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Fort Worth Star-Telegram from Fort Worth, Texas • 37

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Fort Worth, Texas
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37
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PI i Yount sickened i Sonics-Mavs HSE High schools 2C CeIncs-Jazz 8 pm TNT Cgs 4C ollee 8-9C SECTION bystate ofgame 1 Michlgan-Colorado 8:30 pm ESPN 'Pro basketball SC Houston-Stanford 11 pm ESPN Baseball 6-7C 6 n' riched by 1982 i) Scoreboard Wednesd lg ay AM March 13 1991 4 4 Bob Verdi FORT WORTH STARMELEGRAM 1 g- HANDLER Ariz He was a pure ballplayer as a phenomenal 18-year-old rookie'shortstop and nothing has I ri "J' 1 il'''l i 1: '''411 Oklahoma Cowboy tale chang-Cd except his age which will be double that by season's end WW1 A Robin Yount still considers it a privi- I tege to put on the major-league uniform J--1- 41 i and he feels the same downside risk of Sutton's disciplinary style has 1 Celebrity status as he did in 1974 too AINkt "WV '4104 i Yount was the Ryne Sandberg of that State winning again I 44'''''''' 1 era bashfully brilliant Al i You know me" Yount says "I like i k'' 1 to be left alone" I' Pl BY WENDELL BARNHOUSE ries and two national 4 But on this shiny morning at the 1: Fon Worth Star-Teleram championships in 36 seasons Milwaukee Brewers spring training i STILLWATER Okla About "There are two kinds of basket- 1 headquarters Yount's heart is pumping 50 feet from the Oklahoma State ball half court and running in0 his voice climbs above the usual bench in a comer of the arena that game" lba says "I like the half- i iiii whisper He stands beside the batting i kt I bears his name he sits in his person- court I don't like these 120-1 15 cage talking with his hands as if to ease 'I'' 'I alized seat and enjoys what he sees games This year's team is playing I 40 If il ti the chore of having to talk at all not his As he munches on peanuts the Iron the kind of ball I like" -4 favorite thing 1' 1 '''4 Duke is finally watching a Cowboys In this town Iba's stamp of apI "I don't like what I see around the 4 team play the way it should proval is like his handshake or auto- game now Yount says "Don't like it i 441 1 It 1 t' 4111Z': 1 4'090- Henry Iba 85 represents the graph if the touch of a legend all Too many numbers statistics and golden age of tradition at Oklahoma For any Oklahoma State coach an dollar signs And not enough emphasis -44 4 4 i Nd 4 1 Nit State When the basketball team lba blessing is better than a five-year On winning I don't know who you played in Gallagher Arena (the re- guaranteed contract blame or how to fix it but something's Press furbished building is called Gal- Eddie Sutton who played for Iba missing Am I starting to sound like Coaching legend Henry Iba left was pleased to welcome Eddie Sutton to the helm lagher-lba) lba totaled 655 victo- (More on SUTTON on Page 4) i an old-timer?" He is in a throwback sort of way and that's not all bad When Yount broke in I i tree agency and salary arbitration Weren't running the sport and the chant Deels1011 of the dissatisfied athlete wasn't "Two 0 A 0 four six eight I want to renegotiate" If tol 117 Davis you came to the plate with a teammate leS Cill4itrhY Sgt agigg on i On second base you were expected to advance him by hitting the ball to the right side And if you did that on a dozen occasions during the summer the delayed points you sacrificed on your batting av- The Rangers are erage you gained in the clubhouse and on the bus taking a low-key -e I But now I agrees to hold Rodriguez whose goal because the financial stakes approach on Ivan are so huge and because every move- 4 '''fir): '1'' report until tomorrow tnent is stuffed into a computer and be- cause you are paid according to rank by is to be the best at his '1 ') -V BY WENDELL BARNHOUSE position the most perfect game on earth I-on Wonh Star-Telegram bbll has sprung imperfections If a manager position in asea COLLEGE STATION-After a insists a 260 hitter who 90- ives himself BY TA SULLIVAN minute meeting yesterday the up for the cause is a better asset than -7 16 only thing for sure is that the 349 Fon Wonh Star-Telegram the 280 hitter who swings for the fences i day-old Kermit Davis Era at Texas PORT CHARLOTTE Fla ii i I': 441 A' when a ground ball will do the printout ri" will last at least two more Ivan Rodriguez has no doubts about i-r ----e' N' A 0 days I Overrules and the gray-striped suit who -g what will happen when he makes the 1-- -1 -2- decides net worth probably does too Davis along with attorneys To Yount major leagues who gravitates to the St r4---1 George Pamham and Harold Stern want to stay 40' American League standings this is pret- here but I may -4' met with President William ty sick stuff 1 "I have to go to Double-A or Triple- -4t 4 Mobley chieflegal counsel James 1 1 "I don't like the word selfish" he Rodriguez said "That's all NOW 4 Bond athletic director John David right A half-season or Septem- say 'Besides I understand what a -04r Crow and Vice President Robert ber maybe