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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1996)
Arrival of Belle gives ‘Sin City’ another professional bad boy ■ SIGNING: Dennis Rodman, Bryan Cox and Bob Probert all are known for being trouble and being disliked By Mike Nadel The Associated Press CHICAGO — Dennis Rodman, an infamous head-butter, says he’ll strip to his birthday suit during his final game. Bryan Cox, a habitual spitter, raises his middle finger more often than most Americans raise the flag. Bob Probert, a recov ering drug addict, brawls for fun. And now, pro sports’ Sin City r welcomes bat-corking, elbow throwing, fan-abusing Albert Belle. He figures to be Chicago’s baddest bad boy yet. Rodman, Cox and Probert have had their run-ins with players, of ficials, management and fans. But they haven’t tried to run down Halloween pranksters with their cars. They haven’t been caught cheating. And they haven’t gone out of their way to antagonize peo ple at every turn. “I’m not going to change my personality because someone wants me to,” said Belle, who signed a five-year, $55 million contract Tuesday with the White Sox. “I found early on that you can’t try to please everyone.” Belle, however, rarely tries to please anyone. “It was always an adventure with Albert,” Cleveland catcher Sandy Alomar said. “Sometimes you got a little bit scared when things were flying around the clubhouse, but what can you say? Albert’s a great hitter.” Since 1991, the year after he spent 58 days getting treated for al cohol abuse, Belle has 234 homers and 711 RBIs. During the last two seasons, the numbers were even more staggering: 98 home runs, 274 RBIs. Production. That’s what the White Sox hope they’ve bought. They certainly didn’t get Belle for his popularity. Like Rodman and Probert, he used to be de spised in Chicago. Not only did Belle lead Cleve land past the White Sox in the standings, but it was at Comiskey Park in 1994 that Belle was caught using a corked bat. The tattooed, cross-dressing Rodman, he of the ever-changing hair colors, has become a local folk hero for helping the Bulls win a 1-800-COLLECT Save The People You Call UpTo 44%. For long-distance calls. Savings based on a 3-min. AT&T operator-dialed interstate call. record 72 games and the NBA title last season. Probert, the former Detroit Red Wings enforcer who signed with the Blackhawks two years ago but missed his first season here be cause of drug problems, has been received warmly by Chicago hock ey fans. The city’s football followers had no beef with Cox, but they might have if they had known him when he was with the Miami Dolphins. The linebacker was detested in many NFL towns, especially Buf falo, for repeated incidents of spit ting, swearing and showboating. MLB: Smoltz feels he is just entering his prime ■ Continued from Page 9 “We’re absolutely delighted to have John Smoltz back as a mem ber of our organization.” Smoltz worried that the Braves, knowing his desire to stay in At lanta, would offer a deal at less than-market value. But his agent, Lonnie Cooper, said Schuerholz made clear from the start of the negotiations that he was willing to spend to keep his pitching staff together. Pitching has been the domi nant factor in Atlanta’s success this decade: five division titles, four NL pennants and one World Series title. Atlanta now can turn its atten tion toward long-term deals for Greg Maddux, who won the Cy Young Award from 1992-95, and 1991 winner Tom Glavine; the other key members of the rotation are under contract through 1997. The Braves also have Denny Nea gle, acquired in a midseason trade with Pittsburgh. “I think we have needs before doing long-term contracts for any one in particular,” Braves presi dent Stan Kasten said. “Whatev er needs arise, we’ll take care of, and along the way we’ll also con tinue to make decisions. You can’t pay 25 guys at these levels, but we’ll do the best we can.” The previous high contract for a pitcher was $6.5 million in David Cone’s $19.5 million, three-year deal with the Yankees. In total dollars, the previous high was the $28 million, five-year contract signed by Maddux in 1993. In addition to his base salary, Smoltz would get a $250,000 bonus if he wins two Cy Young Awards during the deal. Baltimore, Toronto and the New York Yankees also had seri ous discussions with Smoltz’s agents, but Cleveland showed the most interest after losing Belle to the White Sox. “It was very rewarding that they thought that highly of me,” Smoltz said. “At the same, I think Atlanta showed the ultimate con cern.” Although he is coming off the best year of his career, Smoltz said he believes he’s just entering his prime. “My career is ahead of me,” he said. “I’m going to be a better pitcher than I’ve been so far here and keep progressing. I’m only 29.” Smoltz was accompanied to the news conference by his wife, Dyan, and their two children, 5 year-old Andrew and 3-year-old Rachel.
