Monessen Valley Independent - October 14, 1980
Anderson In Phillies Cap
By United Press International
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (UPI) - When independent presidential candidate John Anderson showed up at the Italian-American Obedan Club in this Philadelphia suburb, he took the chance of alienating the voters of Kansas City.
Anderson was wearing a Phillies baseball cap for the occasion, the day after the Philadelphia team won the National League pennant.
"I don't want you to think I'm just trying to ingratiate myself with this audience in Phoenixville by wearing this Phillies baseball cap," Anderson told some 600 people at the club Monday night.
"But I can assure you, he continued, "that for the rest of this campaign, you will not see me photographed in a baseball cap of the Kansas City Royals (which won the American League pennant). Of course, I do not plan to be in Kansas City between now and November 4th "
Anderson compared the campaign appearance to the town meetings held by President Carter and said, "I'm here to listen to you."
Anderson also promised the crowd that if elected, "We'll make it worth your while when you pay your taxes."
Phillies Not Complaining
By United Press International
PHILADELPHIA (UPI) - The Philadelphia Phillies are banged up, physically fatigued and emotionally exhausted from their successful marathon series with the Houston Astros.
But Phillies' first baseman Pete Rose says they wouldn't want to begin-Game 1 of their World Series with the Kansas City Royals tonight any other way.
"I'd rather be in our position than in Kansas City's position," Rose said Monday, minutes after the Phillies arrived at Veterans Stadium for a workout.
He was referring to the three days off the Royals have had since they completed a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees for their first American League championship Friday night.
It was suggested a rest period might give the Royals an advantage over the Phillies, who won't have 36 hours' rest before the opener. Following their 10-inning victory over Houston in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series Sunday night, the Phillies went straight from celebrating to a 2,000-mile flight to the workout.
"I'm a firm believer in momentum," Rose explained. "We've got momentum now, and we don't want to lose it."
Phillies' Manager Dallas Green also shook off suggestions his team would be too tired or emotionally flat after their playoff victory to perform well in the Series.
"The only player I'm worried about being tired at all is (reliever) Tug McGraw," Green said. "He really needed a day off today. Knowing him, he'll kick back a bit today, and tomorrow if I need him, he'll be ready."
In short, the Phillies will have all winter to rest after the World Series.
Phils Open With Rookie Walk
By United Press International
PHILADELPHIA (UPI) — Dallas Green never flinched in making the difficult decisions that .brought the Philadelphia Phillies their first pennant in 30 years.
And he's not flinching now, although he's the first manager in 28 years to open the World Senes with a rookie pitcher.
"He ran into some trouble with his control and poise," Green said of 23-year-old righthander Bob Walk, who will start against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night. "But he pitched well in his last start. I have no qualms about using Bob Walk"
Green's boldness and resolve summarizes perfectly the attitude surrounding this year's World Series, which opens tonight with righthander Dennis Leonard, 20-11, pitching for the Royals. Both clubs have been denied so long, watched so often on television, that they mean to play, play hard, have some fun. and not look back.
"People I know who played in the World Series have always told me there's more pressure in the playoffs.than in the World Series," said Kansas City third baseman George Brett. "I don't feel any pressure. Win or lose, Kansas City fans are very happy because we beat the Yankees. Maybe in about 10 days we can make them extremely happy by winning the World Series."
Philadelphia's Mike Schmidt agreed. "I don't think you'll see any 1-0 games," the third baseman predicted. "What you'll see are some guys bashing the ball, playing carefree and free-wheeling with a let's-show-the-world attitude. The pitchers don't want to get lit up but you're gonna' see teams that have watched it and now they're gonna' be playing in it."
Walk, 11-7 with a 4.56 ERA, can be excused if he takes a slightly different attitude. While the Royals and Phillies were suffering their playoff frustrations of 1976, '77 and '78, the native of St. Joseph, Mo., was still just dreaming about the majors. A Double A pitcher until May of this year, he never even appeared in the NL playoffs. Not since Joe Black opened a World Series for Brooklyn in 1952 has a rookie faced such a challenge.
Walk landed the job by default. Green used six pitchers, including three starters, to subdue the Houston Astros, 8-7, in 10 innings, Sunday night in Game 5 of the NL playoffs. There really was no one left.
"I'm surprised and real excited," said Walk, who last pitched in a key victory over the Chicago Cubs Oct. 2. "I don't think the playoff will bother me. I'll be excited and that will take care of it."
In terms of experience, Leonard represents the exact opposite of Walk, having appeared in four playoffs.
"I don't know much about Philadelphia except what I've seen on TV," Leonard said. "I know they have some power with Schmidt and (Greg) Luzinski. We neutralized the Yankees' power — Reggie Jackson — and it is our lob to keep the ball in the ballpark."
The designated hitter rule is in effect for this Series. While Kansas City Manager Jim Frey has been using it all year. Green must learn to manipulate it in just a short time.
"It's not really our bag," Green said. "Wino (coach Bobby Wine) and (coach) Lee Elia have had some experience with it so we'll put together some ideas. To some degree it depends on the pitcher and how we want to attack Kansas City."