November 1980 - Wilmington Evening Journal

Schmidt and Carlton chosen best in NL

Associated Press

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

Brett and Stone were respectively selected 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 St. Louis-based publi cation said.

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

Schmidt led the NL with 48 home runs and 121 runs batted in and also scored 104 times. He received 81 votes, more than twice as many as runner-up George Hendrick of the St. Louis Cardinals, who batted .302 and drove in 109 tallies.

Carlton, who had a record of 24 victories, 304 innings pitched and 286 strikeouts while turning in 13 complete games, was selected as the top pitcher for the third time, having been accorded top hurling honors in 1972 and 1977.

Brett, who led the league in batting with a .390 average, drilling 24 homers and batting in 118 runs, received 136 votes to 77 for his nearest rival, Cecil Cooper of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Stone, who led the league in victories with 25, losing seven, and who posted a 3.23 ERA, garnered 139 votes to 77 for Mike Norris, the Oakland A's right-hander.

Super Steve

Carlton wins his third Cy Young Award

By Hal Bodley, Sports Editor

Almost from the moment Dallas Green arrived to manage the Phillies, you could see a marked change in Steve Carlton. He was happy.

Steve Carlton became only the fourth player to win the Cy Young Award three times last night and people all around the baseball fraternity are asking what made the 35-year-old left-hander such a better pitcher in 1980 than he was the year before.

"A transformation obviously took place and I think it was responsible for the way he pitched," said Tim McCarver, Carlton's close friend and former catcher. "Absolutely nothing fazes him now.  He could pitch through a hitter as if the hitter wasn't even there.

"He has been transformed into a calm, peaceful person, completely in control, and there have been times when Lefty has not been completely in control. I can tell a distinct difference between Steve this year and Steve last year."

Carlton had good years while Danny Ozark was the manager, but Steve never liked the man and this type of mental agony bothered his concentration. When Green took over for Ozark on Aug. 31, 1979, the change became evident.

"I don't think it was any secret there was no love lost between Lefty and Ozark," said Green. "I'm not saying he loves me, but I think we have mutual respect and I know he's a happier person. I let him do his thing; I'm convinced he works harder than anyone else on the team. I tried his conditioning program and could not handle it."

Green thinks Carlton is in better shape than any pitcher in baseball. Although Carlton's refusal to run sprints during Green's spring-training mandatory program caused an uproar, the manager told critics Steve had his own routine with physical fitness expert Gus Hoefling and let it go at that.

"We could all tell Steve was a much happier person when Dallas took over the team," said shortstop Larry Bowa. "I don't think Steve had anything personal against Danny Ozark, but I don't think he thought Danny was a competent manager. And we all know how incompetence drives him crazy.

"I think he respects Dallas more because Dallas actually learned the ropes as a big-league pitcher.  Danny had a tendency to go with the hot hand. Like, if Tug McGraw was hot, Danny would go with him. That's OK, but eventually you're using Tug too much. Dallas wanted to use everybody and Steve knew this.

"We were losing a game early in the year, down something like 2-0, and Dallas lifted Lefty for a pinch hitter.  I heard him tell Dallas later, 'You did the right thing.’ Last year, Lefty would have gone crazy."

No one will forget the night in St. Louis when Ozark stalked to the mound to remove Carlton. Instead of giving the manager the ball, Steve spiked it at Danny's feet. He just did not get along with the man.

Carlton's policy of not talking with newspaper reporters has made it impossible for him to tell the world how pleased he is with this Cy Young Award.

Last week, during the Mike Schmidt Golf Classic at Hilton Head Island, S.C., his wife, Beverly, shed some light on how important it would be to him.

"If he wins the Cy Young Award this year it will mean more to him than the previous two," she told me. "I know he is hoping he gets it."

Carlton's selection was never in doubt. When Jack Lang, executive secretary of the Baseball Writers Association of America, counted the ballots yesterday afternoon, the Phillies' left-hander came within one vote of unanimous selection. He received 23 of the 24 cast by a special committee of BBWAA members. Jerry Reuss of the Dodgers, who finished second overall, received the only other first-place vote.

Pittsburgh's Jim Bibby was third and Houston's Joe Niekro fourth.  Others who received mention were the Phillies' Tug McGraw, Montreal's Steve Rogers, Houston's Joe Sambito and Cincinnati's Mario Soto.

Carlton is only the fourth player to win the award three times since it was started in 1956. Previous three-time winners were Sandy Koufax (1963-65-66), Tom Seaver (1969-73-75) and Jim Palmer (1973-75-76).  Prior to 1967, the award was combined for both the American and National Leagues. Beginning in '67, separate awards were given.

Carlton received his first Cy Young in 1972 when he won 27 games for the last-place Phillies. He came back to take it again in 1977 with a 23-10 record.

This past season, however, was the most rewarding for the Miami native who came to the Phillies on Feb. 25, 1972 in a trade for Rick Wise. His 24-9 record and 2.34 earned run average led the Phillies to their fourth National League Eastern Division title in five years. And although his post-season performances were not considered in the Cy Young voting, he had a 1-0 record in the best-of-five playoffs against Houston, then won both starts in the World Series against Kansas City.

Carlton, considered by many to be an emotionless, extremely private person, has been just the opposite since the Phils turned back the Royals in six games to win the world championship.

"I've never seen him so happy," said Beverly. "He keeps repeating to me, 'We're world champions, we're world champions,’ We're not only happy for ourselves and the other players, but also for the Carpenter family. They certainly deserved a world championship."

"I can't say enough for the quality pitching Steve Carlton gave us in 1980," said Green. "No one in the league even came close to doing what he did. I can only think of one game, a 6-1 loss at Montreal on July 2 when he could not have won. His first, last and middle name this year was Consistency."

"The first four months of the year his slider was almost unhittable," said catcher Bob Boone. "He was just awesome. There is nothing else I can say about him."

Carlton, who just completed his 15th season in the majors, has a 225-169 lifetime record. This past regular season he pitched 304 innings and added 27⅓ in postseason competition.

