Birmingham Post-Herald from Birmingham, Alabama • 12

B2 Thursday July 3 1997 Birmingham Poet-Herald W2B35 In the Bleachers Airwaves Holyfield knows both sides of bite MMftNMriRMt ftMfctOil 9wn WORTH WATCHING 3 pm PGA golf: Western Open USA Tiger Woods insists he's retooled his swing found Ns putting strata and renewed Ns vigor and enthusiasm over the past two weeks The same might be true of Grog Noonan after winning the SL Jude's Classic on Sunday If these two are going to to a factor In the Western they need to get off to a decent start today TELEVISION Inclana PaceriU Coach LARRY BIRD on the nv Pacers' top drafts pick Austin Cfoahsn: probably ono of tha hardoat-worklng kids in ttw drafts' from what hr Hfvf soon A lot of guys work hard but title kid gooa tit extra mRe for you That maans a lot to ma baoausa I know what It takaa in this laagua to ba a champion' TODAY: The Arizona Diamondbacks begin play next season Urtke the Tampa Bay Devi Rays the Diamondbacks have hired a manager Who Is he? (Answer on Friday) WEDNESDAY: The Tampa Bay Devi Rays wl begin play In the American League next season What Is Ito name of their home stadum and the city In which it ia located? ATropicana Field with a seating capacity of 45200 is located In St Petsrstxjrg Fia By the way the dtotanca down the left field Inals only 315 feet "AMial Tlila battsr la packed with eortd" TODAY 1 50 pjn-LPGA golf: Jamb Farr Chute TOC 2 pjn-Auto rsdng: NASCAR Pspsl 400 qurtfytng ESPN2 USA 6 pm-Baaabal: Chicago Cuba at PNadgtphbPhUaa WON 650 pm-WNBA basMbrikLosAngatas Sparta at CtaMtandRocfcare ESPN 650 pm-BaaabSfc Rorkb Marina at Naw York Mala Fox Sporta South 655 pm -BaaatratAdantaBravaa at Montreal Expos WTBS FMDAY TOC Noon -Baaabal: Chicago Cuba at PNaddphbPhUas WON 1pm -Senior PGA golf: Krogar Sartor Ctaaaic ESPN 150 pm -LABAgdh Jamb Farr Ctaaale TOC 2 pm-Baaabal: PKtaburghPiretaaalSLLoubCanlriab ESPN 2 pm Golf: bum Cabbrity Champiorahlp TNT 3 pm PGA golf: Western Open USA 6 pm -Baaabal: Naw York Yankees at Toronto BueJsys ESPN 6 pm Baaabal: Boston Red Sox at Chicago WhNa Sox WON 650 pm -Major League Socosr Kansas CMy Wizards at Cckxnbua Crew ESPN2 855 pm-Baaabal: AOanb Braves at Montreal Expos WTBS 6 pm- WNBA bartralbal: New York Ubarty at Houston Comets UFE 9 pm -Baaabal: Ssattta Mariners at AnahabtAngab ESPN 850 pm-Hamas racing: Amarican Championship Barba ESPN2 XMwWAiWIrtiM liti CX I Owk Tt maeMMaux Compiled by Richard Scott Birmingham Pot-Herald Former heavyweight Jahey Waters knows how it feels to be bitten during a boxing match One night 17 years ago a young up-and-coming EvMder HotyfieM bit Winters on the right shoulder during their semifinal bout in the Georgia Golden Gloves tournament 1 dropped him with a left hook to the body and doubled up to the head in the second round of a scheduled Winters told the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale FUl on Wednesday "At that point he was hurt rad After Holyfleld got uft composed himself and withstood another round of punches he spit out his mouthpiece and bit Winters on the shoulder The bite broke the skin and caused bleeding Holyfleld had a point taken away and the fight continued hard to spit a mouthpiece out But he was desperate He was trying to buy time Evander is no Winters said In case you missed it last Saturday night Mike Tyioa bit Holyfleld an each ear during their heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas "It can happen to anybody A fighter is oblivious Winters said like Evander Tyson just reacted badly I was disgusted just like I was 17 years aga Tyson showed poor taste and poor judgment in the heat of the The biggest difference? Holyfield was a teenager when he bit Winters Tyson is supposed to be a grown man Like we said supposed to be King of pain: It appears that Tyson might have taken a $15 million bite out of promoter Don wallet Tyson is expected to learn next week whether be suspended from the sport for more than a year forever or at aU after he bit Holyfield King stands to get $15 million if Tyson has one mare fight under a March 15 contract signed with MGM Grand Las Vegas hoteL If Tyson is banned from boxing for life King might not receive any farther payments from MGM Grand A Ion of $15 million probably won't put King out on the streets but it would make a lot of people happy to see a little Justice come to a man who has manipulated and mangled so many lives and careers Master of dfeMtw? Last week before his fight with Holyfield Tyson admitted he has much in common with the late Soaiy Uxtaa another convict-champion who died of a heroin overdose 27 yean aga "It may sound pretty morbid Tyson laid "but I identify RADIO WRITE ON with his Tyson also said Tm a wild man I work hard I play hard I live hard die Hey Mike still time to change your mind about your dans Today would be a good day to atari A dose friend of Osear 11m Grouch Jeff Kent of the