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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 1995)
^ PORTS The Battalion • Pa: Tuesday • July 18, i Woman drops battery charges against Pippen WAUKEGAN, III. (AP) — Domestic battery charges against Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen were dropped Mon day after his former fiance failed to ap pear for the trial. "The state was not in position to pro ceed without her testimony, so the case was dismissed," said Claudia Kasten, an assistant state's attorney in Lake County. Pippen, 29, was charged May 19 with two misdemeanor counts of do mestic battery after his then-fiancee, Yvette DeLeone, told police that Pip pen had grabbed her arm and shoved her against a vehicle during a quarrel at Pippen's suburban Chicago home. The couple since have ended their relationship and DeLeone has left Illi nois, Ms. Kasten said. "She would not tell us where she was," Ms. Kasten said. "She told us through a telephone conversation that she didn't want to go forward with the case." The trial was to have begun Mon day morning. Stars sign Kennedy to one-year contract DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Stars signed left wing Mike Kennedy to a one-year contract Monday. Kennedy, 23, tied for 12th among rookie scorers last season with 1 8 points. He was seventh among last season's first-year players in assists with 1 2. "We were impressed with Mike's hard work and commitment last year," said Bob Gainey, the team's coach and general manager. "In only his first sea son, he was able to make a contribu tion to our team while proving he be longs in the NHL." Rangers recall Buechele ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Long time Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele was scheduled to make his return to the ballclub for Monday's home game against the Baltimore Orioles, the team announced. To make room, fellow third base- man Luis Ortiz has been optioned to the team's Triple A farm club in Ok lahoma City. Buechele, 33, was signed by the Rangers last Wednesday and had played three games for the 89ers. He hit 4-for-1 3 in that span, doing all of his damage Sunday by going 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. He had been released by the Chicago Cubs July 6 after batting .189 in limited action. He spent most of June sidelined by a strained side before he was si multaneously activated and cut by the team. He was mired in a 3-for-34 slump. Buechele was a Ranger in 1985- 91, hitting .241 with 94 home runs and 338 RBIs in 880 games. He ranks sixth in franchise history in games played and 10th in home runs. State-of-the-art complex enhances A&M’s track recon □ The Anderson Track Complex has hosted some of the fastest meets in SWC history. The following story is the fifth in a series of articles on Texas A&M’s athletic facilities. By Nick Georgandis The Battalion Compared to antiques like G. Rollie White Coliseum and Kyle Field, the Anderson Track Com plex is the kid brother in A&M’s athletic facilities family. But con sidering the collection of track superstars who have graced the complex, one would think it had existed for decades. The complex opened in the spring of 1986 and cost approxi mately $1.8 million to build. The complex is named for former Ag gie track coach Col. Frank G. “Andy” Anderson. Anderson coached track and field at A&M from 1922-35, and from 1947-57. In his 25 years as A&M’s head coach, the Aggies won nine Southwest Conference team championships, 114 individual conference titles and never fin ished lower than third in any SWC meet. The facility that bears his name was built with spectators in mind as all throwing events are situated on the infield of the track. This allows fans to see all of the events without leaving their seats in the grandstand. Despite being a rather new facility, the complex has al ready been remodeled several times, most recently in 1991 when lights were added to allow night competi tions. Future plans for a media work room under the grandstand are being developed. The complex has a nine-lane track that is identical to the one used in the 1988 Sum mer Olympics. It also boasts the largest area of rubberized surface of any track in the country and was the first surface of its kind to be used in the United States. Texas A&M Head Track Coach Ted Nelson has nothing but praise when it comes to his team’s home field. “This facility is uniquely designed and the surface if the best I’ve ever seen,” Nelson said. “This fa cility is second to none in the country.” In its nine years of existence, the Anderson Complex has been the site of some of the finest per formances by the top track stars Nick Rodnicki,ThU" The Anderson Track Complex was opened in the spring of 1986. The Texas A&M Track and Field Team hashou Southwest Conference Outdoor Championships there, along with several other tournaments. Nick Rodnicki, The Battalion The Anderson Track Complex boasts a nine-lane Spurtan surface, identical to the ones used at the 1 988 Summer Olympic Games. in the world including the follow ing performers. • In 1988, A&M’s Randy Barnes set the Anderson record in the shot put with a throw of 71-4 3/4. It was the third- longest throw in A&M history, and was a prelude to Barnes’ winning the silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. * Current 100-meter world record holder Leroy Burrell came to A&M as a member of the University of Houston’s track team in 1991. He set records in the 100- and 200-me- ter dashes with wind-aided speeds of 9.94 and 19.61 sec onds, respectively. Burrell’s time in the 200-m was the fastest ever run under any con ditions. • In 1988, Baylor’s Michael Johnson set the 200-meter dash mark without aid fromr.