Allentown Morning Call - November 1980

Cornerbacks… Schmidt and McBride… Shortstops, too (excerpt)

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

Not to throw a bucket of ice water on those Phillies' fans who are still celebrating, but did you read about the bucket of ice water Bake McBride threw on Mike Schmidt the day before the star home run hitter went to New York to pick up the World Series MVP Award? McBride told Philadelphia Daily News columnist Stan Hochman that he didn't think Schmidt deserved the award. He thought that Larry Bowa, Bob Boone or Tug McGraw did. The funny thing about the whole story was that Schmidt himself mentioned that any one of five guys could have won the award. Some Phils will continue to be pills. 

●       ●       ●

Joe Buzas talked in glowing terms all summer long about Ryne Sandberg, a shortstop with the Reading Phillies. Buzas put the "can't miss" label on Sandberg, who hit .313 and stole 31 bases at Reading. Sandberg is one of five shortstops on the 40-man roster the Phillies released during the week. Others include Julio Franco, the MVP in the Carolina League; Luis Aguayo, Ramon Aviles, and, of course, Larry Bowa. It appears, then, that the shortstop position is in good hands with or without Bowa.

●       ●       ●

Although Hawk Harrelson was the People's Choice, baseball insiders around the Boston area say that Ralph Houk is best suited to handle the various personalities that make up the Red Sox. Houk is a former Army major who runs a tight ship. He's a Dallas Green type, one who speaks his mind no matter who gets hurt in the process. Don Zimmer supposedly had a problem keeping all parties happy, thus his departure.

From Silent Steve it’s performance – nothing else

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

Phillies' Item No. 1: Steve Carlton wins another Cy Young Award. 

In 1972, when Steve Carlton won his first Cy Young Award, the Phillies finished dead last. How did Carlton feel about his personal accomplishments? 

"I feel that I'm in sort of an elite class, and that has to give you an elite feeling,” Carlton said. He also credited "positive thinking" for his remarkable (27-10) season, but noted, "The big thing is having the opportunity to pitch every fourth day… I needed the work and it made me more consistent." 

Yeah, that was Steve Carlton speaking in 1972. 

In 1977, when Carlton won his second Cy Young Award, the Phillies won the National League's Eastern championship. How did Carlton feel about that season? 

No comment. No attempt to comment.

Carlton was well into his no-talk act. At the time the Cy Young winner was announced, he was on a three-week hunting trip. 

But his catcher and mouthpiece, Tim McCarver, said: "With Lefty right now, his attitude is something like Frank Sinatra's. All he feels he owes the public is a good performance." 

In 1980, when Carlton won his third Cy Young Award, the Phillies won the World Series. C'mon, Steve, you gotta tell the world something now – another Cy Young Award, a World Series championship. A great feeling? 

No comment. No attempt to comment. 

Yesterday, Carlton was on an extended hunting trip. 

Great pitcher, Steve Carlton. Period.

●       ●       ●

Phillies' Item No. 2: Dallas Green agrees to manage another season.

It was back in spring training that Dallas Green talked about Dallas Green. 

He said: "I do scream and yell but the players have to understand it is not negative. I'm rooting for them, patting them on the back or giving encouragement. 

"If a guy does well, I'll certainly compliment him. Conversely, a mistake and he will be told. I can use my screaming and yelling for both tactics. I really don't see anything wrong with that."

What a shame it would have been had Green decided to go upstairs rather than stay in the dugout. He is the right mart for this collection of baseball talent. 

Danny Ozark couldn't do it because he was too nice. This team demanded a Dallas Green type. He didn't back down an inch when confronted by the No. 1 Phillie or the No. 25 Phillie.

There were no "specials" on the 1980 Phillies. A number of the stars found that out during the season and even during the playoff series with Houston and the World Series against the Royals.

Even Larry Bowa, who had differences of opinion with Green more than once, realized the manager's worth in the World Series. "Dallas has utilized 25 players," Bowa said after the second game. "He maneuvered it well, and when the late innings came along, we had guys knowing they could contribute."

Tug McGraw, the veteran relief star who did as much as anybody in the stretch, saw the value of Green almost immediately. "He promised me work," said McGraw, "and I got it. He used me the way I like to be used." 

In fact, it was McGraw who said Pete Rose and Green were the two people most responsible for the success of the 1980 Phillies.

"He got them (the other players) off each other's backs," McGraw had said in one of his World Series oratories. "It was as if he was saying, 'stop hating each other. Use it all on me.'" 

No question, Green is the right man. He's got the backing of the front office, so he can do things his way. He's a Carpenter man from the word go – he's got a job for life.

Surely, the family must know where Green's strengths are – in the dugout, and the club's going to be better off for it. It has paid off handsomely already.

Phillies hire Baumer as minor league head

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Jim Baumer, former general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, has been named director of the Philadelphia Phillies' Minor League Department as well as director of scouting, the National League club announced yesterday.

Howie Bedell, who was in charge of the club's minor leagues, has been let go. Jack Pastore, director of scouting, will assist Baumer under the new administrative format.