"His arm had to be tired at the end," said Green, "but despite that, he kept us close in every game. During the season he came back to win 15 or 16 times following a loss. That is the mark of a true stopper."

Letters to the Editor (excerpt)

Sticking up for Phillies

It's a shame when the World Series and the men who worked so hard to bring it to our locale have to be subjected to the demeaning tone of Ralph S. Moyed's column (Oct. 15). His pointless remarks only serve to remind us of the value of competitive sports and the opportunities available through them to people of all backgrounds.

So what if the educational background of certain ballplayers is less impressive than that of a Nobel laureate? So what if locker room comments made by certain Phillies are less than profound in Mr. Moyed's opinion? So what if Pete Rose aspires to goals that can be described in one word rather than the "educated" declarative sentence created by Mr. Moyed? (Certainly a one-word description never flowed from his mouth.) So what if Larry Bowa called the fans animals? We certainly have never uttered unkind phrases in his behalf.

I'm positive that Ralph Moyed's columns will instantly cause us to forget what the Mike Schmidts, Greg Luzinskis, Larry Bowas and Babe Ruths did for the children and adolescents of our country. Does he think that major league baseball and/or the Philadelphia Phillies have contributed to the lowering of our educational level?

Possibly the children of our Delaware Valley would have preferred to view the Nobel Prize awards at Veterans Stadium or on TV rather than the Phillies, or perhaps he sales of the Evening Journal would have skyrocketed with a picture of Dr. Lawrence Klein rather than Tug McGraw on its Oct. 15 Page 1.

Thomas J. Williams

Newark

McGraw, Unswer join re-entry draft

Associated Press

NEW YORK – Baseball's 1980 free-agent class is complete.

Relief pitcher Tug McGraw, whose hairbreadth late inning adventures punctuated Philadelphia's mad dash to the world championship last month, filed for the re-entry draft on the final day of eligibilty yesterday along with outfielder Steve Braun of the Toronto Blue Jays.

That brought the total number of players eligible for the draft to 51 and the list includes such stars as outfielders Dave Win-field of the San Diego Padres, Ron LeFlore of the Montreal Expos, and Dusty Baker of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Those three, along with McGraw and pitcher Don Sutton of the Dodgers should generate the most interest when the bidding begins.

McGraw, one of Philadelphia's postseason heroes and pinch-hitting specialist Del Unser, who had a couple of big hits in the World Series, were the only Phillies to file. Kansas City signed infielder Dave Chalk yesterday to retrieve him from the pool, leaving the American League champion Royals with four flayers on the list – catcher Darrell Porter, first baseman Peter LaCock, outfielder Jose Cardenal and pitcher Marty Pattin.

McGraw, who finished the season with a 5-4 record, 20 saves and a 1.47 earned run average, outlined his position in a statement in which he charged that the Phillies are not willing to pay him at the same level as the team's other top players.

"I have entered the free agent draft as of this afternoon, Nov. 5," it said. "My request to the Phillies was this: My contribution to the first world championship in 97 years was equal to that of any person or player on the team. I want to be in the norm with the salaries of these players. To date, the Phillies have declined to make me a proposal of salary comparable to those salary levels of the other key players of the team. I didn't want this, but at this point there was no other choice."

McGraw is not exactly anxious to leave Philadelphia. With that in mind, he and his financial advisor, Phil McLaughlin, will sit down to talk to Phillies officials again today.

All clubs have until Monday to sign their potential free agents. After that, each team could still retain negotiation rights to their players, but only after the draft when up to 13 other teams could select and bid for them.

The only compensation awarded to teams losing players in next Thursday's draft are amateur draft choices. That remains a serious problem between the Players Association and the owners, who would like something more substantial. The conflict nearly resulted in a player strike last May.

A four-man committee composed of Frank Cashen of the New York Mets and Harry Dalton of the Milwaukee Brewers, representing management, and Sal Bando of the Brewers and Bob Boone of the Phillies, is studying the issue, hoping to prevent a possible strike over it next spring.

Green signs for 1 year

By Ray Finocchiaro, Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA – Dallas Green, who guided the Phillies to their first World Series triumph in the team's 98-year history, today signed a one-year contract to manage again in 1981.

"I'm happy, needless to say," said Green. "There was no secret of my preference (not to manage), but we felt the timing wasn't right (for me to step out). Winning the championship was something I had to consider. That put me into the situation where I could hit Ruly (president Carpenter) for a few extra bucks.

"Beneath all that, Paul Owens (director of player personnel) and I talked about wanting to set this club for some time. The working relationship that we have, me on the field and him upstairs, is a good relationship for the perpetuation of this baseball team."

Terms of the contract weren't revealed, but it is believed he signed for a salary in the range.

Asked how many players will make more money, Green responded, "All of them. Maybe we can hold Vukovich down. But I can live with that."

Green said next year he'll "still be the pain in the rear I am in 1981, but I will have had time to reflect on this year. I'll know the personalities of the players better, and they'll know me. I don't think we'll have the internal friction we had in '80. I'll try to improve and I hope the players will try, too.”

Pitcher Larry Christenson also signed a one-year contract.

Green already thinking about improving Phillies

By Ray Finocchiaro, Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA – Dallas Green is now in Florida, eyeing the kids and guarding the new one-year contract he signed yesterday to manage the Phillies in 1981.

Player Personnel Director Paul Owens won't head south until sometime today. Together, Green and Owens will go about their task of bolstering the world-champion Phillies for the upcoming wars.

"I'm excited about what we accomplished in 1980 and I'm looking forward to spring training with enthusiasm," Dallas Green said at yesterday's Philadelphia press conference before going to Florida. "I think I can improve this team. We won't have the strike threat, the big contracts or the 'new manager' thing hanging over our heads this time.

"We won with a good blend of veterans and kids. We'll continue that blend and continue the 25-man theory. But I'd like to see better offense out of people. Offensively, we want to continue the team concept, to do the things we need to do to win."

Owens said the Phillies will study the free-agent list – which includes Phillies Tug McGraw and Del Unser – as well as gauge the trade winds.

