Reading Eagle - November 1980

Fan Mail

Wants MVP Abolished

Dear Editor:

I think the World Series MVP award should be abolished.

Several years ago Reggie Jackson won it because of a great final series game, although he was a dismal failure the first few games.

This year Mike Schmidt won it apparently for his single which drove in two runs in the final game.  He had a good series, two home runs (one wind blown), seven runs batted in, and a .381 average.

However, he stranded nine runners in one game besides hitting into a double play, and also stranded quite a few runners in other games.

Larry Bowa broke a series record for most double plays, naturally saving a few runs in the process; hit .375, stole a base which seemed to upset the K.C. team, and his two-out double and score on Boone’s single took many options away from K.C. in that final game.

Bob Boone led the team in batting and did a wonderful job behind the plate.  Tug McGraw, although having trouble in a couple games, got the job done although his arms must have been ready to fall off.  Trillo, McBride, Maddox, Rose did a splendid job while throwing a few hey hits, and Del Unser got a couple very big hits.

Instead of a gold watch and $5,000 to charity, why just they don’t give $10,000 to charity in the name of the entire team, a charity to be named by the entire team?

Almost every year there is a controversy about the MVP, and this would do away with it.

We all know Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs and Hank Aaron about 745 but would you publish the number of times at bat for Ruth and Aaron?  Also where Aaron stands in home runs for times at bat?  I think you’ll find he is not in the first ten.  I also want to congratulate you for a fine sports section.

                                                                                         Willard Herbein

                                                                                          Reading

(Ruth hit his 714 home runs in 8399 times at bat, or one ever 11.76 times at bat.  Aaron hit his 755 in 12364 times or one every 16.38 Abs.  Of the top 15 all-time home-run hitters – those with 450 or more homers – Aaron ranks ninth in homers per at bats, behind, in order, Ruth, Gehrig, Killebrew, Williams, Mantle, Foxx, McCovey and Mays.)

Green to Come Back As Manager in 1981

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Dallas Green, saying the “timing just doesn’t seem right for a move” following the Philadelphia Phillies’ first World Series victory, says he will return as manager in 1981.

Green has made no secret that he prefers to be in the front office, where he worked until Aug. 31, 1979, when he replaced Danny Ozark as manager.

“But the money is right, three and a half to four times what I can make normally.  It’s difficult to turn down.

“The timing just doesn’t seem right for a move,” said Green, 46, who would like to succeed or assist General Manager Paul Owens.

“I hate to become a slave of money, but if I can put the kids through school by managing a couple of years, it won’t be too bad,” said the father of four.

Green eliminated the star status of a number of Phillies in 1980 as he used all 25 players, including several rookies, in directing the team to the National League pennant and a World Series victory over the Kansas City Royals.

In an interview Monday, Green said he did not contemplate any sweeping changes of the championship team, but indicated some fresh and younger faces would be sought.  He also said the Phillies would be interested in adding to their starting pitching rotation.

Sports in Brief

ST. LOUIS (AP) – George Brett of the Kansas City Royals, Steve Stone of the Baltimore Orioles and Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies were announced as the 1980 baseball award winners by The Sporting News, a weekly publication.

Brett and Stone were selected, respectively, as the player and pitcher of the year in the American League.  In the National League, Schmidt was selected the 1980 player and Carlton the pitcher.

The selections were made through a poll of the players in each league with 244 AL players and 168 NL players participating.