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C www.usatoday.com THE NATION’S NEWSPAPER SECTION C Behind scenes

O S at The Show F SPOR T c 220 Answer: The general manager as- sembles the talent; the field How many yards manager writes the script; are in a furlong? the stars perform; the tech- nical people get it out onto the airwaves; and the audi- Get on track for free travel! Now you can also earn ence responds. The Show and redeem WorldPerks® miles on Continental Airlines. Sports and show biz have a lot in By Sue Ogrocki, Reuters common, 12C On stage: The Blue Jays’ Shawn Green, like an actor, gets a charge from the crowd. ‘You feel the energy.’ www.nwa.com 1-800-225-2525 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1999 Northwest Airlines, Inc. ©1999

AO BO BR BT BV B2 CO DA D2 FC FM FO GN HT H1 H3 KN LK MC MS MO NK NS OL PH PS PX RH RO SA SB SL SP1 SP2 ST UT WD WL SPORTSLINE Callaway Golf cuts ties to Daly By Debbie Becker years remained on the contract. through,” Els said Wednesday. “John A QUICK READ ON THE TOP SPORTS NEWS OF THE DAY USA TODAY On his Web site, gripitandripit.com, hasn’t been happy for I don’t know how Daly wrote: “My commitment to live a many years. I adore the guy. He’s a hell /AMERICAN Coverage, 4, 6, 12, 17C Professional golfer John Daly, who sober life remains strong. Alcoholism is of a talent. John needs to be happy with Oakland at Baltimore (ppd.) Tampa Bay 8, Seattle 4 has battled alcoholism and a gambling a disease, which will continue to chal- himself.” New York 6, Toronto 4 Boston at Cleveland addiction for years, lost another major lenge me the rest of my life. I accept the In 19 events this year, Daly has Chicago 3, Detroit 1 Texas 8, Minnesota 3 sponsor Wednesday after refusing treat- difficulties presented and hope that I missed the cut seven times, withdrawn Anaheim 1, Kansas City 0 ment for his problems. will overcome whatever obstacles I four times and finished in the top 50 NATIONAL Coverage, 5-6, 12, 17C Callaway Golf severed its relationship face.” only four times. New York 10, Colorado 5 Cincinnati 5, Chicago 4 By Mark J. Terrill, AP with the former PGA and British Open Ernie Els, two-time U.S. Open cham- Philadelphia 8, Houston 6 (10) Milwaukee at St. Louis Troubles continue: John Daly says he’s champion after confirming Daly had be- pion, has been Daly’s friend since 1990. VCallaway’s decision, 16C Pittsburgh at Arizona at San Francisco committed to living ‘a sober life.’ gun drinking and gambling again. Two “Only John knows what he’s going VDaly’s troubles, 17C Montreal at Los Angeles Atlanta at San Diego Reds power past Sosa, Cubs 5-4 By Chuck Johnson USA TODAY CINCINNATI — The Cincin- Browns nati Reds’ bid to make the play- offs is delaying ’s quest to make history. give nod Sosa was stopped again in his By Steve Nesius for USA TODAY attempt to become the first Three rising stars: Twins Naree, left, and Aree Wongluekiet, player to 60 homers in a sea- to Couch 13, and brother Chan, 16, all are top junior golfers. son twice, but a crowd of 21,794 at Cinergy Field saw what they By Jarrett Bell wanted most: a 5-4 victory USA TODAY Golf extra Motor sports extra against Sosa’s . Aree and Naree Wonglue- NASCAR prefers to let “A lot of fans want to see The NFL education of Tim kiet are twin sisters who drivers settle their own Sammy set the record and Couch advances a level. have more than identical disputes and decide out- heck, I do, too,” Reds manager Couch, the rookie quarter- looks in common, 16C come of races, 13C Jack McKeon said. “But not at back from Kentucky drafted my expense.” No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Sosa singled twice in four at- Browns, will start Sunday’s GIVING NOTICE: Larry Bird said Wednesday that he bats and drove in a in the game at Tennessee — contrary will step down as coach of the Indiana Pacers when his ninth but went homerless for to previous plans to break him three-year contract expires after next season. “I said that to his fifth game in a row. He