■he Battalion
Sports
Page 3 • Monday, July 26, 1999
ormer Aggie pitcher Casey Possum signs with Boston Red Sox
BY REECE FLOOD
The Battalion
I Casey Possum is now an official member of the
JJoston Red Sox organization. After making a trip to
Boston last week, Possum signed a contract with the
lam July 19 while visiting with team
officials.
■ The former Aggie pitcher was taken
by the Red Sox in the Major League
Baseball Draft with the 48th overall
pick.
■ Possum signed a standard contract
and received a $660,000 signing bonus
■id four semesters of tuition. The Red
Si II have rights to Possum foi the
next three years.
Possum flew up to Boston on July 18 and had dinner
POSSUM
with a Red Sox scouting director. The following day he
met with team doctors for a physical.
Later in the day, he signed a contract and watched the
Red Sox play a home game.
Possum is currently at Fort Myers rehabilitation and
training facility in Florida. The left hander is warming
up his throwing arm in anticipation of joining his minor
league team.
Possum said training is like going through rehabilita
tion even though he is not hurt.
“They’re getting the arm in shape for me to throw,”
Possum said.
Eventually Possum will leave Florida and go back to
Massachusetts where he will join a Minor League Base
ball team.
“I was told I was going to be here for about 10
days,” Possum said. “After the 10 days are up or if they
felt like I was ready to go throw then I would be sent
off to Lowell, Mass.”
Once in Lowell, Possum will begin playing with the
team for the last month of the season, which ends
Sept. 2.
Lowell is approximately a 30-minute drive from
Boston and will give Possum the opportunity to be near
the Red Sox.
Possum is excited about finally getting a chance to
play again.
“Hopefully by the beginning of August I’ll go up there
and make a couple of starts,” he said.
Possum said he is confident about his future and
knows what it will take to be successful.
“I’ve taken a major step,” he said. “This is my job and
I’ve got to work hard at it. I’ve always worked hard at
baseball, so it won’t be a problem for me.
“At first it’s going to be kind of slow, but once I get
started, it will be a very enjoyable time.”
Aggies drafted who have
signed professional contracts
Chance Caple St. Louis Cardinals
Casey Possum Boston Red Sox
John Scheschuk San Diego Padres
Shawn Schumacher St. Louis Cardinals
Steven Truitt Milwaukee Brewers
Steve Scarborough Milwaukee Brewers
Matt Ward Florida Marlins
anks for the memories
r ewly elected Hall ofFamer Nolan Ryan
left more than stats for the game of baseball
NY DISALVO I
vmade rescui
Doug
SHILLING
.mt, the crowd!
Armstrong's
ision screens;:)
le he spoke,
illy is a hoi
lor every pitch Nolan Ryan
has under his belt in Major
League Baseball, there’s
hore than likely to be a story be
hind it. Even though the man
vho was known as “John Wayne
Jvith a baseball cap” threw the
Ball harder and for a longer peri-
Tid of time than any other major
league pitcher, Ryan’s legacy is
|he many stories and memories
he has left behind for baseball and all of its fans.
With his induction into the Hall of Fame on the
|irst ballot, along with George Brett, Robin Yount
nd Orlando Cepeda, it was a chance to honor the
lan they call the “Ryan Express” for all the wonder
ful things he did for baseball.
Just to look at Ryan’s career numbers leaves no
oubt that he belonged in Cooperstown.
He was the most prolific strikeout pitcher in his
tory, setting major league marks for all-time (5,714)
ind single-season (383) strikeouts. His all-time
:ancer \
Renee Orrsa:
ig was diajJM ecord is over 1,500 strikeouts more, than second
place and fellow hall-of-famer Steve Carlton.
! Not only was he the stingiest pitcher of all-time,
months o/ffl* )nly giving up 6.6 hits per game, he was the hardest
tors say tnei^Q hit 0 ff w j t j 1 opponents only batting a meager
204 off of Ryan.
There was also the matter of the seven no-hitters
ie pitched, three more than the record formerly held
ftpf fI ^ hall-of-famer Sandy Koufax. Almost as amazing,
L/QLvl ^ not more > than his seven no-hitters is the fact that
tyan threw 12 one-hitters and had five no-hitters
broken up in the ninth inning.
But through all the numbers and accolades, Ryan
JouiD SE
You ^
left everyone he touched with some sort of lasting
memory.
Former teammate and current Oakland As man
ager Art Howe described playing with Ryan as play
ing with a legend who is still playing.
Former Cleveland Indian Oscar Gamble
summed up facing Ryan the best: “A good night
against Nolan is 0 for 4 and don’t get hit in the
head.”
Major league baseball’s all-time hit king Pete
Rose has his share of Ryan memories. One of his
more fond memories is when Rose tied the all-time
National League hits record against Ryan in the first
at-bat of the game.
When Rose reached base, Ryan told him that he
would not set the record against him. Ryan was
right. Rose struck out his next three times at the
plate, swinging only once. Rose just tipped his hat
each time and went back to the dug out.
