The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 14

SPORTS B6 Wednesday, July 17, 1991 The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution BASEBALL THE BRAVES I Hb Tomahawks? Scalpers? Fans whoop it up wr. i National League attendance at a glance pFH tii ii MM aw -i Team Dateg Total Average 1, Los Angeles Dodgers 41 1,719,690 41,944 2, Cincinnati Reds 45 1,432,638 31,836 3, New York Mets 43 1,344,586 31,269 4, St, Louis Cardinals 41 1,274,787 31,092 5, Chicago Cubs 44 1,270,511 28,875 6, Philadelphia Phillies 46 1,204,974 26,195 7, San Diego Padres 41 1,069,820 26,093 8, Atlanta Braves 45 1,095,722 24,349 9, Pittsburgh Pirates 41 914,857 22,313 10, San Francisco Giants 42 884,863 21,068 11, Houston Astros 41 600,607 14,649 12, Montreal Expos 43 628,497 14,616 By Jeff Schultz Staff writer Even in the midst of this most improbable of summer developments Holy Biff Pocoroba! It's hip to be a Braves fan! nobody could have predicted such happenings. It wasn't that long ago when Braves ticket manager Jack Tyson opened a newspaper and saw a cartoon of a fellow in a welfare line with a caption, "He tried to make money scalping Braves tickets." Today? Well, for those who haven't ventured into Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, what follows is a half-season guide: WHO NEEDS TWO? There are scalpers on Capitol Avenue. The problem has gotten so bad, said Terri Brennan, director of security, "We have implemented a ticket-scalping detail." Six Atlanta police officers patrol stadium grounds for would-be scalpers. Offenders are photographed, given a warning, then released.

Repeat offenders are arrested. There have been about 50 warnings and a handful of arrests. WHAT NEXT: A RAIN DANCE? Before the Braves take the field and during most at-bats organist Carolyn King plays the "tomahawk song." King feels strange inciting fans (who respond with sort of slow-motion karate chops) with a tune that basically consists of two notes. i "My music teacher would be real proud of me," MARVIN ISNT STARVIN': Reliever Marvin Freeman claims to have more fan club members (30) than game appearances (21). It's true: "Marvin's Free Man," perhaps the most obscure of fan clubs, was formed this season in Athens.

What does it cost? "It's free," said Freeman. "You just have to love Marvin Freeman." Club founders fax Freeman questions and their thoughts on his career weekly "sometimes every day," said Freeman. "I just finally gave them my home number so they can call any time they want." Attempting to hide a grin, he added: "I just got that kind of charisma that draws people. That's why I have to be serious all the time. Otherwise, people are drawn to me like a magnet." WHERE'S HOMER? Jeff Blauser was among those thrilled that mascots Homer the Brave and Rally were moved outside the stadium into an area called Kids Corner during games.

Blauser had taken to lobbing baseballs at Homer's oversized head. "I just wanted to knock him silly for a second or two. It got to the point where he was looking for me when he came out of the dugout before games." One final example of Brave-o-mania: The Braves 400 club, originally named for the number of intended boosters, had dipped from 1,000 in the early 1980s to under 200 two years ago. This season, the membership is back over 500. Some even went to the All-Star Game in Toronto.

she jokes. "A and that's my life." King said she's been playing it for years, but this is the first season fans caught on, mimicking fans at Florida State football games. SIGN OF THE TIMES: Tom Glavine has inspired some fans to hang "K's" from the rafters following each of his strikeouts, a practice made famous by Dwight Gooden fans at Shea Stadium. Once, Glavine was stuck on three strikeouts for a few innings, leaving "KKK" hanging from the third deck. A few fans mistakenly took that as a sign the Braves were endorsing the white supremacist group and complained.

An explanation quickly followed. 13, -t gi3Z-r-srg Rich MahanStaff A winning record has brought an average of 24,349 fans to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Last year after the same number of home dates, the average attendance was only 14,723 fans. Justice's back better, but 'not close to 100 percent' Shelton feels blacks are gaining After first tour victory, ex-Tech star sets goal of Top 20 ranking NOTEBOOK TENNIS Springs. "This is going to help my confidence.

I knew I was playing good tennis all year, but I haven't had the results to show for it. It's always nice for hard work to pay off." Shelton played a brief exhibition with Los Angeles Clippers: guard Doc Rivers, and the former Atlanta Hawk was a willing victim. "I'll embarrass myself for the kids," said Rivers, an avid amateur player who won only one. point out of nine. Shelton said he hoped his victory and the clinic would open doors for blacks in tennis.

