The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 4

Cubs hurt Mets' hopes, B3 Bears still cautious, B5 BHS, Lexington hold spots, B5 Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1990 The Pantagraph FIRST EDITION Peoria Chiefs name Nelson ii i. Milium i nii.ii ii.MiniiiMi (v- i i QX 1 TO" SPORTSWATCH O-a-n I Rljo, Thomas earn weekly award NEW YORK Jose Rijo of the Cincinnati Reds was named National League player of the week yesterday and rookie Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox won the honor in the American League. Rijo pitched two complete game victories last week, a two-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants and a five-hitter against the San Diego Padres. He allowed one run in 18 Innings, struck out was chosen from approximately 25 applicants.

"We considered about 10 seriously, but Mike was always the top candidate," said Krusinski, whose father, Clar, is the team's general partner. "The continuity with Mike was very important to us. Even though he's been here three years, he's going to bring fresh eyes to the situation." Among Nelson's first tasks as general managers will be to hire a marketing director for recently-resigned Chenoa native Jeff Reeser and a director of stadium operations. "I hope to have the best front office staff in minor league baseball," Nelson said. The Chiefs, a Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, typically leads the Midwest League in attendance, but their total of 195,671 ranked only third this season.

The team's 55-82 overall record (l3th in a 14-team league) was part of the reason. "Last year we had nine rainouts and 30 games affected by rain. Our average attendance was not down that much," Nelson said. As far as winning more games, Nelson and the Chiefs are at the mercy of the Cubs to provide better players. The team, however, draws optimism from the fact Geneva of the New York- By RANDY REINHARDT Pantagraph staff PEORIA Mike Nelson knew what he wanted to do with his master's degree in athletic administration from Illinois State University in 1985.

Five years later, he has done it "This Is something I've worked hard for," said Nelson, a Normal native who was named general manager of the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball team yesterday during a news conference at Meinen Field. "This is why I pursued my master's. I wanted to run my own club. That dream has come true. I'm looking forward to the challenge." Nelson joined the Chiefs as director of stadium operations In October, 1987 and was promoted to assistant general manager after the 1989 season.

The 27-year-old Nelson replaces Bloomington native John Butler, who resigned in August to take a position involving promotions and fund raising at Bradley University. "I think we've moved forward every year," Nelson said. "Last year was tough because the team struggled. I think we can improve on some of our promotions, but I don't see any drastic changes." Chiefs' vice-president of baseball operations Scott Krusinski said Nelson Pennsylvania League (51-26) and Huntington of the Appalachian League (40-29) both had successful seasons. Peoria is the probable next step for many of those players.

"You have to take what you can get from the parent club," said Nelson. "The short-season teams had great records. I look for a lot better ballclub next year." Nelson said the experience of working under Butler will help him considerably in his new position. "I came here in 1987 with limited marketing experience, and I learned a great deal from John," said Nelson. "John put the Chiefs on the map.

He was a promotions guru. It was an honor working for him the last three years." The Chiefs' place in the Cubs' organization is secure, having signed an eight-year player development contract with the parent club earlier this year, but the future home of the Chiefs is in question. Meinen Field, with its capacity of 5,750, is considered too small. The Peoria City Council will vote Wednesday on whether to renovate Meinen Field, build a new stadium at the Meinen Field kite or build a new stadium elsewhere in the city. 18 and walked five.

Thomas went ll-for-24 last week, a .458 average, with eight runs scored and two homers. He walked seven times and drove in five runs. Blue Jays win coin flip NEW YORK The Toronto Blue Jays won a coin flip yesterday for the right to be the home team if a one-game playoff against Boston is needed to decide the American League East title. If Toronto and Boston tie after 162 games, the playoff would be played In the SkyDome Oct 4 at 12:05 p.m., unless there also is a playoff in the National League East If the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates also tie for first, their playoff would be in the afternoon and Toronto and Boston would play at 6:05 p.m. Souvenir robbery uncovered DETROIT A former Tiger Stadium locker room attendant struck out with a scheme to sell Dave Winfield's bats, Lance Parrish's Jerseys and other baseball stars' paraphernalia as souvenirs, officials say.

Charles Cox, 17, was arraigned Sunday in 36th District Court in Detroit on a larceny charge. Tha Pantagraph' Mike Nelson was named general -manager of the Chiefs. iiiiii, u. an 1 5 it 4V- Ut 1 Ryplen to undergo surgery HERNDON, Va. The Washington Redskins team physician said yesterday that Mark Ryplen would undergo exploratory surgery on the left knee the Redskins quarterback severely sprained on Sunday.

The arthroscopic procedure this morning will probably knock Rypien out for at least a week and possibly longer if any damage is found in the knee. Rypien was on crutches at the Redskins training site yesterday and said he had not been able to bend his leg since taking the damaging hit in the second quarter of Sunday's 19-15 win over Dallas. Vikings' Wilson out for 4 weeks EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Quarterback Wade Wilson will be sidelined for at least four weeks because of a thumb injury, the Minnesota Vikings confirmed today. Wilson suffered a torn ligament in the thumb on his right (passing) hand on the Vikings' final offensive play in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Chicago Bears.

The Vikings said he would undergo surgery today and would be placed on injured reserve. '4 I 1 MM. 1 Williams rejects proposed trade SEATTLE John "Hot Rod" Williams has rejected his proposed trade to the Seattle SuperSonics, the team announced yesterday. Williams, 28, whose NBA-record $26.5 million, seven-year offer sheet from the Miami Heat was matched by Cleveland, had to give his approval for a trade. Williams visited Seattle last week with his wife, Karen, and agent, Mark Bartelstein of Cleveland.

