The Bradenton Herald from Bradenton, Florida • 25

The Bradenton Herald, Wednesday, May 27, 1992 D-3 Sports Miami, Denver trade backs Associated Press MIAMI Bobby Humphrey and Sammie Smith, running backs eager to forget their worst NFL season, were headed for fresh starts Tuesday after the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins completed a trade six weeks in the making. Hum phre played little last NFL season after a 97- day holdout. Fumbles caused difficulty for Smith, subjected by Miami fans to profane jeering after one defeat. "Things have happened this past year, and I think it would be best for Sammie to have another opportunity," Miami coach Don Shula said. "Humphrey went through a very similar situation in Denver, and it looks like another opportunity is what he needs." Both running backs are 25, former first-round draft choices and entering their fourth NFL season.

A statistical comparison gives Humphrey the Smith edge he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, while Smith's best total was 831 yards in 1990. The trade was first discussed before the NFL draft last month. Negotiations never involved draft choices or players other than Smith and Humphrey, Shula said. He said the deal took six weeks to culminate because "there wasn't any hurry." After fumbling at the goal line in the final minutes of a 17-13 loss to Houston last October, taunting by fans drove Smith to tears and prompted him to leave the Dolphins without permission for two days. "A lot of people probably think I'm glad I'm leaving because of what happened with the fans, but that was forgotten," Smith said.

"I just wanted to play football, and I wanted it to be in Miami." Humphrey sounded more delighted to be leaving his former team. "Hopefully things will be better in Miami," he said. "I'm looking for a new start." Humphrey made the Pro Bowl in 1990, then sought a new contract. By the time his holdout ended, he had lost his starting job, He carried the ball just 11 times for 33 yards. Notes REDSKINS Linebacker Matt Millen announced his retirement on Tuesday to take a CBS football analyst position.

Millen played on Super Bowl winners with the Los Angeles Raiders and San Francisco 49ers before joining the Redskins as a free agent last season. ASSOCIATED PRESS Covering up Chicago goaltender Ed Belfour, right, tries to smother the puck while Bob Errey of the Pittsburgh in on the net. The Penguins won Game 1, 5-4 on Mario Lemieux's goal with 12.6 Penguins swarms seconds remaining, overcoming a 4-1 deficit. Penguins' Jagr has good role model in Lemieux "He's got all the tools to be the best player in the world in a couple of years," Lemieux said of his young teammate, who has been a one-man highlight film in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. Jagr is one of the main reasons the Penguins were playing the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final.

"He learned a lot in the playoffs last year, and he has become a better player this year," said Lemieux, whose 20-year-old linemate from Czechoslovakia has a league-leading four game-winning goals in the playoffs. "He's working hard every day and he stays out there after practices, and I don't see why he wouldn't be the best player in a couple of years." High praise indeed from a player who arguably is the best in the game himself today. Though comparisons of Jagr to Lemieux are obvious because of their size, long reach and appearance, there is more to the Penguins' prodigy than meets the eye. Like Lemieux, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jagr was a first-round choice by the Penguins (fifth overall in the 1990 draft) who came into the NHL at the age of 18. And like Lemieux, he matured quickly.

"He's a lot more mature," Lemieux said. "He's learning. He's a lot more of a team player. "Last year, he was more of an individual player, which is normal for an 18-year-old who has always been the best player on his team. I did the same thing FRENCH From D-1 Associated Press PITTSBURGH burgh Penguins bloodhound's nose NHL Paris for McEnroe, who has lost in the first round three times here.

He reached 1 the final in 1984, only to lose to Lendl after winning the first two sets. "I've had some big disappointments here, but I'll to remember the good memories and forget the try bad," McEnroe said. "There. wasn't a whole lot of good today. The crowd was nice.

