Allentown Morning Call - June 10, 1980
Carlton almost singing in the rain
By Dan Shope, Call Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA – Steve Carlton wasn't exactly singing in the rain last night at Veterans Stadium. But he was pitching a perfect game for four innings until the skies let loose with a heavy shower.
Just what Carlton was saying couldn't be repeated by sports writers, anyway. After all, he still doesn't talk to them.
That really was the major topic of conversation in the pressbox during a pair of lengthy rain delays.
Would Carlton talk if he finally pitched his first no-hitter after six, that's right, six one-hitters in his major-league career?
Or would he remain silent?
As of 11:45 p.m. last night, neither of those questions were answered.
The players were still cozy in their clubhouses awaiting a decision on whether to continue the game.
The fans, not wishing to miss a perfect game, huddled in the few dry bleacher seats or stood in hallways.
Meanwhile the grounds crew walked on the field. And fans cheered.
Then they walked off the field. And the fans booed.
About the most exciting event of the night, besides Carlton's early evening pitching, came when a youngster jumped out of the stands and raced across the infield. He then dove and slid. Pete Rose style, across the tarp for nearly 50 feet. Some fun, eh!
He was quickly ejected from the stadium, of course, and was spared the misery the rest of the night beheld.
Of course, there really was part of a ballgame last night. But as of the second rain delay, it was still five outs from being official. And the crowd was becoming increasingly discouraged as the rain continued to fail.
Carlton was almost singing in the rain through the first four innings.
Not one ball left the Phillies infield.
After a one-hour, 28 minute rain delay, the teams again took the field. But not for long.
Just long enough for Boone to slam a Montefusco pitch over the leftfield fence and into the Giants' logo for a 1-0 Phillies' lead.
Garry Maddox followed with a single and Bowa reached first on a fielder's choice, eliminating Maddox.
But seconds later the skies opened up again. At 9:56 on the Vet Stadium clock, umpire Bob Engel help up his hands. The fans booed. And the game was stopped again.
As for notes of interest. Mike Schmidt is still one hit away from his career safety.
Luzinski, Schmidt move up
NEW YORK (AP) – Outfielder Greg Luzinski and third baseman Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies have moved into the lead in balloting for their positions on the National League All-Star team, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn's office said yesterday.
Also taking the lead in voting at their positions on the National League team were shortstop Garry Templeton of the St. Louis Cardinals and outfielder Dave Kingman of the Chicago Cubs.
Holdover NL leaders for the July 8 game in Los Angeles are catcher Ted Simmons of the Cardinals, outfielder Dave Parker of Pittsburgh and Los Angeles infield teammates Steve Garyey at first base and Davey Lopes at second.
Balloting, sponsored by Gillette, continues through June 25.
Lopes moved into the lead among Vote getters, receiving 729.045 to jump in front of California Angels first baseman Rod Carew, who had 538,500 an the last American League accounting. The latest AL figures will be Announced Thursday.
Luzinski (377,134) and Kingman (372,262) took over the 2-3 slots among outfielders. Parker's 603.921 leads outfielders, but only 67,046 votes separate the next five players – Luzinski, Kingman, Reggie Smith of Los Angeles, Cincinnati's George Foster and Dusty Baker of Los Angeles.