The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 17

EARLY ED THE GAZETTE, MONTREAL, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1997 SPORTS BRIEFS Rumour mill heats up has Expos' Martinez joining Indians Boxer Grant gets shot at world title Montrealer will fight Rhodes in December vote a Christmas bonus for Beattie Manny Ramirez earned $2.1 million this year after back-to-back 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons. Though the 25-year-old Dominican right-fielder hit .328 this year, his power numbers were slightly off, with 26 homers and 88 RBIs. His accelerating pay scale will call for more than $2.5 million next season. Colon is a 22-year-old Dominican right -hander who was up and down between the Indians and their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. With the Indians, he was 4-7 with a 5.65 ERA over 94 innings.

Most likely, this Cleveland trade rumour is just one of many that will circulate before Beattie finds a home for both Martinez and second-baseman Mike Lansing. Pedro Martinez will be traded. Beattie has made it clear he will trade both star players for young pitchers with less than one year of major-league service. "There will be plenty of speculation, but it won't come from this office," Beattie said before getting on a four-way conference call with assistant GM Fred Ferriera, minor-league director Dave Littlefield and scouting director Jim Fleming. "I hope to have a pretty good line on a lot of young players we know are available after the conference call," Beattie said.

"Then I'll discuss what we know with Felipe (manager Alou) and get his Talk in Cleveland IAN MoeDONALD The Gazette After losing the World Series to the Florida Marlins, the Cleveland Indians have set their sights on a new prize: Pedro Martinez. The hottest rumour in Cleveland yesterday involved a three-for-one deal between the Indians and the Expos, with Martinez as the ultimate prize. There is good reason to believe the Expos might be able to get as many as three players in exchange for Martinez, who is a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. But the three Cleveland players being mentioned as bait right-hander Bar-tolo Colon, infielder Richie Sexson and outfielder Manny Ramirez make this particular scenario difficult to digest Except general manager Jim Beattie refused to say no when the rumour was brought up. "I'm not going to tell you any names which are being discussed," Beattie told The Gazette.

"I don't comment on those But Beattie did make a couple of comments on the subject "The Indians have another Ramirez on their roster, a young outfielder," the GM said about 22 year-old Alex Ramirez. "And, yes, Manny Ramirez is not really the type of player I'm looking for. But he's signed to a long-term contract (through 1999 with a team option for 2000). "There could be additions (in the deal) money, all kinds of things," Beattie added. "What if they offered $10 million as well?" Under those conditions, the penny-pinching Expos hierarchy might even Hershiser Associated Press NEW YORK Three days after the end of the World Series, Orel Hershiser filed for free agency, possibly the start of an off-season of change for the American League champion Cleveland Indians.

Infielder Kevin Seitzer, who intends to retire, also was among 14 players who filed yesterday, increasing the total to 76 after three days. Players can file through Nov. 10 and start discussing contract terms with any team the following day However, no signings SOCCER The last free kick has been taken by the Vancouver 86ers as Canadian soccer was dealt another blow yesterday The A-League franchise folded after minority owner Gord Robson failed to attract investor interest in a semi-pro team that couldn't make ends meet on an operational budget of $750,000 a year. Robson tried to save the franchise after majority owner Milan Ilich lost more than $2 million over an eight-year period. The 86ers officially cease operation today IN BUENOS AIRES, Diego Maradona, beset by reports of a new positive drug test said he has decided to retire.

Maradona, who turns 37 today, played Sunday in Boca Juniors's 2-1 victory at River Plate. He has said many times in the past that he was retiring only to return. MISCELLANY The Minnesota Vikings have been secretly on the market for at least two months, and board members already have entertained four out-of-state prospective buyers, according to a published report The suitors represent Toronto, Los Angeles, Birmingham, and another unidentified area, the Star Tribune reported yesterday. It is believed the unidentified bidder intends to keep the National Football League team in the Twin Cities. IN PARIS, Boris Becker made another farewell, his last match in Paris that ended with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-3 loss to Pete Sampras in the second round of the Paris Open.

