Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991 TAG: 9103190208
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HAINES CITY, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
What Bo Jackson does know for sure is that he's no longer a member of the Kansas City Royals.
Jackson, one of the most recognized athletes in the world, was released by the Royals on Monday after the team determined his football-related hip injury would not allow him to play baseball this year. Team Dr. Steve Joyce also revealed that Jackson asked him not to tell the Royals about the injury after an examination in February.
The Royals will ask waivers on Jackson this morning and any team can claim him for $1 in the waiver period that ends at 2 p.m. EST Friday.
"This action is taken with deep regret," Royals general manager Herk Robinson said. "The entire Royals' organization is deeply appreciative to Bo for his contributions to the club. We wish him and his family the very best of health and success."
Joyce said Jackson has a fracture-dislocation of his left hip. The injury, suffered in the Los Angeles Raiders' NFL playoff game on Jan. 13, has resulted in cartilage damage in the hip socket.
Robinson said the Royals would pay one-sixth of the $2,375,000 contract Jackson agreed to in February after the sides avoided arbitration. Jackson would have made the full amount of his contract only if he was on Kansas City's opening-day roster.
"I did examine Bo prior to the arbitration hearing, and I did inform the Royals' trainer," Joyce said. "But Bo did ask me not to speak to Royals management.
"It was a balancing act between being realistic with the Royals and being positive with the patient."
Under the basic major-league agreement, a player cannot be released because of injury, but the Royals consider this a football injury.
"Until I see the medical records in this case, I'm not prepared to say whether they can release him without paying him his full salary," said Eugene Orza, the associate general counsel of the players association.
"We felt this was the cleanest manner in which to handle this and was probably the most equitable to all involved," Robinson said in a news conference at the Royals' training complex.
"We got nearly $2.5 million involved in a situation like this; finances do enter into a situation like this," Robinson said.
The Royals notified Jackson's agent, Richard Woods, by telephone in Birmingham, Ala., of their decision. Jackson was examined by Dr. James Andrews earlier on Monday in Birmingham.
Robinson said the Royals were "not crazy" about Jackson playing football with the Raiders. He said if Jackson had played in the winter leagues "he may have been the greatest player to wear a uniform."
Jackson completed the fourth year of a $7.4 million five-year deal with the Raiders in 1990.
"It's tragic that this happened," Robinson said. "Bo played a vital and exciting role in the development of sports in this country."
Joyce felt very strongly that Jackson definitely should not play baseball this year. Other doctors consulted by the Royals thought there was a possibility Jackson may play again, but Joyce believes that was highly uncertain.
"We were guided very closely by our team physician, Dr. Steve Joyce. Steve feels very strongly that it is not in Bo's best interest to play baseball - at least in 1991," Robinson said.
Robinson said different doctors gave different time frames for when Jackson would be able to play again.
News reports have said Jackson may have avascular necrosis. Medical experts say avascular necrosis generally does not arise from a sudden injury, instead taking years to develop, but that it is potentially disabling as the blood flow to the bone is cut.
"[Dr.] Andrews might think Bo might be able to a make a little quicker return than Steve," Robinson said. "We might re-evaluate by the middle of the year and see if there has been any regeneration of cartilage and bone. There may be differing opinions where one doctor says no strenuous activity for 15 months and another says 10."
The Royals said treatment included prolonged non-weight bearing and electrical stimulation for the avascular necrosis.
"I don't want to speculate," Raiders coach Art Shell said in Hawaii at the NFL meetings. "The doctor gave me some name of the injury. It was slight dislocation and with rest he would be all right. With rest he's supposed to be able to play."
The fast, powerful tailback-outfielder - the only man to win college football's Heisman Trophy and baseball's All-Star MVP award - has been unable to compete athletically since he injured his hip when tackled from behind in the Raiders' playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last year, Jackson hit a career-high .272, with 28 home runs and 78 RBI.
by CNB