By Darryl Maxie Staff writer Bryan Shelton says he can be a Top 20 tennis player in two years. The former Georgia Tech doesn't believe he'll be the only black American player on the rise, either. "It's just a matter of time," Shelton said Tuesday at Tech's Bill Moore Tennis Center, where he spoke to 200 youngsters attending a City of Atlanta Camp Best Friends clinic. "In the next couple of years, you'll see more of us winning." Shelton took the most significant step Sunday in Newport, R.I., by beating Argentina's Ja- By I.J. Rosenberg Staff writer Atlanta Braves right fielder David Justice said Tuesday his injured back is improving but he still doesn't know when he will be able to come off the disabled list.

Justice has not played since June 26 and has been undergoing treatment daily at an area back clinic. "It's feeling better but it is not close to 100 percent," said Justice. "Everybody says it's going to go away, but with time." General manager John Schuerholz said the team has received favorable reports from doctors on Justice. LEAGUE OFFICE CALLS: Outfielder Otis Nixon was contacted by- the National League office Tuesday and expects the appeal of his four-game suspension to be vier Frana in the final of the Hall of Fame Classic. That made him the first black American to win a pro singles tournament in North America since Arthur Ashe won in Los Angeles in 1978.

The victory, Shelton's first in three years as a professional, improved his ATP ranking to No. 120 in the world, up from 147. He has improved steadily since leaving Tech in 1988, when he was ranked 957th. "I don't know if I've arrived yet, but I'm on the right track," said Shelton, 25, of Sandy heard sometime this week. Nixon was suspended for his part in a brawl June 4 against Philadelphia.

Nixon has finally accu-' mulated enough at-bats to rank third in the league in hitting at .328 Manager Bobby Cox said he will decide today what his starting rotation will be for the next two weeks. With an off day on Thursday for two consecutive weeks, Cox is expected to drop to a four-man rotation and move No. 5 starter Pete Smith to the bullpen. THE BERRYHILL LIST: The Chicago Cubs have received several calls about the availability of backup catcher Damon Berryhill, and there are indications the Braves are among the teams Johnny CrawfordStaff Bryan Shelton was at Georgia Tech on Tuesday to play an exhibition with Doc Rivers. PRO BASKETBALL GAME REPORT Rookie Monroe given good shot to make Hawks N.C.

State guard's The bats Terry Pendleton went 4-for-5 to raise his average to .338 and extend his hitting streak to nine games. Jeff Treadway had two hits and reached base four times. The arms Starter Steve Avery was hurt by two bad two-put pitches: a two-run homer by Ryne Sand-berg and a two-run single by Hector Villan- ueva. Marvin Freeman pitched a scoreless inning and earned his first victory of the season. Juan Berenguer claimed his 14th save.

The record This year: 44-41, second place, 4V6 games back. Last year: 34-51, 19 back. Home: 23-23. Road: 21-18. Vs.

righthanders 30-33. Vs. lefthanders: 14-8. One-run games: 11-14. Two-run games: 8-9.

Day: 10-9. Night: 34-32. Grass: 34-31. Artificial turf: 10-10. Games decided in last at-bat: 7-5.

IJ. Rosenberg shooting skill prized By Jeffrey Denberg Staff writer i i -i Rodney Monroe glances down at his thin body and says there's a little more substance than you might suspect. He's not ab it lit Baiter Batter Braves: Rally in 7th overtakes Cubs 8-5 Continued from Bl 0 0 Nixon rt 1 1 1 0 Treadway 2b 2 2 1 1 0 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Pendielon3b 1 1 0 Gantd r-r je es. 0 0 0 LoSmithH 0 BelUard ss who was lifted for a pinch hitter 2 Blauser ss Walt Mid Grace 1b Sandbeig 2b Dawson GBelllf Salaiar 3b Dunstonss Villanueva Wilkins Castillo Dasceruopn Scanlan Slocumbp DwSnnthpn ToUli in the bottom of the inning, and the Braves faced two questions: Berenguer Huntei lb Olson 0 Avery Could their shaky middle relief ureggpn V. TeV tW i- 4 Freemanp Sanders li hold the Cubs, and would the Braves be able to rally against 112 30 Totals ..102 002 000-6 Chicago Atlanta what has been a miserable Chi cago bullpen? ..030 100 31k 1 s'rv Errors: GBeU (6).

