Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Listach named AL's top rookie Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 11:28:29 EST Message-ID: \SE D;SPORTS;BASEBALL ROUNDUP \SS (WS) \HD Listach named AL's top rookie \BY FROM COMBINED DISPATCHES NEW YORK - Pat Listach, who failed to make the Milwaukee Brewers' opening day roster, was voted the American League Rookie of the Year yesterday. The Milwaukee shortstop was chosen first on 20 of 28 ballots and received 122 points in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Cleveland outfielder Kenny Lofton was second with 85 points, followed by Seattle pitcher Dave Fleming with 23 and Milwaukee pitcher Cal Eldred with 22. Lofton got seven first-place votes and Eldred one. "It came as a surprise, the difference in the voting," Listach said during a news conference at Milwaukee's County Stadium. "I expected it to be a lot closer. I didn't know if I'd come in first or second." Listach batted .290 with one homer and 47 RBIs. He also stole 54 bases to break the Brewers' previous rookie record of 30, set by Paul Molitor in 1978. "I didn't set any goals," Listach said. "I didn't even expect to be here this year." Rookie manager Phil Garner sent Listach to the minors in his first round of spring training cuts, figuring Bill Spiers would be his regular shortstop. But Spiers didn't recover from offseason back surgery and the Brewers called up Listach one day after the season started. "It's a long way once you think about it. I expected to start the season in Denver," Listach said. "I was fortunate enough to come in on opening day and get some chances to start." "We all felt like he had the qualities to be an exciting player," Garner said. "We just didn't realize he would do it this soon. He was consistent all year. It seemed like just about every night he did something to help us win a ball game." Listach, 24, was supposed to be a utility player when the Brewers brought him back but his speed eventually earned him a starting role. Listach, a switch-hitter with a .250 average in four minor league seasons, led all rookies in hits with 168 and scored 93 runs. S=NEW STORY Cubs' Dawson files NEW YORK - Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs was one of nine players who filed for free agency yesterday, increasing the record total to 138. The 38-year-old Dawson, who completed a $6.6 million, two-year deal in 1992, wanted to sign an extension during the season, but talks with the team didn't progress. Meanwhile, Toronto's total of free agents increased to 12 when infielder Manuel Lee filed. Also filing was 41-year-old California pitcher Bert Blyleven, who was 8-12 with a 4.74 ERA following a one-year layoff caused by rotator cuff surgery. Others included New York Yankees outfielder Jesse Barfield, Cubs third baseman Luis Salazar, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell and catcher Mike Scioscia, San Francisco pitcher Scott Garrelts and Boston outfielder Steve Lyons. S=NEW STORY Braves set sights on Bonds ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves have made it official. They're going after free agent Barry Bonds. The club has contacted Bonds's agent, Dennis Gilbert, and expressed its interest in the outfielder, who batted .311 with 34 homers and 103 RBIs for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. Gilbert said Tuesday that Braves general manager John Schuerholz has spoken to him, but added that the talks are preliminary. Schuerholz was at a general managers meeting in Palm Springs, Calif., on Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. However, he has never hidden his interest in Bonds. Bonds also has shown an interest in playing in Atlanta. During the National League Championship Series, he spent a day house-hunting in the city's northern suburbs. S=NEW STORY That's right, a tie OSAKA, Japan - Roger Clemens alllowed three hits and struck out 10 in seven innings as a team of major leaguers played to scoreless tie with the Japan All-Stars. Extra innings are prohibited by rules of the tour. Only one Japanese runner reached second base - a pinch runner who stole second after replacing a hit batsman - against the Boston star. Philadelphia catcher Darren Daulton threw out three runners trying to steal second. Japan loaded the bases on two singles and a walk off Baltimore reliever Gregg Olson in the bottom of the ninth, but Houston's Craig Biggio threw out a runner trying to score from third on a fly to left field. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM