European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 6, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Baseball s a a a  ,. For a by Ronald Blum Phoenix a baseball owners Drew plans for changing the landscape of the sport thursday giving preliminary approval for expanded playoffs inter league play and splitting each eague into three divisions. The moves could be in place by 1995. In a pair of Straw votes that were overwhelming but not unanimous the 28 teams approved doubling the playoffs from four teams to eight by adding an extra round and splitting each league into two divisions of five teams and one division of four. They also asked schedule makers to include 10 to 20 inter league games per season for each team taking natural rivalries into account. The Only inter league play this Century has been in Spring training the All Star game and the world series. A i think there is a great possibility the landscape is changing Quot said Milwaukee Brewer president Bud Selig chairman of the ruling executive Council. A a we re in a very competitive business with a lot of forms of entertainment Quot he said. A a there a no Industry that can afford to sit  the changes were sparked by a six month examination of baseball a future following commissioner Fay Vincent a forced resignation last sept. 7. Many owners arc worried about finances Ana see expanded playoffs As a Way of adding Revenue by creating More games for television and Pennant races. A it will add attendance in september Quot said Peter Magowan new managing general partner of the san Francisco giants. Baseball has been the most conservative of the major team sports. The National league which started play in 1876, and the american league which formed in 1900, sent their champions directly to looking Down the Road Phoenix a a proposal from Philadelphia pm flies president Bill Giles for splitting each league into three divisions Bleatt Florida Montreal new York mets Philadelphia Pittsburgh. No Central a Atlanta Chicago cubs Cincinnati Houston St Louis. No West Colorado los Angeles san Diego san Francisco. Eleaet Quot . Baltimore Boston Cleveland new York Yankees Toronto. Al Central Chicago White sox Detroit Kansas City Milwaukee Minnesota. Albeet California. Seattle Oakland Texas. The stars and stripes the world series before dividing into divisions for 1969. Traditionalists have ridiculed the nil Aba and nil for their extended playoffs which some say Lessen the significance of the regular season. A when baseball does no to do anything they say these Guys Are staid they re living in the 19th Century Quot Selig  of 28 teams make the nil playoffs 16 of 27 make the Aba playoffs and 16 of 24 make the nil playoffs. �?o1 think eight teams out of 28 is not an excessive number of teams Quot Selig said. The changes must be approved by the major league baseball players association and could be tied to a change in the collective bargaining agreement. Ass a i would Hope for once in their lives the owners would try to develop something with us from Square one. Or if we re past Square one from Square two Quot said Donald Fehr the unions be Cutie director. While schedule drafts with the changes will be prepared for 1994, owners said starting the following year was much More realistic. A a it a a very important step a said John Harrington of the Boston red sox who made the proposals in his role As head of the schedule formal committee. A now we have to put our shoulder to the wheel and develop some  the exact makeup of the divisions Hasni to been determined. Johnso Banne Paris apr sprinter Ben Johnson stripped or an olympic Gold medal because of steroids was banned for life Friday by the International track and Field federation for failing a drug test for the second time in five years. The Isaaf doping commission said the former world record Holder tested positive for High Levels of testosterone at a meet in Montreal Jan. 17. The federations top medical official called it a a Clear Cut Case of doping. Johnson was automatically suspended pending a hearing with the Canadian track federation. Barring any reversal Johnson faces a lifetime ban for committing a second offence. Johnson has denied any wrongdoing As he did in 1988 when he was suspended after testing positive for steroids at the 1988 summer games. In later testimony before a Canadian government inquiry however he acknowledged involvement in a Long term steroid program an admission that stripped All his world records from the books. He was reinstated after two years but never got Back the olympic Gold medal he won in the 100 meters. Johnson was not available for comment Friday. Gibbs Steps Down As coach of redskins Ashburn a. A Joe Gibbs unexpectedly retired Friday As head coach of the Washington redskins saying hat after a dozen years and three super bowl victories it was time to get closer to his family. A this is the toughest decision i have Ever made Quot Gibbs said at an emotional news conference. Richie Petitbon assistant head coach for defense will replace Gibbs. The 52-year-old Gibbs said he did t feel Well at the end of last season. He said doctors described his condition As a migraine  he said he did no to have headaches a but you have other nervous reactions that Are set off Quot Gibbs said doctors a Yassu Rcd me that in a going to be Fine and its just going to take a  a a he choked Back tears when he said he wanted to be a closer to my family Quot to spend More time with his wife and two sons. A a you re looking at one of the Luckiest Guys in the world Quot he said of his Long run As head coach. First word of Gibbs retirement came from his associates. Offensive line coach Jim Hanifan said earlier Friday that Gibbs a feels its time to  Hanifan stressed that while Gibbs health is Fine the fatigue that comes with giants put Money on Simms see Page 34 a dozen years of coaching had caused him to re evaluate his plans for the future Gibbs compiled a record that any head coach would envy after taking Over the redskins in 1981, Overall he is 124-60. During his first year the skins went 88 record. But they won the super bowl the following season and again after the 1987 and 1991 seasons a each Lime with a different quarterback. Gibbs is one of just three coaches in nil history to win three super bowls and Only one Vince Lombardi had a better postseason winning percentage. Gibbs a work habits Are the stuff of legend around the nil and he was known to spend three or four consecutive nights on a cot in his office As he worked late into he night preparing the game plans. In the last two years Gibbs became an owner in the High priced world of Stock car racing. Last month his entry won the Daytona 500 Lascar race with Dale Jarrett son of former Lascar Champion Ned Jarrett driving. A Luckiest Man Quot Joe Gibbs gone has had last ride on Redskin shoulder pads. W at.0 246850 504