hit in slowly. (team President) Donnie (Walsh) when I came in. Three No. 59 Thursday and remains He replaces eighth-year vet- years is enough for a coach in any one place. After the three four homers ahead of St. Louis’ eran Ty Detmer, who was woe- years I told him I’d probably be done,” Bird told Indianapo- Mark McGwire. fully ineffective in Sunday’s lis TV station WTHR. Bird, who has guided the Pacers to the “I got two hits and that’s a 43-0 loss to Pittsburgh in which Eastern Conference final the last two seasons, said he positive sign right there,” Sosa the Browns’ offense gained doesn’t expect to change his mind no matter what happens said. “I feel my swing is back.” only 40 yards and made two this season. But he told another Indianapolis TV station that Some in the crowd booed first downs. he wouldn’t rule out a front-office job with the Pacers. when Sosa was intentionally “I’m looking for guys to walked in the fifth with a run- make plays,” says coach Chris SECOND OPINION: A second positive drug test con- ner on second and one out, but Palmer, whose team suffered firmed use of the banned steroid nandrolone by Jamaican McKeon was obviously more the worst debut by an NFL ex- sprinter Merlene Ottey, who faces a hearing in late Novem- concerned with getting the vic- pansion team. “I’m not dis- ber. Representatives for the 39-year-old former world cham- tory than seeing history. appointed in Ty. I think Ty 1 pion revealed Aug. 18 that she had tested positive July 5 at a The Reds remained 2 ⁄2 would be able to do a better job Grand Prix track meet in Lucerne, Switzerland. On games behind New York, in this situation as a reliever Wednesday, the International Amateur Athletic Federation which beat Colorado, in the compared to Tim as a reliever.” told Jamaican track officials that Ottey’s “B” sample also wild-card race and moved Couch, who was 0-for-3 with tested positive. The IAAF said Ottey deserved a hearing and within 3 games of NL Central an interception and fumble in that a panel would be appointed to hear the evidence and leader Houston, which lost to relief work Sunday, is the first make a decision. Ottey, winner of a record 14 world champi- Philadelphia. of the five quarterbacks select- onships medals in her career, has denied taking anything il- Five consecutive hits in a ed in the first round in April to legal and vowed to prove her innocence. four-run first steered Cincinnati draw a starting nod. toward victory. Eddie Tauben- “I didn’t know when this SHOT AT HISTORY: Willy T. Ribbs can become the see had a two-run triple to lead would happen,” says Couch, first African-American to compete in an Indy Racing the outburst against Cubs start- signed to a seven-year, $48 mil- League event if he qualifies for next weekend’s race at Las er Jon Lieber (8-10), and Aaron lion contract. “If it would be Vegas. Ribbs, 43, was named Wednesday by team owner Boone added an RBI . this year or not. I’m grateful for Dennis McCormack as the replacement for Jimmy Kite. “I Greg Vaughn, whose single the opportunity. Hopefully, I’ll have been the first at many things in my life,” said Ribbs, a drove in Barry Larkin to open go out and do what I’m capable two-time Indy 500 starter (1991, ’93). He has one NASCAR the scoring, homered in the of doing.” Winston Cup start, in 1986, and last competed in a major fifth for his 39th of the season. For weeks, Couch has main- open-wheel race in 1994 with CART. Glenallen Hill and Shane An- tained that he wanted to play as By Jim Mone, AP drews homered for the Cubs. soon as possible to learn from NO CHARGES: Dennis Rodman won’t be charged with Having a blast: The Rangers’ Roberto Kelly, right, gets congratulations from after blasting a Left-hander Denny Neagle growing pains, much like India- misdemeanor drunkenness for his part in a public disturb- two-run homer off the Twins’ Brad Radke in Texas’ 8-3 victory in Minneapolis. (Story, 4C) (7-5) gave up nine hits over six napolis’ Peyton Manning did ance last month at a Newport Beach, Calif., restaurant. A