^ the wind with a time of 20.09 seconds. Johnson went on to be ranked No.l in the world in both the 200 and 400 dashes in 1991. * When Aggie fans hear the name Eric Metcalf, they tend to think more of kickoff re turns and touchdown runs than track and field records. But in 1988, the former Long horn and current Atlanta Fal con leapt 26-10 1/2 feet, the Anderson Complex record in the long jump. Assistant Head Coach Greg Hinze said an added feature of the track is that it contributes greatly to A&M’s recruiting process. “We try to teach them (re cruits) about the tra;, and show them part: campus,” Hinze said.' a first-class facility likt* son also helps us to si school.” ANDERSON’S ALL-TIME GREA1 In just 10 seasons as the home of A&M’s track and fid team, the Anderson Track Complex has been home to of the finest track and field performances of all time. Eric Metcalf, University of Texas In 1988, the star tailback leapt 26-10 1/2 fee. Anderson, the all-time A&M track record. Ht gone on to star with the Cleveland Browns at now the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Randy Barnes, Texas A&M University In 1988, the future silver medalist set the Anderson record with a shot put of 71-4 2/4 fee Barnes’ longest toss was 71-9 1/2, which he accomplished at Baylor in 1986. Andre Cason, Texas A&M University In a glimpse of things to come in the world of Cason finished just behind Leroy Burrell ano ahead of Michael Johnson in the lOO-meterd; the 1990 SWC Outdoor Championships. Nevin tries to mend ways after outburst □ The rookie is back in Triple A after failing to hit in Houston. TUCSON, Ariz. — On the surface, it appeared a perfect fit. The Astros, having dealt Ken Caxniniti to San Diego in the offseason, needed a third base man. And Phil Nevin, after two years of toil at the hot spot for the Class AAA Tucson Toros, thought he had little left to prove in the minors and itched for a shot in Houston. But the only fit has been the one Nevin threw July 5 in Col orado when, after 18 games, As tros general manager Bob Wat son and manager Terry Collins informed the No'. 3 pick of the June 3992 draft‘he was being sent back to the minors. The decision ended a trying three weeks for Nevin, who hit just .118 (7- for-60) in his stint with the Astros. But if Nevin thought that stretch was bad, he’s really feeling the heat after his profanity- laced tirade against Watson and Collins reached the media. The tantrum, which has been reported in nearly every publica tion that covers base ball, from the Las Vegas Star to Sports Illustrated, illustrat ed a dark side of his nature Nevin struggles — often un successfully to control. “Yeah, 1 was angry, but it was something that was be hind closed doors that I said to Bob and Terry,” said Nevin, who has been placed on the dis abled list with pulled rib-cage muscles, retroactive to July 12. “We’re talking about my life and my job here. I did say some things that probably weren’t good, but I called Bob and apolo- Nevin gized about it — not because I wanted to kiss up or anything, but if I offended him as a hu man being, then that’s what made me feel bad. Baseball begins the long road bac T he world of Ma jor League Base ball is a place where long home runs are hit, no-hitters are thrown and players and owners still can’t figure out how to split $1 billion of revenue each year. As a record crowd of 50,902 looked on at last Tues day’s All-Star Game in Arling ton, baseball staged its first cel ebration in a year. For one night, players and fans got to think about baseball as a game. Unfortunately, baseball is not a game, it’s a business. As big a success as the All-Star game was, it was not enough to mask the troubles that plague professional baseball. There is no new labor agree- JlMMY Williams Sportswriter m e n t , and bar- a v e e e n nonexis- t e n t since the courts ended the strike in April. For the second straight year, the possibility exists that there won’t even be a World Series. Fans are prepared for this, but players and owners are not. They know their dispute has cut deep into the hearts and minds of every true baseball fan. As the fans trickle back into the parks, players and owners are taking notice and exercising devious caution. They ret that fans are finally start take the bait. The fans that starting to trickle back art same ones that said 'i< again.” But who can blame the: I remember so many L when my friends and I wot sitting around with noth/ do on a Wednesday nif That’s when it would da£ us that the Texas Rani game started in an hour. Scenarios such as this are what gave baseball the of America’s favorite pas: and summer is not comp without it. Baseball lost tb tie last summer, but pk and owners alike see that could be on the way to gett See Williams/ UflKTi Grants for Grad and Graduating Research abroad is only a few steps away for U S. citizens who receive a Fulbright grant. For more information, attend one of these meetings in 1 54 Bizzell Hall West: Tuesday, July 18 at 10:00 am Thursday, July 20 at 9:00 am Thursday, July 20 at 4:00 pm Students Seniors Messina Hof's Harvest Fun Starts This Weekend European Harvest Lunch & Wine-Food Seminar Noon - Sat & Sun •loin our l*it*kers Chili for an elaborate Furopean-style Harvest Tunelieon in Messina Hof's Hose Garden. Fnjoy Flieeses. Hreads. Soups. Salads & Fresh Veggies. After liineh. partieipnte in a personal seminar with a Messina Hof wine expert who will teaeh yon the art of eorrec*tly pairing food anti wine. OXLY SI.1 FOK EVERYTHING! Reservations: < lOfl) T7U-3418 Harvest Evenings Entertainment This Saturday Yight. enjoy the soulful sounds of EUGEXE-EIJGEAIL a jaxx hand so gtiod they named it twirc. Imagine: the ronmnee, the sunset, the vineyard view, the starry night. This great evening ean he yours for OM,Y SIO (SI3/gate| Music starts at 8 l*M lleli opens tit 7 l*M 15 15 Old Reliance Road. Hryan llronght to you hy Designer Events More Information: ( 180) 778-3418 Be pi By Kyi The B; Wi for its this Fi By , the Be the na scure Teena gainec years 1 past tl of Nir> Jam. The hails fi surfac Britisl can scenes Cathol single ' the ind on the i In 1! signed wagone on “Sai spect o the rec< have m In 1 months teen” w obscure For ( the ban er and i Shef milli LOS tress C light a tor or new $2 She a Med 1.5 ac nortln Los A Sunda The boasts view, court, courty; more t shootii The to ad $20,00 She sion st “Moon sitcom Thei O'C LOl Sinead ent. Afte the Iri O'C appeal singer tribute after fi Pope . “Satur O’C about of chile “I v\ suit of my far years 1 cally,” “Tb therap Fluti canc WA violen The C their 1 Long 1 “If