European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 5, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Saturday april 5, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 21 sports indians claim Niekro by Milton Richman United press International new York knuckle Baller Phil Niekro the oldest player in the major leagues confident he can still pitch and win at 47, agreed thursday to a one year contract with the Cleveland indians. Niekro who posted a 16-12 record with the new York Yankees last season was released by the club Friday in a move that surprised and angered him and his younger brother Joe also a member of the Yankees staff. Niekro chose the indians Over several other clubs that showed interest in sign ing him largely upon the advice of his Georgia neighbor indians Center fielder Brett Butler club officials said. Niekro s contract with Cleveland starts at $250,000, but he can get As much As $400,000 depending on the level of his performance and How Many games he pitches. Peter Bavasi indians president and chief operating officer called Niekro s signing an important step for the club. First hell obviously enhance a pitch ing staff which is a major problem Bavasi said in a Telephone interview from the indians training site in Tucson Ariz. Secondly one of Pur other starting pitchers Tom Candiotti is a knuckle Baller also so Phil will be very helpful to him. And finally and most importantly Bavasi said Phil s decision to join the indians Over the other clubs which were seeking him is a Milestone for Cleveland. In the past most great ballplayers weren t very anxious to come to Cleve land. Now that s Butler who lives close to Niekro in lil Burn ga., called Niekro and urged him to sign with the indians while Dan o Brien the club s director of baseball operations a photo 47-year-old Phil Niekro. Joins troubled tribe rotation was talking with Niekro s agent. You like to pitch Don Tcha Butler told Niekro according to Bavasi. They need pitching badly Here. They la give you the Ball every three Corrales was so strapped for starting pitchers last week he announced right Ander Ken Schrom would be Cleve land s opening Day Pitcher against the orioles in Baltimore monday. Obtained in january from the twins Schrom was 9-12 last year. There was no immediate decision As to whether Niekro or Schrom would draw the opening Day assignment. Niekro opened for the Yankees last year. Niekro is starting his 23rd big league season. He became the 18th player Ever to win 300 games when he beat Toronto 8-0, on four hits last oct. 6. Niekro who has lost 250 games stands 16th on the All time list of winning pitchers his 300 victories putting him in a tie with lefty Grove and Early Wynn. Injury sidelines Guerrero Vero Beach Fla. A Pedro Guerrero whose offensive production helped Lead the los Angeles dodgers to the National league West championship last sea son suffered a severe knee injury thursday and will be sidelined for at least the first three months of the 1986 Campaign. Guerrero was trying to steal third base in an exhibition game against the Atlanta braves when his spikes apparently caught in the dirt. Guerrero 29, suffered a nip Guerrero tured Patella Tendon below his left knee. Surgery was scheduled Friday. I just Hope i can come Back said Guerrero who hit .320 and blasted 33 Home runs last season. I m trying not to put anything in my mind before the operation. Why go crazy los Angeles opens the season next monday against the san Diego padres at dodger stadium. It s a terrible terrible thing Man Ager Tom Lasorda of the dodgers said. Pedro Means so much for our bal club. It s a tragic loss but we still have a season to despite missing 23 games with Back spasms and a sprained wrist in 1985, his 33 homers tied the los Angeles Dodg ers record set by Steve Garvey in 1977. Andujar s suspension Cut Phoenix Ariz. A Joaquin Andujar who was scheduled to begin the baseball season under a 10-Day suspension has had the penalty reduced to five Days by baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth the Oakland a s announced Andujar will pitch his first game april 12 at Home against the California Angels the club said. The right hander acquired from St. Louis in a december Trade had appealed the suspension he Drew for his outburst in the final game of the 1985 world series when he charged off the Mound and screamed at plate Umpire Don Denkinger. Capitals defeat Hartford 4-2, tie Philadelphia by the associated press Landover my. It took 69 games for Lou Franceschett to get his offensive game in gear. The Washington Forward who has tallied five of his 21 Points in the last five games snapped a 2-2 tie at 1 12 of the third period As the capitals Defeated the Hartford whalers 4-2 thursday night. The Victory pulled the Caps into a first place tie with the Philadelphia flyers in the Patrick division with two games remaining. This is my time Franceschett said. I Don t know if it s playoff fever or what but i be always played Well in March and asked if he considered himself or. April Franceschett preferred to project the Caps deep into the playoffs when he countered with i Hope i m or. Franceschett Given More playing time because of Washington injuries scored his first goal in 20 games against Boston on March 25 to Start his late season Streak. The capitals play the new York rang ers and the flyers visit Pittsburgh in sat urday games before the two contenders face each other in Philadelphia on sunday. Should the two teams finish in a tie the flyers would win the division because they would have the most victories. Franceschett put the Caps ahead 3-2 after taking a pass from Bob Carpenter As he approached the crease from the left Wing. The Caps added an empty net goal by Dave Christian with 29 seconds left to play after the whalers pulled goalie Mike list in an Effort to score the tying goal. In the Only other nil game thursday Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2 Boston Charlie simmer scored two goals giving him 36 for the season and Keith Crowder got his 35th for Boston. Toronto s Steve Thomas spoiled a bid by 19-year-old Rookie goalie Bill Ranford for his first nil shutout with his 20th goal of the season on a Power play at 14 41 of the third period. Ranford has won three games in a Row with a goals against average of 2. The win moved the Bruins into a tie with the Idle Montreal canadians for second place in the Adams division each with two Hal Roundup file photo capitals Lou Franceschett. Wants to be or. May games remaining. Montreal has the Edge in victories however. After a scoreless first period Crowder took a pass from simmer and uncorked a wrist shot from a Sharp Angle that beat Leafs goalie Ken Wreggit for the first goal 36 seconds into the second period. Then simmer got a feed from Ken Linse Man and skated in to slip the puck past Wreggit s stick Side at 4 09 for a 2-0 bos ton Lead. Simmer got his second goal of the game again on a pass from Linseman at 6 47 of the third period and Rookie Dave Pasin Tal lied his 18th of the season for Boston at 7 51. Rookie Wendel Clark wound up the scor ing for the Leafs with his 32nd of the sea son with 1 24 remaining. Backman s late Points help Dallas tip Denver by the associated press Dallas Rolando Blackman scored three of his 25 Points on a driving Layup and a free throw with four seconds left to give the Dallas Mavericks a 115-114 win Over the Denver nuggets thursday night. The Victory pulled the Mavericks to with in 1 a games of the second place nuggets in the National basketball association s mid West division. Mark Aguirre of Dallas had just missed two shots when Denver guard Lafayette lever was stripped of the Ball by Derek Harper in the backcourt. Harper fed Black Man who was breaking for the Basket. Barou Viilup Blackman hit the tying shot As he was fouled by Alex English. A three Point attempt by Denver s Bill Hanzlik fell Short As time expired. Aguirre scored 19 Points for the Maver icks. James Donaldson had 21 rebounds. Denver had taken 114-112 Lead with 27 seconds left on a 12-foot jumper by English who led All scorers with 28 Points. Dallas 42-34, moved to eight games Over .500 for the first time this season and closed the on Denver 44-33, for the third see Aba on Page 23