"We've seen some interesting names on the free-agent list," said Owens, adding that those names weren't Dave Winfield, Dusty Baker or Ron LeFlore. "There are some intriguing players, some who may fit a role on this team, whether they're big names or not. We'll participate in it. I don't know if we'll go for the big guys their own teams can't sign.

"At times our offense has stuttered. We'd like to get a right-handed .290 hitter. He doesn't have to be a home-run hitter, just somebody who wouldn't be the second out and let teams pitch around Mike Schmidt."

Owens isn't planning the wholesale shakeup he and Green had threatened if the Phillies had failed to win it all.

"We wanted to give this club one more chance," Owens said, "and now I think they deserve another chance to stay together. But we still have to fill in the nooks and crannies. We're in a tough division and winning again won't be easy."

Owens insisted he isn't shopping Greg Luzinski around, although "a lot of people are coming to us. I think the Bull can come back (from two off-seasons). I know he doesn't want to leave here and he's a product of our own organization. If he works hard to rehabilitate his knee and if he plays like he did the first month of the season, he can carry a club."

But Luzinski's days of carrying the Phillies may be over, especially if the Bull is involved in a deal to land relief ace Bruce Sutter from the Chicago Cubs.

Speaking of relief aces, the Phillies haven't finished speaking to Tug McGraw and his agent, although McGraw has joined the reentry draft and is reported to be asking for a guaranteed four-year contract worth $2 million.

"We're still negotiating with Unser and McGraw," Owens said. "We'll make every effort to sign them, but I don't blame anybody for going free agent to test the market. I'm sure Tug wants to stay here, but it always boils down to money."

Green, who admitted one of the reasons he agreed to return as manager was monetary, backed Owens.

"I have every faith that Paul and Ruly (Carpenter) will deal with Tug McGraw," Green said. "I certainly hope so, but I don't expect Ruly and Paul to destroy any salary structures they have in mind. I have to stay objective, not emotional. Naturally I want Tug back because he was a big part of this club winning the world championship."

Green and Owens both say that there will be some changes made in the Phils' world-championship cast.

"We don't need to make a lot of changes, but we have to make some changes," Green said "A team can't stay stagnant and continue winning. Pittsburgh proved that last year. Every club has weaknesses and the Phillies do, too. We'll work hard to improve that. If we can make a trade to improve us one inch, we’ll do it."

One thing the hard-driving Green assures is that the Phillies won't rest on their laurels.

"We won't sink bark into a laissez-faire 'We're the world champions' thing." Green said. "The 25 guys I went with last year aren't safe for next season. I still want the same enthusiasm, effort and drive we got from everybody at the end of 1980. If we don't get it, we'll try to make changes."

While McGraw and Unser decided to test the free-agent waters, right-handed pitcher Larry Christenson opted to sign a one-year contract without an option clause.

"Maybe he felt he was a little obligated to us," said Owens of the oft-injured pitcher who has seemingly spent as much time in traction as he has in his windup. "We gave him a fair contract in terms of the injuries he's had. It's a one-year contract to see how he holds up. He's still young enough that, if we can't get together for a long-term contract after next season, he can become a free agent."

Owens feels "a healthy Larry Christenson is as good a pitcher as there is in the National League." It's staying healthy that's proven to be the problem.

"Signing Larry is a plus," Green agreed. "Hopefully he'll stay sound and have a good year for us.”

Green hopes all the Phils have as good a year in '81 as they did in his rookie season as manager.

"I think we have a good chance to repeat, it's that simple," Green said. "They've got to beat us now. We beat them all last season and they have to beat us now. It's not going to be easy. That's what we have to convince the guys of. We've got our work cut out for us."

Dover pours adulation on Martin

By Matt Zibitka

Renie Martin hasn't received his loser's share from the 1980 World Series and he still doesn't know what the amount will be, But the 6-foot-5, 195-pound pitcher indulged himself long before his Kansas City Royals lost the Series to the Phillies, four games to two.

In July, he purchased a 1980 royal blue (what else?) Corvette, and in August he splurged for a 400-cc Yamaha motorcycle.

"You should've seen Renie as he pulled into Dover at 5 p.m. the Saturday (Oct. 25) after the Series," chuckled Paul Martin, Renie's father. "It was the darndest sight. He had rented a U-Haul trailer in Kansas City. His motorcycle was in the trailer being towed by his Corvette. He drove like that all the way from Kansas City, making only one overnight stop en route, on Friday (Oct. 24) in Springfield, Ohio.

"In Kansas City, he rode the motorcycle from his apartment to the stadium for games and practices. Since he arrived home, he has tried out the motorcycle on Wesley College's football practice field, right across the street from where we live.

"Comparing last year to this year, it's just unbelievable – the things that have happened," added the senior Martin in wonderment. "All kinds of invitations are pouring in for Renie. Thursday night he was interviewed on Channel 4 Cable TV. Friday he was a guest on Dover Radio Station WKEN 'Speak Your Piece' talk show.

"And people stop him on the street requesting an autograph. We've had kids come to our knocking on the door, asking for autographs or requesting an autographed photo. Sometimes they came in groups of five and six at a time. Renie has signed everything from tennis shoes to match covers and palms of peoples' hands. It's just incredible.

"Friday night there was a knock on the door. Outside were four young girls with a tray of oatmeal cookies they baked for Renie. The cookies were still warm. The were exchanging the cookies for an autographed picture.

"We didn't attend any of the (six) World Series games," Martin's father said. "Watched them all on TV in our home. But the funny part of it was that everytime Renie went in to pitch (he appeared in Games 1-3-6, a grand total of 9⅔ innings, all in relief), people would be calling our home, alerting us to the fart that Renie was pitching, as if we didn't know.

"One woman called bur home all the way from Texas to tell us Renie was pitching. She's a former Dover resident and had attended Dover High the same time my wife (Marjorie) did."

Home only a week, Renie started to think about the future. Last Monday he began a twice-daily running program and went to Wesley College to have a catch with his longtime buddy and former teammate Bob Reed, athletic director and baseball coach at the college.

