Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 46

Gibson explains decision Gibby's mates see opportunity amid the sadness If I A1 If Vi BY TERRY FOSTER Free Press Sports Writer what they have to do. That's the way they've always been. "I'm not a revengeful person. You guys may think I'm mad at them, they may be mad at me, but I respect them for their position. I'm thankful for what they've done for me." He even thanked the fans who booed him because "you grow and mature as an individual.

I perform under adversity. I can't just listen to someone boo me. I have to think to myself, why are these people booing me?" Gibson discussed his decision with family members, with George Perles, the Michigan State football coach who last week turned down an offer from the Green Bay Packers, and teammate Jack Morris, who Gibson said urged him to stay. After deciding, he spoke Friday to Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda. "One of my comments to him was, ir 1 1 a.

CLOSING THE BOOK ON GlBBY Kirk Gibson's career as a Tiger: Regular season filled with memorable moments and Gibson recalled a few. Although he was injury-prone and never batted .300 for a full season or hit 30 home runs or made an All-Star team or learned to play the outfield well, Gibson had been a charismatic performer with a flair for dramatic achievement under pressure. "The only thing I'm ever going to be guilty of is the fact that 1 never lived up to everybody else's expectations," he said. He recalled the two home runs in the clinching game of the 1984 World Series against San Diego and the ninth-inning home run off Toronto's Tom Henke in 1987 to lead the comeback that resulted in the championship of the American League East. Looking back on his bachelor days and negative publicity for rude public behavior in the early 1980s, Gibson said: "I brought a lot of this on myself and I understand that.

I consider myself one of the easiest people to get along with on the planet we live on. Everyone who truly knows me they all like me. I don't want everybody to know me." One of the reporters told Gibson that it still hadn't sunk in that Gibson was leaving. He had been such a story, first as an All-America flanker at Michigan State. Even his wedding was frontpage news.

He thanked the reporters and said several times, "I have grown up." He thanked Tigers president Jim Campbell for signing him and Lajoie for being a friend and manager Sparky Anderson "for making me a professional." "Let me tell you something about the Tigers," he said. "I respect them for the way they are. They are as hardline as they come. They have to do Kirk Gibson, from Page II) arbitrator Thomas Roberts, who punished baseball owners for collusion against Gibson and other free agents following the 1985 season. Gibson is expected to sign Monday with the Dodgers.

Although Gibson negotiated last week with the Tigers, he said their best offer was a one-year extension through 1989 with no raise in pay. Gibson's 1988 salary would have been $1.3 million. "It's not a matter of just taking the money and run, as some of you might want to say," Gibson told about 20 reporters. "My wish, all along, was to stay in Detroit. But I just felt there was such a gap.

The financial picture was much more appealing from Los Angeles. The Tigers were standing pat with what they were going to offer. I really had no choice." This wasn't the angry Gibby who breaks bats and shouts profanities, or the menacing Gibby, who yells in the locker room and orders reporters to do unprintable things. This was mellow Kirk, saying good-by and telling why. "I have peace of mind," Gibson said several times.

The Tigers could have kept him, he said. He gave general manager Bill Lajoie a final chance "in my office here in Grosse Pointe." "I owed it to him. I called him in. I told him at that time I wanted to stay in Detroit in the worst way. Basically, he told me he wished he could do more.

They have to make their decisions, too. Just as I am going to be accountable for my decisions, they have to be accountable for theirs." His years with the Tigers had been iou guys nave iosi way too many nramfc rhp lact fpuf vparc nihenn Matt Nokes, who softened the blow when catcher Lance Parrish signed as a free agent with Philadelphia last season, believes outfielders Billy Bean and Scott Lusader can fill Kirk Gibson's shoes. Bean and Lusader started the 1987 season with the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate at Toledo, but made contributions to Detroit in limited playing time. Their chances of sticking with the Tigers may have been enhanced when Gibson agreed Friday night to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. "We got Bean and Lusader and those two guys are the outfield," said Nokes.

