Wednesday, April 21,1993 The Champion, Page 13 Relievers battle for records By JOSHUA COOLEY fielder Juan Gonzalez. He has hom­ Champion Reporter MLB Roundup ered five times in the Rangers' first Harris Teeter Dennis Eckersley might be the best six games. Gonzalez has only been in closer in baseball, but the Cardinal's trying to shorten the length of games. the big leagues for three years and has Lee Smith made a name for himself in Compared to the first week of the already tied Texas' club record for history Tuesday, April 13, as 1992 season, games this season have multi-homerun games with 10. baseball's all-time save leader. Smith averaged five minutes shorter. ANOTHER MAN WHO is mak­ notched his 358th career save, sur­ Eventually, both leagues want to ing history with his bat is Cleveland mm tow PRICES passing Jeff Reardon on the all-time take 20 minutes off. To do this, rec­ Indian second baseman Carlos Baerga. save list as the Cardinals beat the ommendations have been instituted. Baerga, in Cleveland's third game of Dodgers 9-7. These include: umpires calling higher the season against the Yankees, be­ Smilh'ssavealsoticdBruceSutter's strikes (as outlined in the rule book), came the first player in Major League record of 300 saves in the National managers calling for a new pitcher as history to hit homcruns from both League. soon as they cross the foul line on sides of the plate in the same inning. The Cardinal fireman only needs their second trip to the mound in one Batting right-handed against Steve 10 more saves to surpass Todd inning and time between innings cut Howe, Baerga clubbed a 3-2 delivery QUART .98 Worrell's team record of 129. to two minutes. over the left field fence. Nine Indians WITH MANY COMPLAINTS ALSO, THE Texas Rangers have later, Baerga stepped into the box to 3-IN-l \A7 arising from the American public exploded to a quick start. Much of the challenge pitcher Steve Fair, but this (3PINTPK.) recently concerning the longevity of early success they are enjoying has time batting left handed. He hit the 2- games, Major League Baseball is come at the hands and the bat of left- 0 pitch over the right-field fence. Playoff positioning to be decided By BRIAN SPERLING Conference due to their power. One Champion Reporter NBA Roundup through six feature Phoenix, Hous­ With the playoffs just a couple of ton, Seattle, San Antonio, Portland weeks away, it makes me appreciate ing in front of their fans until game and Utah —yipes! thephrase"NBAaction—it'sfantas- three of the series. One thing will be for certain tic!" With all of the brawls that have WHO WILL STEP forward and throughout — the survivor of this been starting on the court lately, per­ grab the final seed in the east? That is conference is going to have taken a haps "Let's get ready to rumble!" the question being asked around the beating to get to the finals. The re­ CALIFORNIA would be more fitting. league as Indiana, Detroit and Orlando ward? Yet another with New York or PINT At any rate, there are still many are just about even. (Miami fans, the Chicago. things to be decided in terms of post­ Heat is within striking distance, but COUNT THE PING PONG season positioning. Likewise, some time is running out quickly.) STRAWBERRIES balls...The lottery has been assured issues have been solved for weeks A fan of one of these clubs should for a number of clubs for weeks now. heading into the final lap of the sea­ honestly say that the lottery route The Mavericks, for instance, have PERDUE GRADE "A" son. should be taken. been penciled in since December. DIET COKE OR POLE POSITIONING in the The best thing that could happen to The odds are good that the Mavs BREAST COCA-COLA Eastern Conference.. .It looks as if the the Pacers, Pistons or Magic would be will grab the top prize in the draft, but QUARTERS New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls to miss the playoffs. First, why would remember that Minnesota was 2 LITER will go down to the wire for home- any team want to reach the playoffs snubbed last year in favor of Orlando. court advantage throughout the play­ when it is most likely going to get The Timberwolves will get another LIMIT 3 WITH offs. The critical advantage of being swept by the Bulls or Knicks? stab at it when the top three picks are REDUCED number one here is that the two-seed ADDITIONAL Miami is on the way to that next chosen this summer. After choosing PURCHASE, PRICE would face a probable second-round level, so save the humiliation