Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 5, 1993 TAG: 9306050298
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Metheney, a right-handed pitcher chosen Thursday in the ninth round of baseball's amateur draft, leaves for the Phillies' complex in Clearwater, Fla., on Sunday and will spend eight days there, said his father, Ben Metheney.
The younger Metheney then will be assigned to one of three teams: short-season Batavia of the New York-Penn League or Martinsville of the Appalachian League or full-season Spartanburg of the South Atlantic League.
Billy Wagner of Ferrum, the top choice of the Houston Astros, was scheduled to meet with team officials at his home in Tannersville on Friday night.
Dee Dalton, the Virginia Tech shortstop tapped by the St. Louis Cardinals, was waiting to hear from the team Friday.
Virginia pitcher Frank Lankford was drafted in the 16th round by the New York Yankees. The Cavaliers senior had been drafted by St. Louis in the 18th round in 1992, but elected not to sign.
\ NIXON SEEKS TRADE: Atlanta Braves center fielder and leadoff batter Otis Nixon, facing the prospect of sharing time with Deion Sanders, said he would like to be traded.
"It's definitely in the works," Nixon said. "I want it to take place. I'm letting them know I want it to take place."
Braves general manager John Schuerholz said Nixon had informed him of his desire to be traded. But Schuerholz denied he had talked with other teams about Nixon.
"No, there haven't been (trade talks)," said Schuerholz, who only two weeks ago convinced Sanders to return after leaving the team.
Sanders signed a three-year contract with the Braves on Tuesday. The contract, reportedly worth $10.75 million plus incentives, makes Sanders the highest-paid position player on the team.
Nixon's three-year contract with the Braves is worth $8.125 million.
Nixon, 34, is signed through this season, though he has an option year for 1994. The option belongs to Nixon, not the Braves.
Sanders and Nixon are good friends, but they are competing for playing time, especially since the Braves need the power potential of left fielder Ron Gant and right fielder David Justice.
\ BUCS RAINED OUT: Friday's powerful thunderstorms forced the postponement of the scheduled Carolina League game between the Salem Buccaneers and the Kinston Indians.
The teams will play a doubleheader today at Salem Municipal Field beginning at 6 p.m. Gates to the stadium will open at 5:30 p.m.
Pitching for the Buccaneers will be right-handers Esteban Loaiza (3-2) and Dennis Konuszewski (0-8). They will face Jimmy Haynes (3-4) and Scott Klingenbeck (3-2).
\ COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: In Omaha, Neb., Brian Thomas' 15th homer of the season, leading off the sixth inning, provided all the support needed by left-hander Jeff Granger as top-seeded Texas A&M beat Kansas 5-1 on Friday in the opening game of the College World Series.
Granger (15-3), selected by Kansas City with the fifth pick in Thursday's major-league draft, scattered five hits and struck out seven in eight innings. Chis Clemons pitched the ninth for the Aggies.
Texas A&M (53-9) advances to a game Sunday against Louisiana State, a 7-1 winner over Long Beach State. Kansas, playing for the first time in the College World Series, will play an elimination-bracket game Sunday against Long Beach.
Jim Greely hit a three-run homer in the seventh and a two-run shot in the ninth in support of Mike Sirotka's three-hit pitching for LSU.
by CNB