"Basically, I firmly believe in a one-man operation as head of that department," said Phillies' vice president Paul Owens, in making the announcement. "We followed that format, while I was department head and the same when (Phils manager) Dallas Green replaced me. 

"We tried to go to the two-head department for the last year and I'm just not satisfied," Owens said. "Bedell, who directed the development end, has had no scouting experience. I'm very appreciative of the job Bedell has done for the Phillies, but I just felt a change was needed." 

A source close to the situation said the firing grew out of a personality conflict between Bedell and Green. 

According to the source, there was a communication problem between the two men, and Green apparently felt that Bedell should have spent more time helping the manager with some of the major league team's clubhouse problems during last season. 

The source indicated that Green also believed that Bedell should have spent more time with the major league team during spring training.

The Phillies, according to the source, wanted a scouting man for the job. Bedell did not have scouting experience. 

Bedell, who said he was negotiating for another job in baseball, said he could understand how the Phillies felt, and that there was no bitterness on his part. 

In conversations with Owens and Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter, Bedell said, he explained that he felt he had a job to do, he did that job, and he was not available for some of the things Green wanted because it was Bedell's first year on the job. 

"Ruly and Paul said they were pleased with the work I did, " Bedell said.

Baumer, 49, saw major league service in 1949 with the Chicago White Sox and in 1961 with the Cincinnati Reds. He played in Japan for five years between 1963 and 1967 before becoming a scout for the Houston Astros in 1968. He joined the Milwaukee organization in 1972 where he served as scout, director of player development and general manager until 1977.

Owens hired Baumer in 1978 as a special assignment scout with emphasis on the American League. Baumer scouted the Kansas City Royals prior to the World Series. He also is involved in free agent crosschecking and scouting of the Phillies' minor league clubs.

Between 1974 and 1979, Bedell was an assistant in the Minor League Department to Green, who was named the Phillies' field manager in August of that year. 

A native of Clearfield and a resident of Pottstown, Bedell, 44, played professional baseball from 1957 to 1969. He managed five years in the Phillies' system before moving to the front office.

In Brief (excerpt)

‘Phantastic Phillies’ film

"The Phantastic Phillies," a 50-minute highlight album of the 1980 Phils' season, is scheduled for distribution on Nov. 17. 

The album, which is narrated by Harry Kalas, is priced at $4.99 and features play-by-play highlights of the stretch drive to the Eastern Division title, the National League pennant and world championship along with interviews with players, the clubhouse celebration and Kennedy Stadium rally. 

Twenty-four area Kiddie City outlets are now providing gift certificates for the album.

Cheers & Jeers (excerpt)

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor: 

I thought professional reporters were supposed to keep their objectivity. Obviously John Kurida does not know what objectivity is! 

His Oct. 21 column on the "No-talk Phils" was really degrading – both to the Phillie players and us Phillie fans. 

Why should he put down players because they do not talk to the press or give interviews? Players like Steve Carlton have the right to a personal life away from the press. It seems that if players don't say a few words in front of a camera, they're put down as being snobbish.

Steve is one of the nicest men in baseball and it's reporters with no compassion that give baseball a bad name. The Phillies are the greatest team in baseball, even though they only won one World Series. They know how to treat their fans, and that's why the fans understand why the Phils are shy from the bone-grinding press. 

A Devoted Phillies' fan 

Debbie Arndt 

Slatington 

●       ●       ●

To the Editor:

Reading the three letters Oct. 26 concerning the columns written by Executive Sports Editor John Kunda on the recent World Series, it made me realize how different people can be when prejudice and bias take over their thinking. 

In the years that I have read John Kunda's columns, the aspect of his writing which I enjoyed the most was his fairness to people in athletics. He is not a negative or controversial newspaperman who thrives on critical analysis to attract a following. 

"John Kunda" columns on the World Series did not show any favoritism toward any one team and. if anything, played down what many out-of-town sports writers elaborated on.

That an athlete be denied his American Heritage was never mentioned by Mr. Kunda. nor his love for another National League club. 

The Phillies, a fine team, remind me of the Oakland A s under Charles Finley, when they were winning pennants and World Series. 

Clubhouse problems never affected them between the foul lines.

In fact, if this area would read out-of-town observers of the club's internal problems, they would know John Kunda's column only reflected what other notable sports writers thought. 

I am not a Philly fan, but a man who loves the sport. The one thing I'll remember about this series was not even mentioned by John Kunda. It was attack police dogs behind home plate in the ninth inning of a crucial game, with Frank White batting and bases full. 

I'm sure no baseball fan enjoyed that, and I am also quite sure Frank White and the rest of the players did not either.

So. John Kunda, be assured not all readers of your paper agree with those letters of criticism. 

But like people in athletics, you just take it and play the next game. I know you will. 

Hal Grossman 

Allentown

Kansas City loses cow town complex

By Joel Sleed, Newhouse News Service

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Although the baseball Royals couldn't do for this city what the football Chiefs did a decade ago in winning the Super Bowl, George Brett and company set a record of sorts in their World Series efforts. More hot dogs and beer were consumed during the three days the Royals and Phillies tangled in the 40,762-seat baseball stadium here than in any other three-day period in the ballpark's history. 

"It just goes to prove," one wag in this sports-mad city said, upon hearing of the frankfurter-suds record, ' 'that we Kansas Citians not only know how to grin and beer it, but we love the Royals for better or wurst." 

Kansas City is a happy town. It hasn't always been that way, but now it knows where it is going and is in no hurry to get there. 

"We are beginning to concentrate on our unique situation," says Dr. Charles N. Kimball, president of the Midwest Research Institute, a Kansas City think tank. "We are not New York. We are hot San Francisco. We are not Boston. We are not Seattle. We are Kansas City, and we have isolated our specific problems and opportunities and have planned and designed for them." 

Kimball says Kansas City's experience debunks "two persistent fallacies about urban America: that bigness brings greatness, and that continued growth in large metropolitan areas is a fatalistic reality that is beyond control." 

Over the past decade, this former cow town and doorway to the West for our pioneer ancestors has experienced exceptional – but regulated – growth and prosperity. 

Because of this, says Kimball, a leader in the early efforts to improve the city, "we've finally thrown off our inferiority complex about being an end-of-the-trail cow town.”

And a complex the city did have. The regional capital of the prairies entered the 1970s in shabby shape. The city had grown old and was dispirited. Airport, office buildings, hotels and sports facilities were out of date. Restaurants served a choice of chicken, steak and hamburger, and closed at 8:30 p.m. Nightlife centered around private clubs or evenings of beer and bowling. 

But a decade ago the ball began to bounce Kansas City's way, and things improved rapidly. 

The ball in question was a football, and it was carried by Len Dawson and the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings in 1970. The victory not only restored the residents' faith in their city, but also appeared to be the catalyst for improvement of their lot. Soon after, a group of business leaders formed a coalition to encourage revitalization of the city and publicize the good things the area offers.

In the next 10 years a $6 billion public and private construction boom – all of it carefully planned and controlled – changed the city's skyline and also its personality. 

Before the last jackhammer quieted, the revitalized city had, among other things: 

●  A new $250 million airport. The . first of its kind, the Kansas City International Airport is designed with a walk-to-fly concept that puts every flight at a convenient location. 

●  The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, the world's only side-by-side professional sports stadiums, built at a cost of $70 million. The Royals' home seats 40,762, while the Chiefs' stadium seats 78,097. 

●  Hallmark's Crown Center, a $500 million city-within-a-city that has transformed 25 blighted near-downtown blocks into a complex of offices, apartments, shops, hotels and restaurants. 

●  Five new luxury hotels, the latest being the Kansas City Hyatt-Regency which opened in July.

Hotels are going up because tourism is booming in Kansas City. It rocketed to 4.8 million visitors in 1978, up 400 percent since 1972. The trend continued this past summer, which saw a 55 percent increase over a year ago. 

Though the city is carefully planning for its future, it hasn't disregarded culture or its past. It boasts first-class symphony, opera, ballet and theater companies. The Nelson Gallery of Art houses one of the world's finest collections of Oriental art. 

The Westport area, one of the city's oldest sections, has been restored to a lively area of old red brick buildings with hidden courtyards, skylights and shaded nooks. The restored buildings house gourmet restaurants, shops, night spots and gracious homes. 

Downtown, the historic Folly Theater where Al Jolson and Fanny Brice performed and Gypsy Rose Lee fanned her way to fame and fortune has been saved from the wrecker's ball and is being renovated.

The surge of decade ago, when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, has been repeated in the '80s even though the Royals didn't go all the way. Plans were announced just before World Series time of another planned construction program costing $700 million. The new projects include a $42 million, 600-room deluxe downtown hotel and the construction of a new $63 million bridge across the Missouri River. 

Asked why Kansas City is kicking off major construction programs during a national recession, Mayor Richard L. Berkley says: "Farsighted planning and controlled growth have helped to create an economy that is uniquely capable of weathering economic down- turns. We are not immune to the social and fiscal problems other urban centers are experiencing, but the difference is that in Kansas City, our , problems are manageable."

Even this scribe has some views

Abe’s Got the Answers

A Philadelphia paper ran a daily feature during the Fall Classic called “How others viewed the World Series." The "others" were sports scribes. Abe thought he'd snare some of their comments. 

Bob Verdi, Chicago Tribune: "Strange World Series. The Phillies have stranded more men that the Gabor sisters... (and) the Royals are thinking of voting a full share (of the player's series money) to George Brett's proctologist." 

And, "the Philadelphia Phillies long have been detested for their overbearing arrogance, their princely style and their whimpering ways. As more than one opponent has theorized... it was difficult to hate their guts. You couldn't... hate something they didn't have. 

"But the new Philadelphia Phillies, the Phillies who beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 Sunday to move within one victory of a World Series title, are different. Arrogant still, maybe. But gutless, definitely not." 

Howard Rosenberg, Los Angeles Times: "Be thankful it's NBC and not ABC that's telecasting the Series. You just know Howard Cosell (would) be up there with a pointer in front of a chart analyzing George's (Brett) problem 'Now the green area here..."' 

