Rams : No. 1 Draft Pick Cleveland Gary Signs Baseball Contract

Ram rookie holdout Cleveland Gary signed a contract to play with the Miami Miracle of the Class A Florida State League in 1990, the baseball team announced Wednesday.

Gary, a first-round draft choice of the Rams, is a former University of Miami fullback who led the team in rushing and receiving last season.

Gary played baseball briefly for the Hurricanes last season. He had two hits and two strikeouts in seven at-bats, and no fielding chances. He is a third baseman.

He tried to negotiate earlier with the Atlanta Braves, but that deal fell through.

“We feel Cleveland has both the physical ability and mental approach to make a good professional baseball player,” Miracle owner Stuart Revo said.

The Miracle is an independent minor league team.

“I hope he can hit the curveball,” Ram Coach John Robinson said. “That’s all I’ve got to say.”

Said Willie Gary, Cleveland Gary’s agent: “It’s not a deal that’s going to prohibit him from signing with the Rams. Obviously, football has priority.”

Willie Gary insisted this is not a negotiating ploy.

“It’s no leverage situation,” he said. “We’re still saying that he’s ready to go to L.A. and play football.”

Free-agent offensive lineman Mark Schmidt left the Rams’ training camp at Cal State Fullerton with a concussion Wednesday.

Schmidt was taken to Anaheim Memorial Hospital for observation and is scheduled to be released today.