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Show 170A Saturday, August 10, 1996 NFL NOTES _ Vikings say goodbye to Reveiz, hello to Smith . Strawberry has Bronx buzzing The Associated Press EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. The Minnesota Vikings got a little boost on an otherwise de- The Associated Press pressing Friday when they fol- in a 9-2 win over the Chicago | lowed the announcementof Fuad Reveiz’s retirement with word that Robert Smith had agreed to a one-year contract. . Smith, a training camp holdout for the second consecutive year, agreed to a deal that will pay him $1 million for 1996 and allow him to become an unres- White Sox. tricted free agent at the end of And Strawberry’s feat was just the topper to whathadalready been an eventful day at Yankee Stadium. Cecil Fielder, traded from the Detroit Tigers while the Yankees were on the road, was introduced to the local media before making his home debut. And pitcher David Cone threw off a moundforthefirst time since undergoing surgery in,May for an aneurysm in his the season. “If he has a great year, he should be able to get the kind of contract he wants,” said coach Dennis Green. “Hopefully, that contract will be with | us.” Smith’s pact also includes as much as another $500,000 in incentives, half of which Smith can earn with a 1,000-yard season. Smith can receive the full JOANC. FAHRENTHOLD/The Associated Press NEXT STOP, HISTORY? Gerard Guentherrides atop Cigar during a workout Friday at Del Mar race track. Cigar will run in today’s Pacific Classic attempting to win his 17th consecutive race and seta North American record. be only slightly higher than the COMMENTARY offer that had been onthe table Cigar vs. the greats: They’d smoke him Smith, who has added about 15 pounds to get to 215, was expected to report for meetings for the past three weeks. The Washington Post MAR,Calif. - If he wins the Pacific Classic at Del Mar today, Cigar will accomplish a feat unmatched byanyofthe great American horsesof the century. Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Spectacular Bid never won 17 races in a row. Can Cigar be considered as good as theselegendary thoroughbreds?Is it possible he is the best ofall time? In somesports, there can be no definitive answers about the merits of athletes from different generations. No objective criteria exist to indicate whether MuhammadAli would have defeated Joe Louis. But in sports in which athletes are measured by time or distance, we have lanx of reporters and camera crews hurriedly headed in the opposite direction, wondered what was going on. ‘“What have we got, the president coming in here, or what?” Bucknersaid. In fact, Strawberry needed his own clubhouse to accommodate the post-game media throng, and it seemed like old times in New York. The second three-homer game of Strawberry’s career came almost 11 years to the day after the first. On Aug. 5, objective indications that 1985, 23-year-old Strawberry belted three homers out of Wrigley Field for the New York Mets. The amazing power he could generate with that Michael Johnsonis a better 200-meter runner than Jesse Owens; that Noureddine Morceli is a faster miler than Roger Bannister. Cigar has run over many of the same tracks and distances that the great horses of the 1970s did, andit is possible to make realistic comparisons among them. Here, for example, are the greats’ best times at 1 1/8 miles: Secretariat ... 1:45 2/5 Seattle Slew ... 1:45 4/5 Affirmed ... 1:46 2/5 Spectacular Bid... 1:46 3/5 Cigar... 1:47 At no distance has Cigar run a time superior to all of these other horses. His best at the beautiful swing made it seem like he could hit a home runat will. : Whathas changedsincehis days with the Mets is Strawberry's off-field lifestyle. He admitted Wednesday that in 1985 he would have celebrated a‘three-homer game muchdifferently than now. -“I would have probably héaded somewhere after a game like that and had some dfinks and who knows what might have taken place after ger have to combat that any- championship distance of 1 1/4. miles, 1:59 2/5, is far from get.somerest.” Spectacular Bid’s record 1:57 4/5. In fact, my speed figures tHat,” he said. “But I no lon- more. Now I just go home and Spencer From 9A ry cap, though, so they couldn't sign Spencer or any other free ent directly. By having the Jazz in him, Orlando was able to make room for Spencer under the cap by sending $2.5 million in salaries to Utah in Gattison and ompson. " The Jazz benefitted by acquiring two players and a draft pick fOr Spencer, a guy they would have otherwise lost to free agen- cy without compensation. * With Spencer's signing on Friday and David Benoit’s signing “in New Jersey on Thursday, e Jazz are left with just one uns{gned free agent - John Stockten, who is expected to re-sign. * Spencer, 28, worked out for Magic coach Brian Hill and his cbaching staff in Orlando last week in preparation for the deal. « “Brian Hill is a good guy, and ee, they saw something ey liked,” Spencer said. “I’m excited because it’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a deal that not only should help the Jazz but Orlando as well.” Spencer came to the Jazz on June 30, 1993, from Minnesota in a trade for Mike Brown.In his three years in Utah, Spencer averaged 