"I know they can do a very, very admirable job. All they need is the opportunity and to know they are going to play every day the whole season." Nokes stepped in and hit .289 with 32 home runs and 87 RBIs during his rookie season. Gene Cook, general manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, said Bean played winter ball in Venezuela and Lusader is working at a baseball school in Florida. Neither could be reached for comment. Lusader was brought up Sept.

1 when major league rosters were expanded. In 23 games, he hit .319. Bean joined the Tigers early in the season and was batting better than .300 before slumping to .258. He was sent back to Toledo at the end of May. In his debut with the Tigers, Bean had his best game 4-for-6 with two doubles, two runs scored and one RBI in a 13-2 victory over Kansas City on April 25.

Here is how other Tigers reacted to Gibson's leaving: DARRELL EVANS: "I think him being gone is something we have no control over. We all wish him well. As far as we are concerned we are going to have to have people step in and keep going." JlH WALEWANDER: "I am sad to see him go. He was a nice guy. He really was.

To lose a guy like that. It always hurts." YEAR A3 HR RBI AVG 1979 38 3 9 1 4 .237 1980 175 23 46 9 16 .263 1981 290 41 95 9 40 ,328 1982 266 34 74 8 35 .278 1983 401 60 91 15 51 .227 1984 531 92 150 27 91 .282 1985 581 06 167 29 97 .267 1986 441 84 118 28 86 .268 1987 467 96 135 24 79 .277 Tot. 3210 528 885 150 499 ,276 Championship series YEAR AB HR RBI AVG 1984 12 2 5 1 2 .417 1987 21 4 6 1 4 .286 Tot. 33 6 -11 2 6 vr World Series YEAR AB HR RBI AVG 1984 18 4 6 2 7 ,333 said. "Historically, they have had a winning ball club.

They are committed to rebuilding their program and becoming a contender. I think they made that commitment to me. "Generally, I'm going to be playing left field and batting third or fourth, depending on what they do with their ball club." Gibson said his contract is guaranteed "unless we strike." "If I strike, I don't expect to be paid," he said, "As far as their locking us out, I'm protected against that." When someone asked him whether he would like to play again in the World Series at Tiger Stadium, Gibson replied: "That would be the ultimate with the Dodgers winning." winning; without him, I have some doubts right now." MlKE HENNEMAN: "Somebody's got some big shoes to step into. There only one Kirk Gibson with his power and his speed. Besides what he contributed on the field, his speed and power, he was a real clubhouse presence.

"But I'm happy for Kirk. He had to look out for himself and his family. He was a big asset to the club, and I going to ife ieiiwer JEFF ROBINSON: "I feel the bottom line is Kirk Gibson has to do what is best for Kirk Gibson. Apparently, he felt it was best for him to go to LA. It is going to take a big spot out of our lineup.

We've got to rebuild, and the American League has made so many improvements it is going to be tough. We did it before, hopefully we can do it again." ALAN TRAMMEUi "I'm very disappointed. I was hoping it could have worked out. My first reaction is, 'What do we do? How do we replace With him, we have a great chance of miss him. FRANK TANANA: "I can only say that it has been a real pleasure for me to be able to play baseball with Kirk Gibson, and I certainly wish him well with the Dodgers.

He was a very vital part of our ball club, obviously. No two ways about it, we're going to miss him." araers. too. reat Baldwin wins a battle, sees more war And then there Were 10 Here is the 25-man roster of the 1984 Tigers team that won the World Series. Only 10 of those players (in bold) remain with the Tigers' organization.

0' Lance Parrish Hitters Agreement ends after the 1989 season "unless there are some peace overtures." "I know it seems like a long time two years but there are definitely some war clouds on the horizon, and some saber-rattling," Baldwin said. Gibson said his decision to leave the Tigers was made for personal reasons, but added: "If it has a positive impact for other players, I will be happy for that. Because the Players Association has done a great job for me. "This may sound funny or weird to you, but if I could rewrite the script, none of this would ever have happened. "When I signed with the Detroit Tigers, my first contract, I always envisioned I would be here for the rest of my life end my career here." Baldwin said the only other serious offer for Gibson came from the San Diego Padres.