I'll be in thj Smith Smith has been in charge of 4---- young player is up against Hes got to 1 I leagues But once I'm theree I major 'm I post good statistics to get paid more I the school's internal investigation going back My first year I want to ir- don't knock the players for that and I I be rookie of the year That into Davie basketball program my don't knock the owners If the system In three That report was to be released at 5 thinking ears All Star A System that has rewarded me like I -io pm yesterday At the same time it i her Then people will be saying 't never catc 1 was expected that Davie resigna Ivan Rodriguez is the best catcher in I Yount only 253 hits shy of amassing -'4 tionfiring would be announced baseball 1 3000 is among 40 players earning $3 There was even a getaway car await- Pretty bold talk for the 19-year- million per season But ask what drives ing Davis at a back-door exit so that his engine and he tells you a number old kid they call "Pudge" who is in I I- the coach could avoid the news me- 1 ihat contains no commas or decimal his first big-league camp Yet there dia are those who concur with him in- I-- 44 1 points and no dollar sign He tells you I 4 Instead after the meeting Davis eluding the managers in the Class A 1 1982 Florida State League who last year 4 and his attorneys went out the front We go into Baltimore the last Sun- day of the season needing to win to fin-- gue I voted him the top prospect in the lea i -4 door Yount says eyes The re in not Mobley issued the folowing 1-4 -----4it i ish first and we win" statement: aflare I The Rangers? y'ryg '4-4 1 -We have to beat California 2 illie "Coach Kermit Davis was just to say too much Having Rodriguez 1 given a copy of the completed re' 1 three straight to win the pennant after losing the first twoand we win three us camp makes them a little nervous ight I 44 It -L-4 ''''''''''A''''''''s46-' port He and his lawyers have re- becae there's the chance he straight Then we're three innings away quested a short delay in order to do something spectacular I from winning the World Series in St 4 review the report and to respond to What? 1 1 Louis We lose but it was an unbeliev- 4' i it on Monday against the Cin- '44-- I experience Heck I'm getting Well ''''''''N--- Out II- rness to and upon goosebumps here just talking to you fai him cinnati Reds Rodriguez hit a long zot -4--''''1444: 1 advice of our legal counsel we whole That whole fly ball to left and the wind kept it it I about it That season at adjourn feeling When I 50 years old sitting from leaving the ballpark 1 deemed it appropriate to adjou --4444k kr-7 1 1 the discussion until Thursday at 1 "Thank God the wind wasn't 1 with my kids I'm gonna have a pm We have determined not to blowing out" Rangers manager FOn Worth iERF HOEFER make the report publicuntil then" i of cash over here and 1982 over (More on RANGERS on Page 7) Ivan Rodriguez Wh Star-Telegram I threw out 54 of 138 runners trying to steal at Pori Charlotte 1 do you think I'll want to Just minutes after yesterday's 1 talk about?" meeting started The Associated Yount can talk about it with an old- Press reported that Davis had been 1 'goat reporter on a shiny Arizona morn- asked to resign or be fired forNa- ng but doesn't sound so sure that some tional Collegiate Athletic AssO i cia the fuzzy cheeks around him would 1 Overcome by odds injury Palmer ends 1 tion rules violations The report Just a year or so ago he wasn't quoted a highly placed source In the school's administration sure his bosses were on the same fre- Stumped on Milwaukee man- Davis' and his lawyers had little to commitment he entertained say to reporters during a brisk walk free-agent offers from other clubs in- I BY TONY DEMARCO FOrt "You've got to be 100 percent to do this" constantly was behind in the count from Mobley's office at Rudder dudin the Cubs who were serious "'s like The outing was alarmingly similar to an Tower to his office at Rollie I Worth Star-Telegram Palmer said It ke a 1-cyler Jaguar ery cy ist for the Chicago SARASOTA Fla Jim Palmer's come Evlinder as to be firing And that's real intrasquad game last Wednesday in which White Coliseum I Bob Veri is 1 'Tribune a column back proved to be as short as it was unlikely difficult to do at 45 It was tough to do at 38 Palmer also allowed two runs and five hits and "We will not comment until Palmer inducted into the baseball Hall of That doesn't mean you don't make the effort several hard-hit balls in two innings Still Thursday" Davis said "The state- Fame last July yesterday ended his bid to Once you make the effort that should satisfy Palmer chose to accentuate the positive in ment issued by Dr Mobley speaks 1 pitch again for the Baltimore Orioles after a you" announcing his quick departure for itself" I i1 inside seven-year retirement Palmer allowed two runs and five hits "It's been a fun experience a tremendous When asked if he was optimistic 1 The 45-year-old broadcaster cited a tom against Red Sox regulars Monday when his would have liked to havegone after the meeting Davis replied