Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, April 13, 1999
Wohlers rejects stint in AAA
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Relever Mark Wohlers has notified Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz that he will not accept his assignment to Class AAA Richmond, apparently ending his career with the Braves.
The Braves had given him the assignment with the hope he would regain the form that made him one of the premier closers in baseball from 1995 to 1997, saving the final game of the 1995 World Series.
Wohlers, who suffered a relapse in his comeback attempt in his first two outings of the season (six walks in two-thirds of an innning), had seemed eager to accept the assignment when informed Friday by manager Bobby Cox and
Schuerholz.
Scherholz said Sunday after Wohlers told him of his decision that he wasn't completely surprised.
"While he first indicated he was very optimistic and interested in accepting the assignment, he
obviously decided, either on his own or after talking to
someone, that he was not going to accept the assignment," Schuerohlz said. "I'm disappointed that the whole process didn't work, for Mark's sake and the team's sake. It would have been the perfect ending."
Wohlers could have accepted the assignment, refused it, or declared for free agency. Since he
refused it, the Braves are still responsible for his $5.2 million salary unless they trade him by Thursday, April 22. They will release him if a deal can't be worked out.
Among teams thought to be interested in Wohls are the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks, both of whom would pay a portion of Wohlers' salary. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said.
Schuerholz said some clubs had expressed interest in Wohlers during the winter and early spring, but he would not say which ones.
Schuerholz stood by the decision he made on Friday after a Thursday night outing against the Phillies in which Wohlers threw only one of 10 pitches for a strike.
DAVIE, Fla. — Tony Martin insists he'll be able to play for the Miami Dolphins this season, even with a trial on charges of laundered drug money awaiting him in August.
The Associated Press
"I have no doubt in my mind I'll be ready to go Sept. 13 in the opening game, where we need to kill the Broncos," he said.
The Dolphins introduced Martin at a news conference yesterday. The 33-year-old wide receiver smiled and joked, sounding cocky and carefree.
"I believe in myself, and I believe in the Lord," he said. "He's not going to let anything happen to me."
Receiver ready despite upcoming trial
A trial scheduled to begin Aug. 2 in Miami will determine whether Martin can play this season. The Dolphins signed him Friday to a four-year, $14.2 million contract, and he'll receive only $100,000 if he's unavailable to play.
Prosecutors say Martin wrote
checks to lease luxury cars and pay legal fees for Rickey Brownlee, who served seven years in prison for 1980s drug convictions. Martin has said he's innocent.
After being indicted in February, Martin was released by the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
Miami coach Jimmy Johnson didn't attend the news conference but issued a statement supporting Martin.
"He's an outstanding player, and I've always been impressed with him personally," Johnson said. "There's no question he answers a need and strengthens our receiving corps."
The Dolphins are counting on Martin to provide the deep threat they've been missing for several seasons. His average of 15.3 yards per catch ranks fifth among active receivers with at least 400 receptions. Miami's O.J. McDuffie led the NFL last year with 90 catches but averaged only 11.7 yards.
A Miami native and a converted small-college quarterback, Martin also played for the Dolphins from 1990 to 1993 but averaged just 27 catches and two touchdowns a season.
Miami traded him for a fourth round draft pick to San Diego, where he blossomed.
Martin enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1998 for Atlanta, making 66 catches for 1,181 yards and six touchdowns. The federal investigation that led to the indictment didn't seem to affect his play.
"When you've got a profession, you can't let things distract you," he said. "My job is to go out there and catch passes on Sunday, no matter what is going on around me."
Martin beat the Dolphins on a 35- yard touchdown reception in the final regular-season game last year. After the game, Martin said, Marino and McDuffie told him they wished he could play for the Dolphins.
HARBOUR LIGHTS
*Daily Drink Specials*
841-1960
1031 Mass.
Downtown
PINNACLE WOODS
Now Available
Luxury 1,2,3 BR aprts.
Full size W/D
www.pinnaclewoods.com
865-5454
McGollum Hall Battle of the Bands
Submit your band's tape of 3 songs to McGollum's front desk by Wednesday, April 14.
First Prize: $500
Call Sam for Info: 864-6385
Styles for Ethnic Hair
Elegant Touch Hair
T-F- 9:30a.m.- 7 p.m.
Sat. - 9:30a.m.- 5:30p.m.
New Hours
331-4470
Relish in Dining Ecstasy at The Castle Tea Room
1307 MASSACHUSETTS
• BY RESERVATION ONLY
(785) 843-1151
www.counciltravel.com
in association with
CollegeBytes.com Something to sink your teeth into
FREE ADVANCED SCREENING
presents a
David Spade
Sophie Marceau
A comedy about a guy who would do anything to get the girl of his dreams - and did!
One of these dogs must be Spade.
ALEXANDRA WESTERN PARK AVE. NEW YORK, NY 10024
ALEXANDRA WESTERN PARK AVE. NEW YORK, NY 10024
ALEXANDRA WESTERN PARK AVE. NEW YORK, NY 10024
ALEXANDRA WESTERN PARK AVE. NEW YORK, NY 10024
www.wb-fostandbound.com
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS @ Kansas Union- Woodruff Auditorium
8 PM Wednesday, April 14th
FREE ADMISSION* with voucher
INFO?:
call 864-SHOW
www.ukans.edu/~osa
- Vouchers will be distributed from the SUA office the day of the event (One voucher per KU ID)
Passes required. Seating is limited and not guaranteed. Please arrive early.
Presented in association with SUA
NETWORK EVENT THEATER
©1999 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved
1