Bartelstein told KSTW-TV by phone that his client decided Seattle was too far from his home. Williams rejected the trade because he is thinking of his children, the agent said. Wx0 Tha PantagraphSTEVE SMEDLEY BHS swim streak still afloat The Bloomington High School girls swimming and diving team formed a 63 In the pool to coincide with their current winning streak. At the top of the 6 and working down are Lucy Nelson, Meg Novotny, Lorrei Horenkamp, Kris Priester, Stacey Fink, Anneka Huizer, Carol DenBesten, Carolynne Ipsen, Jen Wambacher and Jamie Franks. Forming the 3, starting at the top, are Monica Torres, Elly Vandegrift, Leah Owens, Mandy Huizer, Cindy Nelson, Ruth Owens, Christa McClain and Andrea Xamplas.

ISU defense rated Bisaillon, Marcordes earn CCIW awards among l-AA's best Foyt may return before Indy 500 INDIANAPOLIS A.J. Foyt, the winningest driver in Indy-car history and a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, could be back behind the wheel in four to six months, one of his doctors said Monday. Foyt who sustained serious leg injuries in Sunday's Texaco-Havoline 200 at Elkhart Lake, was flown yesterday to Methodist Hospital, where he was expected to remain for 10 days to two weeks. He was listed in satisfactory condition with a dislocated left knee, broken left tibia, a fractured left heel, a dislocated right heel and a broken bone in his right foot Martin, Earnhardt battle continues DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt remain locked in the closest points battle in the history of NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing, with five events remaining in the season.

Martin leads Earnhardt 3,689 points to 3,673. Sixteen points under NASCAR scoring represent a difference of only three positions in a race. Geoff Bodine's victory at Martinsville Sunday solidifed his hold on third place in the standings. He has 3,360 points. Defending national champion Rusty Wallace is fourth with 3,253 points and Kyle Petty fifth with 3,004.

By BRYAN BLOODWORTH Pantapraph sports editor ISU NOTES While Illinois State University's of fense began to click last week, the Redbird defense continued to tick stronger than ever. The Redbirds limited Missouri-Rolla to 62 yards passing and 119 yards rush ing in posting a 46-0 nonconference victory. The marks were good enough to elavate ISU into the top 25 in three categories in this week's Division I-AA national statistics. ISU is 12th in scoring defense (12.3 nipilii points per game), 20th in passing defense (95 yards per game) and 23rd in total defense (295 yards per game). Those numbers also are good enough to lead the Gateway Conference.

By RANDY REINHARDT Pantagraph staff The play of Illinois Wesleyan University on both sides of the football in the Titans' 34-19 victory over Wheaton last Saturday caught the attention of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. IWU sophomore split end Chris Bisaillon and senior linebacker Bill Marcordes both shared CCIW Player of the Week honors, it was announced yesterday. Bisaillon caught five passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns to share offensive honors with North Central running back Pat Oehlsch-lager. Marcordes led the Titans with 12 tackles and Intercepted two passes, and was named co-Player of the Week on defense along with Carthage linebacker John Hanley. "It did kind of surprise me.

We didn't really pass that much, and I thought other people around the conference might do better," said Bisaillon, who was picked as Player of the Week for IWU's final game against Carroll last season. "I'm happy to see two from Wesleyan win it That shows we had strong performances on both sides of the ball." The Redbird defense has not allowed test against the pass Saturday when they open Gateway Conference play at 6:35 p.m. against Eastern Illinois at Hancock Stadium. The Panthers are averaging 211 passing. ISU's defense also will have to contend with running back Jamie Jones, who leads the Gateway in all purpose yardage (161 per game).

He has 422 yards rushing, 124 receiving and 100 yards in kick returns. His rushing yardage ranks second in the conference. Eastern Illinois, like ISU, has a 1-3 record. The Panthers lost to Northern Illinois, 28-17, defeated Northwestern State of Louisiana, 23-22, before losing two straight to McNeese State, 15-7, and Murray State, 14-10. The Panthers also feature a strong defense.

They rank second to ISU in pass defense, total defense and scoring defense. Saturday's game is the conference opener for both teams. "We gained a lot of confidence last week and we're are ready to get going in the conference," said Heacock. "We have been able to develop some depth in our first four games." Pleas REDBIRDS, B4 a point in the fourth quarter and has given up just 13 points in the second half. Foreman fights in London today i LONDON George Foreman puts on his demolition attire again today, looking for a quick-fire victory over Terry Anderson that will edge him closer to regaining the world heavyweight title.

While negotiating with Evander Holyfield and James "Buster" Douglas for a world title fight in 1991, the 42-year-old ex-champ has decided to stay in shape by fighting in Europe. British promoter Frank Warren has drawn Foreman and Anderson a replacement opponent for Argentina's Walter Masseroni to the London Arena and hopes for a crowd of 11,000. Chris Bill Bisaillon Marcordes Marcordes stopped two Wheaton drives in the first half with interceptions after picking off just one pass in his first three years at Wesleyan. The 235-pounder from Palos Heights was a tight end in high school. "Bill has good hands," said IWU coach Norm Easit.

"That's why we moved him to linebacker." Oehlschlager ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in North Central's 25-14 triumph over Eimhurst Hanley recorded 15 tackles, recovered a fumble for a touchdown and intercepted a pass in Carthage's 28-24 decision over Carroll. "The defense has played hard in all four games," said ISU. coach Jim He- acock yesterday. "They are playing well together and getting after people. They are hitting people and attacking to the ball.

"The only thing we really don't know is how good we are against the pass. From Pantagraph wire tervlcea The first four teams we played were run-oriented teams, so we've yet to be tested by a throwing team." 24-hour sports information on CITYLINE Call 829-9000, enter 6000 The Redbirds should get more of a.