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Show io The Summer Chronicle Wednesday, Jane 28, 199s Gods of Baseball Outraged Over Sport's Problems Rick Vazquez Chronicle Sports Writer omcwherc, the gods of baseball past are looking down at the game they once gave their life to. Needless to say, they aren't very happy. They remember the days when baseball was played solely for the love of the game when a than that paycheck was no bigger of the common working man. Today, they see - multi-millionai- crybabies threatening to Game because their penwith they're unhappy sion fund. The gods remember the days when Babe Ruth would visit loading docks, only to be mobbed by hundreds of children. strike the JAMES EDWARD Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor University of Utah sports fans are accustomed to turning the dial to KUTV for coverage of the Utcs. However, that all changed on June 22 when the U. and KJZZ formed a partnership making KJZZ the exclusive provider of Utah athletics. "It's is a big step," said Utah athletic director Chris Hill. "But it is the right step." Randy Rigby, KJZZ general manager, said the new deal will allow them to broadcast a minimum of 10 basketball games, five football games and one gymnastics meet. "We think we are joining one of and Weber State's coverage. KJZZ no longer desires to broadcast the two schools' games after signing Utah. the premier collegiate sports programs," said Rigby. Hill feels that in order to continue to increase its performance on the field, Utah needs to increase its coverage on the tube. "With both the University of Utah and the Utah Jazz, we antici- With KJZZ reaching an agree- pate KJZZ will become the premier local sports television station in the market," said Hill. "They are a young station and we're going to grow with them." That growth will be increased further with KJZZ installing a recendy ment with the U., it now becomes the exclusive broadcaster of the Jazz and the Utes. "This venture began a couple of years ago (when KJZZ changed its name from KXTV and became the purchased antenna, which will enhance the quality of the station's Jazz's flagship station) and we've taken a step further up the ladder," said KJZZ owner Larry H. Miller. Utah's new television contract will not only increase the Utes' coverage, but will decrease Utah State's signal. "To grow is what really excites me," said Hill. "It's a better step for the future." Buzz Show Up Parent Club Twins CHRIS HILL in 4-- 3 Exhibition All-St- The Babe would sigh autographs for every one. Today, Chuck Knoblauch of the Minnesota Twins attempts to strangle a autograph seeker. They remember the days of "The Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig. For 2,130 consecutive games, he treated crowds to 400-fohome ot runs and phenomenal plays at first base. Today, they sec Darren Daulton taking Sundays off. He needs his rest. The gods remember the game's pioneers such as Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenberg, who endured vicious insults from fans and teammates alike, solely because of their ethnic background. Despite these jeers, Robinson and Greenberg remained the consummate professionals and ended up changing the U. Ventures Onto TV Deal With KJZZ game forever. The gods now JAMES JARDINE Chronicle Sports Editor Baseball fans may joke that the owners of the Minnesota Twins z worst record in the major leagues would struggle even against its own farm team. On June 15, the Twins not only to the Salt Lake struggled but lost .mhiu'""k;x. fir v. X. 4-- 3 Buzz, its Triple-- A tm ' Is fn affiliate. But the participants claimed that the game was more about entertainment than winning. "I don't know that we place any stock in this game other than that it was entertaining for the fans," said Buzz skipper Phil Roof. ' 'Of.. The Twins visit to Utah marked the first time a major league team has played in Salt Lake since 1982, when the Seattle Mariners played an exhibition game with its Triple-affiliate, the Salt Lake Gulls. The fans all 14,596 of them -- ' . - f A were thrilled to have "The Show" back in town. Twins star outfielder Kirby Puckett galvanized the Salt Lake crowd by serving up several dingers in BP and signed balls for fans near the dugout prior to the my game. see Barry Bonds telling fans to "...put on my uniform and take your ass out there if you think you can do a better job." These fans had the nerve to boo Bonds after he botched a play in the outfield. Imagine that They