Tom Callahan, Washington Star: "The most singularly unattractive, unappealing and, besides that, obnoxious baseball team of modern times is about to win the World Series. How to win one more game from Kansas City isn't what's worrying the city fathers of Philadelphia. How are they ever going to get the players to come to the parade (is)." 

Red Smith, New York Times: "Pete Rose has an almost lascivious love of baseball. He plays with total, intense dedication, relishing every moment. At bat he crowds the plate in a knee-sprung crouch, his tough face regarding the pitcher from the middle of the strike zone. 

"The face looks like a detour on Interstate 95, and he wears the fixed wide-mouthed grin of a cat crouching over a mouse saying, 'Shall I play with him a little longer or eat him up right now?'" 

●       ●       ●

Dear Abe, would you be kind enough to research ex-President Gerald Ford's background at the University of Michigan when he was a member of the football teams in the early thirties.

According to the Big 10 record book, Ford played CENTER on the 1934 team, not quarterback, as quoted by Joyce Hoffmann, one of your staffers who covered Ford's recent visit in the Valley. 

Incidentally, Ford was voted the MVP (most valuable player) on the Michigan team in 1934. 

I would like to know who is correct in this matter. 

Mark Belletti, Hellertown 

Mark, as president of the Notre Dame subway alumni and formerly associated with the Valley chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, you should know as much about Ford as I do. 

I'll defend Joyce Hoffmann in that Ford WAS "a one-time quarterback" as stated in her article. She didn't say he was a quarterback at the University Michigan. Ford won All-State and All-City honors in Grand Rapids during high school and he WAS a quarterback. (Remember the single wing?) 

He was a member of Michigan's unofficial national championship football teams in 1932 and 1933 (the official NCAA and Associated Press poll was not started until 1936). Ford was a center and Wolverine MVP in 1934. He was an assistant varsity football coach at Yale when he was studying for his law degree.

●       ●       ●

Abe, can you give me the address for ticket information on the Phillies games for the 1981 season? 

A.L., Nazareth 

I really don't know much about thp Phillies' ticket plans or their prices. I don't even know if the Phils will boost their prices next season. It would be best to write to: Phillies Tickets. Philadelphia Veterans Stadium, Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148. Or call (215) 1-463-6000. 1 don't think the ticket brochure will be available until next month. 

●       ●       ●

Abe, the first couple of World Series weren't anything close to the today's in fan attendance and player's winning and losing shares. What were the first championships like? I know the Phillies got between $30,000 and $25,000 per man for winning the series. What did the oldtime players get and what was the attendance? 

Dave W., Coopersburg 

●       ●       ●

The first championship was viewed by about 100,000 people total for the eight-game matchup in 1903. 

Boston beat Pittsburgh five games to three and the total receipts were $50,000. The player's winning purse was $1,316 and the loser's share $1,182. 

In 1904, New York beat Philadelphia, 91,000 people watched five games and the total receipts were $68,435. The winners got $1,142 and the losers $832.

The 1980 World Series set a gate receipts record of $5,131,756 for the six games. Also, the largest gate receipts for one game was set this year in Game 6 (at the Vet) with a ticket total of $1,062,404. Neither figure includes TV receipts nor consession profits.

The players' pool (from which the player's draw their post season bonus money) was $3,915870 including the league playoffs and the first four games of the Series. The Phils will get about $40,000 a man and the Royals $30,000 per man. 

●       ●       ●

Send your question to Abe, co Sports, the Sunday Call-Chronicle, 6th and Linden streets. Allentown. Pa. 18105.

The Streak Goes On

Philadelphia’s last pro loss was Oct. 18

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Winning must be contagious, because an epidemic of success in athletics has swept this city. 

Not since Oct. 18 has a local professional sports team lost. 

On that date, the Philadelphia Phillies dropped Game Four of the World Series to the Kansas City Royals 4-2.

But the local fans have more than forgiven the 1980 Phils, who went on to deliver the first baseball world championship in the 98-year history of the franchise when they beat the Royals on Oct. 19 and 21. 

Also on Oct. 18, the Philadelphia Flyers dropped a 6-2 hockey decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then, they have not lost in 11 games and have the best record in the National Hockey League.

The Flyers already own the longest non-losing streak in the history of professional sports – last season's early 35-game streak. 

The Philadelphia Eagles, who have the best record in the National Football League, have won six straight games since being upset by the St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 28. It is their best start ever.

The Philadelphia 76ers share best-record honors so far this National Basketball As sociation season with the Phoenix Suns. And the Sixers have won 11 straight games, last losing to the New York Knicks Oct. 14. 

That is one short of the team's best-ever streak in one season, set in 1949 when the franchise was based in Syracuse. 

Even the Major Indoor Soccer League franchise, the Philadelphia Fever, has caught the winning bug. The Fever opened its season with an 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Fog Saturday.

"I heard no Philadelphia team had lost since Oct. 18,” Fever defender Alan Kelley said afterwards. "I just thought, 'Let's hope it's not us that loses, because we'll get crucified.'" 

Added Kelley, a British native: "Philadelphia is a very win-oriented city." 

