European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 1, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday monday january 1/2,1995 i the stars and stripes Page. 39banner 94 season strikes out by Ben Walker a baseball writer the season that had everything ended up with nothing. Tony Gwynn never had a Chance to hit .400. Frank Thomas and Albert Belle never got to try for the triple Crown. The Cleveland indians never had a shot at finally playing in the postseason. Neither did Don Mattingly. Kent Hrbek never got to hear one More ovation. Ever packed mile High stadium never rocked with one last cheer for the Colorado Rockies. The expanded playoff races and the Home run record chases. The corked Bat controversy and the juiced Ball debate Kenny Rogers perfect game and John Valentines unassisted triple play. Michael Jordan in the minors it All seems so far away now because in 1994, baseball struck out. No world series no this year s fall classic matched major leagues making a average of almost $1.2 million against owners reluctant to slice up a billion Dollar pie. A a quota. A a a it had been coming for a Long time of course. The last seven times the two sides had tried to negotiate the result had been either a lockout or walkout. So even before Ray Lankford homered in a rare sunday night opener starting off what was becoming one of the most exciting years Ever doomsday loomed. On aug. 12, the stadiums emptied. A season ppd., greed a blared one newspaper headline. Then on sept. 14, the fax arrived and the facts were these the season was Over there would be no world series for the first time since 1904, Quot this is a sad Day a acting commissioner Bud Schlig filling a position that has been vacant for two years said slowly. Fans agreed with the sentiment although some doubted the sincerity suddenly the most valuable players became Donald Fehr and Richard Ravitch not Jeff Bagwell and Frank Thomas. The Rookie of the year became a 71-Vcar-old middleman a Federal mediator . Seiy a not Bob Hamlin or Raul Mondesi. And while the by Young awards went to Greg Maddux and David Cone de _ spite some Blank ballots sent in protest a the fans As always were left hanging. Especially in the face of ticket prices that were raised soon after the season was cancelled. Particularly with the games future still in doubt As december dragged on. While the hot stove flickered out there was the likelihood that the owners and players a locked in a test of strength and will a would see the 1995 season Start with replacement players. Recent moves such As Boston trading for Jose Canseco the Yankees dealing for  Mcdowell and Philadelphia signing free agent Gregg Jefferies did not seem to stimulate much interest. Instead other items attracted attention. Barry Bonds attempt to reduce child support payments Darryl Straw bar Rye a indictment on lax charges and Dwight Goodells on year suspension for drug violations w Ere the Low lights. More than anything fans were left to remember if they could the highlights of what had been a tremendous Spring and summer. And if they could to Overlook the asterisk that certainly will be attached to it All. Gwynn hit .394, the highest in the majors since Ted Williams batted ,406 in 1941 and the Best in the no since Bill Terry hit .401 in 1930. Gwynn also provided the most exciting ending to an All Star game since Pete Rose ran Over Ray Fosse in 1970. Gwynn Slid Home on Moiscs aloud a double ending the alas record six game winning a break. _ Matt Williams Ken Griffey or. And Hagwell chased Roger Marisa record Pace a we five stricken opportunities Tony Gwynn. .400 hitter Albert Belle. Triple Crown Frank Thomas. Triple Crown Don Mattingly. 1st world series a a. A fac pit oils 5 Kent Hrbek. No last Hurrah of 61 Home runs. Chuck Knoblauch challenged Earl Webb a record 67 doubles in 1931. Despite All the offence and the. Debate about juiced balls Maddux had a 1.56 Era the third lowest in the Najors in 75 years. Rogers pitched a perfect game for Texas and Valentin turned a unassisted triple play for Boston the first time those events had happened in the same season since Catfish Hunter pitched and Ron Hansen fielded in 1968. Thomas and Belle both had Hopes of winning the triple Crown. Belle did it despite missing a week after being suspended in a corked Bat caper in Chicago. The indians playing before packed houses at new Jacobs Field were m position for a new wild card spot. They Haven to reached the postseason since 1954, the year Willie Mays robbed Vic Wertz. The Yankees had the second Best record to Montreal meaning Mattingly had a Chance at his first postseason. A i still dream of making the big play in the world series a he said. The Texas rangers also were ii first place despite a 52-62 record. They be came the first major league team to finish first with a Bcow-.500 record. For Hrbek a world series Siar in 1987, there Wilt be no More chances. He d announced this would be his last year so the strike ended his career. But Dave Stewart and Andre Dawson we do a said 94 would be their final seasons might come Back. Amp mile High stadium where the Colorado Rockies set incredible attendance records is done. Whenever the Rockies re turn  be playing at smaller Coors Field. The kingdom also is ready to return now that its ceiling panels have been repaired. A r if the regular major a cagers return look for Michael Jordan to maybe join them late in the season. Though he batted Only ,202 for double a Birmingham the 31-year-old Rookie outfielder showed enough determination to impress both his critics and the Chicago White sox but no matter what happens the game will be changed in 1995. A baseball As 1 knew it growing up is gone a Philadelphia Pitcher Curt Schilling said. A a. A baseball �94 Champ world series a Nona. \. Almap a Frank Thomas Chicago no map a Jeff Bagwell.  by Young a David Cone Kansas a. City \ a Nelcy Young  Maddux Atlanta. Al rookie1 of the year a Bob Hamelin Kansas City no Rookie of the year a Raul Mondesi. Los Angeles. A Al manager of the year a Buck Sho waiter now York no manager of Tho year a Felipe Alou Montreal Mcaa div. I a Oklahoma. Mcaa div. Ii a Central Missouri St. Mcaa div. His Wisconsin Oshkosh naia a Kennesaw state a. Juco div. I a Galveston College Texas  div. Ii a Lincoln land  Iii. Juco div. Ill Joliet j.c., Iii. A. A world championship a Cuba Little league a Maracaibo Venezuela