I'll remember that." McEnroe said he never expected to win the tournament. "But I had hoped to get my feet wet, get through a couple of rounds and play one of the top McEnroe, who confirmed he will play at Wimbleguys," he said. don next month, will not be leaving Paris right He is scheduled to work as a color commentaaway. tor for NBC and play doubles with Agassi. Agassi, who lost in the finals here the past two years, swept past Javier Frana of Argentina 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

"It's been a tough year for me," said Agassi, who has slipped to No. 12 in the world rankings. "I have been extremely drained emotionally and mentally. This is the first time in maybe six to eight months that I actually feel great about things." Sampras completed a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Marc Rosset of Switzerland. When the match was suspended by rain the night before, Sampras was leading 4-2 but was facing a break Capriati also won a rain-interrupted match, beatpoint at 30-40 on his serve.

"ing Beate Reinstadler of Austria 6-1, 6-7 (7-3), 6-2. She had squandered four match points in the set Monday but came out looking refreshed Tuesday. "I just lost patience at the end of the second set," she said. "I got more down on myself and started making more errors. It feels good to get through it now." other featured matches, Edberg, the No.

2 In seed, downed Olivier Soules of France 7-5, 6-1, 6-7 7-5, and No. 10 Lendl overwhelmed Spain's (5-7), Sergi Bruguera 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. the women's tournament, the top-seeded Seles In Catherine Mothes of France 6-1, 6-0, and routed No. 3'Sabatini crushed Italy's Silvia Farina 6-0, 6-0. Bulls relying too much on Jordan? Associated Press CHICAGO The Chicago Bulls look more like the team that Michael Jordan once carried than the juggernaut that blasted through the league this year, and Jordan said Tuesday that style won't work.

Asked if the Bulls have strayed from NBA their well-balanced attack and reverted to the all-Jordan game plan that characterized their pre-championship days, Jordan said: "I hope that's not the case." But he clearly isn't content with the Bulls' efforts against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who tied Chicago at two games apiece in their best-ofseven Eastern Conference final series on Monday. They play Game 5 tonight in Chicago Stadium. "I'd like to see the effort we had last year and all season long when everybody made a contribution," Jordan said. "If everybody's going to sit back and wait for me to do all the work, I can't carry that type of load." That's how it appeared Monday when the Cavaliers beat the Bulls 99-85 at the Richfield Coliseum. Jordan scored 35 points on 15-of33 shooting while Scottie Pippen was limited to 13 points, all in the first half, and took only three shots in the second half.

"We're not pointing any fingers at individuals," Jordan said at practice. "If Scottie wasn't involved, ask Scottie." "No comment," said Pippen, who did not work out and took treatment from trainer Chip Schaefer for his sore right ankle. But Pippen did comment. after the game on his not scoring in the second half. "I didn't get the opportunities," Pippen said.

"I never got the ball where I was set up to be the scorer." Coach Phil Jackson said there has been no deviation from the game plan. "I think we're running exactly what we want to run as far as the offense goes," Jackson said. "Jordan was forced to take some shots we didn't want, but we're playing exactly the way we want to play." So are the Cavaliers, to a certain extent. "We want to push it up the court as quickly as possible, but when the break isn't there, I don't want to get into a frenzy," coach Lenny Wilkens said. Both teams are aware tonight's game is pivotal.

"We're still in command of the situation, we have the upper hand," Jordan said. "We just have to defend our home court. "The determination is still there, but you have to give Cleveland credit. We're not playing up to our capabilities and they're playing pretty good basketball." Game 6 will be played at Richfield Friday night and, if needed, the seventh game will be played in Chicago Sunday. Notes 76ERS The 76ers were scheduled to hold a news conference today amid rumors that coach Jim Lynam would be replaced by NBA coach Doug Moe.

The 76ers announced the news conference Tuesday. WARRIORS Golden State signed Sarunas Marciulionis to a five-year contract worth a reported $10.4 million. Marciulionis, who would have restricted free agent on July 1, was the NBA's topscoring sixth man last season. JAZZ The father of Utah forward David Benoit died of cancer Monday Lafayette, La. Jazz officials said the rookie returned home and missed Tuesday night's game at Portland.