Lately, anyway. Of course, all good things – and epidemics – must end. The onus of continuing the city's winning ways falls most immediately on the 76ers. who play Tuesday night in Chicago against the Bulls, then return home for a Wednesday night game with the Knicks. 

The Flyers are off until Thursday, the Eagles and Fever until Sunday.

And the Phils? Well, they don't get going again until April of 1981.

Philly has a chance at ‘slam’

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – No city has ever bad a grand slam in professional sports – four league championships in the same 12-month period – but Philadelphia has at least an outside chance of doing so this year. 

The Philadelphia Phillies already have captured the baseball World Series crown, and the Flyers, Eagles and 76ers all lead their respective hockey, football and basketball divisions in their leagues. 

If the teams finish the season atop their divisional heaps, they would be assured berths in playoff competition for league titles. 

In an interview Tuesday with the Lancaster New Era, Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder, well-known Las Vegas oddsmaker, said the overall chances of Philadelphia's four major professional franchises going ail the way are about 75 to 1. 

"The Phillies have already won, so that means there are only three left," Snyder said. "It's still 3 to 1 that the Eagles don't win it all." 

He said the Sixers are a 4 to 1 bet to win the National Basket ball Association title, with the Flyers given a 6 to 1 shot at all the marbles in the National Hockey League. 

No city ever has produced even three winners in a 12-month span, although a few have had double winners – the Pittsburgh Steelers' and Pirates' successes last year being the most recent example. 

Philadelphia already has taken a record triple crown in divisional races over the past 12 months. The Phillies' baseball championship was the third jewel in the crown as the 76ers and Flyers captured their divisions last season only to fail in later playoff competition – in the finals.

Winfield is feature attraction in fifth free agent draft

NEW YORK (AP) – Baseball's reentry draft, which will have a pronounced effect on the 1981 season, will be held today, with 48 free agents available for the major league's fifth such draft. 

Dave Winfield, 29, the star outfielder whose contract talks with the San Diego Padres bogged down with his request for $13 million over 10 years, is the featured attraction for this show. He's already made headlines by chatting with prospective employers and notifying some would-be bidders that they are off his list. 

In the background has been talk of a possible conspiracy to keep George Steinbrenner, free-spending owner of the New York Yankees, away from Winfield. Because the Yankees had the best record in baseball last season, they pick last among the 26 teams on each round. The Chicago Cubs have the first choice. 

A player can be selected by a maximum of 13 teams, plus his old team, and there is the possibility that Winfield's eligibility could be exhausted before the Yankees pick. How ever, Winfield's original asking price and his letter to more than a dozen teams could scare off enough clubs and give Steinbrenner a shot at him. Besides, only pitcher Dave Goltz has been selected by 13 clubs in the opening round in the first four drafts. 

Winfield's agent already has mentioned lawsuits if the Yankees don't have a chance to get their man. In the past, what Steinbrenner has wanted, he's gotten, building four division winners in five seasons with the help of free-agent acquisitions Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Rudy May and Bob Watson. 

Some of the other teams who have been courting Winfield include the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and New York Mets, whose new ownership has been promising a much more aggressive posture on free agents. 

Winfield, Claudell Washington of the Mets and Ron LeFlore, the base-stealing star of the Montreal Expos, are the best of the 13 outfielders available. Monday night, Dusty Baker withdrew himself from the auction by signing a 5-year contract for close to $4 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

There also will be 15 pitchers, nine catchers and 11 infielders available. The other top players eligible are catcher Darrell Porter of the Kansas City Royals, pitchers Don Sutton of the Dodgers and World Series hero Tug McGraw of the Philadelphia Phillies, first baseman-designated hitter Rusty Staub of the Texas Rangers and third baseman Roy Howell of the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Porter, who plays a position that has yet to produce a star player for the draft, is angry about recent reports that he was back on drugs and alcohol. Porter checked himself into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center early in the year. He finished the season with a .249 batting average. 

"It's absolutely untrue," Porter said. "It's the most unfair thing that could ever happen right here at the crossroads of my career when I've worked so hard to get everything straightened out." 

Porter's financial advisor, Bill Katzbeck, said: "I suppose just because Darrell had a bad year people would think the worst. But it's not true and we have medical documents to verify it." 

The Royals have expressed a desire to retain negotiating rights to Porter. "No one knows Darrell Porter's worth," said Kansas City General Manager Joe Burke. "He doesn't arid I don't. But I'm not going to get into a bidding war for him. We would like him back if it's possible." 

The Blue Jays say they have decided not to retain rights to Howell , who has hit 25 home runs for Toronto over the past two seasons. They recently signed Dan Ainge and think he's their third baseman of the future. 

"Howell might drive in a few more runs, but he lets in more runs with his defensive play," said Blue Jays President Peter Bavasi. "Ainge will protect leads and will make the pitchers better, so we won't need to score as many runs." 

It's this difference of opinion in a player's ability that underscores the value of free agency. A man's worth with one team dictating the terms is much less than when several teams are interested. 