Becker is playing only selected events as he winds up his career and has retired from Grand Slam tournament play He is a three-time champion in Paris, but his ranking was not enough for him to be seeded this year. AT MCCONNELL WINTER ARENA, the McGill Redmen defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees 5-3 in university hockey action. The winning goal was scored by Alex Chapdelaine at 1027 of the third period. Other McGill scorers were David Gourde, Mathieu Darche, Ben Vad-nais and Luc Fournier. The Redmen improved to 3-0 in league play as Ottawa dropped to 2-1.

McGill will travel to Yale and Harvard this weekend. joins growing list Montreal's Otis Grant, the North American Boxing Federation's middleweight champion, will get a shot at an interim world title Grant 29-1-1 with 17 knockouts, will meet Britain's Ryan Rhodes for the interim World Boxing Organization 160-pound title in Sheffield, England. The bout will occur either Dec. 13 or 19, depending on the availability of British television. WBO champ Lonnie Bradley has been sidelined indefinitely with a detached retina and has received a medical extension.

Should Bradley, who scored a controversial draw against Grant last March, resume his career, he must meet the winner of the bout between Grant and Rhodes. Otherwise, the winner will be declared the undisputed WBO champ. Rhodes is undefeated in 17 bouts, including 15 KOs. IN HARTFORD, former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson was injured yesterday afternoon in a motorcycle accident and was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. BASEBALL Frank Thomas is baseball's top player, according to the annual rankings by the Elias Sports Bureau-Thomas had a 97.5 score out of 100, according to figures released yesterday, and took over as top player from Albert Belle, who slipped from a 98.378 to 89.157 after leaving Cleveland to become Thomas's teammate on the Chicago White Sox.

Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz was the top-rated player in the NL at 96.753. IN MIAMI, Florida Marlins pitcher Alex Fernandez had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and, although he will miss the 1998 season, he is expected to pitch again, a team spokesman said. IN NEW YORK, a judge ruled that New York Mets outfielder Carl Everett and his wife, Linda, neglected their two children, but more serious abuse charges against the couple were dropped. The judge must next decide whether to return custody of Shawna, 6, and Carl, 5, to the Everetts. The children are in foster care.

including meals and input" Beattie is certain he won't have to veer away from his goal of landing pitching talent that will help the Expos contend by 2001, the year they hope to move into a new downtown stadium. "I know we're going to get some good players," Beattie said. "But there are still going to be a lot of unknowns. We're talking about younger players. "I think we're going to get talented young players and, in the end, we're going to feel pretty good that we were able todothat" Beattie remains fairly certain that no trade will be finalized before the expansion draft next month.

"I dont expect it to happen," he said. "The situation may arise where a team has something good to offer and they say we've got to do it before the draft, then that's what we might have to da "The parameters might be that we announce a trade which involves a player to be named later and that player would be protected from the draft but frankly, I don't anticipate anything like that "You keep your mind open to all possibilities." EXPOSES As expected, first-baseman David Segui has filed for free agency, joining catcher Darrin Fletcher, who submitted his name Monday morning CF Rondell White is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Nov. 5. The surgery was originally slated for a few days after the season, but White had a virus at the time and it was postponed. White spent much of the past few weeks with his close buddy Cliff Floyd, who helped the Marlins win the World Series.

Also filing yesterday were Kansas City designated-hitter Chili Davis, Baltimore DH Harold Baines, Yankees outfielder Tim Raines and St Louis Cardinals reliever Dennis Eckersley. St. Louis prevented Todd Stottle-myre from filing for free agency by exercising the pitcher's option and also exercised a $3-million option on second-baseman Delino DeShields, a former Expo. Kansas City reliever Jeff Montgomery was prevented from filing when the Royals exercised their option. this year SLEEPERS: Hornets, Pistons, Suns.

