European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday. February 17,1987 the stars and stripes Page 23 commentary keep Fenn s pros ouf of olympics the late sup Reinfe court Justice Potte Stewart once wrote thai he could not define hard Core pornography but that i know it when i see  the same is inc for defining athletic professional ism. We know it when we Sec it. And his name it Jimmy Connors our boy Jimbo is the ultimate professional. He plays for prize Money he plays exhibitions for even bigger Money he endorses products he seeks employment As a television commentator and he makes rates and gestures in Public when the mood strikes him. Me is a contemporary fre Booter straight out of ayn Rand and More Power to him. This unabashed capitalist has every right in the world to seek his Fortune but it is obscene if not pornographic to allow Tennis professionals to play in the olympics. Last wednesday the International olympic com Milec announced that full fledged Lennis profession als of any age nationality Ana Bank account could enter the 1988 summer games in Korea providing he players practice Tor two weeks and pass up All Money making endeavours during the games. Even with South Korea and North Korea agreeing in principle on thursday to share the games the state of the world is precarious enough without Al lowing Jimbo and fellow yank John Mcenroe any where near the 3bth parallel armageddon could Fol Low if Jimbo made one of his famous gestures in front of & russian Leader orm Nasty told an official from China that he was the pits of the world to use his memorable phrase. Even beyond die peace Issue there is something quite incongruous about letting Tennis professionals info the games. If the Ioc confirms this decision at its meeting in May in Turkey it will have crossed its own 38th parallel regarding Universal participation. Under the Able direction of Juan Antonio Sam ranch the olympic movement has softened the rules and looked the other Way so that highly paid skin runners and other soldiers of Fortune could . The Days have Long since passed when Low paid wretches in journalism should bleat about keeping the Amateur movement pure. The games were not free of financial rewards when the creeks started the movement and inc concept of amateurism in this Century was basically a device to separate the classes the religions and the races. That aspect of amateurism is dead. The Only meaning to world level sports is that the Best athletes can afford to play them. The worldly Sam ranch knows that the state subsidized All Clos of the soviet toc Are True professionals even if they arc listed As agrarian soldiers and teachers it is quite Likely that an olympic skater an olympic runner and Jimmy Connors would All be comfortable in the same room talking shop about agents tax shelters expense accounts and appear Ance fees out Lennis and some other sports have prospered at great distance from the olympics. Base Ball s debt is to babe Ruth not a very Brundage. Now the Ioc is going Loo far. In los Angeles in1984, the Only soccer players excluded were those from the two powerful regions Europe and sout America with actual experience in the world cup in order to equalize the Competition a bit next step Diego Maradona. One assumes forces Are agitating for magic Johnson to represent the United Stales in basketball and Fernando Valc Nucla to represent Mexico in baseball. The Ioc has softened i he rules about hockey but the National hockey league is not Likely to let Wayne Gretzky out or his mid season obligations for three or four weeks. It is Good to see a professional sport assert itself. The International Tennis federation has wisely opened its Davis cup federation cup and Wimble Don traditions to the professional Era creating millionaire warriors with advertisements on their fore Heads. Why does it want the olympics Loo in the 1984 summer games Tennis professionals under 21 were allowed to compete in exhibitions but next time the Ioc proposes to it everybody play As Long As they turn their commercial messages aside Oul for a few weeks like the advertisement on a taxicab being covered for a drive on a new York City Parkway. The players May talk about the olympic games As being the thrill of a lifetime to quote gentleman Tim Mayotte one of the most civil of athletes. But most Lennis players Are so individualistic so spoiled that they Karp and Kvetch at the biggest events on heir circuit. How sour would they be at Seoul the loss ruling i help Lurn the games into just another whistle Stop on the circuit another Chance for the octopus agent conglomeration to squeeze More endorsement Money from sponsors. And behind the agents and the sponsors one detects the looming menace of television itself seek ing More glitter for inc endless gape at the Box. One can imagine television magnates bellowing who needs All these goofy kayaker and archers we want Connors and  including these dudes As part of inc olympics can Only further marginalize Itie Bolsi rappers the real amateurs who still make the olympics special. There must be some last Tine of defense Between olympic athletes and utter professionals. Potter so cart would have known this one when he saw