That's an economic fact of life and one reason why the owners made compensation the key issue of the contract negotiations earlier this year. The owners don't like the economics of receiving what they consider inadequate compensation for losing key players. 

The current compensation of amateur draft choices is being discussed by a joint committee of two players and two general managers. Although no progress in these talks has been reported, it' s possible the 1980 draft and its compensation system may see some changes next year.

Expected – Winfield; surprise – McGraw

Phils’ ace is ignored

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – World Series pitching hero Tug McGraw was completely ignored yesterday . in baseball's free agent re-entry draft while Del Unser, another Phillies "super sub," was selected by four teams. 

McGraw, 36, a reliever who got the Phils out of several ninth-inning jams in the Series against Kansas City and who pitched brilliantly in the stretch run for the National League pennant, was on the outside looking in at the talent auction. 

Because he was not selected, he was declared a total free agent under the draft rules, meaning he is eligible to negotiate with all 26 major league clubs. 

Utility outfielder Del Unser, 36, attracted the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers. Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. 

The Phillies also retained negotiating rights with Unser, who got several key hits in the team's drive to its first world championship in the 98-year history of the franchise. 

Meanwhile, the Phillies drafted negotiating rights to outfielder-first baseman Jim Dwyer of the Boston Red Sox' in the first round, Texas catcher-infielder Dave W. Roberts in the second, and three pitchers – Stan Bahnsen of Montreal, Geoff Zahn of the Minnesota Twins and John D'Acquisto, also of Montreal – in the third, fourth and fifth rounds.

According to draft rules, each player may be selected by a maximum of 13 teams. No player among the 48 free agents available reached that limit and the two who were closest Roberts and Dwyer were surprises. Roberts, the first player picked in the draft, was tabbed by 12 teams, and Dwyer by 11.

McGraw surprised but not disappointed

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Tug McGraw admits he's surprised, but insists he's not disappointed that not one team selected him in baseball's re-entry draft. 

McGraw is coming off an outstanding season with the Philadelphia Phillies in which he saved 20 regular season games, compiled a 1.47 ERA and made a strong contribution in the club's National League pennant and World Series triumphs. 

McGraw said yesterday he believes that other clubs have the impression he doesn't want to leave Philadelphia, that he'll eventually come to agreement with the Phillies, and didn't want to waste a draft choice on him for those reasons. 

"I think other owners didn't draft me because they felt they had little hope of signing me," McGraw said. 

The genial left-handed relief pitcher said the re-entry slight didn't change his negotiating approach with the Phillies one bit. He's still asking for a four-year contract, reportedly at $250,000 per season. 

"In my career," said McGraw, "nothing routine ever happens. Things always seem to be weird." 

McGraw said he was prepared to go out and negotiate with any of the 26 clubs interested in talking, but that his bottom line was to remain in Philadelphia, if possible. 

The 36-year-old reliever maintained his keen sense of humor despite the re-entry debacle.

"I fell out of a tree and broke my left elbow," he jested upon hearing he hadn't been selected Thursday. 

McGraw said that he and the Phillies were in the "same ballpark" monetarily. 

"We differ in the psychological approach to negotiations," McGraw explained… "but they're willing to do it for other players." 

He described this psychological bit as involving his playing position, length of contract, and his age. 

Apparently, the Phillies feel 36-year-old relievers seeking four year contracts are a poor risk compared to everyday players. They probably are willing to meet the pitcher's financial demands, but over a shorter term of contract.

McGraw admitted that even if other teams – and he rattled off such names as the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers – offered him $200,000 or $300,000 more than the Phillies he would sign with Philadelphia. He hedged this on getting the other benefits in the psychological war. 

Since no team drafted him, what makes McGraw think he could get elsewhere even what he was asking the Phillies? 

"I could get it today. I know. You can book it," McGraw said.

"But I wouldn't sign with another team for the same amount I can get from Philadelphia," McGraw noted. "It would take a lot more to get me to move." 

Suppose he can't come to terms with the Phillies? 

"If not, then I would take one of the other offers. I'd have to do what's best for me and my family," McGraw replied. 

McGraw, however, thinks the Phillies are just playing the game of negotiation. He also makes it clear that what he is asking is within the financial structure of the club.

"They have to be fair," he said. "I'm not asking for anything they haven't done for other players in a more severe position than me. We just seem to be completely opposite in the approach to what I'm asking." 

McGraw said the reasons why the club is offering him what it is proposing are more discouraging to him than, the actual offers. 

"The Phillies certainly are the club I'd want to stay with, if possible, if they come up with a reasonable offer. Outside of that I'm a baseball player. I'll play anywhere," McGraw concluded.

Phillies:  $34,693

Royals:  $32,211

NEW YORK (AP) – The world champion Philadelphia Phillies and American League champion Kansas City Royals each earned record World Series shares, according to figures released by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn yesterday. 

Each full share for a member of the Phillies was worth $34,693.18, breaking the record of $31,236.99 earned by the New York Yankees in 1978. 

The Royals, who lost the Series in six games to Philadelphia, came away with $32,211.95, breaking the losers' share record of $25,483.21, which went to the Los Angeles . Dodgers two years ago. 