He will likely also miss Game 6 on Thursday. He's a big forward for the Pittswith dazzling moves in open ice and a for the net. Who is Mario Lemieux? Yes, but the Penguins also have another answer if you're playing "Jeopardy" at home: Jaromir Jagr. when I was 18 or 19. I didn't know how to play as a team player." It's no coincidence that Jagr wears a similar number to Lemieux's 66.

He wears 68. "It's very good to play with Mario," Jagr said. "He's a good guy, a great player." At the relatively young age of 20, Jagr shares the distinction of playing on the Penguins' No. 1 line indeed, probably the No. 1 line in hockey of Lemieux, Jagr and Kevin Stevens.

Lemieux led the NHL in scoring this season and Stevens was runnerup. Jagr, who had 27 goals in his rookie season, improved that figure to 32 in 1991-92. However, it has been in the playoffs where this young Penguin has truly taken wing with a continuous series of spectacular goals, a la Lemieux. "Jaromir is one of those players that wants to be in position to score the big goal," Stevens said. "I don't see many better one-on-one players in hockey." Jagr's adjustment to the NHL was relatively quick, as was his adjustment to a new culture.

He lives with an American family in Pennsylvania and expects his mother to eventually come to America to live with him. He learned English from studying and watching television. His favorite TV show is Married With Children. Notes WHALERS Experience won out over popularity as Hartford hired Brian Burke, the Vancouver Canucks director of hockey operations, as their general manager. Washington goaltender Mike Liut, a former fan favorite with the Whalers, was the other serious contender.

Terms of the contract weren't disclosed. AWARDS In a vote among players, New York Ranger teammates Mark Messier and Tony Amonte were named The Sporting News Player and Rookie of the Year on Tuesday. Pat Quinn of the Vancouver Canucks was named Coach of the Year and general manager Nell Smith of the Rangers was named Executive of the Year. now." Much of what Pledger is working on in Sarasota is mechanics. "The biggest thing now is I'm doing what comes naturally," Pledger said.

"I'm taking advantage of what God taught Kinnis Pledger. I'm not taking advantage of what God taught Walt Hriniak." Hriniak is the Chicago White Sox's hitting instructor, a Charlie Lau protege and the proponent of a hitting philosophy taught up and down the club's minor leagues. Boston's Wade Boggs and former Red Sox stars Jim Rice and Dwight Evans are all Hriniak disciples. It's most distinguishing characteristic is the one-handed follow-through, although SaraSox hitting coach Mike Barnett said only about half of the players in the organization actually release their back hand. Critics say the plan clones hitters, robbing them of natural style and power.

Pledger, for one, will never be asked to produce a video extolling its benefits. He said he gave it three good years but never felt comfortable with it, always felt like he was "feeling" for the ball. Three times Pledger has struck out more than 100 times in a season. "If I'm going to strike out 100 times, I'm to do it my way. I'm going to leave going the yard a couple of times," said Pledger, who nonetheless hit nine home runs last one less than his other seasons comyear, bined.

"I just didn't reap any of the benefits (of the Hriniak style). My strikeouts were still high, but my home runs were gone. I was losing on both ends." There is no timetable for Pledger to return to Birmingham. Bell said that's up to Pledger. After all, he's not here on a rehab visit.

He's in the same boat as the other SaraSox players, all of whom are trying 1 to make it to Chicago. "It's a little bit of adversity Kinnis has to deal with," Bell said. "But he's a great kid. He's got great tools. I think he'll play in the big leagues one of these years." Miami gets No.

1 seed; Florida St. 5th in CWS Associated Press championship for Fraser in 1982 OMAHA, Neb. Miami, whose coach Ron retiring after 30 years, will College World Series when No. 8 seed California on College baseball Top-seeded Fraser is open the it plays Friday. The game between the Hurricanes (53-8) and the Golden Bears (36-25) is one of two scheduled for the opening day of the NCAA baseball championship at Rosenblatt Stadium.

The teams will tangle at 4:06 p.m. EDT. "I'd like to go out and take home a national championship," Fraser said Monday night after Miami earned its 12th trip to the CWS by beating Notre Dame 5-1 to win the NCAA Atlantic Regional. "If I had a wish, I'd like to end my career in The Hurricanes won the national and 1985. Seedings and pairings for the College World Series were set Tuesday night.