For the former Dover High, University of Richmond and Parkway product, who cracked the majors for the first time in 1979, in only his third season in pro ball, he'll miss the exciting home-town adulation. He departed Sunday for Venezuela where he'll be playing in a winter baseball league with the Maracay Tigers.

"He wasn't told outright by the Royals that he had to go to Venezuela, but they did kind of hint around in so many ways," said the senior Martin. "They told him they plan to use him in a starting rotation next season and that it would be to his benefit to get added experience by playing winter ball."

Last winter, Renie pitched tor Aragua in Venezuela and he wasn't exactly overjoyed about his experiences over there. The fast-balling right-hander, who was the Royals' 19th-round pick in the 1977 free-agent draft, left the team in December to be with his family in Dover over the Christmas holidays. He never did return to Venezuela. He explained to me that he requested money from the team for a round-trip plane ticket but was rebuffed.

"His team was in fifth place with about 11-12 games left and they would've had to win just about all of the remaining games to make the playoffs." recalled Renie's father. "They were pitching Renie to death, using him almost every night in relief."

This time around, things figure to be different for Renie in Venezuela. He'll be returning as a "veteran" of World Series experience.

Draft dodges Phillies’ McGraw

Compiled from dispatches

NEW YORK – Baseball's free-agent draft today will probably make some players rich, but Tug McGraw won't be one of them.

The Phillies' relief pitcher wasn't selected in the 15 rounds of the draft which started at the Plaza Hotel this morning. Apparently, McGraw's age of 36 and the fact that he was talking in terms of a sizeable four-year contract weighed heavily against him.

McGraw wasn't the only well-know player snubbed in the draft. Speedy outfielder Ron LeFlore of the Montreal Expos was picked by only the Chicago White Sox.

No player was picked by 13 teams, the maximum number permitted. Dave Roberts, a catcher for the Texas Rangers, was the most popular player picked, being chosen 12 times. He was also the first player chosen by the Chicago Cubs.

Outfielder Del Unser, the only other Philadelphia player in the draft, was selected by four teams – Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Boston.

Ten teams, including the New York Yankees and Mets, picked slugging outfielder Dave Winfield of the San Diego Padres. No team picked him after the fifth round.

Journeyman outfielder-first baseman Jim Dwyer of the Boston Red Sox was chosen by 11 teams, including the Phillies on the first round. The Phillies took catcher Roberts on the second round.

In addition to McGraw, no team picked veteran right-handed pitcher Luis Tiant of the Yankees.

Players with fewer than two teams selecting them automatically become free agents eligible to sign with any club. Others who were passed up included catchers Glenn Borgmann, Marc Hill, Johnny Oates and Dave Rader, infielders Bud Harrelson, Lee May and Pete LaCock, outfielders Steve Braun, Jose Cardenal, Vic Harris and Charlie Spikes, and the other Dave Roberts, the pitcher who played for Seattle last season.

After the Cubs took Roberts to start the draft, the Seattle Mariners took catcher Jim Essian.

The Mets were third in the draft rotation and chose Winfield. Winfield figured to be the most sought-after player among the 48 eligibles. Winfield is on record as demanding a 10-year, $13-million package and had notified more than a dozen of the 26 major league teams before the draft that he did not wish to play for them.

California, picking fourth, selected pitcher Don Sutton of the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego passed. Toronto then chose catcher Darrell Porter of Kansas City, and St. Louis became the second team to select Winfield. The Cards were reported to be one of the teams which received a letter from Winfield.

The Chicago White Sox chose Porter and the San Francisco Giants picked outfielder Claudell Washington of the New York Mets.

Texas selected pitcher Geoff Zahn, who won 14 games for Minnesota last season. Then Atlanta selected Winfield. After Minnesota passed, Pittsburgh chose Winfield and Cleveland selected Sutton.

Then Cincinnati, largely inactive in the draft since the re-entry phase began in 1976, got into the Winfield derby, becoming the fifth club to choose the slugging outfielder.

Oakland picked Porter and Montreal chose Sutton. Then Detroit passed and Philadelphia selected Dwyer.

Boston chose designated hitter Jose Morales of the Minnesota Twins, then Los Angeles selected Washington. Milwaukee chose Sutton and Houston picked Winfield.

After Kansas City passed, Baltimore and the New York Yankees both selected Winfield, completing the first round. Winfield was chosen eight times in the opening round and Sutton was picked four times.

Letters to the editor (excerpt)

Stick to personality

I have long been a fan and admirer of Al Cartwright but I must express my disappointment after reading his Oct. 23 column. It's all right if he wants to refer to the Phillies' Steve Carlton as Sesame Street's Big Bird but I thought his added comment, "with tics," was in very poor taste.

He was, of course, referring to the facial grimaces that are as much a part of Steve Carlton as his left-handed pitching.

Did Mr. Cartwright ever hear of Sydenham's chorea (also known as St. Vitus' dance)? It is a common sequel to childhood rheumatic fever, "characterized by involuntary and purposeless contraction of muscles, frequently involving those of the face and extremities."

I'm sure Mr. Cartwright must have some little imperfections (over which he has no control) about which he may be very sensitive. (Don’t we all?) I'm also Just as sure that he wouldn't appreciate being ridiculed about them.

I suggest that his future comments about the big left-hander be confined to his personality (or lack of it) rather than a physical problem over which he has no control.

Frances L. Mansure, RN

Wilmington

LeFlore, McGraw get cold shoulder in draft

Associated Press

NEW YORK – There was an air of mystery surrounding baseball's re-entry draft today after Ron LeFlore and Tug McGraw, two of the biggest names available in the talent grab bag, were all but ignored by the 26 clubs. 

LeFlore, the speedy outfielder who stole 97 bases last season, was selected only once – almost as an afterthought in the 11th round by the Chicago White Sox. McGraw, one of Philadelphia's World Series heroes, was ignored completely, not selected at all. Under the rules of the draft, both players become eligible to negotiate with all 26 major-league clubs. 

Now come the questions.

Why would Dave W. Roberts, a utilityman with routine credentials, be the most popular selection, chosen by 12 teams? Why would journeyman outfielder Jim Dwyer, who has already played for five clubs, be No. 2 on the shopping list, picked by 11 teams? And why would more familiar names like LeFlore and McGraw be virtually ignored? 

