Reading Eagle - July 11, 1980

Phillies’ Win Leaves Them Speechless

 

By the Associated Press

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Phillies are an unemotional team at best when it comes to baring feelings to the media.

 

Most of them don’t like to talk after games. They hide in areas off limits to the media.

 

After beating the Chicago Cubs Thursday night, 5-3, things were a little worse.

 

The Phillies are miffed over publicity created by newspaper reports that some of the players were involved with a doctor in obtaining amphetamines.

 

Shortstop Larry Bowa refused interviews. Although named in the stories, state officials later said Bowa wasn’t involved in their investigations.

 

Others made known their feelings by empty chairs in front of lockers, quick showers and hasty exits. But Mike Schmidt, the club’s All-Star third baseman, said he wanted to forget the whole thing and get back to normal.

 

Manager Dallas Green said he didn’t think the situation affected the team’s performance.

 

“I do feel they were not treated fairly. But you (the media) have backed off and I appreciate that. I don’t think it is something to dwell on,” Green said.

 

The Phillies rallied to win the game behind the pitching of Dick Ruthven (8-5). Ruthven went eight innings, and Dickie Noles earned his fifth save, his first since June 7.

 

The Phillies broke the game open in the fourth with the help of an error by Chicago third baseman Lenny Randle.

 

After a walk to Garry Maddox, Manny Trillo ripped a grounder toward left that Randle gloved then dropped for an error. It led to two unearned runs in a three-run inning that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

 

Bob Boone, who struggled through the first half of the season with a .223 average, drove home two with the first of two hits, and Pete Rose delivered another with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Phillies added another in the ninth when Boone topped a single toward relief pitcher Dick Tidrow, who threw wild past first allowing Boone to reach second. Pinchhitter Greg Gross delivered the run with a single.

 

Earlier, the Cubs took a 2-0 first inning lead on three hits after two out in the first. Randle singled and scored on a triple by Bill Buckner. Mike Vail singled home Buckner.

 

The Cubs added another in the fourth for a 3-1 lead. The Phils picked up one in the third on Lonnie Smith’s triple and Rose’s single.

 

Chicago starter Mike Krukow (7-9) was the loser. Randle extended his hitting streak through six games and 11 of the last 12 games.

 

The Phillies, in winning their seventh of the last 10 games, remained one game behind first place Montreal in the National League East. Montreal beat St. Louis 4-3 Thursday night.

 

Green said he had a meeting with the Phillies before the game and told them he expected team baseball the remainder of the season.

 

“I told them we had a darn good club with the personnel to win this thing,” he said. “If we play team baseball we’ve got a good chance in this second half of the season.

 

With Nino Espinosa back in action, and Tug McGraw throwing without pain, Green said he felt his pitching was in good shape. He plans a five-man rotation with Steve Carlton, Ruthven, Espinosa, Bob Walk and Randy Lerch.

 

Noles, Ron Reed, Lerrin LaGrow, Kevin Saucier and McGraw, when the lefty comes off the disabled list, formulate the bullpen.

 

Green said his team has the best defense in the league, and can generate plenty of offense.

 

“All they have to do is remember the team concept, move the runner, help each other,” Green said.

The Baron’s Corner: If Wishes Come True…

 

By Larry Shenk

 

Nobody’s asked, but if I had a wish or two, I’d like to:

 

  • Ride in a World Series victory parade up Broad Street.
  • Be the Phillie Phanatic for one game.
  • Swim further than three feet.
  • Not stumble when pronouncing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
  • See Steve Carlton pitch a no-hitter.
  • Listen to Gene Mauch talk baseball by the hour.
  • Tell fans to stop booing Bob Boone.
  • Remember when I last used algebra.
  • Dunk a basketball.
  • Meet Bo Derek.
  • Never take another team photo which, for some unknown reason, players detest.
  • Like spiders and snakes.
  • Pay less taxes.
  • By half the human being Willie Stargell is.
  • Cut Tommy Lasorda’s finger and watch him bleed Phillies red and not Dodger blue.
  • Have a lawn as green as those on TV commercials.
  • Sing like Neil Diamond.
  • Write for Bob Hope.
  • Run as fast as Lonnie Smith.
  • Be realistic, run as fast as Greg Luzinski.
  • Have a nickel for every piece of fan mail Pete Rose receives.
  • Hang in mid-air like Julius Erving.
  • Invent the world’s largest umbrella for use at Veterans Stadium.
  • Love an umpire.
  • See somebody other than the Yankees or Red Sox on national TV.
  • Meet Bo Derek again.
  • Get hit by Bill Bergey.
  • Survive getting hit by Bill Bergey.
  • Get inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame.
  • Tell the world how good apply butter and Lebanon bologna sandwiches really are.
  • Retire in Clearwater, Fla.
  • Convince my wife to cook sauerkraut at least once a year for me.
  • Come back in my next life as a baseball broadcaster.
  • Tell Richie Ashburn he wasn’t my boyhood idol; Del Ennis was.
  • Learn Billy Martin’s secret on how to steal home.
  • Have the patience of Paul Owens, Dallas Green’s looks and Ruly Carpenter’s money.
  • Settle for Ruly’s money.
  • Be a kid again.
  • Get hit on the foot by a foul tip.
  • See Bill Giles parachute into the Vet.
  • Visit Bill Giles in the hospital.
  • Remember my greatest athletic achievement.
  • Forget my first year with the Phillies, 1964.
  • End this nonsense.