hamstring but his decision came one day after fastball was clocked in only the mid-70-mph longer This is a perfect world except you have Troy Aikman is ready to throw "I'm always optimistic" again today after a successful post- Ha Basically Davis called what a one but he threw 19 balls and 19 strikes and (More on PALMER on Page 7) unimpressive two-inning outing against range nothing more than batting-practice to come out and perform" surgery throwing session with the I the Boston Red Sox on Monday in Bradenton speed to major-leaguers Palmer walked only Palmer's announcement came early yester might have been his final timeout Dallas Cowboys on Monday 3C (More on DAVIS on Page 4) Miami businessman Ralph San- 1 chez a new major partner in the race says the Pontiac Grand Prix of Dallas I in Addison will be a successful Change ofscenery brings out best in Sonics' Benjamin event 3C 1 Moe lba says he is disappointed BY ROGER BROWN 0611 -ANEW about their big man five-year 176 million contract Benjamin FOrt Worth Star-Telegram the TC11 basketball team wasn't invit- And with good reason has taken even more knocks ed to the NIT but he's happy with its Benoit Benjamin has been called many Mavericks facts Since Benjamin joined the Sonics they Just last week Bob Ferry NBC's pro progress this year and looking for- things many times Tonight vs Seattle at Reunion have won seven of nine games and are basketball insider and former Washington ward to next season 4C After being taken as the third 1 player in the pm Bullets general manager said "Seattle's first round of the 1985 National Basketball Records: Mays 22-38 Sonies headed to Reunion Arena to face the Dallas 30-31 Mavericks at 7:30 tonight The Texaswomen can thank Ses- awarding Benjamin a huge contract is a lot ame Street for a favorable draw in the Association draft he was considered a Tickets: $12 $5 "He gives us a big presence in the middle of money for an unachiever and an uncom- NCAA Tournament 4C franchise or at the least the cornerstone of RadioTV: WBAP 820 AMHSE which is something we were lacking" Seat- petitor" the Los Angeles Clippers' hopes of turning tle coach KC Jones said "I don't really I The Chicago Bulls win their 23rd around years of mediocrity It seems most everybody has got some- care about all of the things that were said But it doesn't stop there A writer knocks 1 consecutive NBA home game 131- However in his five-plus years with the thing to say whenever Benjamin's name about him before he got here" Benjamin for signing his new contract say- 99 against the Minnesota ing that he should have held out for MO to Clippers Benjamin more times than not comes up But since going to the Seattle And just when it appears as if Benjamin Timberwoes sc was called lazy uninspired a waste but SuperSonics in a Feb 21 trade his new finally has found peace his utopia the maybe "up the ante as an unrestricted free mostly an enigma (More on BENJAMIN on Page' Upon signing a 0 1 team has had nothing but good things to say hard knocks still continue Ai 4 I HANDLER Ariz He was a pure ballplayer as a phenomenal 18-year-old rookie shortstop and nothing has daned except his age which will be double that by season's end Robin Yount still considers it a privilege to put on the major-league uniform and he feels the same downside risk of Celebrity status as he did in 1974 too Yount was the Ryne Sandberg of that era bashfully brilliant -You know me" Yount says "I like to be left alone" But on this shiny morning at the Milwaukee Brewers' spring training headquarters Yount's heart is pumping and his voice climbs above the usual whisper He stands beside the batting cage talking with his hands as if to ease the chore of having to talk at all not his favorite thing "I don't like what I see around the game now" Yount says "Don't like it all Too many numbers statistics and dollar signs And not enough emphasis on winning I don't know who you blame or how to fix it but something's missing Am I starting to sound like an old-timer?" He is in a throwback sort of way and: that's not all bad When Yount broke in tree agency and salary arbitration weren't running the sport and the chant of the dissatisfied athlete wasn't "Two four six eight I want to renegotiate" If you came to the plate with a teammate on second base you were expected to advance him by hitting the ball to the right side And if you did that on a dozen occasions during the summer the points you sacrificed on your batting average you gained in the clubhouse and On the bus But now because the financial stakes are so huge and because every movement is stuffed into a computer and because you are paid according to rank by position the most perfect game on earth has sprung imperfections If a manager insists a 260 hitter who gives himself up for the cause is a better asset than the 280 hitter who swings for the fences when a ground ball will do the printout overrules and the gray-striped suit who decides net worth probably does too To Yount who gravitates to the American League standings this is prettyOck stuff don't like the word