7.4 points and 6.6 re- bounds in 184 games. Spencer ruptured his Achilles’ tendon on Jan. 13, 1995, and was out 11 months. When he returned to the court last November, his performance suffered and his stats were down, from the 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds he was averaging before the injury to 5.6 points and 4.1 reboundsafter. “Last year I pushed to get to where I could play,” he said. “It was a tough year. There were certain things we were trying to accomplish as a team, so it was tough to get minutes.” This summer was a long one suggest Cigar might not have been fast enough to beat top echelon as well. Horses used to prep for the Kentucky Derby by horses of more recent vintage running in the one-mile Derby such as Sunday Silence, Easy Goer and Holy Bull on their best days. Spectacular Bid wasfaster than Cigar — by a considerable margin - and he was admirably consistent. He wonall 10 ofhis starts in his final season, as a 4-year-old, and he would have finished his career with 14 consecutive victories had he not run into Affirmedlate in his' 3-year-old season. Thefact that Affirmed beat Spectacular Bid, andSeattle Slew trounced Affirmed, and Affirmed and Alydar were always in a photo finish with each other, suggests the horses from the so-called “decade of champions” were pretty much on a par with each other — and all were more talented than Cigar. This seems, to me,a realistic andfair assessmentof Cigar: Because of the consistency and othervirtues he has displayed during his winning streak, he 10.2 starts per year. In 1995 the average racehorse ran 7.6 times. This physical declineis true not only of the great mass of thoroughbreds, but the upper see Spencer in an Orlando uniform on Dec. 14 when the Magic play at the Delta Center. Thompson, 26, was Orlando’s first-round draft choice in 1994 (27th pick overall), and in a total of 71 games over two years, he averaged 3.6 points and 1.0 as- sists. The 6-foot-4, 193-pound guard out of OklahomaState is a career 43’ percent shooter, including 35 percent from the 3-pointline. In his first career start, he OVAAlleWal cg 621-1910 Agent saved her life The Houston Oilers’ signing’ of Heisman Trophy winner Ed- “ die George may have saved the’ life of his mother, Donna. The TWA flight attendant was‘scheduled to work Flight 800 from New York to Paris on ~ July 17 and return two dayslat-” er. ‘ But her son’s insistent agent, Lamont Smith, persuaded her — to change her schedule so she | could go to San Antonio on Ju-, . ly 19 for one of the most impor- “ tant days of her son’slife. : “Donna said she had to -_ work, that she didn’t know if. she could take off. But I was . persistent because it was a mon- ~ umental event for both of them,” Smith said. “They were . already spiritual people, and’ they say the Lord works in mys- | terious ways. If he worked’ through mein this instance, I ~ couldn’t be happier aboutit.” ~ George was the Oilers’ No. 1 draft choice from Ohio State, and was about to agree to ay: five-year contract. *, Smith insisted that Donna George be part of the signing’ and subsequent news confers“ ence. > The Associated Press nell’s rushing total on eight car-- ST. LOUIS - Rookie Tony Banksis doing his best to create Lions 34, Redskins 25: the St. Louis Rams, outplaying Cigar. starter Steve Walsh in a 17-10 exhibition victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday night. Even though faster athletes have comealong in subsequent generations, we haven't lost our Banks, a second-round draft reverence for stars of the past such as Jesse Owens and Roger Bannister. We look attheir , accomplishments in the context of their generation. So should we view Cigar. Heis the best: thoroughbred ofhis era. But he lives in a disappointing era. pick from Michigan State, completed eight of 13 passes for 101 yards and is 20-for-28 for 219 yards after two exhibitions. Walsh started the game and was 7-for-12 for 92 yards with an interception and led the Rams(1-1) to a 46-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller. Jacksonville starting quarterback Mark Brunell also was effective, scrambling for a 37-yard touchdown and completing 11 of 17 passes for 119 yards in the first half. Brunell got the Jaguars off to a fast start, hitting Andre Rison for 40 yards to set up his score. ly with the Charlotte Hornets, and averaged 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds for his career. He suffered what was then James Stewart equalled Bru- At Pontiac, Mich., Rick % Strom, the third Detroit quar- terback, guided the Lions to ; three scores in a five-minute * span of the fourth quarter Fri- { day. Strom completed 5 of 10 = passes for 133 yards in just over one quarter. Gus Frerotte outplayed -« Heath Shuler in their competi- £ tion for the Redskins’ starting * quarterback position. Frerotte 2 started and went 12-for-19 for « 143 yards playing with 2 Washington's first unit. Shuler was 5-of-11 for 91 yards. Springville native Scott Mitchell, playing all but the final series of the first half, completed 10-of-i5 passes for 124 Detroit. Barry Sanders, playing * only the first two possessions, * ran for 37 yards on seven car- * ries, including a 9-yard touch- « down on a draw play. i en sl i * Unit will release over 1200 Pheasants * Unit will