ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210059
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BASEBALL NOTES
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
John Smoltz knew all along that he wanted to stay in Atlanta. When the Braves offered him a $31 million, four-year contract - a record deal for a pitcher - the decision was easy.
The best rotation in baseball will be intact for at least another season after the National League Cy Young Award winner re-signed with the Braves on Wednesday.
``This organization has shown me the ultimate in signing me to this contract,'' Smoltz said during a news conference at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. ``There were some teams that obviously made it clear they wanted my services. But my main goal as an athlete has always been to stay in one organization as long as I possibly can. I want to play my entire career here.''
At least four teams, led by the Cleveland Indians, showed serious interest in Smoltz. The Indians reportedly discussed a $30 million, four-year contract, but there was no further need for discussion when the Braves came up with a higher offer.
Smoltz, 29, led the majors with 24 wins and 276 strikeouts, along with a 2.94 ERA. He added four more wins in the postseason before the Braves were beaten by the New York Yankees in the World Series.
His $7.75 million average is second in baseball behind the $11 million average in the deal Albert Belle and the White Sox agreed to Tuesday.
In other baseball:
CARDINALS: The St. Louis Cardinals' search for a second baseman and leadoff hitter ended when they agreed to a $1.9 million, one-year contract with Delino DeShields.
DeShields, 27, struck out 124 times and hit just .224 last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he stole 47 bases, giving him 301 in his seven-year career.
ANGELS: Dave Hollins, a former All-Star third baseman with Philadelphia, agreed to a $3.8 million, two-year contract with the Anaheim Angels.
Hollins, 30, played 121 games with Minnesota and 28 with Seattle last season.
He was hitting .242 with 53 RBI for Minnesota when he was traded to Seattle Aug.29. He then batted .351 in 93 at-bats with the Mariners, hitting three homers and driving in 25 runs.
ORIOLES: Baltimore avoided salary arbitration and agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with pitcher Jesse Orosco. Orosco, 38, compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.40 ERA in 66 games last season.
MARLINS: Right-hander Pat Rapp and the Florida Marlins agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.1 million, more than triple his salary last season. Last season, he was 8-16 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games and 29 starts.
ROOKIE STARS: Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Kendall, a former player for the Salem Buccaneers, was the only unanimous choice on the Rookie All-Star Team picked by major-league managers.
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, the American League rookie of the year, missed by a single vote of being a unanimous pick.
Tony Clark of the Detroit Tigers was selected at first base, Tony Batista of the Oakland A's at second and Joe Randa of the Kansas City Royals at third. The outfielders were Jermaine Dye of the Atlanta Braves, Todd Hollandsworth of the Los Angeles Dodgers and F.P. Santangelo of the Montreal Expos.
Right-hander Alan Benes of the St. Louis Cardinals and lefty Billy Wagner of the Houston Astros, a former standout at Ferrum College, were selected as the pitchers.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Smoltzby CNB