and the top three picks via the pool, the PLEASE matchup with the Cavaliers. grab another top-draft choice. It would rest will fall into place by worst rec­ No matter what happens, expect a be well worth missing out when they ords. Knicks-Bulls conference final. The consider that it will reap great divi­ Philadelphia and Washington teams that settles for the two-seed not dends in the future. come next after the Mavs and only will be coming off a grueling GO WEST for the best...Consider Wolves in terms of mediocrity, so series with the dangerous Cavs, but the incredible first round matchups they should have good odds of will also not have the luxury of play- that will take place in the Western winning the lottery. NHL playoff matchups intrigue Trademarks® By BRIAN SPERLING Louis has some formidable players Champion Reporter NHL Roundup such as Craig Janney and Brett Hull, The best part of the hockey season but the Hawks arc solid in all depart­ has arrived! Now that the lengthy One of the keys for the Caps to ad­ ments. Above all, goalie Ed Belfour warm-up known as the regular season vance will be the play of goalie Don has always found a way to shut this HARRIS TEETER... LOW PRICES ALL DAY, EVERY DAY has ended, the Stanley Cup tourna­ Bcauprc...Capitals in six. team down. Curtis Joseph should ment will kick into full gear with eight Buffalo vs. Boston (Adams) — help to keep the Blues in some games, WALDENSIAN QUALITY ^ A A best-of-seven first-round matchups This series involves two teams head­ buthc won't be enough...Blackhawks DESSERT 2/ QQ this week. ing in oppositedirections. TheSabres in five. WORK AT This round of playoffs will offer turned stone cold heading down the Toronto vs. Detroit (Norris) — CUPS 6CT.#TT some intriguing pairings, while oth­ stretch while the Bruins stormed into After surprising the division by mak­ IN THE DAIRY SECTION - CAN M A(% ers won't even be close. first place to clinch the division. ing a run for the title, the Maple Leafs THE BEACH! Sorry, Pittsburgh, you have to play Buffalo certainly has the talent to give are primed for an upset against De­ REDDI-WIP I** a couple of weeks more to make your the Bruins a battle. Alexander troit It will only be a matter of time three-peat official. By the way, the Mogilny and Pat LaFontaine will be before we will find out if the Red TOPPING 701. I Penguins are riding an 11 -game post­ looked to for the thrust of the Sabre Wings disappoint the many experts OUR MYRTLE BEACH PILLSBURY m XA season winning streak. attack, but Boston will be too solid to who penciled them in for the AND HILTON HEAD ALL READY 109 New Jersey vs. Pittsburgh (Pat­ be slowed down...Bruins in five. finals...Red Wings in six. rick)—The Devils had been on a hot Montreal vs. Quebec (Adams)— Winnipeg vs. Vancouver LOCATIONS ARE PIECRUSTS isoz I streak, but slid into fourth place on the This series was supposed to be played (Smythe) — With a second straight NOW HIRING FOR final day of the season. Now they will in the Adams final, but the surprising division title under their belts, the THE SUMMER. HOMESTYLE 2/149 have the exclusive privilege of being Bruins have forced these provincial Canucks will look to advance to the IF INTERESTED, APPLY AT THE BREAD 24 OZ. LOAF I swept away by the Pens. This should powers to square off early. conference finals behind Pavel Bure. MYRTLE BEACH AND HILTON only be a skate around for Mario The Nordiques have been the sur­ However, the Jets should not be taken HEAD LOCATIONS OR MAIL Lemieux, Rick Tocchet and friends. prise of the league this season, and for granted behind rookie of the year IN THE DELI-BAKERY Get the brooms out Penguin their success may continue against Teemu Selanne...Canucks in six. APPLICATION TO: £J fans...Penguins in four. the Canadians. Things seem to point Los Angeles vs. Calgary (Smythe) LOW SALT New York Islanders vs. Washing­ toward Quebec, but Montreal is just — The Flames are back in the play­ ton (Patrick) — This series pits two as secure on all ends. The factor of offs after a noticeable absence last JERRY ALLEN BOILED HAM clubs that have been riding a roller having playoff experience will figure season, but they will receive all HARRIS TEETER, INC. coaster all season long. The question into this series in the end.. .Canadiens that they can handle from the much LITCHFIELD LANDING here is which one will get hot first. in seven. revitalized Kings. With Wayne SHOPPING CENTER Credit should be given to Coach Al St. Louis vs.