Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503280023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Atlanta Braves' exhibition game with the Montreal Expos was canceled Saturday because of the shooting death of replacement pitcher David Shotkoski, who began his professional baseball career with the old Pulaski Braves.
Shotkoski, 30, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., was found dead Friday night near the team's hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla.
John Schuerholz, the Braves' general manager, said the team was offering a $5,000 reward for ``any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this tragic and senseless death.
``And out of respect to David Shotkoski and his family, we have canceled all of our activities today, including the game and all workouts,'' Schuerholz said at a news conference. ``The Montreal Expos were very understanding in our request to cancel the game.''
The Braves' game today with the New York Yankees is expected to be played as scheduled.
Shotkoski, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound right-hander, was signed by the Braves in January. He had started and pitched one inning in one game, facing four batters and giving up one hit with no walks or strikeouts.
He signed with the Braves out of high school as Atlanta's fourth-round selection in January 1985, and spent his first season as a professional with Pulaski. Shotkoski played in the Oakland organization in 1987-89 and in the California Angels' system in 1991 after being out of baseball in 1990. He had a six-year minor-league record of 18-24 with a 5.07 earned run average.
Sgt. John English of the West Palm Beach Police Department said a call was received Friday evening that there was a shooting victim in the street. Police have no suspects, but witnesses said they saw a man ride out of the area on a yellow mountain bike. English said details would not be released.
The Palm Beach Post quoted witnesses as saying Shotkoski was shot in the head.
``We have nothing to indicate it was anything but a robbery or a robbery attempt,'' English said. ``We believe that very strongly. However, we have located everything that was his, including his wallet, the jewelry he was wearing, that sort of thing.''
It was the 12th murder in West Palm Beach this year.
Shotkoski is survived by his wife, Felicia, and an 8-month-old daughter, Alexis. He had worked for Coca-Cola in Chicago.
``He was a man who truly loved baseball,' said Rod Gilbreath, who managed Shotkoski in the minor leagues, and is the Braves' assistant director of player development. ``He talked it all the time and he was always willing to help the younger players.''
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB