Page 10-Thursday, March 18, 1982-The Michigan Daily Foussianes leaps at Tiger chance By PAUL HELGREN The great thing about ex-Michigan baseball star George Foussianes is that nothing seems to really bother him. Circumstances that mightbdiscourage others are no big deal to the one-time Wolverine captain. For instance, he was drafted in the 36th (last) round of the 1980 major league baseball draft. The Detroit Tigers drafted him afterhhis senior year, a year in which he hit .364 and set whether he would ever totally recover. But the Tigers took a chance and played him at first base on their Macon team. Foussianes came through with a .291 batting average, and seven HR's, in what amounted to half a season. The former Academic All-American praised the Tiger's decision. "My arm feels great. It's coming along real good," said Foussianes. "But I never could have played anywhere but first base at Macon. It really helped. I can't say enough about the Tiger organization. They've been super with me." A DIFFERENT turn of bad luck stopped Foussianes from turning pro a year early. After his junior season, a year that saw Foussianes lead the Big Ten in hitting with,a .452 average (Big Ten games only) and hit a team leading .363 overall, he was drafted by the Mon- treal Expos. "I was close to signing with Montreal," explained the one time Michigan MVP. "But then I hurt my knee. It worked (out) okay, though. I got to play with the Tigers." Like a lot of players, Foussianes ad- mits he always had a preference to play for the local team. Foussianes has "always been a Tiger fan," so being in the Detroit organization is just fine with him. Foussianes earned his shot at the pros with an excellent collegiate career here. While earning four varsity letters he made All-Big Ten in 1979 as a shor- tstop and 1980 as a designated hitter. After leading the Wolverines in hitting as a junior, his .364 average in his senior year fell short of Jim Paciorek's team-leading .367 mark. The career records Foussianes holds are home runs with 19 (recently tied- by Paciorek), RBI's (98), and total bases (221). prospects are working out in Lakeland in hopes of making the big leagues. These prospects work out separately from the roster players, but in the same stadium complex. The players work out from 10:00-3:00 and live in a place Foussianes says "is a lot like a college dorm. You have curfew and everything." THE 6-1 TIGER hopeful talks freely about his lifetime goals. "Of course "My arm feels great. It's coming along real good. But I never could have played anywhere but first base at Macon. It really helped. I can't say enough about the Tiger organization. They've been super with me." -Former Michigan baseball star, George Foussianes thr e career Michigan baseball recor- ds. Was Foussianes discouraged by the fact that most clubs didn't consider him a legitimate prospect? "NOT AT ALL," said the Bir- mingham, Mich. native. "I was just happy to be drafted. Really, I mean that." An arm injury earlier that year for- ced coach Bud Middaugh to switch Foussianes from shortstop to designated hitter. Many clubs doubted DESPITE THESE impressive recor- ds, Foussianes named a team achievement as his most memorable. "Going to the College World Series two out of my four years (sophomore and senior) was really a thrill. I mean, that's the best in the country.'' Michigan placed fifth both years. After signing with the Tigers and spending his first year with Macon, Foussianes was promoted to Lakeland, the team's class 'A' team. Although he hit only .245, he continued to show good power, belting 11 homers with 55 RBI. Right now Foussianes and 149 other you've got to get there (major leagues) eventually. Some guys say they'll only play so many years, (in the minors) but for me, I'll just play and wait and see." He doesn't like to set statistical goals either, adding, "I don't like to put pressure on myself like that. I don't have any (statistical goals)." If baseball doesn't work out for Foussianes as a career, however, don't be looking for him to be selling baseballs. Foussianes graduated from business school with a 3.64 grade point average. He is currently working on hiss. MBA at Michigan during the off- season. Sports Information Photo FORMER 'M' STAR George Foussianes, seen here during his collegiate playing days, rifles a throw to first base. Now trying to find a spot on the Detroit Tigers'Lakeland farm team,Foussianes hopes to someday make the major leagues. It featuring Food for Thought When dining in Ann Arbor, the one restaurant not to be missed is Weber's Inn. Adjacent to the lovely Weber's Motor Inn, the Webers claim that it's a restaurant first, and a hotel second. This certainly seems to be abided by, as Weber's is a one-of-a- kind restaurant, plus a little bit more! For dinner, Weber's makes dining a pleasure in its newly remodeled atrium-styled dining room. The plants and openness give the room a warm, friendly feeling, that can only be classified as "casual formal;" the per- fect dining atmosphere. Dinner is served from 4-10 pm and features Prime Rib, regular cut $11.25 and reserved cut $8.95, Roast Long Island Duckling $8.50, and their famous Boston Schrod, flown in daily, for $7.95. All dinners are served with a choice of the chef's daily made soup or tossed salad greens topped with homemade dressings. Also accom- panying meals are freshly' baked bread and a visit to a well-stocked relish table. Desserts can be selected from a mouth-watering pastry cart, over-flowing with scrumptious tarts, cakes, and pastries, baked daily by Weber's own French pastry chef. You won't be able to pass it up! Lunch is also a treat at Weber's from 11 am-4 pm. The beautiful sunlit atrium is like nothing else to be found in Ann Arbor. Favorites include reasonably priced scallops $4.95, broiled Teriyaki steak $4.75, and several lower-priced hamburgers and sandwiches. The adjoining pub- Habitat Lounge offers a quick lunch for businessmen and students on lunch break. For a change of pace, be sure to make plans for Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4-6 pm, featuring doubles on all house brands, plus delicious hot hors d'oeurves. After- wards, a soft contemporary band plays from 9-1 am Tuesday-Saturday in the Habitat Lounge. While dinner is served, you can enjoy the warm at- mosphere and take in a few dances, while seated in either the Habitat Lounge or the newly designed Ven- tura Lounge. Just beyond the Habitat Lounge is the elegant La Bistro alcove where romantic candlelit dinners are served. It's just the place for a cozy dinner and dancing. The Habitat Lounge has its own special kitchen and continues serving hamburgers and deli sandwiches in a comfortable pub-like atmosphere until midnight. Everything from Eggs Benedict to Lox & Bagels to Blueberry Pancakes are offered from 7-11 am on the ex- tensive breakfast menu. Sunday breakfast is served until 12:30 in the afternoon and features a special Champagne Breakfast. Weber's Inn was remodeled a year ago adding a spacious, yet warm and cozy atmosphere. It truly offers. something for everyone-even a kid- die menu! Weber's Inn has become a graduation tradition in Ann Arbor, but don't wait unfil graduation to en- joy it! Call 665-3636 for dinner reser- vations. 11 Daily Photo by MIKE LUCAS Doily rnoto by MIKE LUCAS W.Huron T'-_ J 995-0505 PASTA SPECIALS-Two kinds daily All You Can Eat! With tossed salad, bread & butter $5.50 (March 15-28) For a Course in Fine Dining Read the Restaurant Page Each Thursday INTRODUCING HAPPY HOUR Featuring the piano stylings of STEWART CUNNINGHAM Mon-Fri 4:30-6:00 pI w f.Y§ TIwc QR'1b Bfermian L E AN W% Open am-8:30 pm Mon-Wed, Sun 11-8 Fri & Sat til 9:00 pm 1 Do 20 W. Washington owntown Ann Arbor Phone: 662-0737 JG1 AT ITS BEST f1 11 I n -x \\ I i "^ f