Sports Illustrated - April 21, 1980

Baseball – N.L. East 

By Herm Weiskopf

Greg Luzinski, who has slimmed down by 24 pounds since last season, and Dave Kingman, who has beefed up by 15, both got the results they sought. In his first at bat, Luzinski, who now weighs 214, slugged a three-run homer to help Philadelphia beat Montreal 6-3. The Phillies also defeated the Expos 6-2, despite giving up 10 walks, including a league-record five to Rodney Scott. Kingman, now a 225-pounder, contributed two big blasts in a five-homer barrage that provided all the runs as the Cubs dumped New York 7-5. Jerry Martin also had two home runs in that game. Kingman unloaded No. 3 and Barry Foote hit a three-run shot the next day as the Cubs downed the Mets 6-3.

The magic is back, New York's new slogan, is part of a reported $400,000 ad campaign to reawaken fan interest. The most impressive trick for Mets rooters during a season-opening 5-2 win over Chicago was Craig Swan's pitching and hitting. He had two singles and two RBIs.

The world champion Pirates took two of three against the Cardinals without hitting a homer and without using ace Reliever Kent Tekulve. Ed Ott's two-run single in the ninth made Pittsburgh a 4-3 winner, and Jim Bibby's six-hitter and four hits by Omar Moreno produced a 7-2 triumph. St. Louis had opened the series with a 1-0 victory behind the nine-strikeout, three-hit pitching of Pete (Kooky Vooky) Vuckovich. Said Stan Musial of Vuckovich, "The guy throws the best righthanded breaking pitches I ever saw."

PHIL 2-0; PITT 2-1; CHI 2-1; ST.L 1-2; NY 1-2; MONT 0-2