Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 3, 1995 TAG: 9504040054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium
John Schuerholz re-signed 21 players and assigned them to minor-league clubs in the organization. Eleven players were released.
The end didn't come as a surprise to the players. It was almost inevitable Friday when the major-league players ended their 232-day strike after a federal judge issued a temporary injunction against the owners.
None of the replacement players will be headed to the Braves' spring training camp in West Palm Beach, Fla., later in the week. Schuerholz said the 38 players on the major-league roster likely would report by Wednesday.
In Chicago on Sunday, baseball owners decided not to take a lockout vote and expect a back-to-work agreement with players to be completed within 24 hours.
The regular season, scheduled to open Sunday night, will be delayed until April 26 to allow the regular players to get in shape.
Schuerholz said he would join manager Bobby Cox and the coaching staff at camp Tuesday. The baseball equipment was being loaded onto two 48-foot tractor-trailer rigs as Schuerholz was handing out the bad news to the replacement players in the clubhouse of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in mid-afternoon.
Steve Avery, a regular Braves pitcher, said he had not heard anything official, but expected to leave for West Palm Beach on Tuesday. ``I'm in good shape,'' Avery said. ``I don't know if in three weeks I'll be able to get to 100 percent, but a lot of us will be close.''
Schuerholz and Cox, along with assistant general manager Dean Taylor, spoke to the replacement players for more than an hour.
``I spoke to them and thanked them for their extra efforts,'' Schuerholz said. ``That [$5,000] was our thank-you bonus.''
``It was another class act by a class organization,'' said Doug Corbett, who was released. The 42-year-old baseball coach at Jacksonville University was coaxed out of retirement to be the club's replacement closer. He expects to return to his coaching job today.
For Jose Alvarez, who will turn 39 on April 12, the day was a mixed blessing. The ordained minister earned a contract with the Braves' Class AAA farm club in Richmond after posting a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings this spring.
``I hope they don't forget me,'' said Alvarez, who last pitched for the Braves in 1989. ``I hope to get a shot with the real Atlanta Braves.''
In addition to Corbett, others released were pitchers Daren Brown, Mark Clemons, Paul Marak, Eric Moran and Max Valencia; outfielder Rodney McCray; and infielders Nez Balelo, Mike Bell, Sean Davisson and Edinson Renteria.
Clemons, a right-handed pitcher who also was released, had no regrets.
``I'm going home,'' said the 33-year-old from Columbia, S.C., who had pitched in an over-30 league the past couple of seasons. ``I'm just disappointed I didn't get to pitch in a big-league stadium.''
Clemons was scheduled to pitch in Sunday's final exhibition game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium against the Chicago White Sox. The game was canceled Saturday.
``It's been a good run,'' he said. `` What more can I ask for? I got an Atlanta Braves bag, a uniform top with my name and number on, and $5,000.''
by CNB