitbon's defense "made me look good." Petitbon returns the compliment.

"As good a coach as he is, I think he's a better person. The guy is absolutely legit," Petitbon said. "What he did, walking away from this job, I don't know if anybody else in the world would do that." Gibbs overworked, doing more than was required for success in everyone's eyes except his own. "He certainly could have just sat here and collected a lot of money, and nobody would have said anything," said Petitbon. "I guarantee you the product would have been the same.

But he couldn't do that. That's not the way he is. If he's not doing what he thinks he had to do he's driven. So he walked away." Bears Notes Wannstedt is optimistic about the prospect of retaining Seattle restricted free-agent linebacker Joe Cain, signed last week to a two-year, $1.3 million offer sheet. The Seahawks have until Wednesday to match it "He is a linebacker who can run, and he was very productive on special teams.

He is a guy who could probably play two or three positions for us," Wannstedt said. The Bears have had mixed early responses to their free-agent overtures since March 1. Redskins defensive lineman Tim Johnson rejected them last week, but others at least plan visits. "It's a lot like Plan Wannstedt KmAtrHmnum 13 97 HAVOLINE MOTOR OIL SPECIAL with up to 5 qts. of "Formula 3" motor oil, 1 Motor-vator oil filter mfd.

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Tire And Battery I Bears will be evaluated in 'decathlon' 5 1 ovttahle II il I I I I I I II I I I i i ru hi ri iran wm i i i i i an By Fred Mitchell Conditioning and fitness coordinator Russ Riederer, who introduced the 300-yard shuttle run test to the Bears camp last summer, has a demanding decathlon-type routine planned this year. The test includes a vertical jump, 40-yard dash, shuttle run, bench press and squat, among other activities. A points system will rank the performances in relation to teammates and position. There will be preliminary testing in the next couple of weeks before the March 29 in Mesa, then follow-up testing throughout the spring and summer. As incentives for the players, TV sets and other gifts will be awarded to the top performers.

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