San Francisco Giants isn't a big fan of interleague play Tm just tired of answering the lame interleague question about the fans who playing who gets to say they beat up on the American League or National League" Kent said "You come in for a twgame series and then you have to focus on the Rockies It gets old It gets you out of Yeah Jeff but it sure beats the rhythm of running a Jackhammer for a living doesn't It? Some encouraging nows: After a week of biting fussing complaining and all that negative stuff from the likes of Tyson and Kent leave you with something positive today How about NHL goalie Ed Bdfour who signed with the Dallas Stars for less money than he would have received from the San Jbae Sharks 1 really had to look at what my goals were as a professional athlete and money everything in my Belfour said had to ask myself what I wanted to do and what direction I wanted to go My main goal ia to win the Stanley Cup and be a part of a team that is headed in that direction at the present Yea in a world filled with too many Jeff Kents at least we have a few Ed Belfouri left to enjoy TODAY 1 pm Play" wttt Ban Cook and Randy Arrrtstaad (ptans 9424900 or 1-800-2394569) WJOX (HO AM) 150 Randy Armbtaad and Las Dads (phona 942-6900 or 1 -800-2394569) WJOX (IPO AM) 305 pm 4lh Herb Wlnchaa and Ban Cook (phono 9428900 or 1 -8002394569) WJOX (ISO AM) 4 pm Page" with Ray Melck Chris Steeett and Chuck Cary (phone 1-8004454276) WATV (100 AM) WSMQ (1450 AM) 405 pm "HNEHAUM" with Peul Finebaum and Bob Lochamy (phone 9454372) WERC (000 AM) 550 pm Today" WSMQ (1450 AM) 6:15 pm -Southern League baaabal: Bkrnlngham Barons at 0raanv4e Braves WAPI (1070 AM) 655 pm Btaebal: Attanta Brava rt Montreal Expos WJOX (800 AM) 10 pm Page" mAh Ray Melck Chrb Stewart and Chuck Cary (phone 1-800445-4276) WFMH (1011 FM) mWOmWPOnnJnWWOOfimmMiwStnOnimiOndimMKMinOmwUDfBCltOCnmlQB What do you think about sports events and Issues In and out of Birmingham? Do you (fisagtee with our columnists? Write fax or amal us with your opinions Keep your tetters brief and include your name address and daytime phone number MAX your thoughts to: CHEERS A JEERS Birmingham Post-Herald 2200 4th Avenue North Birmingham Ala 35203 FAX ue at (205) 3254356 E-MAJL us at POSTHERALDaolcom: Update yson more marketable than ever Commentary By Bob Kravitx Rocky Mountain News So you say you want a lifetime ban for Mike Tyson Why? So you wont have to fight the temptation to pay $4995 the next time Tyson appears on pay-per-view? Be honest: How many of you who believe Tyson should get a lifetime ban and 79 percent of respondents to a nonedentific Denver TV poll said he should be banished for life would find a way to be in front of a TV the next time Tyson fights? Why do we watch Tyson anyway? -Why do we pay good money to aee him take on a tomato can named Peter Mike Tyson's future in boxing is In doubt efter ho bit Evender Holyfield twice In their WBA heavyweight title match on Saturday prosthetics institute and have a return $150 million fight with Holyfield a bout sponsored by the American Dental Association Oh and the fight will break every pay-per-view record As Don King likes to say "Only in Jut the other day Evander attorney Jim Thomas said he hoped the Nevada State Boxing Qxnnrisskxi would "preserve the integrity of The integrity of boxing There's a George Carlin routine here somewhere How can you shame a sport that is shameleo? This is sport where the idea is to cause enough cerebral damage in the opponent so he will go nighty flight on the canvas Thills a sport whose greatest champion Muhammad All walks around in a Paridnsonian fog Thia is a sport that allowed Oliver McCall a man with a checkered psychological and drug history to step info the ring where be had a nervous breakdown in full view of thousands Let'S talk about men of Integrity shall we? Tyson? Convicted of rape (Of course there wasn't thia kind of moral outrage after the repe al there is after the ear-biting incident) Promoter Dan King? Once convicted of mmsliughter after kicking a man to death during his days numbers king I mean we're talking about Tyson's outrageous act of timidity and savagery and it's like we're surprised How could he do this? To boxing? To Holyfleld? To himself and his place in history? Have we forgotten? He raped a Not only that but he appears fully Because of his deft footwork? 