There are countless more memories of Ryan
among his peers, but the main memories he left
were for his fans — a group he thanked at the end of
his induction speech into the Hall of Fame and a
group that I consider myself a very big part of.
Although I never had the chance to see Ryan in
person, that does not diminish the memories he has
given me. He is the reason that I am a baseball fan
today. He was the reason why I was an Astros fan
and I am a Rangers fan to this day.
I can remember when I was 10-years old and I
stayed up way past my bedtime to watch him pitch
his sixth no-hitter against the As.
I also remember slipping off the bus before
school the morning after his seventh no-hitter
against the Toronto Blue Jays just so I could get the
newspaper to read about his amazing feat.
I’ll also never forget watching every edition of
“Sportscenter” the day he head locked and then
pounded on Robin Ventura after Ventura foolishly
charged the mound — and paid the price for it.
As I watched the induction ceremonies yester
day, I felt a sense of joy. The man who gave myself
and many others lasting memories from his times
on the baseball field, was finally being enshrined
as one of baseball’s immortals. It seemed a fitting
honor to a man who gave so much to the game of
baseball, a man that myself and many others will
never forget.
Doug Shilling is a junior
agricultural journalism major
ajor League Baseball welcomes four new
embers into Hall of Fame in Cooperstown
mm
m2
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — George Brett
■lever ,hit exceptionally well against Nolan
Ityan. Still, that proved a lot easier than fol
lowing him on the Hall of Fame podium.
Wiping away tears, one of baseball’s best
pressure hitters in history broke down several
imes during his speech at Sunday’s induction
eremonies.
“Today concludes a long journey,’’ Brett
aid, choking up. “I stand humbly before you
|n Cooperstown.”
I A record crowd estimated at 50,000
lammed an open field a few miles from the
>hrine, watching the largest Hall class since
972.
Robin Yount, Orlando Cepeda and Ryan
•receded Brett on the stage. Late umpire
estor Chylak, Negro leagues pitcher Smokey
oe Williams and turn-of-the-century manag-
'r Frank Selee also were honored.
■ Ryan spent most of his 16-minute speech
^hanking those who had made his career pos
able. Along with family members and friends,
he man whose Hall plaque praised him as a
i Texas legend” paid tribute to Marvin Miller,
he founder of the players’ union, and all fans.
“I always thought there was going to be life
her baseball,” the greatest power pitcher ever
•aid, evenly. “I didn’t realize the grip baseball
had on me. It took me two full years to get over
he fact that I was no longer a baseball play-
, Ryan, 52, played a record 27 seasons and
Polds major league marks of seven no-hitters
5,714 stj-jkgoihg.
“A fierce competitor and one of baseball s
lost intimidating figures on the pitching
lound,” read his bronze plaque, which bears
‘T” for the Texas Rangers.
Brett and Yount each topped 3,000 hits and
~' e peda hit 379 home runs. All three were
^yan strikeout victims — Brett was 29-for-101
•287) with no home runs and 18 strikeouts
a 8ainst him.
Thirty-four Hall inductees — 15 of them
struck out by the Ryan Express — turned out
F°r the 60th anniversary festivities.
J Ted Williams, the oldest at 80, stayed more
fhan a hour in the sweltering heat before leav-
| lri g in a wheelchair.
I Williams, the hero of the recent All-Star
[Game at Fenway Park, and Willie Mays, who
I^ade a rare return to see former teammate
Cepeda, got some of the biggest ovations.
Also receiving a huge cheer was Texas Gov.
George W. Bush, the former owner of the
Texas Rangers. New York Gov. George Pataki,
mentioned as a possible running mate on a
presidential ticket with Bush, implored, ‘‘Let’s
have another great New York welcome for
Governor Bush!”
Paul Molitor, Ralph Branca, umpire Rich
Garcia and several team executives attended.
The only boos of the afternoon came for
commissioner Bud Selig. He was met with
calls of ‘‘Where’s Pete Rose?” and ‘‘How
about Charlie Hustle?”
Rose, as has become his custom, was on
Main Street, signing autographs just blocks
from the Hall. Banned from baseball, he is in
eligible for Hall election.
“I didn’t realize the
grip baseball had on
me. It took me two
full years to get over
the fact I was no
longer a baseball
player.”
- NOLAN RYAN
HALL-OF-FAME PITCHER
“I’ve expressed my opinion to Mr. Selig. My
thoughts are Pete Rose should be in the Hall
of Fame,” Ryan said later. “Pete Rose should
be judged on his merits as a player.”
This year’s inductees increased the Hall
membership to 244 — with space for only 240
plaques in the main gallery, extra room was
found in an adjacent rotunda.
Next year, first-time candidates include
Jack Morris, Goose Gossage and Kent Hrbek.
Tony Perez and Carlton Fisk will again appear
on the Baseball Writers’ Association of Amer
ica ballot.
Brett had 3,154 hits and batted .305 in a 21-
year career with Kansas City. “Played each
game with ceaseless intensity and unbridled
passion,” his plaque read.
