Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 27

i GOLF Defending champ maintains lead going into final round of Michigan PGA. See Page 2D. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1994 SECTIOII NFL, Page 3 College football, Page 4 Scoreboard, Pages 5, 10 Detroit 4frce J)rc Scores: 1-900-737-8884, Sports: 1-313-222-6660 (Calls the score line are 79 per minute) Ernie Irvan 1 We aire Irvan groans, responds to speaking; life support behind, Jong fight ahead i I i By Drew Sharp Free Press Sports Writer A little groan, though barely audible, spoke volumes about Ernie Irvan's dramatic improvement in the past 36 hours. Irvan, critically injured in a practice crash Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, has regained partial consciousness; has full use of his extremities; and can physically respond to those speaking to him.

'fi Though Irvan continues to be listed in "critical condition, trauma surgeon Dr. Errol Erlandson was cautiously optimistic afternoon. "His wife and I were speaking to him as we had been doing regularly for a couple of days," Erlandson said. "We then noticed a slight moaning sound, and then he opened his eyes and looked at his wife. Though this isn't full or normal consciousness, we are jubilant about the developments." But also very cautious.

Erlandson said the crucial stage for such severe neurological trauma is about 10 days to two weeks. Setbacks and See Ernie irvan, Page 5D about Irvan's chances for a full recovery damage. I1? 'i Irvan's condition has improved to the level that he no longer is considered on life support, but "ventilatory support." Irvan, who was in Michigan for the NASCAR GM Goodwrench 400, first showed signs of consciousness Monday when the physician met the media Tuesday at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township, near Ann Arbor. Erlandson said: He has no reason to believe that Irvan, 35, has suffered any permanent brain A grounds-keeper trims the hedges at Saratoga EJi.flii.

SI-Vj' Cnnnrtc knimmi.ui. il mi UVIUlKill Mil- I country's f- "He just fell in love with the cool and quiet of Saratoga. This place seems to bring the best out of him." trainer Leo O'Brien, ON HIS 9-YEAR-OLD GELDING FOURSTARDAVE oldest track that was laid out in 1863 and remodeled in 1902. jus. 1 i I A 1 I I 7 fmmv- i sac' jfc" 1 if i-'t Lions linebacker Joe Schmidt was an eight-time AU-Pro in the 1950s and '60s, regarded as one of the best ever to play the position.

But Schmidt was not one of seven linebackers voted to the NFL's all-time team, selected by a 15-person panel of NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame officials, former players and media members. This is the NFL's 75th anniversary season. The only former Lion picked on the 48-pIayer team was cornerback Dick (Night Train) Lane, who played in Detroit in 1960-65. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette released the names of the players Tuesday, but the NFL declined comment, saying the team officially would be announced next Tuesday at a news conference in New York. Linebackers selected instead of Schmidt were Dick Butkus, Jack Ham, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert, Willie Lanier, Ray Nitschke and tawrence Taylor.

the running backs selected was OJ. Simpson. 1 7 m' i 4 imiiliiMiiiriliiAif ill Hill I Hi lili iiiii. n-) Photos by JIM McKNIGHTAssociated Press More than 46,000 saw 3-year-old Holy Bull, foreground, win the Travers Stakes last Saturday at Saratoga Springs, the track's most prestigious race. HORSE RACING IS DECLINE, BUT AT SARATOGA SPRINGS Offense Defense -rf -ri ENDS Deacon Jones Gino Marchetti Reggie White IS stun TACKLES by Gene guidi Free Press Sports Writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.

It's a few minutes past 7 when a dark-as-night thoroughbred, its neck bowed in a majestic arch, cuts through the morning mist and bounds past the Saratoga Race Course clubhouse porch. "Do you know what's unusual about that horse?" Mary Ryan asks the breakfast crowd that has gathered to eat bacon and eggs, drink coffee and watch morning workouts. "Thoroughbreds come in six colors, and the fewest in number are black." In the background the staccato rhythm of hoofbeats The first race is six hours away, but with each passing minute the activity increases; another graceful day has begun to unfold at venerable Saratoga. Ryan, who has been doing this since 1975, continues her non-stop patter, entertaining the hundreds of early risers who like to start their Saratoga mornings the way they spend their afternoons: watching horses gallop around the track. "The Travers will be run later today," Ryan says.

"Do you know who was the only Triple Crown winner to win the Travers? It was Whirlaway in 1941." This is part of the storied tradition at Saratoga, but the track does more than cling to the past. While thoroughbred racing is declining elsewhere, especially Detroit, it flourishes at Saratoga, where fans flock by the thousands in mid- to late-summer. Among them are members of the breakfast bunch who listen to Ryan. Shortly after 9:30 a.m., fed and educated, they disperse and the track is closed briefly to prepare for the 10-race program. When the gates reopen, the crowd converges on the tree-covered grounds.

Some racegoers, wearing T-shirts and shorts, are lugging baskets and coolers filled with food and drink. Holding with a tradition that began in 1863, their base of operation for the day will be one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the track. See SARATOGA SPRINGS, Page 4D Joe Greene Bob Lilly Merlin Olsen LINEBACKERS oort me Dick Butkus Jack Ham Ted Hendricks Jack Lambert Willie Lanier Ray Nitschke Lawrence Taylor QUARTERBACKS Sammy Baugh Otto Graham Joe Montana Johnny Unitas RUNNING BACKS Jim Brown Marion Motley Bronko Nagurski Walter Payton Simpson Steve Van Buren RECEIVERS Lance Alworth Raymond Berry 'Don Hutson Jerry Rice TIGHT ENDS Mike Ditka Winslow TACKLES Roosevelt Brown Forrest Gregg Anthony Munoz GUARDS John Hannah Jim Parker Gene Upshaw CENTERS Mel Hein Mike Webster or fan CORNERBACKS 1 Mel Blount Mike Haynes Dick (Night Train) Lane Rod Woodson SAFETIES Chavez, Taylor count the seconds until their rematch Ken Houston Ronnie Lott Larry Wilson Specialists ETa he rematch everybody in PUNTER Ray Guy Rob PARKER Boxing 7 boxing has been waiting for is less than a month away. It has been nearly four years since Julio Cesar PLACEKICKER Jan Sterterud It won't be easy. Chavez, coming off a controversial technical split decision over Frankie Randall on May 7, is 27-1-1 with 19 KOs in championship fights.

Still, he believes the first fight with Taylor was his toughest day in the ring. "The Meldrick Taylor fight was the most difficult fight of my life," said Chavez, who has won five world see Rob Parker, Page 4D super-lightweight champ, wants to prove the first fight wasn't a fluke. Taylor, a two-time world champ, plans to prove he is the better fighter and that Chavez's win was luck. Taylor (32-3-1) was clearly ahead of Chavez (90-1-1, 77 KOs) on two scorecards late in the 12th round in the first fight. But he got caught with a right that sent him to the canvas.

Referee Richard Steele stopped the bout with two seconds remaining, allowing Chavez to retain his title by TKO. "The first fight with Chavez was a traumatic experience for me to lose with only two seconds left," Taylor said. "It has been a fantasy of mine for four years to get this rematch. "I kept praying that one day I would be able to avenge myself and vindicate myself." PUNT RETURNER Billy (White Shoes) Johnson KICK RETURNER Chavez escaped an almost certain first pro defeat by knocking out Meldrick Taylor with two seconds left in the fight. This time, they hook up Sept.

17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Chavez, the World Boxing Council Gale Sayers.