The 1980 shares compare to the $28,236.87 which went to each member of the winning Pittsburgh Pirates following the 1979 World Series, and $22,113.94 which went to each ' member of the losing Baltimore Orioles.

The Phillies voted 33 full shares, three half shares, a one-quarter share of $8,673.29 to rookie Marty Bystrom, who won five games in September, a one-eighth share of $4,336.65 to reliever Sparky Lyle, who joined the team for the final weeks of the season, and 19 cash grants to uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. 

The Royals voted 26 full shares and a three-quarter share of $24,158.96 to infielder Jerry Terrell. Pitchers Steve Busby, Gary Christenson and Jeff Twitty and outfielder Rusty Torres received half cuts worth $16,105.97 each. Outfielder Steve Braun got a one-third share of $10,7371.31. Outfielder Jose Cardenal received a one-sixth share of $5,368.66. There were also 21 cash grants to uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, headed by $5,000 to pitcher Rawly Eastwick. 

Houston's National League West winners earned $13,465.29 for a full share, a sum no World Series champion received until 1969. The New York Yankees, winners of the American League East, divided 30 full shares of $12,570.59 apiece. . 

The players' shares come from the first three games of each League Championship Series and the first four games of the World Series. Combined, they produced the highest players' pool in history, $3,915,870.82. 

Among those receiving full shares from the Phillies were trainer Don Segar; assistant trainer Jeff Cooper; Kenny Bush Sr., clubhouse and equipment manager; Pete Cera, assistant to Bush; and Gus Hoefling, physical instructor. 

Other shares went to Hank King, batting practice pitcher ($8,673); Pete Murphy, bat boy ($4,000); Gary Watts, bat boy, ($4,000); Mark Anderson, bat boy ($4,000), Kenny Bush, Jr., bat boy ( $2,000), and Kevin Kaufman, clubhouse assistant ($2,000).

Virdon named N.L. Manager of Year; Green distant second

NEW YORK (AP) – Mild-mannered Bill Virdon, who piloted the Houston Astros to the first division championship in their 18-year history, was named National League Manager of the Year by The Associated Press yesterday. 

Virdon received 293½ votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters and was an easy winner over Dallas Green of the world champion Philadelphia Phillies, who finished with 167½. 

Bobby Cox, who managed the Atlan ta Braves to a fourth-place finish in the West Division, was third with 66 votes. Dick Williams, whose Montreal Expos lost the East Division title to the Phillies on the final weekend of the season, was fourth with nine. 

Virdon 's Astros won the National League West in a one-game playoff with Los Angeles, after the Dodgers had swept the last three games of the regular season to tie the race. Then Houston lost the pennant to Philadelphia in a pulsating five-game playoff that frazzled the nerves of both teams and their fans. 

Virdon remained calm and cool throughout that final week of the regular season and the playoffs. His team reflected his demeanor, never losing its composure in high pressure situations. When the wildly exciting playoffs ended, he displayed no great emotion, merely turning and heading calmly for the clubhouse. 

It was typical of Virdon 's approach to the game. He has never let himself, get too high or too low over the wins and losses that follow managers around. It was that low-key approach to his work that resulted in him getting the job with Houston in 1975. 

Virdon had managed Pittsburgh to the National League East crown in 1972, his first big league pilot's job. ' When the Pirates slumped the next year, he was discharged there and signed to manage the New York Yankees. The Yanks were second in 1974, but the next year Virdon was fired again, primarily because Yankee owner George Steinbrenner wanted a more flamboyant manager and had an opportunity to get Billy Martin, who fit that mold.

Virdon wasn't out of work long. Tal Smith had left the Yankee front office to become general manager of the Astros only a few months before Virdon departed the New York dugout. Smith called almost immediately. And 18 days after he was fired as Yankee skipper, Virdon was hired as manager of the Astros.

Houston was 17-17 under Virdon for the remainder of 1975 and then followed with two break-even seasons, 80-82 in 1976 and 81-81 in 1977, both third-place finishes.

When the Astros dipped to fifth in 1978, some baseball people thought Virdon might be in jeopardy. But the next year Houston challenged for the top, finishing second to Cincinnati. And in 1980, the Astros reached first place, climbing there on an attack which emphasized pitching, speed and defense. 

The American League Manager of the Year will be announced Thursday.

Phils send Saucier to Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Kevin Saucier, who had a 7-3 record with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies in relief roles, was acquired by the "Texas Rangers of the American League yesterday to complete the trade which sent reliever Sparky Lyle to the Phillies on Sept. 13. 

Saucier, 24, is a lefty with a 3.42 earned run average, permitting 50 hits in 50 innings while striking out 25 and walking 20. 

He yielded only two home runs. 

Eddie Robinson, executive vice president of the Rangers, said, "Saucier challenges the hitters. He's a good competitor – very aggressive – and should be a valuable addition to our bullpen." 

Manager Dallas Green of the Phillies said of Saucier, "He'll get better as he is used more." 

Robinson also announced the promotion of shortstop Wayne Tolleson and Lenny Whitehouse, a lefthanded-pitcher, to the Rangers 40-man roster. 