remember when a trip to the ballpark meant five-cebags of peanuts, real beef hot dogs and a cold brew after (tut 7th inning. Today, it means sitting in an dome, where everyone has body odor and is dodging falling ceiling ales. They remember the game's humanitarians, exemplified best by Roberto Qcmente. He died in 1973, delivering supplies to earth- quake victims in Nicaragua. Today, Danyl Strawberry says he couldn't care less if the city of Los Angeles burns to the ground, because he "doesn't live there anymore" The gods now see something which resembles more of a three-rin- g clown circus than a national pastime. At center ring is a labor dispute which lasted nearly a year, and remains unsettled. The gods are pissed. And they're taking k out on the 1995 baseball season. In a season where almost everything needed to go right, it Puckett gave the fans their money's worth during the game as well, reaching base safely in both After seeing his team lose to its farm club, Puckett joked that the Buzz "should go up to the major sm "Buzz" on pagt II GmowoL Photo Jeff Damian Miller denied the Minnesota Twins' Matt MeruDo Field on June 15. The Buzz defeated its parent dub 4--3. Quest Buzz catcher from scoring in an exhibition game at Franklin NBA Teams Sizing Up Talent For June 28 Draft WENDY E LANE Associated Press - TORONTO (AP) Even though the calendar says 1995, Wednesday's NBA draft is really a draft for the 21st century. Among the players likely to be taken in the top five are three and two play- ers who may not be fully developed pros until the year 2000. Perhaps they'll get there sooner, and a couple may not get there at all. It's hard to tell, say scouts and general managers. Maryland's would-b- e junior Joe Smith, the probable top pick, is 19, as is Kevin Garnett, the Chicago high schooler who's trying to become just the fifth player to play in the NBA without appearing in a college game. North Carolina's Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace and Alabama's Antonio McDyess are all 20 and turning pro after playing just two seasons in college. While many kids their age are worksummer jobs and ing minimum-wag- e free time their skateboarding spending or playing video games, these five are preparing to step into the s world of the NBA and face demands their peers on- - and big-dolla- r, high-glos- off-cou- rt couldn't imagine. a challenge for make an to adjustment," everybody Stackhouse said. "Some guys will make "It's going to be the adjustment in training camp. Some guys will take until February" Or even longer. But the possibility of waiting for the . youngsters to mature hasn't scared off any of the lottery teams jockeying for position to get than. Meanwhile, Portland on Tuesday traded up to get Detroit's No. 8 pick, sending the 18th and 19th selections to the Pistons, as well as No. 58 in the second round. "I feel we can get the guy at 18 we could have gotten at eight," said Doug Collins, Detroit's new coach and general manager. Golden State is expected to take Smith with the first pick, but rumors were flying the Warriors would trade down. The Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, who have the second and third picks respectively, both like Stackhouse, who averaged 19.2 points for the Tar Heels last year and has been compared with another Tar Heel named Jordan. In the opinion of Duke's Cherokee Parks, another top-1pick, Stackhouse. is the most ready among the super sophomores. 0 "He's the most explosive," said Parks, who had to guard him a few times. "He's got an unbelievable first step. Physically, he's there. As far as being an impact player, he's the one." Stackhouse, who doesn't yet have an agent and was rumored to be considering returning to North Carolina if the f Backstnnd "Unfit" m past n to Add Football to List of Las Vegas WAC Title Games TIMDAHLBERG Associated Press - LAS VEGAS (AP) Las Vegas scored the second payoff of its new association with the Western Athletic Conference by winning a $1 million a year bid to host the WAC's championship football game. The contract to host the game adds the WAC football championship to bids already won by the city for the conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments. WAC commissioner Karl Benson said awarding Las Vegas the game "will help the WAC become one of the nation's most prominent confertwo-ye- ar ences.'' Under the deaL Las Vegas will pay $2 million for a two-yecontract with an option for a third year. The ar Mt "KMC M past II |