Some think it was a case of bargain-basement shopping. Teams know Roberts and Dwyer can't demand the kind of contract numbers LeFlore and McGraw can. 

"I was very surprised," said Paul Owens, director of player personnel for the world champion Phillies. "It was like it was two separate drafts, one for LeFlore and McGraw and one for the other players. Maybe it's a trend. Maybe clubs are finally getting to the point where they say, 'This has gone far enough.’”

That's one theory. Another is that the draft is really a chess game, a battle of nerves with clubs waiting each other out. That's Marvin Miller's theory.

"I think this was an outgrowth of last year when clubs deliberately hung back as long as a player had one pick or no picks because under the rules, when a player is drafted by less than two teams, it is not necessary to draft him or give up an amateur choice if you sign him," the executive director of the Players Association said.

Another intriguing side of the draft comes from the other extreme – the high-priced auction it probably will create for the services of slugger Dave Winfield and pitcher Don Sutton. Both were picked by 10 teams, three below the limit allowed. The bidding began immediately. 

Five teams – the New York Mets, the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Indians picked those two players in the first two rounds. 

The price tags are high. Winfield is said to be thinking $13 million over 10 years and Sutton is tr Iking about $500,000 for four years. 

"I truly think I can sign both of them," said Ted Turner, boss of the Braves. "I've talked to Winfield and Sutton and I find them both genuinely interested in playing for Atlanta. I went to the finish line with Pete Rose and that's where I expect to be with Winfield and Sutton. Then it's up to them." 

Frank Cashen, executive vice president and general manager of the Mets, declared there was no ceiling on how high his team would go in the Winfield sweepstakes. That is a clear-cut policy change by new management after four years in which the Mets participation in the free-agent draft was all but invisible. 

The Mets have spent about $2 million on free agents so far, Their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, have doled out about $15 million and George Steinbrenner is ready to go for more. 

"He's outstanding, not only as a ball player but as an individual," said the Yankee owner, sounding like a man looking forward to matching his checkbook against the other bidders. 

As for Winfield, he's playing it cool. 

"I just feel good about my position," the slugger said. "The rest is negotiation." 

Among Winfield's priorities are that the club he sign with be committed to his youth program and that it is a winner in a major-media center. 

Some teams took a defiant stance in the draft. The Chicago Cubs opened the action by choosing Roberts and then did not select another player. What's more, the Cubs turned down the chance to retain negotiating rights to their own free agents, first baseman Larry Biittner and third baseman Lenny Randle. 

San Diego, which has invested about $10 million in free agents before, passed from the start as did Minnesota, Detroit and Kansas City. Texas and the Chicago White Sox, with 13 selections, led all teams in picks. 

Now, let the bidding begin.

Ruly surprised Tug not picked in draft

By Matt Zabitka

There is no animosity between Phillies President Ruly Carpenter and relief pitcher Tug McGraw. Believe it! 

Carpenter emphasized he didn't begrudge or get mad at McGraw for putting himself up for bids in baseball's recent free-agent, re-entry draft. He is only surprised that nobody made a grab for the star reliever. That is what the Phillies' boss said yesterday as he addressed about 40 members of the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame Association at the group's business meeting in New Castle. 

"Tug shot the dice and crapped out," Carpenter began.

"If I was in Tug's position, I'd do the same," he went on. "You see all these fools out there throwing money out hand over fist, and I can't fault Tug for trying to get some of the money. 

"I made Tug a very fair offer. I thought it was extremely fair. But he thought he could go into the reentry draft and might get double what I offered him.

"Well, if you go on past records, I would have to concur with that. I would've done the same thing – test the market, because you could always come back to the Phillies if you don't get what you want. 

"But I do think Tug's decision will be based on more than just money. Tug McGraw is not just after top dollar. He's just not going to leave the Phillies for $40,000 or $50,000 more dollars a year in salary. If he does, I will be very disappointed. 

"We had a disagreement with Tug on the terms of the contract and money," Carpenter continued. "I don't blame any player today for taking a shot at the re-entry draft. Why shouldn't a player take a stab? 

"Here's a guy, Claudell Washington (he played with the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets the past year) who we know has potential, but he's never fulfilled that potential, and he goes out there and gets a $3 v2 -million contract (with the Atlanta Braves) over five years. Well, if you're Tug McGraw, one of the top relief pitchers in baseball over the past 10 years, I can't begrudge or get mad at him because he wants to try it because he is quality, and proven quality.

"The irony of this thing is Tug McGraw doesn't get taken by anyone. And last year Joe Morgan went into the re-entry draft and he ended up in the same situation as Tug. And Joe Morgan had won two MVP honors. In McGraw's situation, age was a factor and a lot of clubs figured if the Phillies can't sign the guy, how in the hell can I. Or maybe they figured there's something wrong with him. They might feel that way. which certainly is not the case with Tug McGraw." 

I asked Ruly to critique my crystal ball, which revealed that Dallas Green would retire as Phillies' manager after the 1981 season and replace Paul Owens as general manager, with Pete Rose taking over as skipper in 1982. 

"The only problem is that Pete has another year on his contract after 1981," said the casually-dressed Carpenter, speaking at ease before a hometown audience, many of whom he knew on a first-name basis. 

"Well, couldn't Pete be made a player-manager in 1982?" was the next question I put to Ruly. 

"I don't know whether Pete would want to do both. But I do think Pete Rose would make a good manager. I think he has the qualities that you have to have today to manage. 

"Certainly, whoever Pete did manage, for the first time around anyway, it would be a great P.R. move. And if he ended up winning and had success, he'd be a natural for anybody.

"Here's a guy – and I've been around professional athletics all my life but involved only since 1963, and I've seen players come and go – and he's the single greatest competitor I've ever seen. He just does so many things that don't appear in the boxscore. Take that Saturday playoff game in Houston when he came around third and just barreled into the Astros' catcher, knocking the catcher on his butt and ended up breaking a ball game open." 

