SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Friday, October 28, 1994 5B NBA to hit the court on time Labor deal still not settled,but sides agree to play hoops NEW YORK — Hockey may be delayed indefinitely, and the World Series is a dim memory. But the NBA will start on schedule next Friday. The Associated Press The NBA and its players' union announced a no-strike, no-lockout agreement yesterday, ensuring the 1994-95 season and playoffs will proceed uninterrupted by a work stoppage while the two sides negotiate a new labor deal. "We think the integrity of the game is the victor here," said Charles Grantham, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. However, both sides stressed they are still far apart on a new collective bargaining agreement, particularly on the issue of a salary cap. The old agreement expired last June. "This is not an assurance or a promise, but a statement of good-faith intention by two sides that, however they may mang away at each other, have always been capable of making good-faith efforts," NBA commissioner David Stern said. Under a complex agreement signed by Stern and Grantham just minutes before a scheduled public announcement, teams will have until Nov. 8 to renegotiate or extend existing contracts, but unsigned rookies will face no signing deadlines. Two lawsuits brought against the NBA will be stayed until the end of the 1995 NBA Finals. The Suns president Jerry Colangelo praised the league and the union for their "sensitivity to the fans." "I personally was confident throughout the process that an accommodation would be reached," he said. NBA owners proposed the deal earlier this week, and the players immediately expressed interest, deputy commissioner Russ Granik said. But the league told Grantham Wednesday that owners would meet Monday in Chicago and vote on a lockout if a deal wasn't reached. Grantham denied the threat of a lockout prompted the union to agree to a deal. "We were planning for a lockout, so it's not an issue where we heard what they said yesterday and reacted," he said. "We both looked at each other's problems and came up with what we considered were solutions that gave neither party an edge." The union lost an antitrust suit against the league challenging the salary cap, the college draft and restricted free agency. The case is under review by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, but no retrial could be held until the agreement expires. Baseball honors its MVPs The Associated Press CHICAGO AND NEW YORK — Frank Thomas will not wait for spring training, if there is such a thing in 1995. He won't wait for opening day, whenever that might be. His drive for three consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards has already begun. Thomas learned Wednesday that he had won the American League MVP Award for the second successive season. Jeff Bagwell was the unanimous winner yesterday of the National League MVP Award. Thomas, the big first baseman for the Chicago White Sox, promptly proclaimed that he's ready to become the only player ever to three-peat. "I work out four days a week. At the start of next week, it'll be five," said Thomas, the first player since Roger Maris in 1960-61 to win two straight American League MVP Awards. "I'm going to be bigger, stronger, faster. Next year could be my best year." Thomas, 26, was second in home runs with 38, third in batting with 353 and tied for third in RBIs with 101. Thomas is like Ted Williams, that rarest of power hitters who does not swing at bad pitches. Thomas led the majors with a .487 on-base percentage, 109 walks and 106 runs. He also topped the American League with a .729 slugging average. He did all this while striking out only 61 times. "September is normally my hot month," he said from his marketing firm and charitable organization, Big Hurt Enterprises. "I was looking forward to September." "Consistency is something I pride myself in," said Thomas, who has never gone more than 10 straight plate appearances without reaching base. "I'm a very disciplined ballplayer." The unanimous MVP choice in 1993 when he set a White Sox record with 41 homers, Thomas received 24 of 28 first-place votes this year. He received four second-place votes and finished with 372 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Jeff Bagwell, first baseman for the Houston Astros, became only the third unanimous winner of a National League MVP Award. There have been seven unanimous MVs in the American League. "I don't think I could have played much better than I did," Bagwell said. "It feels great, but it still feels strange, too, not having the World Series." Bagwell swept all 28 first-place votes in balloting by the BBWAA and finished with 392 points. In 110 games, Bagwell batted .368 with 39 home runs, second in the batting race to Tony Gwynn's .394 and second in the home run chase to Matt Williams' 43. He had 32 doubles and two triples, and his 300 total bases tied Cesar Cedeno's club record set in 1972. He also led the league with 104 scored. Bagwell was leading the major leagues with 116 runs batted in and in the midst of an 18-game hitting streak when he broke his left hand after being hit by a pitch by Andy Benes of San Diego on Aug. 10. Now Bagwell wonders if he'll be able to play as well again. "I'm almost worried about if I could do it again," Bagwell said. "I hit 39 home runs. That's scary." Men's Basketball Tickets Attn: STUDENTS COUPON DISTRIBUTION Your assigned pick-up date is: A-E F-K L-R S-Z Make-Up Monday, October 24 Tuesday, October 25 Wednesday, October 26 Thursday, October 27 Friday, October 28 Kansas Union 4th Floor- Main Lobby 8:30 am - 4:00 pm You may pick-up only one coupon per person. You may pick-up your coupons only! You must have a Blue Fall 1994 fee sticker on your KUID to receive your coupons. If you miss your assigned pick-up date and the make-up date, you may pick-up your coupon at the Athletic Ticket Office in the East Lobby of Allen Fieldhouse. You have until December 31, 1994 to do so. 1-PIZZA 2-TOPPINGS $450 842-1212 1601 W. 23rd Additional Toppings 50¢ Each Please mention item when ordering. Not valid with other offers. es 12/31/94 Carryout Special 10" Pizza with one topping only $260 each 842-1212 1601 W. 23rd Not valid with deliveries. Coupon good on one to 100 pizzas. No other coupon accepted with this offer. Additional bonus on all optional charge Expires 12/31/94 each plus tax NATURALWAY 820-822 Mass. 841-0100 Red Lyon Tavern 944 Mass. 832-8228 The University of Kansas 1st Annual Halloween Horror Films Festival featuring The BIlou Players providing live music for the silent film classics Saturday. October 29. 1994 8:00 p.m. The Phantom of the Opera starring Lon Chaney Sunday. October 30. 1994 2:30 p.m. Rosieratu (the original Dracula) Sunday. October 30, 1994 7:30 p.m. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Ryde starring John Barrymore all performances in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre/Murphy Hall General admission tickets are available through the KU box offices (Murphy Hall: 913/864-3962, Lied Center: 913/864-ARTS, SUA: 913/864-3477); all seats $$; VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE A Benefit for The University Theatre and the KU Bands Historic Eldridge Hotel 7th and Mass. - Downtown, Lawrence 841-7587 Scottish & Newcastle Importers Co. 444 DeHare, Suite 209 San Francisco, California 94107 Telephone (416) 255-4555 1