European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Thursday july 25, 1991 the stars and stripes for leaders if Darryl Strawberry and Eric Davis were Side by Side in the same Outfield an association the former new York met began promoting As Early As 1988, the two buddies and business partners might be producing map numbers in 1991. Unfortunately it would take the combination of their stats to earn a place among National league leaders in Home runs and Bis. That goes a Long Way toward explaining the erratic behaviour of their respective teams perennial Powers in the National league West. While the los Angeles dodgers have managed to Lead the division despite Strawberry a fitful hitting the injury riddled Cincinnati reds have been unable to overcome the diminished production of Davis. Pitching May have kept los Angeles afloat and complicated Cincinnati a bid to repeat As Champion but it does no to exaggerate the two players importance to observe that a hot Streak by either would have a significant Impact on the standings. Until this season they had always been the Centrepieces of their teams. Ironically the two friends from the California sandlot never have been closer in a baseball sense. As a result of Strawberry a defection from the mets they Are in the same division. When the dodgers newcomer was unable to obtain his old uniform number he adopted 44, modelled by Davis. And the stats compiled by the faltering hitters before sunday nights game Between the reds and Pittsburgh pirates were virtually identical. During the previous five seasons they bashed More homers than any of their National league Peers. Davis 148 were second Only to straws 171. But neither reached the double digit Mark in 1991 until this past weekend. Between them they have one fewer than Howard Johnson. Nor have they been More formidable when it comes to driving in runs. Strawberry has but 36 Bis and Davis who led his team the previous four seasons is fifth on the reds with 26. Their total of 62 is exceeded by Johnson will Clark and Barry Bonds. A sometimes things happen and sometimes they done to said Davis attempting to explain the falloff of his Friend. A this head is on straight and hell do what he has to do. I tried to ease the pressure. I told him he a not a Savior to just go out and but the pressure of playing at Home apparently has taken its toll on Strawberry. That is Davis interpretation. A this family and friends Are there regularly a he said. A there Are All kinds of Calls and requests for 81 games. You can lose your focus on what you re supposed to Davis is More direct if less comfortable in discussing his own diminished stature. Its strictly physical he noted. Baseball has been a struggle since Early in the fourth game of the world series last season when he made a diving catch at the Oakland coliseum and landed in a Hospital with a lacerated kid Page 21 commentary Joe Gergen nay. A a in a still weak a he said. A that was a really serious injury. Doctors told me it usually takes 12 to 14 months to heal additionally he had his right knee scoped for a second time in the of season. And he was sidelined for 15 Days in june his fourth career stint on the disabled list with a strained quadriceps. Saturday a Large Bandage was strapped to his right thigh. A there s a big knot in my leg a Davis said. A i can to it was his legs that made him special. His Power was above average but his Speed enabled him to play a Brilliant Centerfield for which he was awarded three Gold gloves and to steal As Many As 80 bases in the 1986 season. He May have been the most Complete player in the game for a handful of seasons and at his Best he was a breathtaking athlete a Bolt of lightning to Strawberry s Thunder. The pounding from the unyielding artificial turf at riverfront stadium and other Parks has robbed the legs of their elasticity lowering expectations. He estimated his health at 60-65 percent. Apparently that a enough for the reds who need his presence. Last october the Man homered in his first world series at Bat and the favored Oakland athletics never did recover. A a he a healthy enough to go out there and be productive a manager Lou Piniella said. A we rested him seven eight Days before the All Star break and since the break he a been Fine. The Only thing he Hasni to been doing is stealing bases and that will but not easily. The Man had Only 13 steals after 89 games and Isnit planning to take the Prospect of a Pennant race literally. And saturday the Home run off Bob walk was Only his third since june i. He decided the Victory was More conducive to his health than the splurge of Power. A a it a like a sickness when you lose a Davis said. A your legs Hurt a Little bit he looked Down at the overburdened Muscles that Are the source of his Fortune. A hopefully a he said a i can forget about my legs for the rest of the clearly the reds can no More forget about Davis than the dodgers can do without a meaningful contribution from Strawberry. The two May yet decide the identity of the 1991 National league West titlist. But when Davis talked about his Friend he pointed to 1992. A i think next year hell perform better a Davis said. A it 2 Eric Davis Tup and Darryl Strawberry arc taking some hits lately for below average production. A a he la know what to and perhaps by then Eric the red will be physically stronger ready to replace the sore legged slap hitter who has taken his place in the Cincinnati Outfield. Naweta youth Diamond crowns on line in Bremerhaven Bremerhaven a military Community is hosting the youth services Junior a a by baseball and softball championships today through saturday. Baseball teams participating include Bremerhaven of 21st Talcom Schwabish Hall of Vii corps and Hohenfels of 7th at. Wei Brincken of 21st Talcom Grafe Woehr of 7th at Babenhausen of v corps and Hillesheim of Vii make up the softball squads. Softball the 21st Talcom slow pitch tournaments for men and women will be held at Rhein ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern july 31-aug. 4. Track and Field v corps is hosting an open meet saturday at the Fulda City stadium. Registration for $5 is at 10 . With the first event starting at noon. All events will be held except the 10,000-meter run. The meet is open to All military id card holders. Triathlon the Kaiserslautern gelt Erswood in Hohe necked Germany will be the Start finish site of the German american triathlon aug. 24. A 1,000-meter swim in the gelt Erswood a 40-Kilometer cycling leg Over open roads and a 10-k run on Forest paths will comprise the event which is being organized by the 29th area support group. The top three finishers in each age and sex division win local sports trophies and the top five in each category receive prizes. All participants receive a to shirt. Check in time at the Start finish area will be 1 ., with a pre race briefing following at 2 30 The race begins at 3 The triathlon is limited to 250 entrants. The entry fee of $20 35 Marks is payable by checks made out to be outdoor recreation eco 2085. Cash will not be accepted. Entries can be mailed to 29th ask attn outdoor recreation Apo 09054, or they can be turned in to the Kaiserslautern East outdoor recreation Branch in building 3187, across from Danner Cavern. Call 483-7700 or 0631-4117700 for More information. Basketball a . Armed forces team will compete in the Conseil International do sport Militare cism championship aug. 26-sept. 8in Athens Greece and a trial Camp will be held aug. 15-25 in Germany to help select the american squad. Site of the trial Camp has not been announced. Members of the 1991 armed forces basketball team will be automatically invited to the trial Camp. Other applications from the air Force army marines and Navy will be reviewed for final selection. A maximum of 30 players will be picked for the trials. A Giessen will hold an Ovcr-30 tournament aug. 3-4 at the Miller Hall gym. The entry fee is $90 and due by july 31. A maximum of 15 teams May enter with rosters required on arrival at the tourney on aug. 3. More information can be obtained from Dave Deinhardt at 343-6497/7801. Golf a John a Bingham of Stuttgart fired a holc in one tuesday on the 163-Yard sixth Hole at Stuttgart Golf club. Bingham used a 7-Iron for his first Ace which was witnessed by Gene Mccafferty Frank Wilson and Tim Colquitt