Discussing Green as manager, Ruly noted that Dallas' real forte is his toughness. 

"He's not going to give in. You're basically going to do it his way or there's going to be a problem. You've got to be this way today in the major leagues. 

"Players have always made more money in most cases than the manager. It's just that today the players make a helluva lot more money than managers in most situations. And you really have to be a hardline guy. And you still have to relate to your players one-on-one. You have to talk to them. You just don't say do it. Today, you have to tell the players why. If they don't like it, it's tough. But at least you tell them why.

"Today you cannot manage or coach like Vince Lombardi used to. It's just a different breed of cat you're dealing with and you still have to be tough, And if there's one quality Dallas has, it's mental toughness." 

Among other things, Ruly said he is 100 percent in favor of using instant replay, when necessary, in playoff and World Series games, is against the National League adopting the designated hitter, and feels there is merit in inter-league play, describing it as "something that could be very beneficial to certain ballclubs." 

And what can be expected of the Phillies at the forthcoming winter baseball meetings? 

"We'll just continue to take the approach that we'll do anything to improve our ballclub," Ruly said. "We'll trade any player we can if it'll improve our club. But we're not going to the winter meetings to give away Greg Luzinski, to give away Randy Lerch, or give anybody away. 

"If we get the opportunity to improve our ballclub, we'll do it. But in this day and age, and I've said this before, you just can't go making a deal like you used to. You've got to look at what kind of a contract you're going to inherit, how much money does the guy make, and how's this going to fit into your salary structure. Is it going to blow the whole thing sky high? Does this guy have post-career employment problems? 

"There are a multitude of problems today. It's not like the old days when the first question you'd ask the other general manager was, "Is he You knew whether the guy you were after could play or not. Today that's a secondary question." 

In conclusion, Carpenter described winning the World Series as "the greatest moment in my baseball life. I just can't describe the feeling."

Green homecoming hero in Newport

By David Hughes, Staff Writer

He was just another kid growing up in Newport in the 1940s, but this kid went on to manage the Phillies to the world championship of baseball. 

Newport was a very proud community yesterday afternoon as it welcomed home a big hero - 6-foot-5 Dallas Green, Phillies manager. A crowd of several thousand people gathered to honor Green, who was born and raised in this suburban Wilmington community. 

Newport Mayor Jack Hanna remembers Green as "just another kid" playing on the town streets in the '40s. 

"I don't want to make it sound like bragging, the fact that I have know him for so long," said Hanna. "But yes, I remember him and his family growing up in town, and Dallas playing in the Little League. I can't remember all the names of the other kids he played with, but Dallas was just like any of the others, just an ordinary kid. He was always so huge, though, just like now, Even as a small kid he stood out." 

Green graduated from Conrad High in 1952 and went on to play professional baseball. He took over as Phillies manager near the end of the 79 season. Then he piloted his team to the 1980 world championship.

"We had originally planned back in July for a Dallas Green Day," said Mayor Hanna. "The Phillies won the championship, but we would have had this day no matter where the Phillies finished this year. The only problem was reaching a convenient date to hold it on. We weren't able to finalize that until 2½ weeks ago. We really put it together in a crunch. Everybody did a great job and the town came out in full force." 

Green, wearing a dark-colored suit and sunglasses, personally led the parade in his honor. He waved and talked to the cheering crowd as he walked by, behind an escort of three police on horseback. 

The parade began at Krebs Junior High about 2 p.m. and proceeded into downtown Newport by way of Highland Avenue and Stonehurst Drive. Along the way the silver-haired Green, who had just returned from a Florida vacation, spoke with numerous friends he recognized and pointed out landmarks of his childhood days.

"I used to sneak in there and play some basketball," remarked Green with a smile as he walked by Krebs School. Noticing someone with an Eagles' cap, Green said, "They're all right, too." And walking by another group, he remarked, "You sure you all rooted for us?" He received a thunderous ovation in response. 

The crowds became even heavier as the parade turned left onto Market Street, and by the time it swung one block over to Justis Street, the spectators were five-deep on the sidewalks. Many other residents watched from the porches of their homes. 

The crowd cheered wildly when Green pointed out the home at 219 Justis Street, a house in which he spent part of his youth. Down the street, Green took his place on a podium next to Jack's Barber Shop to watch the parade pass by. 

"I hit a lot of home runs around here," exclaimed Green. "Newport gave me an opportunity to grow up and it's given a lot of other kids the opportunity to grow up. I know I can't ever forget where I grew up and the people that helped me along the way. There are so many of them I wish I could shake everyone's hand, but it's impossible." 

Green sat at the front and center of the podium along with his wife, Sylvia, and Mayor Hanna. Also present were Green's children: Dana, John, Kim and Doug, as well as Green's mother. 

Judy Johnson, a member of baseball's Hall of Fame, was also present. 

The parade included, besides the numerous floats, representatives from 11 area fire companies and bands from Dickinson, Delcastle and Wilmington Highs and Conrad Junior High. Other groups were from the Newport Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware National Guard and the Stanton-Newport Little League. One local towing company rode along with a statue of a bull which proclaimed: "Phillies Bullpen." 

When the parade ended, Mayor Hanna introduced the Phillies manager and the crowd went wild.

"My family and I have had one hectic year," Green announced to the crowd. "But we did it with something just like this. Because I'm a Newport native, I know what you have done for the Phillies this year and for Dallas Green in particular. 

"When I got walking downtown back there, I started to remember a lot of the street corners and things I used to do on them, and I laughed with a lot of the people who were there with me and that have been with me for so long. I used to play baseball right back here."

Virdon tops Green as top NL manager

Associated Press

HOUSTON – Bill Virdon, who once lost his job as manager of the New York Yankees because he didn't show enough flamboyance, proved last season as manager of the Houston Astros that calm can be a virtue. 

Taking a mild-mannered approach, Virdon directed the Astros to their first division title in the franchise's 19-year history. For his leadership, he has been named National League Manager of the Year by The Associated Press. 

A nationwide panel of sports writers and sportscasters gave Virdon 293½ votes for a wide victory mar gin over the Phillies' Dallas Green, the runner-up with 167½ votes. 