1 beautiful combination punches? His gamesmanship and rinjg mastery? Na We watch him because he is a human pit bull who slakes our thirst for blood We watch him because he is or was the laddest man on the a rogue warrior who beat moat of Ma opponents before they ever stepped in the ring We watch him because he redo of imminent danger and violence And ramming he is not suspended for and he should not be despite Saturday's freak ahow and his clunuy scripted apology Monday he will continue to be a marquee attraction Iron Mike will be back And we will to watch him Because we Ipoundvea And boxing will make sure he's back because be makes too many people too much money If anything Tyson will be mare marketable than ever What's the lunatic going to do now? Knee hii opponent in the solar plexus? Pull a knife from his corner? He is a human car wreck and we are willing rubbemecken What will happen? Tyson will be upended for a year or two receive intense therapy appear twice on Oprah spewing the 12tep recovery ipH donate $5 million to some ear witched as Resto cornerman Panama Lewia took his boxer's gloves off knew something was said Bruce TTanqder a Top Rank matchmaker who was there that night grabbed them and gave them to me and we passed them an to the eommtadan" There was something wrong: Lewis had removed a portion of the padding inside the gloves Resto's victim Collins was badly hurt ultimately fell into a deep deprearion and began drinking heavily A year and a half after the fight be drove drunk into a bridge abutment his car felling into a river Some folks still believe it was in effect suicide Lewis did jail time hi connection with his actions an fight night He also waa banned bom baring for life And appropriately sa In many ways Panama Lewis killed a man that night There the punishment fit the crime Tyson? A year or two banishment -Certainly a sizable fine Not a lifetime FOOTBALL Tide footbal piayera OK after wreck: Alabama football players Michael Myers and Michael Feagh were involved In a traffic accident hi Autauga County but neither was seriously injured The accident occurred early Monday on US 82 near Prattville Myers a senior defensive end from Vicksburg Miss was Alabama's third-leading tackier last year and expected to be a leader on the Tide 'a defense thia season Feagin a uniar coraertuck from Greenville is projected as a tap reserve in the secondary this seam Staeiers give up Pagram: The Pittsburgh Steelers traded running back Enic Pegram to Sot Diego for a seventh-round draft choice in 1999 freeing money to sign some of their rookies Pegram who has 303 rushing yards in six years with Atlanta and Pittsburgh becomes the sixth tailback on San Diego's rater Pegram's departure leaves the Steelers without a proven backup to Jerome Bettis who just signed a four-year $144 million contract Since the season ended the Steelers have lost eight free agents including conerback Rod Woodson linebacker dad Brown cornerback Willie Williams defensive end Ray Seals and wide receivers Eraie Mills and Andre Hastings BOXING Commission wants to meat wilti Tyson: The chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission said Mike Tyaoe is the only person who can explain what happened in the ring Saturday night when he bit Evader Holyfleld twice during their world heavyweight boxing title bout 1 really think there's only one guy who has to justify his actions fat the ring and that's Mike Dr EHas Ghaaem said don't want to press anything and teO him be has to show up but we are really talking about Mike Tyson here' Tyson was expected to sign papers Wednesday allowing the commiaaion to go ahead with a meeting next week where he could face a lifetime ban from boxing along with a $3 million fine Gattra lawyer confident The attorney for IBP champion ArtnraGatti who is accused of punching and threatening to kill a police officer after leading authorities on a wild chase is confident the charges against his client will be downgraded Gatti was charged with assaulting a police officer resisting arrest eluding police nuking terroristic threats driving while intoxicated refusing to taUue a breath tot and several driving violations COLLEGE BASKETBALL Saif gets Tutsa coaching job: Bill Self the basketball coach at Oral Roberts will replace Steve Robinson as Thtaat coach a university official confirmed today The school scheduled an afternoon news conference to introduce its new coach A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press the jab has gone to Self who has been the coach at crosstown Oral Roberta the past four years PRO BASKETBALL Butis wait on easy rider: The Chicago Bulls are waiting for Coach Phil Jscksae to end a long motorcycle trip before resuming contract talks for the 194748 season team owner Jeiry Reiasdarf says Rekisdarf said on WTTW- TVb "Chicago Tonight" that negotiations would resume after Jackson calls from his Montana cabin 1 will call him the first chance I can and when we have something to announce we will announce be said "This is the last update HI give concerning him The next time I speak regarding him it will be because we have agreed to a deal or have agreed not to Jackson who has coached the Bulls to five NBA titles In seven years is the major puxxle piece to keeping the championship team intact for another season Michael Joniaa has salid he wontbe back if Jackson return He has also said he wanted fellow