selfish" he says' "Besides I understand what a young player is up against He's got to post good statistics to get paid more I don't knock the players for that and I don't knock the owners It's the system A S'ygem that has rewarded me like I neverdreamed" Yount only 253 hits shy of amassing '3000 is among 40 players earning $3 million per season But ask what drives his engine and he tells you a number that contains no commas or decimal points and no dollar sign He tells you "We go into Baltimore the last Sunday of the season needing to win to finish first and we win" Yount says eyes have to beat California Three straight to win the pennant after losing the first two and we win three straight Then we're three innings away from winning the World Series in St Louis We lose but it was an experience Heck I'm getting here just talking to you about it That whole season That whole When I'm 50 years old sitting with my kids I'm gonna have a of cash over here and 1982 over do you think I'll want to talk about?" Yount can talk about it with an old-goat reporter on a shiny Arizona morning but doesn't sound so sure that some the fuzzy cheeks around him would Just a year or so ago he wasn't bosses were on the same frequency Stumped on Milwaukee man: agement's commitment he entertained free-agent offers from other clubs including the Cubs who were serious Bob Verdi is a columnist for the Chicago Inside Troy Aikman is ready to throw again today after a successful post-surgery throwing session with the Dallas Cowboys on Monday 3C Miami businessman Ralph Sanchez a new major partner in the race says the Pontiac Grand Prix of Dallas in Addison will be a successful event 3C Moe lba says he is disappointed the TCU basketball team wasn't invited to the NIT but he's happy with its progress this year and looking forward to next season 4C The Texas women can thank Sesame Street for a favorable draw in the NCAA Tournament 4C The Chicago Bulls win their 23rd consecutive NBA home game 131- 99 against the Minnesota Timberwolves Sc Sonics-Mavs 7:30 pm HSE Celtics-Jazz 8 pm TNT Michigan-Colorado 8:30 pm ESPN Houston-Stanford 11 pm ESPN Wednesday AM March 13 1991 Coaching legend Henry Iba left The Rangers are taking a low-key approach on Ivan Rodriguez whose goal is to be the best at his position in baseball BY TR SULLIVAN Fon Wonh Star-Telegram PORT CHARLOTTE Fla Ivan Rodriguez has no doubts about what will happen when he makes the major leagues "I want to stay here but I may have to go to Double-A or Triple-A" Rodriguez said "That's all right A half-season or by September maybe I'll be in the major leagues But once I'm there I'm not going back My first year I want to be rookie of the year That's my thinking In three years All-Star catcher Then people will be saying Ivan Rodriguez is the best catcher in baseball" Pretty bold talk for the 1 9-yearold kid they call "Pudge" who is in his first big-league camp Yet there are those who concur with him including the managers in the Class A Florida State League who last year voted him the top prospect in the league The Rangers? They're trying not to say too much Having Rodriguez in camp makes them a little nervous because there's the chance he might do something spectacular What? Well on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds Rodriguez hit a long fly ball to left and the wind kept it from leaving the ballpark "Thank God the wind wasn't blowing out" Rangers manager (More on RANGERS on Page 7) Overcome by BY TONY DEMARCO Fort Worth Star-Telegram SARASOTA Fla Jim Palmer's comeback proved to be as short as it was unlikely Palmer inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame last July yesterday ended his bid to pitch again for the Baltimore Orioles after a seven-year retirement The 45-year-old broadcaster cited a torn hamstring but his decision came one day after an unimpressive two-inning outing against the Boston Red Sox on Monday in Bradenton Fla Change ofscenery brings out best in Sonics' Benjamin BY ROGER BROWN Fort Worth Star-Telegram Benoit Benjamin has been called many things many times After being taken as the third player in the first round of the I 985 National Basketball Association draft he was considered a franchise or at the least the cornerstone of the Los Angeles Clippers' hopes of turning around years of mediocrity However in his five-plus years with the Clippers Benjamin more times than not was called lazy uninspired a waste but mostly an enigma Associated Press was pleased to welcome Eddie Sutton to the helm Jr Worth Star-Telegram I iERF HOEFER Ivan Rodriguez threw out 54 of 138 runners trying to steal at Pori Charlotte odds injury Palmer ends bid "You've got to be 100 percent to do this" Palmer said "It's like a 12-cylinder Jaguar Every cylinder has to be firing And that's real difficult to do at 45 It was tough to do at 38 That doesn't mean you don't make the effort Once you make the effort that should satisfy you" Palmer allowed two runs and five hits against Red Sox regulars Monday when his fastball was clocked in only the mid-70-mph range nothing more than