6B
Thursday, October 12, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Feelings just not right for the players in Cincinnati
Marge Schott makes a mockery of Reds and baseball itself
By Jim Litke The Associated Press
CINCINNATI — It is different around here.
His team can win the pennant, then the World Series, but come the end of the season, Davey Johnson is out of a job. Boom! Fired. Just like that. Just because Marge Schott said so.
If the Cincinnati Reds' hardhearted owner gets off dumping the winningest manager in baseball without reason or consequence, look out: More outrageous foolishness is in the offing. Guaranteed.
One day Schott will get tired of Ray Knight, her handpicked successor to Johnson, and dump him, too, then decide maybe Schottzie 02 should manage the ballclub. And because she owns the team, because people didn't stand up to her often enough in the past, nobody will be able to do anything about her in the future.
The up side is that so long as the dowager and her dog have the run of the place, the sideshow at Riverfront Stadium will be at least as entertaining as the baseball. They park where they want, go where they want, smoke where they want, joke about what they want, fire or hire anyone they want. The downside is that even as the circus thrives, credibility and the game itself suffer.
How much? Business is bad when the home team is still hawking tickets at game time on opening night of the league championship series. But it was worse than that Tuesday
ANALYSIS
night. Between the third and fourth innings, between the giant billboards advertising cigarettes and beer—two of Schott's public vices—this message flashed on the giant TV screen: "TICKETS STILL ON SALE. CASH ONLY."
Explain away the fact there were almost 20,000 fewer people in the ballpark than capacity any way you want. Say it was a school night. Or that kids these days carry credit cards, not cash. But so empty was the section of red seats in the upper deck between the foul poles that you half-expected the "TICKETS STILL ON SALE" message to be flashed repeatedly as soon as the game went into extra innings. Even if it had, no one would have come running; the soaps on TV are better and they don't cost $30 a pop.
A few minutes after Atlanta's 2-1 win, Johnson was asked about the alarming vacancy rate.
"I don't know what the reason is," he said. "Maybe the beginning of Tall Stacks."
Tall Stacks is the name of a riverboat festival that will be staged on the Ohio River this weekend. Why Johnson would mention it as an alibi for the no-shows at a baseball game four nights earlier almost defies logic. Poor Davey. Aside from the fans still-lingering resentment, maybe his being made into a mockery had something to do with the alarming vacancy rate—only he just hasn't figured it out yet.
Indeed, Johnson seems to have accepted his eventual firing with such helpfulness that almost nothing he says or does from here on out will come as much of a surprise.
Before the game, even while Schott walked Schottzie 02 among
the players stretching along the first base line, Johnson found himself denying in quick succession:
a.) that Schott was a distraction;
b.) that her insistence on rubbing dog fur on his players (for good luck) was a distraction;
c. ) and most important, that his being told at the start of the season that Knight would succeed him at the end—no matter what—had been a distraction.
She has never made her thinking on the matter public. But what filtered down from the front office were stories about her absolute affection for Knight's wife, prog golfer Nancy Lopez, and her absolute disapproval of Johnson having lived with his wife briefly before they were married.
He looked and sounded like a changed man, though hardly for the better. Johnson used to be rapped for being arrogant, but he had good reason to be. With the New York Mets, he won a World Series, a pennant and two division titles. In fact, in every season he has managed a club from start to finish, it wound up either first or second.
How these bear on baseball remains anyone's guess. Even as they play for Johnson, his charges admit the whole situation is confusing.
Then he got fired by the Mets in 1990 and couldn't get hired until the Reds gave him a shake in 1993. When he re-upped for 1995, it was with the backing of general manager Jim Bowden, but without a raise and with Schott's insistence that he walk away from the job at season's end.
"I thought if you win, you get to keep your job," center fielder Jerome Walton said.
"But like most things," he added,
"it's different around here."
Yankees owner fined for blasting umps
NEW YORK — New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has been fined $50,000 by the
American League for his comments concerning mumps during his team's playoff series with the Seattle Mariners last week.
The Associated Press
The New York Times yesterday
George Steinbrenner
said Steinbrenner was fined for his public reaction to umpires' calls in the first two games of the
"That kind of stuff may have gone on at the University of Kansas... "
George Steinbrenner
New York Yankees owner
umpires and American League president Gene Budig's position on the umpires.
series last Tuesday and Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. Steinbrenner was highly critical of the
Steinbrenner, whose fines have reportedly exceeded $600,000 in his 22 years owning the Yankees, cited ball-strike calls and safe- out calls as wrong and showed television replays to reporters.
"That kind of stuff may have gone on at the University of Kansas," Steinbrenner said last week, alluding to Budig's position as chancellor there, "but it's not going to go on in major league baseball."
