Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.sports From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: sports Wed, Aug 12 1992 Date: Wed, 12 Aug 92 04:31:16 EDT Message-ID: 08-12 0000 DECISIONLINE: Sports USA TODAY Update Aug. 12, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network RYPIEN SIGNS FOR $3M PER YEAR: Washington quarterback Mark Rypien, voted last season's Super Bowl MVP after leading the Redskins past Buffalo, signed Tuesday and flew to London for Sunday's NFL preseason game against San Francisco. Rypien refused to accept the Redskins' final offer of four years at $3 million a year Monday, and instead signed a three-year deal worth $9 million. CLARK CHARGED WITH THEFT: Washington Redskins wide receiver Gary Clark was charged with theft Tuesday after he was arrested while driving a stolen vehicle near Rockville, Md., Maryland state police said. He was released on his own recognizance. Clark said he was unaware the four-wheel-drive vehicle was stolen and said he paid for it. LASORDA SAYS HE'S STAYING: Tom Lasorda said Tuesday he plans to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1993. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram had reported he will manage in St. Petersburg, Fla., possibly doubling as general manager if the sale of the San Francisco Giants and their subsequent move is approved. PADRES DOWN BRAVES 8-4: Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield and Darrin Jackson each hit two-run homers off John Smoltz and the surging San Diego Padres beat the Atlanta Braves 8-4 Tuesday night. In other National League games: Montreal 3, Chicago 2, 17 innings; Houston 6, San Francisco 3; Los Angeles 8, Cincinnati 4; San Diego 8, Atlanta 4; New York 2, Pittsburgh 0; St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 6. ORIOLES SHUT OUT BLUE JAYS: Alan Mills and two relievers combined on Baltimore's American League-leading 11th shutout, an eight-hitter, as the Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Tuesday night. In other American League games: Cleveland 3, Boston 1; Detroit 5, New York 1; Minnesota 3, Texas 2; California 1, Milwaukee 0, 10 innings; Chicago 10, Oakland 6; Kansas City 9, Seattle 6 FREE AGENTS LOOK PROMISING: This winter's class of free agents is unquestionably one of the most attractive since the process started in 1976. Whether club owners will open their checkbooks as they did a year ago is questionable. Look no farther than the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers for an early indicator. The Mets led winter's spending by signing Bobby Bonilla to a five-year, $29 million deal. SALARIES COULD START AT $7M: The Los Angles Dodgers have gone heavy in free-agent picks the past few seasons, yet are dead last in the NL West. Richard Ravitch, Major League Players Association president, says the biggest concern among owners is the salary escalation. The average salary this year topped $1 million. Cub Ryne Sandberg's $7.1 million annual salary may be the standard for 1992's free agents. SCOTT REPORTS MAGIC'S RETURN: Los Angeles Lakers guard Byron Scott told the Orange County (Calif.) Register Tuesday that Magic Johnson told him he will return to the team this season. "Earvin's coming back," Scott said. "He's going to play this season. Count on it." Johnson has publicly said he has not yet decided if he will return. VERSACE PUZZLED BY INTERVIEW: Turner Sports NBA analyst Dick Versace said what appeared to be Magic Johnson's upbeat interview with Arsenio Hall Monday may have had an "ominous" undercurrent because Hall told Johnson he shouldn't get back in uniform. "Out of the blue, his best friend said he shouldn't do it. It seemed almost orchestrated." HOLYFIELD GIVES TESTIMONY: Professional boxing was portrayed by its practitioners and regulators Tuesday as awash with sleazy, money-grubbing promoters and others who send horribly mismatched men into the ring for a thrashing if it means more money and higher rankings for their clients. Evander Holyfield supported regulation in a videotaped testimony on the first day of a two-day Senate industry probe. FOYT HOSTS GARAGE SALE: When A.J. Foyt, auto racing legend, has a garage sale, he does it Texas style. Nearly 14 trailers packed with some of Foyt's former race and personal cars, car parts and memorabilia from his Houston ranch will be auctioned Thursday through Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I just decided to clean up the shop and get some more room," said Foyt, denying rumors of retirement. MARADONA TRYING TO RETURN: Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona made a surprise offer Tuesday to return to play for Napoli in a bid to end a contract dispute with the first-division Italian club, the Italian news agency ANSA said. Maradona's agent, Marcos Franchi, said he told Napoli managers the club should either take the player back or tear up his contract. KRABBE'S TRAINER FIRED: German double world sprint champion Katrin Krabbe's track club fired her trainer, Thomas Springstein, Tuesday for giving her the banned stimulant Clenbuterol. Traces of the drug were found in Krabbe after a random test in July. 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Sports Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Sports Editor: Kate Coughlin. (919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. 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