Allentown Morning Call - August 25, 1980

‘Bull’ does his number

By Dan Shope, Call Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA – Greg Luzinski took a long, slow shower last night. He didn't seem to care about the mass of sports writers standing near his locker room cubicle. 

So about 20 minutes following the Philadelphia Phillies' 7-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, which kept them 3'2 games behind Pittsburgh in the National League East race, he moseyed out to meet the men with notepads. 

"I was traded about 30 times by sports writers and commentators," he said. "So this felt good. Whatever I can do to help the team is great." 

The "Bull'' was back. And he was in his glory. 

Only about an hour after his name was taken off the Phillies disabled list, he combined combined with buddy Mike Schmidt for back-to-back homers. 

The 37,325 Veterans Stadium fans gave him a standing ovation. Although the game continued, they would not shut up until Luzinski emerged from the dugout to tip his cap.

"The Bull' tangoed," laughed Phjls' Manager Dallas Green. "He shook hands pretty tough. He was enthused." 

"My bat felt good in practice," Luzinski said. "I got a good fastball and hit it out. 

"This is the fifth time this year that Mike and I have done this. Earlier in the season, when I was healthy, we put together some momentum. Maybe we can give the team a lift now." 

Luzinski's home run capped a four-run third inning in which the Phillies finally came alive after two-straight dismal losses against the Giants. 

But Lonnie Smith, the kid who seemed to make Luzinski expendable, ignited them. Starting in right field in place of the gimpy-kneed Bake McBride, Smith doubled for his first of three hits. "Bake was at the point where he needed a day off," Green said. "The way Lonnie's batting, we're going to try to keep him in the lineup." 

Pete Rose then knocked in the rookie with the first of two doubles to tie the score 1-1. 

"I wish we were playing Softball," Rose joked. "lt d be nice if one of these four guys (including centerfielder Garry Maddox) could play short field. 

"We've gotta get Bake in there. He's hitting .313, could get 100 RBIs and is having close to a MVP year. And Lonnie is close to getting Rookie of the Year." 

Then Schmidt stepped to the plate. 

His league-leading 35th homer dropped just to the right of the left-field foul pole to put the Phils ahead 3-1.

"Bull" climaxed the inning with a drive over the same fence, his first home run since June 14. 

He was replaced in the sixth inning for a defensive replacement after going l-for-3. 

It was his first game since July 6, when his twisted his knee sliding into second base against St. Louis. 

On July 8, he was placed on the disabled list. But after pain persisted in the joint, it was put under the knife to remove cartilage chips. 

Although he was only hitting ,245 with 15 homers and 42 RBI going into last night's game, Luzinski replaced relief pitcher Kevin Saucier, who was put on the 21-day disabled list because of "tendonitis of his left elbow."