Tolleson, 25, a switch hitter, batted .311 in the Florida Winter Instructional League which completed play recently. 

Whitehouse, 23, had a 3-0 record in the FWIL and a 2.34 ERA.

Phillies exonerated in drug case; doctor charged

HARRISBURG (AP) – State drug agents charged a Reading doctor yesterday with using the names of five players on the Philadelphia Phillies to illegally prescribe drugs. 

Dr. Patrick Mazza, 56, was accused of prescribing amphetamines by using the names of Steve Carlton, Greg Luzinski and his wife Jean, Pete Rose, Randy Lerch, Larry Christenson, former player Tim McCarver and Sheena Bowa, wife of Larry Bowa. None of the players and wives was charged, said Attorney General Harvey Bartle III. 

"There is no evidence indicating any participation by the players in the illegal conduct," said state Justice Department spokesman Stephan Rosenfeld.

The players and the wives told state investigators that they never were treated by Mazza and never received the prescriptions that he allegedly wrote, Bartle said in a statement.

The drug story first emerged last summer, when the Phillies were battling for the National League baseball pennant. The Trenton, N.J., Times said in a copyright story that state narcotics officials wanted to question some Phillies and members of their Reading farm club concerning alleged illegal prescriptions. 

Several Phillies players hotly denied that they were tied to any criminal activity. Third baseman Mike Schmidt, mentioned in the newspaper account, called the report "totally ridiculous," and first baseman Rose said the only doctors he knew in Pennsylvania were the team physicians for the Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. 

In a statement yesterday afternoon, Phillies executive vice-president William Giles said the team has "not received any information from the authorities on the matter, and until we do, we have no comment, except that a thorough investigation into the matter was held last summer and all Philadelphia Phillies players were found to have no involvement in the matter whatsoever." 

Besides Mazza, Robert L. Masley, 54, of Reading, and his son, Robert M. Masley, 24, also of Reading, were charged in the case. They were accused of taking the prescriptions to four Reading pharmacies, having them filled and receiving the drugs, Bartle said. 

In all, Mazza is charged with illegally writing 23 prescriptions that totaled 2,630 dosage units of various amphetamine compounds, Bartle said.

A routine check of pharmacy files in Reading was the key to the charges, said Richard Weatherbee, director of Pennsylvania's Drug Law Enforcement office. 

That check found that the drugs Dexamyl, Dexedrine, Eskatrol and Preludin had been written in the names of Philadelphia Phillies players. 

Specifically, Mazza was charged with 23 felony counts of prescribing drugs "beyond the scope of the doctor-patient relationship," Bartle's statement said. 

Robert L. Masley was charged with with 11 counts of obtaining drugs by fraud. Robert M. Masley was charged with 16 counts of obtaining drugs by fraud. 

Mazza could not be reached for comment.

Schedules… ‘Follow the Sun’... payroll department (excerpt)

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

The Kansas City Royals, champions of the American League, had the 19th highest payroll in baseball in 1980, ahead of Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago, Seattle, Toronto and Oakland, in that order, which proves you don't necessarily equate payroll and winning percentage. The top six in the payroll department: Yankees, Pirates, Phillies, Angels, Dodgers and Red Sox. Interestingly, there wasn't a team in the National League with a payroll under $4 million, while in the American League, nine of the 14 clubs were under $3 million.

Maddox, Schmidt win Gold Glove awards

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) Outfielder Garry Maddox and third baseman Mike Schmidt of the world champion Philadelphia Phillies head major league Rawlings Gold Glove teams announced yesterday by the Sporting News, a weekly publication. 

Maddox is the senior member of the teams, earning the designation for fielding excellence a sixth time. Schmidt's selection was his fifth. In the American League, catcher Jim Sundberg of the Texas Rangers was selected a fifth straight time.

American League repeaters are first baseman Cecil Cooper, Milwaukee; second baseman Frank White, Kansas City; third baseman Buddy Bell, Texas, and outfielder Fred Lynn, Boston. National League repeaters are first baseman Keith Hernandez, St. Louis ; outfielder Dave Winfield, San Diego, and pitcher Phil Niekro, Atlanta. 

Newcomers in the AL are shortstop Alan Trammell, Detroit ; outfielders Willie Wilson, Kansas City, and Dwayne Murphy, Oakland, and pitcher Mike Norris, Oakland. NL newcomers are second baseman Doug Flynn, New York; shortstop Ozzie Smith, San Diego, and catcher Gary Carter and outfielder Andre Dawson, Montreal.

Major league managers and coaches participate in the voting for the Gold Glove teams.

Pro talent… Gerry Faust… Don’t blame the coach (excerpt)

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

You don't think the Phillies are living high off the World Series? Even John Vukovich, a nice guy, but lost among the collection of superstars, was a guest celebrity on a travel tour to Aruba. The Phillies meet the Royals soon on television's "Family Feud." Wonder if Mike Schmidt and Bake McBride will be teammates on the show? McBride wasn't too complimentary over Schmidt's selection as the Series MVP and even refused to go to Schmidt's golf tournament a couple of weeks ago at Hilton Head.