Budig, who attended Tuesday night's opener of the AL Championship Series in Seattle, declined to comment.
Today's Birthday (Oct.
12); Travel and education
should both go well, possibly
together. There may be stress
on your finances, though.
Stash away as much money as
possible, beginning in November.
Imagination will be
required to achieve a domestic
goal in December. Also get a
roommate to help. Hard work
will pay off later. Save most of
June for travel. Voice your
opinion in August and you may
get chosen to fill a leadership
position.
Aries (March 21-April 19):
You'll be able to find an interesting conversation on just about any subject today. If you're not in the mood to argue, you might choose to burn up your energy with physical activities instead. Run errands early, so you have plenty of time to devote to team sports.
Taurus (April 20-May 20):
Paperwork will take up way too much time, especially if you avoid it. Extra work could bring in a little extra money. Or, you could sell something.
An objet d'art could mean more to somebody else than it does to you. Don't peddle anything that belongs to your roommate.
research on the subject
Gemini (May 21-June 21):
You should be in fine form today. A conversation with a loved one could be interesting, if somewhat confusing and inconclusive. You may not have enough information to reach a conclusion about some work matter. Do a little independent
Cancer (June 22-July 22):
Today, you really must write that letter or make that phone call. It may be difficult at first, but at least get the ball rolling. A misunderstanding at home may have more to do with money than you realize. If you're getting the run-around, that's why.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):
Group activities and sports should be lots of fun today. If you're lucky enough to be part of a big family, organize the folks into teams! Your house is probably going to be a very busy place for the next few days. You might as well invite all your friends over. too!\
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Go shopping for a work-related item this morning. If a passionate friend wants to discuss a private matter later, be willing to listen. Don't be talked into anything that's not in your own best interests, though. Let your conscience be your guide!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): If you've written a novel or short story, send it to the publisher. If you haven't, this would be a good day to get started. A social event could give you a good idea. If you're the type who indulges, have a drink. Don't spend too much on a new outfit, though. It's not necessary and could provoke jealousy.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21):
You're getting stronger by the minute. No fair pushing on a person who's not even in your league. Instead, work with an
older friend on a project that might make you both rich. Don't try to get any more out of a source that obviously has nothing more to give.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.
21): Attend a meeting or party today. You could meet a person who'll make your life a lot more interesting. You're an excellent teacher, but every once in a while you get to be the student, too. If you get the chance to do that, grab it.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.
19): If you're up against a tough assignment today, call a friend. With a little help, even the most difficult task can be fun. A parent or other older person may have trouble making a decision today. Your advice will carry more weight tomorrow, so offer it then.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.
18): You're even better than usual with words today.
Answer your correspondence and all your phone messages.
You'll still have time for a meaningful conversation with friends. Then, let somebody talk you into going a little farther afield than usual.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):
There will probably be a lot of confusion at home today. That can be fun, but not if you were looking forward to quiet time. A visit to a friend could be very rewarding. You might find a real treasure if you go a little further out than usual.
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only.
Reader's predictions wanted for annual basketball preview section
The Kansan is asking for its readers to look into their crystal basketballs and predict what the 1995-96 season will bring to men's and women's college basketball. Letters from readers will be included in the Kansas Basketball preview, which will run in the Nov. 15 issue of the Kansan.
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and between 100 and 150 words in length. Please include the author's name, hometown, year in school and phone number. Readers should predict the NCAA champion and may also pick which schools will be surprises and/or disappointments this season.
Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 to
the Kansan newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall, and placed in Jenni Carlson's mailbox. They may also be faxed to the Kansan at 864-5261. The sports editors reserve the right to accept or reject any letter, as well as edit them for style and content.
Questions concerning the letters should be directed to Jenni Carlson, sports editor, or Tom Erickson, associate sports editor, at 864-4810.
The Kansan sports editors invite readers to submit responses to stories and columns, as well as whatever is on the sporting mind of the university for "Sports Rap," which runs each Thursday in the sports section.
Don't forget about "Sports Rap" either
Letters should be typed, double-spaced and include the author's name, hometown, year in school and phone number.
Send letters to the newsroom, 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kansas 66045.
Questions? Call 664 4810
SHABBATDINNER
Friday,5:30 Jewish Community Center 917 Highland Dr.
Free! Limited Space!
RSVP by Thurs!
864-3948
Made possible by the KU Hillel Foundation
TRIP TO KU MEDICAL CENTER WITH THE PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CLUB ON
SAT.,OCT.14,1995.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the Checkers' parking lot on 23rd St. For more information call Nikki at 864-8113.
STUDENT
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