All-Star Scottie Plppea and league rebounding leader Denis Rodmaa to remain Bulls Rodman is a free agent I Ewing algno now deal with Knioka: One day after becoming a free agent enter Patrick Ewing signed a new fouryear contract with the New York Knicks Ewing who will be 35 next month has been the anchor of the 1 franchise since the team made him the Na 1 pick in the NBA's first lottery draft in 1989 He is the Knfcka career leader 11 categories inchxflng games (913) points (21339) and rebounds (9513) Terms were not available Lobo extends atreak to 100: New York forward Rebecca Lobe played in her 100th consecutive winning game as the Liberty improved to 3-0 with a 17047 victory over Houston in the WNBA Lobo who had nine points and five rebounds has not played on a losing team since March 28 1994 when Connecticut was beaten by North Carolina in the NCAA tournament The 'next season Lobo led the Huskies to a 354 record and the national title Lobo was a member of the UA national team that won 53 consecutive games and then won eight more on the way to the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta Croahero Paoera agree: Aaxtla Croxhere the 13th pick in the NBA draft last weri will sign a contract today with the Indiana Pacers The 6-foot-l forward averaged 179 points last season and helped Providence reach the regional finals of the NCAA tournament inrepentant about it certainly less repentant than he is for Saturday night's bite going so far as to suggest he has been "brutalized" and "dehumanized" by the forcea that shape his life If Tyson wants to know about being brutalized and dehumanized he might want to speak with the woman he raped Tell me this tail true: If Tyson had killed Holyfield he would be hailed today aa the fight game's ultimate warrior as a man who cemented his place in boxing history Instead he bit ears Roll out the electric chair Tysoo-Hotyfield was not the worst thing I saw the wont thing was there at ringlde as it happened on June 18 1981 The boxers were Luis Resto and Billy Cbilins fighting on the undercard of Roberto Dunn and Davey Moore at New York'S Madiaon Square Garden Resto scared a decision that night but to doing so admfoistered an unusually brutal beating on Collins At fight's end CbUim' father Boxing still needs him And ua? We still need to watch Howard Newt Service Bell From page B1 That you learn quickly about BelL What you might not know however la that he was the 1998 Associated Pram Spartacaster of the Year for Alabama even though WBMG'i newscasts lag terribly behind the other three Birmingham station In the ratings Though he might be the least watched anchor to Birmingham he probably la the moat exposed nation- Ladun however non could have more opportunities to view her husband at work With a change in ownership and management Bell said his future at WBMG ia somewhat uncertain For the first time In nine years at the station "The Toughest Holes in Birmingham is milring from Ms nightly newscast apparently the victim of some of the changes "No one (in station management) has approached me about starting it again thu he said In the meantime Bell has Ma rights set on trigger things "Play-by-play might be my he said Tm certainly doing everything I can to jump on every opportunity Tm very persistent I make a lot of cilia to networks hired an agent to help what Pm hoping to gcF eventu "It takes careful planning be said of a hectic travel schedule "I have an obligation here so I take vacation time (to travel) Another fact you might nut know: Bell's wife Brenda Ladun ia the lead news anchor at WBMA-3340 Does the bet that they work for competing stations affect their home life? "If I said no we never talk about it that would be a Ben laid man and wife beat friends and we talk to each other I seek advice from her and vice vena But we handle It well from the aspect that what we talk about at home stays at In fact the two seldom see each other1! work because they are on the air at the aame time although Bell does admit to nearing a peek at Ma wife's broadcasts whenever poaribte 9 ally: a full-time network play-by-play tab" 1 Until then he ia content with WBMG'i underdog status even though he admits the low ratings sometimes -sting his pride 'i Tm a competitive pawn so from that standpoint (the ratings) are not he arid wish we were the1 Na 1 station I've worked hard for nine years and feel like we have some foi-1 lowing Certainly not the largest if you look at the ratings the other hand far nine yean gone everywhere The Masters the Super Bowl the World Series sol I can't complain gone everywhere that you can Imagine just like the guys attheNa 1 (Friday: Mfcs Ralta regularly does play-by-play hroadrarii of wufgp hiwhfthwli gstpft for ESPN and reguud networks such as Fox Sports South And this year he worked with Fox as a play-by-day voice of World League of American Football games In Eurqie.