Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 41

1 T'f'T fwmww DETROIT FREE PRESSSATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1988 5C Baseball learns it must play by the rules Baseball got what it deserved. Basketball likes to claim that it is "America's Game." But that is a title that rightfully belongs only to baseball, the game we all played as kids, on the scruffy fields hewn from vacant lots in Detroit and Highland Park, in Tulsa and Buffalo Charlie Uincent did. Gibson, for instance, is two-thirds of the way through a three-year, $4.1 million contract. That is not the issue, though. The issue is that the players were not permitted to offer their services in an open and honest marketplace, as they had been promised.

Kirk Gibson, 28 at the time, hit .287 the year before, stole 30 bases in 34 tries, drove in 97 runs and hit 29 homers. But when he became a free agent, no one made him an offer. Because, in reality, he was not a free agent. In reality, baseball's doors were closed as tightly as they had been in the days when free agency was an unknown phrase. Baseball is our national pastime.

That is a pet nickname someone hung on the sport long ago, in a simpler, more naive time. It is a term of endearment such as Sugar or Honey or Sweetheart for a sport America grew up learning to love. The owners tried to operate the way Jimmy (The Greek) Snyder remembers the world. There was a time when baseball could get away with that, when players were property to be kept or dealt, as the owner saw fit, tied to a team in a one-way deal that prevented free movement. If I wanted to go to the Detroit News and they wanted me, we could make a deal.

I could change uniforms, and allegiances, and show up within a couple of weeks in the pages of the hated opposition. Ballplayers couldn't do that for a long time. Then, one day, enlightenment came to the sport. It was dragged, certainly against its will, into the 20th Century. Owners and the players came to an agreement that would allow free agency, that would permit players under certain conditions, at certain times to cut their own deals, to make the best commitment they could for themselves.

It worked for a while. But some owners This morning, he has. This morning, all of baseball has. This morning, Kirk Gibson and Tom Brook-ens and five others like them, who were denied the right to make their own best deal two years ago because the major leagues' 26 teams acted in concert, are free agents. Free this time, really free, to make the best deal possible.

It is the most baseball's arbitration system could award them. And it is just. But it is not enough. Gibson is almost 31 now. Joe Niekro, another of the beneficiaries of Friday's ruling, is 43, and Carlton Fisk, another of the seven, is 40.

They will not be able to command the contracts they could have commanded when they were younger. So another portion of their retribution will be determined by the courts. Cash settlements might be awarded as well to make up for their financial losses the past two seasons. I don't think any of them have been financially emaciated by what baseball and Chattanooga. Little girls in pigtails and braces play it witlv their big brother's glove wobbling on uncertain' hands, and little boys play it dreaming some day they will grow up to be just like Lou Whitaker.

or Alan Trammell or Fernando Valenzuela. It's a simple game then, when you play it just for fun. It gets more complicated later. Distasteful as it is to those of us who remember those simpler, more naive days, baseball is more business today than sport. And somewhere along the way, baseball forgot its obligations.

In business, as in sports, there are rules to be honored. Baseball didn't honor the rules of free. agency, and it is getting what it deserves. couldn't restrain themselves, and time after time they found themselves in expensive auctions for players, paying for what they thought was a Van Gogh only to find they had a mart reproduction on their hands. And when Peter Ueberroth became commissioner of the game, things changed.

It was probably just a coincidence. He probably can't be blamed for what happened. He advocated only "fiscal responsibility." He would have no part, he said, of something called collusion. It was, he said, only a figment of someone's overactive imagination, anyway. Collusion? Nope, he said, never heard of it.

mapi ii i mrmmm-rf Pistons feel the Sonics Gibson and Brookens are ruled free agents home boom, 109-106 i'f 1 No dsal for Evans The Tigers had two contract discussions Friday with Darreil Evans and his arjent, Jerry Kapsteln, without reaching agreement. The Tigers have offered the first baseman a one-year contract for $635,000, Evans Is asking $935,000 He made $535,000 In 1987, when he hit .257 with 34 homers and 99 RBIs Because he is a six-year veteran who was a free agent the previous year, the Tigers have until Monday either to reach a compromise agreement with Evans or to accept salary arbitration. If they do neither, he can become a free agent and sign with any team, including the Tigers. like a trench coat. Dumars was called-for a foul on the play, and simply walked away shaking his head.

Sparked by Ellis and forward Tom Chambers, Seattle jumped to a 34-22 first-quarter lead. With Ellis, Chambers, and forward Xavier McDaniel, the Sonics are always capable of going on a tear. i But the second quarter belonged to the Pistons, who outscored Seattle, 36-24. Rodman scored 12 first-half points. Not only was Rodman effective, his flying moves to the basket pumped up the Pistons' bench.