He said Tigers general manager Bill Lajoie never offered more BY JOE LAPOINTE Free I'ress Sports Writer Doug Baldwin, agent for former Tiger left fielder Kirk Gibson, said Saturday, "I wouldn't call it I don't like the way it sounds. It has a feel we are rubbing their noses in it." Nevertheless, Baldwin expressed satisfaction and relief that his client agreed to a three-year, $4.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 1 Gibson had been declared a free agent 10 days ago by arbitrator Thomas Roberts, who ruled that baseball owners had violated the Basic Agreement after the 1985 season by acting in concert and refusing to bid for Gibson and other free agents. Although it appears that mobility of free agents has returned to baseball, Baldwin said there could be new problems when the current Basic Alan Trammell Lou Whltaker Pitchers Doug Bair Juan Berenguer Willie Hernandez Aurelio Lopez Jack Morris Dan Petry Dave Rozetna Bill Scherrer Milt Wilcox Doug Baker Dave Bergman Tom Brookens Marty Castillo Darrell Evans Barbaro Garbey Kirk Gibson John Grubb Larry Herndon Howard Johnson Ruppert Jones Rusty Kuntz Chet Lemon than a one-year contract extension through 1989. Anderson, Lajoie refuse to be negative No one in the Tigers' hierarchy, though, wants to talk as if Gibson's departure is a serious problem.

"I'm not going to go for that pessimistic B.S.," general manager Bill Lajoie said Saturday. "I don't think we have to go out and get anybody We have some players we can move around. "It just happened at midnight and you want me to say what's on my mind. Maybe nothing's on my mind except re-evaluating a few things. I don't think one player makes that much difference.

We'll do what we can to put a good club on the field." Lajoie was not in a good mood Saturday. Though Gibson said he had instructed his agent, Doug Baldwin, to cut a deal with the Dodgers after last Wednesday's meeting with Lajoie, the Tigers' general manager said he was surprised by Gibson's defection. "I talked to his agent Friday," said Lajoie. "Why would I do that unless I thought we could make a deal?" Kirk Gibson will be missed, but he is not irreplaceable. A lot of players can do what he can do.

A lot of outfielders can hit .280 and drive in 80 runs and hit 25 homers. None of them plays for the Tigers, though. So it will be patchwork again in spring training for the Tigers, just as it was last spring. It will be trial and error. And if you want to wring your hands over it, you may.

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Pat Sheridan. Gary Pettis. Jim Morrison. Rey Palacios. Chet Lemon.

"I'll change my club some," he said. "I've started thinking about that already We'll platoon more. I can do a lot of things." Pettis is a superb fielder but swings a bat uncertainly; Lemon has made a fine career, but it is in its waning years; Lusader was an instant hit last summer and has a strong throwing arm, but he is a question mark after refusing to play winter ball; Bean has a great understanding of the game but has no power. They are the people Anderson and the Tigers will live with this summer, though, because they have no choice. "You just go on," Anderson said.

"I think the world of all the players on my team, but you have to forget." Kirk Gibson agrees. Saturday the sometimes tempestuous outfielder said all the right things. I even thought I heard a little catch in his voice, an involuntary protest at leaving his hometown. Accepting the Dodgers' offer, he said, "was probably the most difficult decision I've ever made in my life. Some of my greatest memories were wearing a Detroit Tiger uniform.

I'll always be a Detroit Tiger fan." Gibson left Detroit with class, a surprise to those who remember him only in his worst moments, which he concedes "I brought upon myself." He sat in the Grosse Pointe Park home of his business partner, Jim Saros, and talked about how he'll miss the city, the fans and his teammates. Kirk Gibson grew up in Detroit in a Detroit Tiger uniform. And now that he is grown, he is leaving. And the Tigers find themselves in a similar predicament they did a year ago when Lance Parrish decided, on the whole, he'd rather be in Philadelphia. KEROSENE HEATERS STOCK LIQUIDATIONS! REDDY HEATERS 35,000 BTU to 150,000 BTU ALADDIN Mm 8,500 B.T.U.

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