ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 23, 1991                   TAG: 9103230270
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From New York Times and Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JACKSON GOES UNCLAIMED

Despite a burning desire to acquire the kind of glamour that has filled the history of the New York Yankees, the team joined 25 other major league clubs Friday in passing on Bo Jackson and his $2,375,000 salary.

The injured Jackson, released by the Kansas City Royals on Monday, went unclaimed and became free to join any team under a new contract.

"There is no question about it; we wanted Bo Jackson," said Robert Nederlander, the Yankees' managing partner, and a theater entrepreneur who knows the importance of gate attractions.

"He is a superstar. If you look at famous athletes in the United States, you talk about Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson and similar types."

But there was too big of a "but" for the Yankees to overcome. Dr. Dan Kanell, the team's spring training orthopedist, consulted with what the Yankees said were six leading orthopedic specialists, and their collective view convinced club officials that the hip injury Jackson suffered on Jan. 13 playing football for the Los Angeles Raiders made him too great a risk.

Because they had the worst record in the American League last season, the Yankees had first crack at claiming Jackson for the $1 waiver price.

The Yankees could still sign Jackson as a free agent, as could any other club.

Keywords:
BASEBALL 


 by CNB