Brett, 46, brought his family, including son
Robin — named for Yount — and two of his
three brothers. Ken was a former big league
pitcher and Bobby was a minor leaguer.
Crying, George Brett looked at his older
brothers and said, “Sometimes I wonder why
all this happened to me and not you. All I ever
wanted to do was be as good as you.”
Yount, a two-time AL MVP, had 3,142 hits
in a 20-year career with the Milwaukee Brew
ers.
“A bastion of consistency and durability,”
read his plaque, which also denoted his “sto
ic demeanor.”
Yount, 43, was afraid his emotions might
get the best of him. So he called Hall officials
about three weeks ago and asked to speak
first.
“I never dreamed of being in the Hall of
Fame,” he said. “And with all due respect, Mr.
Gehrig, today I consider myself the luckiest
man on the face of the earth.”
Cepeda, 61, was the second player from
Puerto Rico to be elected, following Roberto
Clemente.
“His ability to drive the ball with authority
was respected and feared by the opposition,”
his plaque read.
Cepeda rose to stardom with the San Fran
cisco Giants, and entered the Hall wearing
their cap. His final season was 1974, when he
played two months with Brett for the Royals.
“This kid is never going to make it,” Cepe
da recalled himself thinking, drawing a laugh
from Brett. “Sometimes, you make mistakes.”
Chylak, who worked in the AL from 1954-
78, was only the eighth umpire elected. Ac
cepting on his behalf was his son. Bob — Chy
lak was working when Bob was born, learning
of the birth on the Yankee Stadium scoreboard.
Williams played in the Negro leagues from
1910-32. In a 1952 poll by the Pittsburgh Couri
er, he beat out Satchel Paige as black base
ball’s best pitcher.
Selee managed the Boston Beaneaters and
Chicago Cubs from 1890-1905. He is credited
with turning catcher Frank Chance into a first
baseman, creating the Tinker-to-Evers-to-
Chance infield.
. Also honored were Bob Stevens of the San
Francisco Chronicle and late announcer Arch
McDonald. Stevens won the J.G. Taylor Spink
Award for writing and McDonald got the Ford
C. Frick Award for broadcasting.
Armstrong completes
comeback with Tour win
PARIS (AP) — Lance Arm
strong’s smile seemed as wide as
the Champs-Elysees.
For three weeks, his face had
been creased by stress and deter
mination. Now, he was grinning
giddily, draped in an American
flag, savoring his victory lap
along the majestic avenue where
he’d just completed one of the
most improbable comebacks in
sports history.
Armstrong rode to victory in
the Tour de France on Sunday
just three years after he was di
agnosed with testicular cancer
that spread to his brain and
lungs.
Thousands of fans lined the
route to cheer him as he finished
one of the most grueling tests in
all of sports and became only the
second American to win cycling’s
showcase race.
“This is an awesome day,” the
27-year-old Texan said. “This is
beyond belief.”
Armstrong dedicated his vic
tory to cancer survivors around
the world.
“I hope it sends out a fantas
tic message,” he said. “We can
return to what we were before —
and even better.”
Armstrong’s victory also
should help remove some of the
stain from the Tour de France,
which nearly ended last year be
cause of a drug scandal.
The 20th and final stage was
won by Australia’s Robbie
McEwen. He edged Germany’s
Erik Zabel in a furious sprint. Sil
vio Martinelli of Italy was third.
Armstrong was 86th — in the
86th Tour de France.
His final margin in the overall
standings was 7 minutes, 37 sec
onds, a lead that for the past
week had almost assured him
victory, barring a disastrous fall.
Alex Zulle finished second and
Spain’s Fernando Escartin was
third.
The only other, American to
win the race was Greg LeMond, a
three-time champion whose last
victory was in 1990.
Armstrong was diagnosed
with cancer in 1996. After four
rounds of chemotherapy and two
operations — one to remove a
testicle and one for brain lesions
— he began his comeback early
last year. His doctors say there is
a tiny chance the cancer will re
turn.
One of the keys to Armstrong’s
cycling victory was his ability to
master the mountain climbs that
had always given him trouble. Af
ter he easily won the first stage in
the Alps, he became the prohibi
tive favorite.
Still, he said he would have
never imagined this moment,
even before he got sick.
“I never expected to be here,”
he said, after “The Star-Spangled
Banner” had echoed across the
Champs-Elysees and Texas Gov.
George Bush called on the cell
phone.
M Even in my first career, I nev
er had plans for this.”
The finish under brilliant skies
couldn’t have been more differ
ent from last year’s. The 1998
race ended in rain after the drug
scandal placed the entire sport
under suspicion.
In fact, Armstrong was dogged
by accusations in the French me
dia that he used performance-en
hancing drugs. Many people could
not believe that a cyclist recover
ing from cancer could prevail in
the brutal three-week event.
There was no proof, however.
The sport’s ruling body, which
tests cyclists during the race, said
the only drug Armstrong used
was an approved prescription
cream for saddle sores.