During one sequence, Rodman took a behind-the-back pass from Vinnie Johnson and soared high for a left-handed lay-up. Moments later, he dunked after a pass from Thomas. And on another fast break, Rodman swooped in for a lay-up that pulled Detroit into a 44-44 tie. MEANWHILE, Adrian Dantley looked as if he pulled a back muscle in the first quarter. Dantley moved gingerly throughout the first half, playing just 10 minutes and scoring six points.

Rodman wasn't the only Piston who was hot. Laimbeer snapped out of his shooting slump, scoring 14 points in the half on 7-for-10 shooting, plus seven rebounds. Dumars added 10 as well. PISTONS, from Page 1C Seattle took possession with 12 seconds left. Ellis was fouled with 10 second left and made both free throws, giving Seattle a 109-106 lead.

The Pistons raced the ball downcourt, but Bill Laimbeer missed a long jumper at the buzzer. Detroit led by nine points in the third quarter, but the Pistons never found a way to contain Ellis. And the standing-room only crowd got in the game and rallied the Sonics back. Seattle took a five-point fourth quarter lead, but Thomas and Rickey Mahorn led a comeback that brought Detroit within one point several times in the last three minutes. It was probably the Pistons' best performance of their trip, but it wasn't good enough.

DETROIT led, 58-56, after an excellent first half its best first half of this trip. But the Pistons couldn't stop Ellis, who may be the hottest player in the NBA. Ellis, who entered the game averaging 32.1 points in his last seven games, had 24 points in the first half. He scored most of those points against Joe Dumars, Detroit's best defensive guard. At one point, Ellis made a jumper with Dumars hanging on him FREE AGENTS, from Page 1C to immediately contact him on behalf of Gibson.

"I don't think we'll ever see a return to those free-bidding days of pre-1985, but we feel there will be a legitimate interest," Baldwin said. "I presume I'll be getting in touch with several clubs next week, including the Tigers." Brookens said, "I'll approach this the same way I approached free agency in 1985. I'll find what my market value is and see who's interested in signing me including the Tigers." Brookens is in the last year of a contract that pays $350,000. Tigers general manager Bill Lajoie wouldn't answer phone calls on the matter Friday. The club answered inquiries with a terse statement: "The Tigers will abide by the arbitrator's decision." Baldwin said that he assumed the Tigers would be willing to talk about a contract extension rather than risk losing Gibson without compensation.

Baldwin feels the free-agent freeze cost Gibson the chance to sign a five-i year contract worth about $8 million. When Gibson didn't receive any offers from other teams, he re-signed with File Photo Kirk Gibson (left) and former Tiger Lance Parrish felt the free-agent squeeze after the 1985 and 1986 seasons, respectively. the Tigers for three years at $4.1 million. The contract has one more year left, for $1.3 million. "We have to be realistic about this," Baldwin said.

"Let's face it, the free-agent market is much different now, and Kirk is two years older. We aren't going to try to get back all the money Kirk lost in a new contract. He'll get that back in the financial settlement." As Fehr said, "We're still involved in damage proceedings. If Gibson can demonstrate his market would Mariners. It isn't known whether these teams still be interested in Gibson-Commissioner Peter Ueberroth had no comment on Roberts' ruling.

But Barry Rona, chief of the owners' Player Relations Committee, said: "It's a bad decision." Another arbitrator, George Nicolau, is expected to make a decision this spring on collusion charges involving 1986 free agents. Free Press wire services contributed to this report. have been different, he'll get the dollars in addition." If not for the uncertainty of the arbitrator's ruling, Gibson already would have been an ex-Tiger. Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners had accepted deals with the Tigers but backed out because they were wary of the collusion damages they might inherit. The Tigers would have sent Gibson to the Dodgers for Pedro Guerrero and likely would have received Phil Bradley from the 0 Tyson keeps his title with KOin4th BOXING, from Page 1C "The guy's a heavier puncher than anybody realizes but maybe they do realize it," he said.

"He also a good finisher when he's got the chance." Holmes got up from the second knockdown, and Tyson slammed him with a right that wobbled Holmes. Holmes was helpless, unable to do anything to fend off Tyson. Tyson hammered him with a right-left-right combination, and with Holmes exposed, followed with a final smashing right to the head. Holmes dropped flat on his back, and it was all over. The ex-champ who claimed he had been cheated out of the title by other men, couldn't argue this one.

It was the first time Holmes had been knocked out, although in three earlier fights, he had been floored. Holmes said Tyson was stronger, more persistent and threatening and able than any fighter in boxing today. "Well, he's there, and I don't see anybody beating him now," said Holmes, who had not fought in 21 months since losing a rematch to Michael Spinks, the fighter who ended Holmes' 7 '2 -year reign as champion in a controversial decision in 1985. Next on the horizon for Tyson could be Spinks, who last spring was defrocked as the International Boxing Federation champion, the title he won Challenger Larry Holmes crawls to the ropes after being knocked down by heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in the fourth round. New Dokes wins in comeback M) VLlyLJ Uvly LJ JCo seemed out of shape, but his performance against Lakusta suggested a different Dokes.