for the victory. He last year. spokesperson for the Orange County prosecutor said struck out six and had the lone Now he gets his wish. Wednesday that evidence did not show the former NBA for- unpopular walk. Says Palmer, “He’s going to ward was so drunk that he would not be able to care for his COVER STORY learn by the seat of his pants.” own safety. “I think they made the right call,” Rodman’s at- VYankees rally again, 4C torney, Paul S. Meyer, said from his office in Costa Mesa. VOwners reorganize, 5C VNFC statistics, 7C Rodman was arrested Aug. 21 following a confrontation VMets rock Rockies, 5C VNFL notes, 10C with a couple at the restaurant. Ankiel bound for stardom MUST-SEE TV: Puerto Rico’s government said Wednes- day it will foot the bill for 8,000 poor residents to watch Sat- Cardinals lefty urday’s welterweight title fight between countryman Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya on pay-per-view. The fight named minors’ Wings give Yzerman — to be shown on 16 giant television screens outside San Juan — will cost $72,000. Prisoners also will get an $11 dis- player of the year count from the $50 charge for cable TV subscribers. Trini- By Rod Beaton 3-year, $25.5M deal dad, a San Juan native, puts his IBF title on the line against USA TODAY De La Hoya, the WBC champion. By Mike Brehm is taking his sta- USA TODAY Written by Gary Graves with staff and wire reports tus as USA TODAY Minor League Player of the Year lying NHL All-Star center Steve down. Yzerman will play his whole The St. Louis rookie left- career in Detroit after sign- USA SNAPSHOTS® hander sleeps in the clubhouse ing a three-year, $25.5 mil- before his starts. lion extension with the Red A look at statistics that shape the sports world Wings on Wednesday. He’ll get a $1.5 million Weekly recognition Inside signing bonus on top of this V year’s $4.5 million salary, Miami’s Dan Marino was selected the AFC’s player of the Team-by-team then receive $8 million a week after guiding the Dolphins to a 38-21 victory in their player and organiza- year through 2002-03. season opener. All-time player of the week honors since it tion honors, 6C “I’m excited to play on a By Tom Pidgeon, AP began in 1984: team that’s going to be a Yzerman: Extension keeps Dan Marino1 17 “It’s relaxing,” he says. Stanley Cup contender over him in Detroit through 2003. The serenity he brings to the the next four seasons, which John Elway 15 ballpark is just one of many is an ideal situation for an days of free agency. Ray reasons he is set for stardom. By Tom Gannam, AP, for USA TODAY older player,” he said. Bourque, entering his 21st Joe Montana 13 He didn’t start jumping and ‘He’s for real’: Rick Ankiel, at 20, is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five ma- Yzerman, 34, the longest- season in Boston, is the only screaming when notified of the jor league starts, but he already has made an impression. serving NHL captain at 13 active player ahead of him. Boomer Esiason 12 award. He simply said, “It’s seasons, is in position to “I can’t picture (Yzer- quite an honor.” the award: the quality of the baseman Adam Piatt (Oak- reach 600 goals and 900 as- man) playing for any other Jerry Rice1 12 It’s an honor bestowed on 11 season the player had in the mi- land), outfielder sists early this season. team,” teammate Chris Che- players since 1988, including nors and the degree of poten- (Toronto) and first baseman The deal, which has a no- lios said. Steve Young1 12 two-time winner Andruw tial he has for the majors. Nick Johnson (New York Yan- trade clause, will give him

1 – active players Jones. Last year’s pick: Detroit Other finalists were left field- 20 years in the league with v Ruff gets extension, 6C center fielder . er Pat Burrell with the Phila- Please see COVER STORY one team, a rarity in these v NHL schedule, 14C Source: NFL By Scott Boeck and Sam Ward, USA TODAY There are two criteria for delphia organization, third next page v

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