it. My tort my sports letters Der editor i cannot help but feel saddened by the decision of Secretary of the Navy John Lehman to curtail the Active duly obligation of midshipman David Robin son. The United Stales military academies have Al ways been looked upon with Pride As institutions where our nation s Young could get a tree education and later serve our nation in uniform. Sports until recently seemed to exist at the academics for the Competition and to enhance one s Well being. If i am not mistaken some form of Al Icelic Competition whether at the varsity or intramural level is required of All who attend the academies thai apparently is changing at least Tor the naval Academy. Where docs Lehman propose to draw the line what about the Many other outstanding Academy graduates who would perform just As admirably Lead ing a top 100 business firm As midshipman Rabin son might leading an Aba team on the court docs the Navy propose to release any of these Fine men or women Early does the Navy plan to curtail the Active duty obligation of any of its fighter pilots i doubt it. Should t they reap the benefits of civilian employment with an airline As Robinson might in the Aba since this precedent is being set what Are we to expect in the future Leaden for those in uniform or National championships for the academies if the answer is the latter then the Navy better act fail. They just might be Able to sign the bikes of Oklahoma linebacker Brian Boson a for his final year of College eligibility one warning though he did t bring the championship to Oklahoma and Navy still would t beat army next year much has been Given these few chosen individuals who attend our military academies. Much is also expected of those who graduate. Least of which until just recently was a five year service obligation to our country Marty Shell Wiesbaden despite Kung fun brainwashing Boyd has things under control1 by David Bear Jackson miss. A Dennis Oil can Boyd has finally found away to relax. Snake lung fun. Monkey Kung fun. I Don t know Why but i m possessed by those movies the Boston red sox Pitcher  love Kung fit. I m brainwashed. I be got to Slop watching them. I Wake up kicking he said. My Brothers my mom everybody is into it in my family. Trying through the air i stuff violent Kung fun. We e love  while Boyd gets Bis kicks now the red sox arc hoping their talented yet on troubled Pitcher settles Down once Spring training starts later this month. Boyd s 1936 season featured a career Best 16-1 10 record a 3.78 earned i run average but it was i marred by a nearly monthlong suspension. Those problems started with a clubhouse Tantrum sparked by his anger Over not being chosen to the american league All Star team and followed scuffle with Boston police. Later he was admitted to a Boston Hospital for  everybody has ups and Downs but last year was a Seesaw that i won t Ever have to worry about get Ting on again Boyd from Meridian miss., said during a workout with members of inc Jackson state University baseball team wearing a Pink to shirt with a photo of himself on the front along with a newspaper headline saying the can s redemption is sox redemption boy scented at ease talking about himself. I be got everything under control inside me he said. The Only thing i be got before me is the con tract and that will work  Boyd 27, is going to salary arbitration with the Oil can Boyd red sox. He is asking for 1695,000 from the team which has offered $555,000. The right handed Pitcher was paid j375,000 last season Boyd said he and his wife Karen Are expecting their first child this june. That s led to More pizza deliveries and rented video movies than last year and that Means a lot of Kung fun. This off season has probably been the most re faxing i be Ever had. I be got some movies in the car and i m probably going to rent some More be fore i get Home he said. This Winter he has returned to Tough workouts at Jackson state where he was a College Star before being signed As a Junior by the red sox in 1980. A week Long Caribbean cruise with members of the red sox and a late february Start for training Camp have prevented him from taking classes in social work bul Boyd intends to continue studies next year. Jackson slate coach Bob Braddy said Boyd and other school products such As Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Marvin Freeman and Cleveland indians Outfield Prospect Dave Clark have taken a leadership role with members of his learn. He s maturing. Oil can is a very hyper and emotional Guy but he brings an intelligence to the  Braddy said. He s a Good Model. Players like Wes lop College Prospect Wes Chamberlain see what you need to make the  Boyd considers Bis 15-13 season in 1985 his Best All around and is working to improve the velocity of his fastball to thai Speed i Don t like to set goals but i m going to win 20. This year i m going to win 20. I m not going to miss any slum be said. But before then Boyd is  deflect a few verbal kicks at a Jackson state fund raising roast on feb. 20, three Days before he is scheduled to report to red son Spring training at Winterhaven Fla. They planned in smart he said. They roast me i play in an alumni game and Hen pm