SLIPPERS: Heat, Jazz, Rockets, Sonics, Hawks. BIGGEST OFF-SEASON WINNER: Hornets. Signed free-agent guards David Wesley and Bobby Phills to replace Muggsy Bogues and Tony Smith, who is now playing in Spain. BIGGEST OFF-SEASON LOSER: Cavaliers. Phills left via free agency, and Brandon and former all-star forward Tyrone Hill were traded as part of a deal that brought Shawn Kemp, whose talent is weighed down by his personal baggage BEST OFF-SEASON ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Jayson Williams.

The New Jersey Nets centre ripped coach John Calipari in a GQ article and asked to be traded, but he's happy now to be playing alongside rookie Keith Van Horn. WORST OFF-SEASON ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Derrick Coleman. The Sixers forward has retired the trophy in this category EXECUTIVES OF THE YEAR: Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Jerry Krause for promising to do what no one else in the NBA has been able to achieve break up the Bulls. jip Yhen Yot Purchase Any REMOTE CAR STARTER OR SECURITY SYSTEM BY VIPER Im To Widows Tiitd For Mjrifffv M7 St-Joopn Wnt W-9591 atmm mom umsom S5 II I Spurs ready to kick are expected until after Nov. 18, the day of the expansion draft Hershiser, a 39-year-old right-hander, was 14-6 with a 4.47 ERA during the regular season, but slumped in the post-season, going 0-2 in five starts during the playoffs and World Series.

Cleveland, which lost the World Series to Florida in seven games, is looking to overhaul its pitching staff. The Indians may attempt to trade for the Expos' Pedro Martinez and are said to be interested in Dwight Gooden if the New York Yankees decline his $3-mil-lion option. YOUNG GUNNER AWARD: An-toine Walker. He will thrive in the fast-break system his former college coach. Rick Pitino, plans for the Boston Celtics.

VETERAN GUNNER AWARD: Penny Hardaway Orlando Magic coach Chuck Daly granted his wish to move to shooting guard with the proviso that he's in condition to defend the opponents' top outside shooter. WILVTS AN ASSIST? Philadelphia 76ers point-guard Allen Iverson is about to learn under new coach Larry Brown. GUESS WHO WON'T WIN 60 GAMES? The Bulls. GUESS WHO ELSE WONT WIN 60 GAMES? The rest of the Eastern Conference. Such is the effect of the improvement in the coaching and talent level throughout the East COACH OF THE YEAR (BEST FORMER CELTIC CATEGORY): Dave Cowens.

He led the Hornets to 54 wins in his first season and has an improved backcourt this year Larry Bird may improve the Indiana Pacers and still finish third in this category if the Milwaukee Bucks' Chris Ford can get new point-guard Terrell Brandon to mesh with Glenn (Big Dogged) Robinson. MOLSON CENTRE THIS SATURDAY ay fa. j' 'It V. NBA Continuedmm Page El COMEBACK TEAM OF YEAR: Spurs. They followed a 59-win season with 20 wins, playing all but six games without the injured Robinson, the biggest one-season decline in NBA history.

If they win 56 games or more, it will be the greatest one-season improvement in NBA history. They will for the next two reasons. COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Robinson. The Spurs' centre has reached the conference final only once previously. He'll make a second trip this season and might have enough help to get past Shaq.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Duncan. Robinson has taken the No. 1 pick from Wake Forest under his wing. Opponents who try to take it to the hoop on the Spurs better have a wash rag to wipe the imprint of commissioner David Stern's signature off their faces. COACH OF THE YEAR: Danny Ainge.

The Suns' coach took a team that started 0-14 to the playoffs because he broke the mold and put his best athletes on the floor, most of whom happen to be guards. Now he has front-court power to match. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anthony Mason. The Hornets are ready to make their own run at the Bulls in the Midwest Mason is the enforcer SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR: Mills. The newest Knick might succeed teammate John Starks in this role, especially if Starks doesn't improve his shot selection, ball-handling and 15 regular pairs of tickets will also be awarded PAIR OF LOGE TICKETS beverages W.W.F.

souvenirs 4Z7 I 31, 1997. No purchase necessary. Hand-drawn 1 facsimiles accepted no taxes, no photocopies. I Coupons wiN be drawn at random Nov. S.

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