European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 09, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 32 the stars and stripes sports wednesday. February 9.1994 decision to sign Fop athlete in the was easy by Rick gang Chicago a even though Michael Jordan May have no. Chance of making the Chicago White sox general manager Ron Schueler Felt he had no Choice but to bring him to Spring training. As much improvement As he has made it s still a million in one shot Schueler said monday after Jordan signed a minor league contract following a workout at a packed made for Media event. But Schueler a former major league Pitcher said there was Little doubt about inviting the world s most famous Basket Ball player albeit a retired one to Spring training next week in Sarasota Fra. If i Don t give him the Opportunity 27 other general managers would. In a Sec Ond said Schueler. Why Jordan has t played baseball since he was in High school and is 30 years old trying to play a sport that those at the highest level have been playing most of their lives. Because of who he is and his athletic ability Schueler said. We re talking about the top athlete in the  and one who would draw crowds wherever he went As he did monday Dur ing a 90-minute workout at the Illinois Institute of technology not far from Comiskey Park. Jordan took More than 50 cuts in the batting Cage and hit Only several line drives. He also fielded grounders and shagged Fly balls in of All places a gym. Baskets that he reached so easily in leading the Chicago bulls to three straight Aba titles were raised to the roof. And the baseball made a strange thud As it hit the Wood floor. One grounder went right through Jordan s legs. But it s hitting that will determine How far Jordan will go in this improbable quest. He can hit pitches in the mid-80s," said de Gottfried an Illinois Institute of technology Pitcher who threw to Jordan on monday. I Don t know about a Guy like Roger Clemens. But i think he has a better than average shot of making  the prevailing feeling is that Jordan will not be Able to handle the 90 Mph pitches in the majors despite his athletic ability. But the Challenge for Jordan is proving those who doubt him wrong. It s going to be Tough reacting to the Ball. But he can learn said White sox second baseman Joey Cora who has worked out with Jordan the last two weeks. I be never been afraid to fail said Jordan who retired from the bulls last october claiming he had nothing left to prove and wanted to spend More time with his family and away from the spot Light. That s something you have to Deal with in reality. You re not always going to be successful. I think i m Strong enough As a person to accept failure. But i can accept not  not that Jordan expects to fail at his newest venture. "1 think i be improved tremendously said Jordan who s been working out underneath Comiskey Park for the last two months with some White sox players and personnel. My motto has been it s no gimmick " Jordan told a gathering of 200 report ers and photographers he would consider going to the minor leagues if the White sox thought he had the potential to make it to the majors. ". The level of Competition will dictate How far he goes whether he would make the big league club or has to go to the minors said Schueler. Jordan s contract is with the Nashville sounds of the triple a american association. He is still being paid by the bulls this season a salary reported to be $4 million. I chose to try to play baseball just to see if i could said Jordan whose father was slain last summer. I m not doing it Michael Jordan talks about his baseball contract with reporters in Chicago monday. Apas a distraction and i m not doing it As Amedia hog or looking for the Media expo sure from it. It s one of the wishes my father had and i had As a  the White sox know about distractions. They had to Deal with to Jackson s comeback from hip replacement surgery last Spring. Jordan like Jackson will not be Given any special treatment. Hell have to earn it nothing s going to be Given to him Schueler said we re going to go North with the Best 25." Jordan can expect some pitching closet his Chin when he takes the plate. It s baseball s Way of testing players who Haven t been around. The pitchers will make it awfully Tough on him said Schueler. " i Don t think anybody will say i m going to throw it Down the Middle and let Michael get a hit he s going to get worked Over and they Are going to come after  Saberhagen Given 5-Day suspension new York a Bret Saberhagen was suspended for the first five Days of the season by the new York mets on monday because he sprayed bleach at reporters last , who will be paid during the sus pension will not contest the penalty and will be eligible to pitch starting saturday april 9. He previously paid a Fine of $15,384, which amounted to one Day of his 1993 salary. The Money was donated to the Eye research foun Dation of Central new York at the request of the baseball writers association of  be been kind of frustrated and kicked myself since everything happened Saberhagen said during a Telephone conference Call. You try to learn from your mistakes. I be disappointed a Lotof  Saberhagen 7-7 last season with a 3.29 Era injured his left knee warming up aug. 7 and did t pitch the rest of the season. Two Days after the injury he had arthroscopic surgery on the knee and on sept. 21 he had arthroscopic sur Gery to remove a Bone Spur from his right Elbow. Detroit will give Belcher $3.4 million for 1 season Detroit a the Detroit tigers desperate for dependable pitching signed right hander Tim Belcher on monday to $3.4 million one year contract. The times Are changing for free agents Belcher said. I was offered a two year contract by a couple of teams. But the big Long term deals just Don t seem to be out there this  Belcher the 70th of 90 free agents to sign won t be offered arbitration by the tigers at the end of the sea son and will be eligible for free Agency again following the world series. Last year the tigers signed free agent Mike Moore to a $10 million three year Deal. But to their Chagrin Moore had More no decisions 14 than wins 13 and a5.22era. I figure if you pitch in excess of 200 innings the rest of the numbers will fall into place Belcher said. Feel like i be been durable and consistent. Sure it Hurt a Little bit that not much happened for me on the free agent Market. But i did t have the Best season of my career  Belcher 32, was 9-6 with a 4.47 Era for the reds last season before being traded to the White sox who were looking for help in their Al West stretch drive. He was 3-5 with a 4.40 Era for Chicago. Belcher has won 15 games in a season twice in his seven year big league career. He was 15-12 with a 2.82 Era for the 1989 los Angeles dodgers and 1.5-14 with a 3.91 Era for the 1992 reds. In 1988, Belcher was 12-6 for the dodgers. Fie won two playoff games against the new York mets and picked up another Victory in the dodgers world series Triumph Over the Oakland athletics. He and Kirk Gib son who re signed with Detroit on Friday for $1.5 Mil lion were teammates on that dodgers team. I m confident enough in my ability that i still Mayland that big contract that players dream about Belcher said. Belcher will join Moore Bill Gullickson John do Herty and David Wells in the tigers rotation. Detroit pitchers combined for a 4.65 Era last season allowing 1,546 runs. The tigers compiled an 85-77 record an finished in a tie for third in the Al East 10 games be Hind the triumphant Blue jays