batting-practice speed to major-leaguers Palmer walked only one but he threw 19 balls and 19 strikes and Mavericks facts Tonight vs Seattle at Reunion pm Records: Mays 22-38 Sonics 30-31 Tickets: $12 $5 RadioTV: WBAP 820 AMHSE It seems most everybody has got something to say whenever Benjamin's name comes up But since going to the Seattle SuperSonics in a Feb 21 trade his new team has had nothing but good things to say ois tball Cowboy High schools Colleges 'Pro basketball Baseball Scoreboard Sutton's disciplinary style has Oklahoma State winning again BY WENDELL BARNHOUSE Fort Worth Star-Telegram STILLWATER Okla About 50 feet from the Oklahoma State bench in a comer of the arena that bears his name he sits in his personalized seat and enjoys what he sees As he munches on peanuts the Iron Duke is finally watching a Cowboys team play the way it should Henry Iba 85 represents the golden age of tradition at Oklahoma State When the basketball team played in Gallagher Arena (the refurbished building is called Gallagher-lba) lba totaled 655 victo constantly was behind in the count The outing was alarmingly similar to an intrasquad game last Wednesday in which Palmer also allowed two runs and five hits and several hard-hit balls in two innings Still Palmer chose to accentuate the positive in announcing his quick departure "It's been a fun experience a tremendous run" he said "I would have liked to have gone longer This is a perfect world except you have to come out and perform" Palmer's announcement came early yester(More on PALMER on Page 7) about their big man And with good reason Since Benjamin joined the Sonics they have won seven of nine games and are headed to Reunion Arena to face the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 tonight "He gives us a big presence in the middle which is something we were lacking" Seattle coach KC Jones said "I don't really care about all of the things that were said about him before he got here" And just when it appears as if Benjamin finally has found peace his utopia the hard knocks still continue 12pon signing a 2C 4C Sc 6-7C 8-9C SECTION tale ries and two national championships in 36 seasons "There are two kinds of basketball half-court and running game" lba says "I like the half- court I don't like these 120-115 games This year's team is playing the kind of ball I like" In this town Iba's stamp of approval is like his handshake or autograph it's the touch of a legend For any Oklahoma State coach an lba blessing is better than a five-year guaranteed contract Eddie Sutton who played for Iba (More on SUTTON on Page 4) Decision on Davis delayed agrees to hold report until tomorrow BY WENDELL BARNHOUSE 1-ort Worth Star-Telegram COLLEGE STATION After a 90-minute meeting yesterday the only thing for sure is that the 349- day-old Kermit Davis Era at Texas ASA will last at least two more days Davis along with attorneys George Pamham and Harold Stern met with President William Mobley chieflegal counsel James Bond athletic director John David Crow and Vice President Robert Smith Smith has been in charge of the school's internal investigation into Davis' basketball program That report was to be released at 5 pm yesterday At the same time it was expected that Davis' resignationfiring would be announced There was even a getaway car awaiting Davis at a back-door exit so that the coach could avoid the news media Instead after the meeting Davis and his attorneys went out the front door Mobley issued the following statement: "Coach Kermit Davis was just given a copy of the completed report He and his lawyers have requested a short delay in order to review the report and to respond to It "Out of fairness to him and upon advice of our legal counsel we deemed it appropriate to adjourn the discussion until Thursday at I pm We have determined not to make the report public until then" Just minutes after yesterday's meeting started The Associated Press reported that Davis had been asked to resign or be fired for National Collegiate Athletic Assixiation rules violations The report quoted a highly placed source in the school's administration Davis and his lawyers had little to say to reporters during a brisk walk from Mobley's office at Rudder Tower to his office at Rollie White Coliseum "We will not comment until Thursday" Davis said "The statement issued by Dr Mobley speaks for itself" When asked if he was optimistic after the meeting Davis replied "I'm always optimistic" Basically Davis called what might have been his final timeout (More on DAVIS on Page 4) five-year I 76 million contract Benjamin has taken even more knocks Just last week Bob Ferry NBC's pro basketball insider and former Washington Bullets general manager said "Seattle's awarding Benjamin a huge contract is a lot of money for an unachiever and an uncompetitor" But it doesn't stop there A writer knocks Benjamin for signing his new contract say ing that he should have held out for more to maybe "up the ante as an unrestricted free (More on BENJAMIN on Pagep 4 6 8.

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