Dunston (13). Tieadway (12). Ult on bat: Chicago 4. Atlanta a Doubles: Niion (8) Horns runs: Sandberg (14). Stoltn bases: Walton 2 (6), Nixon (45) Caught stalling: Castillo (1) Sacrifices: Salarar SacrHtc The answer to both was yes, courtesy of Marvin Freeman and the Cubs defense.

nits: uawson Pitch? Ip tf bb so After Freeman (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh, Jeff Tread 4 2 1 0 0 0 4 7 4 2 2 3 2 3 1 Castillo Scanlan (1,3 4) Slocumb PHchtrs Ip bb so way opened the bottom of the inning by lining a pitch from Bob Scanlan (3-4) down the line in Marlene KarasStaff penciled in Monroe as one of 13 players competing to make the 12-man roster in October. Team president Stan Kasten says Monroe has made the team. "I guess he could play his way off the team," Kasten said, "but we don't think he will. We think he will be there." No one has told Monroe, but that's the way of rookie camp. "I don't have any assurances," he said.

"I don't have a guarantee of any kind. I'm here to do what I have to do to make the team. I wanted to be a first-rounder. I think that's every college player's dream. But I didn't make it.

"I watched the draft back home in Baltimore with my family and my friends and they were more anxious than I was. Actually, we had a good time. When Atlanta picked me, I was delighted. "I looked at the draft and I saw Atlanta as one of the places where I would really get a chance to play. In the interview I had with the Hawks, they said they felt one of their biggest needs was for an outside shooter.

Besides that, they said they were expecting to make a trade with their guards. Since then they've (traded two guards and that can't be anything but good for me." Briefly Tho Associated Press The New Jersey Nets said they are near an agreement to release guard Reggie Theus from the final year of his contract. Theus, an ex-Hawk, reportedly has been offered a 3-year, $4 million deal with Ranger Varese in the Italian League. Bob Staak, former head coach at Wake Forest and Xavier, has joined the Miami Heat as an assistant to new coach Kevin Loughery. In six years at Xavier and four at Wake Forest, Staak compiled a record of 133-155.

He was an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers in 1989-90. Avery Freeman (W.1-0) 6 5 5 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Berenguer (S.14) Rodney Monroe, the Hawks' second-round pick, figures he lasted that long in the NBA draft because of his slight build. left. George Bell was charged with an error when he got to the OUVnOii UdiWS li" nn vj niw. uy (Walton) WIKI pitch: Castillo.

Seaman, Slccumb Umpires: Home. Tata; First. Rapuano; Second. Rrppley; Ttwd, Hohn. I rme: ao nnonq: a nw ball but it fell out of his glove, al lowing Treadway to reach sec ond.

Terry Pendleton then hit i HOW THEY SCORED Cubs First: Walton sate on second baseman Tieadway frail, he says. "I think it's more of a perception than a reality," Monroe said Tuesday, the second day of the Atlanta Hawks' rookie camp. Monroe, 6 feet 3, maybe 170 pounds, still is groping for an explanation of why he lasted until the 30th pick in the 54-man NBA draft last month. After all, he was the ACC player of the year, and since Charles Davis of Wake Forest languished into the eighth round of the 1971 draft, every recipient of that award had been an NBA first-rounder. "My lack of defense, my lack of size The Hawks would like to think Monroe represents sirloin, for the price of ground chuck.

Watching practice Tuesday, Dominique Wilkins said, "That kid can flat-out shoot it. I don't know about the rest of his game, but he can shoot and we need shooters on this team." As a senior at N.C. State, Monroe averaged 27 points and led the ACC in free throw shooting percentage One game, he scored 48 points against Georgia Tech, 31 in the second half. "We watched Rodney at the NBA tryout campl in Orlando and he made the NBA 3-pointer with no trouble whatsoever," said Hawks scout Jack Nolan. "That told us something right there." "The thing is, I'm 6-2, 6-3, and everybody thinks a shooting guard's supposed to be 6-5, 6-6, but I know what I can do," Monroe said.