release over 600 Chukars + Limited number of permits First come first serve * Texas Dove hunt in Utah Lots of water holes ADULTS TIME TRIALS: 6 PM CHILDREN GATES OPEN: & PM crinents RACING: 7 PM (UNDER 6 FREE) 260-2600 6555 WEST 2100 SOUTH ars eaetee aes ont neopterin nd | er i S ROMNEND RONDE nib a tuan.beieeboee aatoat ENVELOPE WITH EACH ShouldMode Payable BoxCountyPood ontoait | em HUNTS: makBoeeppropriete hunt you choose to apply for ond pay choos PARTRIOGE HUNTS: H—esbr DoveHorand (A Parte (8 ay, Sap. 14-0 28, xg the ttPh ey So at 7.28.19 worparctiga U0 or 8) exis $78.08. PHEASANT HUNTS: 7-18 1996408 Bre per eson ramedl $48.0 SALT LAKE CITY 1: tenn Nov. 16-Nov. 30, 1996 (600 birds per sesson rokessod) 1995 writ huaters need to submit sebentt application immediately Sor prtor permity 854-3978 STOm ee) + * 2 » ¢ = yards and one touchdown for = ATTENTION bounds before being traded to Orlando late in the season. Gattison, 32, was a thirdround draft pick out of Old Do— by the Phoenix Suns in PLUS: STREET STOCK @ MINI STOCK FREEWAY HEATING AND AIR COND. NIGHT : ries. Go eS Sele elo lolli {aI=) the Vancouver Grizzlies, and averaged 9.2 points and 4.6 re- 1.M.C.A. MODIFIEDS here at MERCURYaif ante oem aaa approved by the league. a quarterback controversy on . diminish our admiration for MOUNTAIN STATES have returned from my second sabbatical, and I'm 4 Bull, who suffered a career-ending injury in the race in LATE MODELS and customers knowI LINCOLN by the players’ association was Bankschallenging Walsh _to be Rams’ quarterback faced only one great horse, Holy season, but he returned to play the final 15 games that year. The injuries limited him to just 25 games last season, all with likely to suspend him for the year. But an appeal to the league’ NFL EXHIBITIONS quality of the sport has generally declined; during his streak he has thought to be a career-ending neck injury early in the 1994-95 claiming personal reasons as~“ word got out that the NFL was vay AUGUST 10TH SUMMER SIZZLER|| | wantto let all myfricads "Hello!" 1968; Spectacular Bid’s 1 bert, left the team last month’ SATURDAY for Spencer. Because of questions over how well he has recovered from his Achilles’ injuries and , Lincoln-Mercury of Ogden. Please drop by andsay, Coach Bill Cowhersaid Hastings will play a few downsin 1/4-mile record is intact, too.) Cigar has accomplished his winning streak in years when the Angeles Lakers on April 2, 1995. Gattison, 6-8, 256 pounds, played eight NBA seasons, most- Jazz fans will get a chance to to deactivate him for the season opener and dock him one week’s pay — $21,235 - if he didn’t report by today. Fager’s American record for the mile has been in the bookssince scored 20 points against the Los ing to be playing.” But, using the NFL collective bargaining contract as leverage, the Steelers threatened The horses of today are not as robust or durable, and they are seemingly not as fast, either. (Dr. tertag developed in the summer “It’s been an interesting summer,” Spencer said. “It’s always odd wondering where you're go- tract. Whittingham reflected. © the Jazz waiting to see how Osleague, Spencer waited while other free agents were gobbled up. and wanted a multiyear con- “Those horses were built like Russian tanks,” Charlie Depressing as these facts might be, they should not 1975 the average racehorse made fused to sign the Steelers’ oneyear tender offer of $361,000 they were a different species. America’s outstanding demonstrably less strong and durabie than they used to be. In reported to training camp. Until Friday, Hastings re- Trainers who remember the Calumet Farm stars of the 1940s and 1950s talk about them as if which they met. greats of the 1970s. While contemporary human athletes are visibly bigger, stronger and better-conditioned than their ancestors, horses are Threatened with losing one week’s salary, Steelers wide receiver Andre Hastings ended his 23-day holdout Friday and Trial four days before the main event. Nowadaystrainers don’t even like to run their horses two weeks before the Derby because it’s too stressful. deserves to be considered thoroughbred performersince 1980. But he is not as good as the Hastings ends holdout Charles Haley and Tony Tol- ' s By ANDREW BEYER and his first practice today. in the 1994 draft and backupto : *-, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, general manager Bob Watson and team doctor Stuart Hershon described his supervised workout, in which he threw pain-free for 10 minutes, as encouraging. There was such a buzz about Yankee Stadium that Chicago White Sox hitting coach Bill Buckner, walking along the hallway that connects the clubhouses as a pha- season. The deal is believed to suspended for six games Friday” by the NFL. Carver, the team’s top pick PS ee ee 2 ee en ee right shoulder. He, Yankees incentive package for an MVP Cowboys defensive ‘end Shante Carver, expected to miss the year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, was . moe ome| ame Tome) ow MODODODOOOOOSOmOMmaca NEW YORK - The House That Ruth Built hadn't been rocked like this by a slugger since Oct. 18, 1977, when Reggie Jackson hit three homers on three consecutive pitches in the World Series. Darryl Strawberry was back, blasting three home runs Sunday’s exhibition game inGreen Bay. |