The second game Friday matches No. 4 seed Cal State-Fullerton (42-15) and No. 5 Florida State (48-19) at 7:36 p.m. The other four teams, Oklahoma (42-22), Wichita State (56-9), Texas (46-15) and Pepperdine (44-11-1), start play Saturday in the double-elimination tourney. No.

2 seed Wichita State, which lost to LSU in the championship game last year, meets No. 7 Pepperdine at 1:06 p.m. Texas, seeded third, takes on No. 6 Oklahoma at 7:36 p.m. "I think the seedings were right on target," Florida State coach Mike Martin said.

The tournament continues with a daily schedule until the championship game on June 6. KINNIS From D-1 more progress in the last two weeks than he did in the last two years. Before pulling a groin muscle two weekends ago, he was hitting .347 with a home run and 11 RBIs in 56 at-bats. Pledger is even something of a rah-rah leader in the dugout. And that, said manager Rick Patterson, shows how much he's matured over the last five seasons.

"Everybody expected a lot from him. we expected too much too soon," Patterson said. "I tell you, the 'kid has matured a heck of a lot." The last three offseasons, Pledger has worked on his game with some of the best in the business. He heads out to L.A. for several weeks to stay either with McCray, his former roommate at Single-A South Bend, or his uncle.

For five weeks he takes part in "The Program," daily batting practice with Strawberry, Davis, White Sox star Frank Thomas and other players from all levels of baseball. The site is Harvard Park, a run-down, low-tech sports complex at the epicenter of the recent riots resulting from the acquittal of white police officers in the beating of Rodney King. It's a stimulating atmosphere for someone who hasn't yet made it to the show. Every other day, Pledger said, Strawberry brings in 14 dozen new balls. Three trash cans, one laid across the other two, serve as the pitching screen.

The players hit by seniority they've been doing this for more than 10 years and you can bet the guy who brought the balls doesn't have to wait long. Three rounds of 15. Everybody shags. Most throw BP. The new guys are lucky if they hit by sundown.

It's the place to be. Fans, scouts, TV crews, hot dog stands all just seem to show up for the workouts. "It makes you so hungry," Pledger said. "If I could stay that hungry for a whole season, I'd be in the big leagues right 1 SARASOTA KENNEL CLUB 2 Championship Greyhound and Thoroughbred 56 Live On-Location Matinees Rain Championship or Each Shine Horse Greyhound Sorry, No One Racing Racing Is Under Back and 18 Nightly, Saturday at Except 1 Sundays, At 7:30. Monday, Wednesday P.M.

Live simulcast wagering on thoroughbred horse racing is available via satellite 5 each Tuesday through Saturday afternoons. Horse racing racing post time is 1 from p.m., except for Twilite Racing each Friday at 3 p.m. Horse originates Calder Course outside of Miami. SKC programs and advance greyhound wagering for evening performances are also available during the live simulcast performances from the Calder Race Course each afternoon. Special Group Packages Available For Social Or Business Organizations.

RESERVATIONS SARASOTA KENNEL CLUB 8 Just 5400 South of BRADENTON Sarasota-Bradenton RD, Airport Five SARASOTA Miles West 34234 of 1-75 BODY SHOP PROFESSIONALS Complete Paint Body Repairs, All Models Vinyl Top and Upholstery Repairs State-of-the-Art Frame and Alignment ASE Equipment VOLUNTARY WE SUPPORT TECHNICIAN THROUION Factory ASE, and -Car trained technicians CERTIFICATION AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE Direct Billing to Qualified Insurance EXCELLENCE Companies FREE Estimates I- CAR FREE Repairs Loaner Exceeding Cars $50000, Available on Certain Body Shop restrictions do apply. GM GM Parts PONTIAC CADILLAC Parts 701 Manate Ave. W. Mr. Goodwrench (813) 748-6886 1-800-545-1504 (inside Florida).