Bobby Cox, who led Atlanta on a surge in the second half of the season before the Braves finished fourth, was third with 66 votes. 

Montreal's Dick Williams, whose Expos lost the division title to the Phillies on the final weekend of the regular season, was fourth with nine votes. 

Throughout the Astros' historic 1980 season, the team reflected Virdon's influence. Virdon never allowed himself to get too high our too low and the team seemed to adopt a similar personality. 

The Astros almost lost the divisional title in a tense final three-game series against Los Angeles. The Dodgers won three straight games and forced a one-game playoff for the title.

The Astros won the playoff and then took world-champion Philadelphia to a nerve-wracking five games in the best-of-five "National League Championship Series. 

After the final heart-stopping 8-7 Phillies' victory, Virdon spoke of his team in his now-predictable low-key fashion, taking no credit and praising the players. 

"The Astros don't have to bow their heads," he said. "They are a better ballclub than a lot of people give them credit for. I have to tip my hat to them.

"This team went through a lot this season. There were injuries, but they held together. They had a lot of heart and I think that surprised a lot of people. They proved that they were a top-rate team." 

Virdon could not be reached at his Missouri home for comment after yesterday's award. 

The Astros 1980 performance climaxed five years of teamwork between Virdon and former President and General Manager Tal Smith, who hired Virdon shortly after taking the job in 1975.

Each Phil gets record $34,693

Associated Press

NEW YORK – The world champion 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 $32,21 195 each, 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 $4,338.65 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 Twttty and outfielder Rusty Torres received half cuts worth $16,105.97 each. 

Houston's National League West winners earned $13, 465.29 for a full share, a sum no World Series cham- 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. 

All 12 first-division teams shared in the players' pool. The Orioles received $2,668.71 each, the Los Angeles Dodgers got $2,275.21 each, the Montreal Expos $2,405.23 each and the Oakland A's $2,746.99 each for their second-place division finishes. A full third-place share was worth $628.38 for each Cincinnati Red, $619.60 for each Milwaukee Brewer, $759.52 for each Minnesota Twin and $663.02 for each Pittsburgh Pirate. 

Among those receiving full shares from the Phillies were trainer Don Seger, 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).

Saucier goes to Texas to complete Lyle deal

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA – Relief pitcher Kevin Saucier has been traded by the world champion Phillies to the Texas Rangers of the American League to complete a deal that sent reliever Sparky Lyle to Philadelphia on Sept. 13. 

Saucier, 24, a left-hander with a 3.42 earned run average and a 7-3 won-lost record, struck out 25 and walked 20. He yielded two home runs. 

Lyle appeared in 10 games for the Phillies in 1980. He had a 1.93 ERA and two saves. He was scored on only twice. 

"We hated to lose said the Phillies' Paul Owens, director of player personnel, after yesterday's announcement. "But Texas needed a left-hander to replace Lyle. Sparky was a big help for us down the stretch and will be an integral part of the bullpen for us for a couple of years." 

Concerning last week's winter reentry draft, Owens said he talked to only one agent.

"Jim Bunning, who represents Jim Dwyer, called and will get back to us later," Owens said. "I'm expecting to hear from the other four we drafted plus Tug McGraw and Del Unser within the next seven days. We left it with Tug and Del to get back to us after the draft." 

Owens also announced another change in the club's winter roster. Pitcher Jim Wright has been assigned to the Oklahoma City farm team and 21-year-old outfielder Alejandro Sanchez was added to the roster. 

Wright, who did not pitch at all in 1979 because of an arm injury, had a 9-9 record at Oklahoma City this past season and a 5.35 ERA in 23 starts. He will be eligible for the annual winter draft during the baseball meetings that begin Dec. 8 in Dallas. 

Sanchez, from the Dominican Republic, batted .289 for Spartanburg in the South Atlantic League. He led the club in runs, hits, triples, home runs (14), RBI (73) and steals (24). 

The player moves put the Phillies roster at 37, three below the winter limit.

Mazza charged, Phils cleared in drug case

Associated Press

HARRISBURG – A Reading doctor was charged today with using the names of five Philadelphia Phillies players to illegally prescribe drugs, the state Justice Department said. 

Dr. Patrick Mazza, 56, stands accused of prescribing various 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 were charged. 

Attorney General Harvey Bartle III said the players and the wives told state investigators that they never were treated by Mazza and never received the prescriptions that he allegedly wrote.

Maddox, Schmidt get Gold Gloves

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS – Outfielder Garry Maddox and third baseman Mike Schmidt of the world-champion Phillies head the major-league Gold Glove teams announced yesterday by The Sporting News.

Maddox is the senior member of the teams, earning the designation for fielding excellence a sixth time. Only Roberto Clemente (12), Willie Mays (11) and Curt Flood (7) have won more Gold Gloves than Maddox.

Schmidt's selection was his fifth, tying him with Ken Boyer, Ron Santo and Doug Rader for most awards by a NL third baseman.

In the American League, catcher Jim Sundberg of the Texas Rangers was selected a fifth straight time.

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

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

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

Phillies card 25 spring games

PHILADELPHIA – A New Orleans Superdome date with the New York Yankees on March 29 and a rematch with the American League-champion Kansas City Royals highlight the Phillies' 25-game 1981 spring training schedule.

