clarinews@clarinet.com (02/05/90)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (UPI) -- An arbitrator has awarded Kansas City Royals slugger Bo Jackson a one-year contract worth $1 million, about $900,000 less than the leftfielder sought for 1990, the club announced Sunday. Jackson, a running back for the Los Angeles Raiders football team in baseball's offseason, reportedly sought a one-year contract worth $1.9 million plus one dollar, said Steve Fink, a Royals spokesman. The Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee told the Royals that the club's salary offer was awarded to Jackson Friday in an arbitration hearing in Los Angeles, Fink said. ``Based on historical signings and based on current salary comparisons that we made, it was our belief that our number was a fair number and one that was responsive to the marketplace that exists for players in Bo Jackson's service group,'' said John Schuerholz, the Royals' general manager, in a statement released by the club. This was the first year Jackson was eligible for salary arbitration. He has slightly more than three years service in the major leagues. ``We recognize Bo's talents and abilities as well as his contributions to the Royals and we believe, like the arbitrator, that (the salary awarded Friday) reflects that,'' Schuerholz said. Jackson hit 32 home runs and had 105 RBI in 1989. Other Kansas City players seeking salary arbitration are catcher Bob Boone and outfielders Danny Tartabull and Jim Eisenreich.