"They think my big problem will be playing defense against shooting guards that big, but in college I had plenty of successful games where I guarded holding error Grace touted out to letl fielder Smith Walton stole second Walton stole third Sandberg walked Damon tut sactrhce fry to right Mder Niion. Walton scored. Sandberg lo second on throw home Bet popped out to second Southern Rookie Review at a glance The Hawks are one of three NBA teams, plus Milano of Italy, scheduled for nightly Southern Rookie Review doubieheaders at Life College starting Thursday. Admission for each double header is $3. THE SCHEDULE ball up the middle to Sandberg, Who double-pumped and made a baseman Treadway Cubs Braves 0.

Treves Second: Hunts shuck out Olson singled to left Avery sale on holder's choice enemM. Orson lo second Nn late throw to first. Mark Lemke, Thursday: 5 p.m., Milano vs. Miami; 7:30. Charlotte vs.

Atlanta. on singled to right. Orson scored. Avery lo second Treadway pinch-running for Treadway singled to center. Avery scored.

Nnon to second Pendleton smgied to corner. Nnon scored. Treadway to eecond Gent popped out to shortstop Ouniton Smtn grounded out to Friday: 5 p.m., Charlotte vs. Milano; 7:30. Miami vs.

Atlanta. Saturday: 5 p.m., Miami vs. Charlotte; 7:30, Milano vs. Atlanta. Note: Trie College is in Cobb County between Deik Road and U.S.

41. second basemen bandberg Breves 1, Cube 1. came home on a wild pitch, and Cant picked up his 11th game-winning RBI on a single. The game took a strange twist in the Cubs Third: Castillo walked Walton popped out to thud baseman Pendleton CasiiUo cauoni steatina. catcher Olson to shortstop Blauser Grace walked Sandberg homered to letl on O-t count.

Grace and Sandherg scored Dawson kned out to ngrn Holder Nnon cubs Irsve 1. irevea Fourth: Avery struck out to catcher Villanueva Nr eighth. After home-plate umpire Terry Tata called a third strike On Andre Dawson that appeared on doubled to right Niaon stole ttwd Treadway walked Pendleton popped out to nght SoMer Dawson On CastiHo wdd pod). Nnon scored Treadway to second Gam bed out to let newer Ben Breves cum to be a checked swing, the Dia Cubs tilth: Dawson smdled lo left ReM smnled to Ml. Dawson lo second Saiuar sacrrkced baseman Hunter mond-Vision screen in center to second baseman Treadway.

Dawson lo ttwd Bell to sec ond Dunston struck out Vraenueva smgied to ngrn showed a replay, violating a ma Dawson and Bell scored WnkinsrantorVaanueva Scanlan ttied out lo center Mder Gent Cues Breves 4. i Braves BeventKiTreadway self at second on left Nskter jor league guideline not to show controversial calls. Tata stormed into the Braves' dugout and bigger guys. "They said my ballhandling needs to improve, but that's just a matter of refining my skills. I played point guard four years in high school.

I can handle the ball." "At Orlando, the kid's ball-handling skills were better by far than we believed," said Marty Blake, NBA chief of scouting. "He was a better player than I realized watching him in college." So, it must be his size. The Hawks roster lists Monroe as a Bell holding error lemke ran tot Treanway Pendleton smgied to second, lemke to trod On Scanlan wnd pitch, lemke scored Pendleton to second Gentsmoied to comer 185-pounder, his listed weight at State. But he weighed 168 when Atlanta brought him in. He says, "I'm 170-plus." Plus what? "Plus." Monroe says no one has to tell him he needs more bulk.

"I started lifting weights my last year at State. I'm going to get into it seriously from now on." The Hawks expect there will be a "from now on" for Monroe, even though he, like first-round pick Stacey Augmon, came to camp without a contract. General manager Pete Babcock has called the press box. Pendleton ecorod Skxumb removed Seaman I Smith grounded out to pitcher Srocumb. Gent to eecond Bi tutor singled lo shnrlslop Siocun w1 pecTi GrK to INtJ Blauser to second Hunter grounded oul to shortstop Dun- "We goofed," said engineer Danny Brown.

ston. Gent scored. Biairser to ttwd Otson grounded out to pnener srocumo vreveo cues e. a Braves Eighth: Sanders grounded out to second tMse- man Sandheia Nnon Iked out to tell holder Be lemke Perhaps, but don't expect the Braves to give Brown a hard time. It was his crew that flashed gkrdtocentei Pendleton smgied to right lemketotrwd end on ehortstnp Dunston hekeng error, lemiie ecorod.

Pendte inn to mid riant grounded oul to enortstop uunston the Dodgers score in the seventh revee cues e. J-.