The Phils, who open camp on March 3, will play 12 games in Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Fla. The first game will be against the New York Mets in Clearwater on March 13. The complete Grapefruit League schedule:

March – 13, N Y. Mets (R) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 14, Pittsburgh (R) at Bradenton, 1:30; 15, Toronto (R) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 16, Kansas City at Ft. Myers, 1:30; 17, Boston at Winter Haven, 1:30; 18, Boston at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 19, Minnesota at Orlando, 1:30; 20, Minnesota at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 21, Chicago (R) at Sarasota, 1:30, 22, Toronto (R) at Dunedin. 1:30; 23, St. Louis at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 24, Baltimore (R) at Miami, 7:30 p.m.; 25, Atlanta at West Palm Beach, 1:30; 26, Detroit (R) at Lakeland, 8:00 P.m.; 27, Detroit at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 28, Chicago (R) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 29, N.Y. Yankees (R-TV) at New Orleans, 1:30; 30, St. Louis at St. Petersburg, 1:30; 31, Toronto at CLEARWATER, 1:30

APRIL – 1, Cincinnati (R) at Tampa, 1:30; 2, Pittsburgh (R) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 3, Montreal (R) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 4, Cincinnati (R-TV) at CLEARWATER, :30; 5, Baltimore (R-TV) at CLEARWATER, 1:30; 6, Toronto (R) at Dunedin, 1:30

R – KYW WTAN RADIO

TV – WPHL TV (Channel 17)

Friendly Foot (excerpt)

By Al Cartwright

This has to do with the Phillies. I am a great fan of Larry Bowa, and it disturbs me very much that he is getting such a bad press and it disturbs me even more because it is not justifiable. It has to be a personality clash with the sportswriters, because Larry always answers my fan letters personally. Another thing: I heard one of his teammates say on TV that Larry really has the disposition of a saint. Isn't this proof that the Phillies' shortstop is a sweet guy? 

L.V.-Seaford.

Forget it. Bowa's teammate was referring to Saint Helens.

Mr. MVP: Mike Schmidt wins the NL title

By Hal Bodley

PHILADELPHIA Somewhere up there today Viola Schmidt is smiling. 

It came a little late for this grand old lady, but her grandson, Michael Jack Schmidt, finally realized a dream both had shared for years. 

As a fitting climax to his greatest season ever, Schmidt was named unanimous winner today of the National League's Most Valuable Player Award. The Phillies' Gold Glove third baseman was chosen first on all 24 ballots by a special panel of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Gary Carter of the Montreal Expos and Jose Cruz of Houston finished second and third, respectively, and were the only other players named on all ballots.

Not since rubber-armed relief pitcher Jim Konstanty was selected in 1950 have the Phils had an MVP. And before that, only Chuck Klein in 1932, won the coveted award.

Schmidt, who also was selected MVP in the Phils' dramatic World Series victory over Kansas City, was the first unanimous choice since Orlando Cepeda of St. Louis did it in 1967. 

Viola Schmidt died of cancer on Sept. 26 at the age of 75 on the eve of Mike's 31st birthday. 

"She had been hanging on for a long time, and I think that was because of her interest in my baseball career," said Schmidt, "I had been thinking about her a lot before she died. She had been in the hospital 54 days and there was nothing I wanted more than to win MVP for her. I had hoped she would hang on and see it happen, but it just wasn't to be." 

When Mike Schmidt was growing up in Dayton, Ohio, his grandmother encouraged him to play baseball. In fact, as it became obvious he was gifted in this sport, she became his most important fan, a motivating force that encouraged him and, at times, pushed him. 

"The MVP is the ultimate individual award in baseball," said Schmidt. "To me, ft is the biggest thrill of my life. It means I've had a great year for a team that won everything. The MVP…  it means a lot of guys around you helped. I mean you could chop up that trophy and give it to a lot of people in the line-up – guys like Bake McBride and Pete Rose and Bob Boone and Larry Bowa. The guys who hit around me in the batting order had a lot to do with my winning it. I wouldn't have had 42 RBIs if it weren't for those guys." 

Schmidt, of course, had almost three times that number of runs batted in. He led the league in runs batted in with 121 and in homers with 48. He batted .286 and his slugging average of .624 was 107 points higher than runner-up Jack Clark of the Giants in that category. The 48 homers were the most ever in the majors by a third baseman, surpassing the mark of 47 set by the Braves' Eddie Mathews. 

Schmidt received 336 points to Carter's 193 and Cruz' 166. 

George Brett of the Kansas City Royals won the American League Most Valuable Player Award last week.

Schmidt was brilliant as the Phillies surged to first in the National League Eastern Division race, then won the best-of-five playoffs with incredible come-from-behind victories over Houston before downing Kansas City in the World Series in six games. He had 13 homers in September and hit one each in Philadelphia's last four regular-season games. His blast against the Expos on Oct. 4 in the 11th inning gave the Phils the division title. Between Sept. 1 and the end of the season, he hit .304, drove in 27 runs and had a .688 slugging percentage. 

"I'm happy for Mike Schmidt," said teammate Pete Rose. "I have been telling him since I came over here (1979) that he would be MVP. He is one of the greatest athletes I have ever seen. Honestly, deep down he doesn't know what his potential in this game is." 

"The thing that pleases me most about this is that I have become a consistent hitter," said Schmidt. "I think learning to hit the ball straight away, not just having to rely on the ball from the middle of the plate in to hit home runs made the difference. 

"Really, though, I think my maturing into a better hitter ana developing more consistently good techniques as a hitter were the reasons for the year 1 had. I've learned to hit the ball more straight-away more often. I'm more of a gap hitter now than I am a dead-pull hitter. Matter of fact, now I'm so far from a dead-pull hitter it's ridiculous." 

When the great season finally ended and the Phillies were beginning to savor their first-ever world championship, Schmidt was most proud of the fact he had come through in the clutch.

"There are certain guys who players say, 'He'll get the big hit for you when you need I don't think that label has been put on me before, but somebody ought to start putting it on me. This year, I got a lot of important hits."

On the surface, Schmidt projects the image of an emotionless, almost I-could-care-less individual. Teammates have been calling him Capt. Cool for years. 

"I want to always convey to my teammates and to the opposition that I am under control of myself," he said. "I don't want anyone to think I am intimidated by anything that goes on on the field, whether it is being done well or poorly. I like to always keep the opposition feeling 1 am under control of myself, especially offensively. 

"I feel that in order to succeed as a hitter you have to have as much poise as you can possibly have while you're hitting the baseball. On the other hand, you have to have the least amount of tension that you can have as a hitter. The more tension you have, the more pressure you put on yourself, the more tension you're going to have in your swing and the less you're going to succeed." 

"There was no question that Mike Schmidt succeeded in 1980," said Manager Dallas Green. "Without the year he had, we would not be world champions right now. He certainly deserved the award."