Sports Briefs: Bowler’s perfect games sanctioned

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Jeremy Sonnenfeld is going into the record books as the first bowler to roll three consecutive perfect games in competition.

"It's total elation," the University of Nebraska sophomore said Tuesday after learning that his feat was being officially recognized by the American Bowling Congress.

Sonnenfeld, 20, a business major, bowled the 36 strikes in a row on Sunday in Lincoln.

"It is the equivalent of someone getting three holes in one on a 540-yard par five," he said. "It's something nobody thought could be done."

Jack Mordini of the ABC compared Sonnenfeld's feat with the golfing exploits of Tiger Woods, the only person to win three straight U.S. Amateur golf tournaments.

"Obviously, he should receive all the adulation that anyone setting a world record should receive," Mordini said of Sonnenfeld.

Bowling's sanctioning body, the ABC has kept records for 101 years. Sonnenfeld is the first to officially hit 36 strikes in a three-game series.

Pats rip Parcells 'farce'

The appointment of a new coach should have been a happy time for the New England Patriots and owner Robert Kraft. Just like their appearance in the Super Bowl. Both times, though, the joy was ruined by the furor over Bill Parcells, the man the Patriots say is engaging in a "transparent farce" to work for the New York Jets. So while Pete Carroll spent his second day as Patriots coach putting together a staff, the club said Tuesday it will ask NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to stop Parcells' attempt to become a consultant with the Jets. "This so-called consulting agreement is a transparent farce," the Patriots said, "the latest in a series of acts by the Jets and Bill Parcells which further demonstrates it has been their intention all along to have Bill Parcells become head coach of the Jets for the '97 season."

In other NFL news:

* Arizona Cardinals coach Vince Tobin plans to check whether any other NFL team wants dismayed backup quarterback Boomer Esiason, who wants to be traded or released. Esiason, whose two-day walkout rocked the Cardinals late last season, said Tuesday that Tobin has settled on Kent Graham as the team's No. 1 quarterback going into next season. "I have every intention to play next year," said Esiason, who turns 36 in April. "I'm looking for a situation where I can contribute to a playoff contender."

Rocket stars out

The Houston Rockets' All-Star trio has been reduced to a solo act. Charles Barkley ruled himself out of the game because of an ankle sprain, and teammate Clyde Drexler aggravated a hamstring injury Tuesday night that will force him to miss the game, too. That left Hakeem Olajuwon as the only member of the Rockets who will play in Sunday's All-Star game at Cleveland. The NBA selected Detlef Schrempf of the Seattle SuperSonics to take Barkley's place, and a replacement for Drexler was likely to be named today.

Cigar sweeps Eclipses

Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar around the world and into the record books, summed up the horse's career pretty well. "I appreciate what Cigar did for me," Bailey said Tuesday night, "but I think we should all appreciate what he did for racing." Cigar became the first horse since Triple Crown winner Affirmed in 1979 to win consecutive Horse of the Year awards, and it also completed his second straight sweep of Eclipse awards. On Jan. 10, he was named best older horse or gelding in North America after winning five of eight starts, including the $4 million Dubai World Cup and Woodward Stakes. Cigar was the overwhelming choice of the three voting groups -- the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form. Skip Away, the 3-year-old champion, was the only other horse to receive votes.

Quickies

New Jersey Nets forward Jayson Williams, the NBA's second-leading rebounder, will have surgery on his right thumb and will miss from eight weeks to the rest of the season. ... Venus Lacy, a member of the 1996 U.S. women's Olympic basketball team, was injured in a two-car collision that knocked her car through the plate glass window of a Ruston, La., beauty school. ... Ken Herock, who took much of the blame for the Atlanta Falcons' dismal draft record, resigned as vice president of player personnel when new coach Dan Reeves wouldn't guarantee the job past April. ... Hideki Irabu, the Japanese pitcher attempting to become a free agent rather than sign with San Diego, promised to accept any trade, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. ... Cleveland Indians reliever Jose Mesa will go on trial on a rape charge March 31, two days before the club opens the season at Oakland. ... Kevin Bass, a veteran of 1,571 major league game, agreed to a minor league contract with the Anaheim Angels. ... Olympic track star Michael Johnson received the Jesse Owens International Trophy, becoming the first two-time winner.