Allentown Morning Call - October 7, 1980

Phils rate the edge this time despite shaky playoff record

By Ted Meixell, Call Sports Writer

If you watched the Houston Astros' 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on the tube yesterday or listened in on the radio, you may have decided to root for the Astros against the Phils in the National League Championship Series which gets under way at 8: 15 tonight at Veterans Stadium. 

Isn't it true that after losing the last three games of the regular season to the Dodgers and blowing their three-game lead, the Astros' chances looked awfully slim in the one-game division championship playoff? But they came through, striking a blow for underdogs everywhere and proving they didn't take the field clutching their Adam's apples. 

Then, too, there's the fact that it's the first championship of any kind in Houston's 19-year existence (remember the Colt 45s?). 

But wait! If past frustrations are what lead you to choose sides, cast a glance at what our beloved Phils have failed to accomplish. The Phillies have won two pennants – in 1915 and 1950, which indicates they're not really due again until 1985.

Since the advent of divisional play, the Phils won three straight Eastern titles from 1976-78. They went quietly in their first playoff effort, dropping three straight to the Cincinnati Reds. In '77, they won the opener against the Dodgers in L.A. only to lose the next three, dropping the fourth game after leading 5-3 with two out in the ninth inning and the fifth in the infamous Bowie Kuhn Monsoon. And they fell again in four in '78. Who can ever forget the routine fly ball Garry Maddox dropped to end that one? 

And this is Phillies' Country, anyway. You wouldn't dare root for anyone else. Would you? 

Here's a position-by-position comparison between the two contenders. 

First Base 

Art Howe (Astros) vs. Pete Rose (Phils). Rose is a sure-fire first ballot selection to the Hall of Fame. And you can forget his sub-par (.282) season with the bat. He came alive in the decisive weekend series in Montreal. You could call him Mr. October if Reggie Jackson hadn't already staked his claim to that moniker. Howe, his four-RBI heroics yesterday notwithstanding, is a journeyman at best and he's far more comfortable at second base. BIG EDGE TO ROSE. 

Second Base 

Joe Morgan and Rafael Landestoy (Astros) vs. Manny Trillo (Phils). Morgan took over for Landestoy during the pennant drive and, although he's seen better days, he's a tough competitor and at his best under pressure. Landestoy has a good glove, no bat. Trillo is the league's premiere defensive second baseman and chipped in with a .292 batting average, his career best. EDGE TO TRILLO. 

Shortstop 

Craig Reynolds (Astros) vs. Larry Bowa (Phils). Reynolds ( .224) is the classic good-field, no-hit shortstop. Bowa can still go get 'em, despite his traumatic season, and is a tad better bitter (.267).  BIG EDGE TO BOWA.

Third Base 

Enos Cabell (Astros) vs. Mike Schmidt (Phils). Cabell is a decent fielder, hits .276 (far lower with men on base), and has no power (two homers, 55 RBI). Schmidt is, simply, Best in Class an almost sure bet for Most Valuable Player honors. HUGE EDGE TO SCHMIDT.

Left Field 

Jose Cruz (Astros) vs. Greg Luzinski or Lonnie Smith (Phils). Cruz hit .302 with 11 homers and 91 RBI. Smith batted .339 and stole 32 bases, Luzinski suffered through an injury-plagued, unproductive season. But bet the house Luzinski plays. And in that case, EDGE TO CRUZ, 

Center Field

Cesar Cedeno (Astros) vs. Garry Maddox or Del Unser (Phils). Cedeno can do it all. He's a great fielder, hit .309 with 10 homers and 72 RBI and is a threat on the bases. Maddox is the best defensive centerfielder in the game but probably won't start against Houston's all-right-handed rotation. Unser, a journeyman, will probably get the nod. BIG EDGE TO CEDENO. 

Right Field 

Terry Puhl (Astros) vs. Bake Mc-Bride (Phils). Puhl is a solid major league player. He batted .283, led the Astros in homers with 13 and plays a fine outfield. But McBride has had an MVP-type season were it not for Schmidt's numbers. Bake hit .309 and drove in a career-high 87 runs. EDGE TO MCBRIDE. 

Catcher 

Alan Ashby (Astros) vs. Bob Boone or Keith Moreland (Phils). Ashby and Boone are excellent defensively, but neither hit a lick this year. Moreland still needs experience behind the plate, but adds offense and manager Dallas Green has shown no reluctance to use him. EVEN. 

Starting Pitchers 

Astros will use (probably) four righthanders – Ken Forsch (12-14) , Nolan Ryan (11-10), Vern Ruhle (12-4) and Joe Niekro (20-12). Manager Bill Virdon would like to open the series with Niekro, but he had to use him yesterday against L.A. Phils will open with probable Cy Young Award winner Steve Carlton (24-9) and use Dick Ruthven (17-10) tomorrow. After that it's anybody's guess – but pick from Larry Christenson (5-1) and rookies Bob Walk (11-7) and Marty Bystrom (5-0). The latter may not be eligible. N.L. President Chub Feeney is expected to rule on the Phils' request to use him early today. Both staffs are good, but SLIGHT EDGE TO PHILS. 

Bullpen 

Astros' threesome of Joe Sambito, Frank LaCorte and Dave Smith is the league's best according to some observers. Joaquin Andujar is a sometime-starter, sometime-reliever. Phils' Tug McGraw has been without peer since coming off the disabled list July 27. In that time he's allowed just two earned runs. Ron Reed reassumes the No. 2 role since Sparky Lyle is ineligible. Warren Brusstar, Kevin Saucier and Dickie Noles add depth. EDGE TO ASTROS. 

It all points to the Phils' first-ever pennant. This time around they're the team with the playoff experience and the loss of ace pitcher J.R. Richard certainly can't help the Astros. On top of everything else, once Green chooses his lineup, the Phils' bench has a big edge.

A quickie poll of Morning Call staffers working last night says, "Phils in four." That's exactly the way I see it, too. 

What more do you need? Call your bookie.