In other bouts: Freddy Del Gado, Puerto Rico lightweight, knocked out Don Crupe of Baltimore in one minute of the first round. In his first fight since losing the WBC super-welterweight title to Detroit's Duane Thomas 13 months ago, Uganda's John Mugabi 27-2 scored a second-round TKO over Bryan Grant (12-3) of Memphis. Carlos DeLeon (34-3) of Puerto Rico retained his WBC cruiserweight title, winning a dull, unanimous 12-round decision over Jose Flores (84-10-7) of Uruguay. Unbeaten middleweight Davey Hilton (25-0) of Montreal, absent from boxing for two years while fighting an alcohol problem, won a majority decision over Hector Rosario (16-10) of New York. By GEORGE PUSCAS Free Press Sports Writer ATLANTIC CITY Former heavyweight champion Michael Dokes, emerging from what he calls "years in another world," found a better one here Friday night.

He scored a seventh-round technical knockout over Ken Lakusta of Edmonton in a preliminary bout on the Mike Tyson-Larry Holmes program at Convention Hall. Dokes, a former World Boxing Association champion, was jailed in Nevada in 1986 after being convicted of cocaine possession. He served a six-month term, later confessing that he had been a heavy drug user throughout his boxing career. "When that stuff gets you," he said, "you don't care about anything else. The only thing that matters is when you get some more." Dokes' career never reached the heights predicted for him, despite his rise to the WBA title.

He always Once a season, we clean out our stores. All our stores. Everything. We have a one-day sale and mark our regular stock of menswear and shoes down to prices we wouldn't dare offer for more than 12 hours. You'll be able to save 18 to 70 (yes, to 70) on everything.

For example: Oleg Cassini 100-wool flannel dress slacks. Reg. $5750. 70 off. Now $17.25.

Special collection of sport coats. Wool tweeds and silk-blends. Values to $195. Now $49.90. Suits.

A selection, including designs by Yves St. Laurent. Italian wool gabardines. And many others. Values to $395.

70 off. Now $99. Large group of 100-cotton sweaters. Solids, fancies, v-necks and crew necks. Reg.

$50 to $60 70 off. Now $15 to $18. Entire stock of Generra sportswear. Pants, sweaters, sport shirts. Reg.

70 off. Now Entire stock ol winter jackets. Wool, leather, and cotton. Members Only, London Fog and others Values from 50 off. Now Florsheim dress slip-on shoes.

Various styles. Reg. $75. 40 off. Now $45.

The sale will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, January 23 and end at 9 p.m. How will you feel if you miss it? from Holmes. Spinks was penalized for withdrawing from a tournament that ended with Tyson as the single heavyweight champion. Tyson received about $5 million and Holmes $3 million for the show.

SAVE Graf beats Evert for Australian Open title in the game for the last decade and a half, was playing her 34th Grand Slam final and had been aiming for her 19th title. Graf has won her last five meetings with Evert, all in straight sets. She still trails 5-6 in their career meetings. Graf, from West Germany, collected $110,000 for her victory. Evert earned $55,000.

Graf is riding a 21-match winning streak and sailed through the year's first Grand Slam tournament without dropping a set. Evert was appearing in her sixth Australian Open final. She has won the title twice. Lendl of Czechoslovakia, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, in a three-hour, 56-minute match Friday. Wilander defeated fellow Swede Stefan Edberg, 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, in the other men's semifinal.

Graf unleashed a barrage of penetrating graundstrokes to which the 33-year-old American had no answer until late in the second set. Graf, playing in the fourth consecutive Grand Slam final of her career, collected her second Grand Slam tournament title. She won the French Open last year. Evert, one of the dominant figures AUSTRALIAN OPEN, from Page 1C The third-seeded Evert, clearly not playing her best tennis, managed to win only five more points in the first set. Then she crumpled in the second and trailed 1-5 before ripping off the next five games and taking a 6-5 lead.

After Graf pulled even at 6-6, she won the tiebreak, 7-3. The men's singles crown will be decided Sunday, when Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, playing before his hometown crowd, will face Sweden's Mats Wilander, twice a winner of the Australian Open, Cash, 22, outlasted top-ranked Ivan It's the little things that count. Tel TVclvu. Oakland and MeadowHnxV.I.ige Mails VISA M.islerCnrd American tlxprws and Osmi.ns chatuM aixepted Alterations at cost on 1 2 ol! merchar jise.