Sports writers reach for stars

CHERRY HILL A star-studded field of professional and amateur athletes will be on hand tomorrow night here in the Hyatt House for the 76th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet.

Phillies first baseman Pete Rose, who will receive the association's Player of the Decade Award, leads a glittering list of professionals that includes representatives from all of Philadelphia's pro sports franchises. In addition, Art Rooney, president of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers will receive the Team of the Year Award on behalf of his club.

Don Paige, Villanova's champion middle distance runner and the associations Amateur Athlete of the Year heads a contingent of amateurs that includes golfer Jay Sigel, field hockey goalie Diane Moyer of LaSalle and Temple quarterback Brian Broomell.

PSWA GUESTS LIST

1. Anthony Black, leading jockey
2. Bob Boone, Phillies all-star catcher
3. Larry Bewa, Phillies all-star shortstop
4. Alex Bradley, Villanova basketball star
5. Mel Bridgman, Flyers' captain
6. Mickey Briglia, coached Glassboro State to national baseball title
7. Brian Braomell. led Temple football team to bowl
8. John Bunting, Eagles' standout linebacker
9. Don Casey, Temple basketball coach
10. John Chaney, Cheyney St basketball coach
11. F. Eugene Dixon, Jr., Sixer owner who won 2nd straight Gold Cup
12. Jim "Jumbo" Elliott, Villanova track, coach-ot-the-century
13. Eddie Firmani, Fury coach, winner of 3 league titles last 4 years.
14. Tony Franklin, standout Eagle rookie kicker
15. Eric Gregg, popular National League umpire
16. Vitas Gerulaitis, world's No 4 tennis player,
17. Dallas Green, first year Phillies' manager
18. Randy Grossman, veteran Pittsburgh Steeler tight end
19. Wayne Hardin, coached Temple football team to best season ever
20. Ross Hayter, harness racing driver, champ at Brandywine
21. Ron Jaworski, Eagles quarterback. Good Guy award winner
22. Harry Kalas, toastmaster
23. Keith Krepfle. Eagles tight end
24. Brigid Leddy, Villanova's champion women runner
25. Jimmy Lynam, St. Joe's basketball coach
26. Garry Madden, Phillies golden glove outfielder
27. Bill Manleve, Widener football coach with 71-8 record
28. Diane Meyer, Olympic field hockey goalie from LaSalle
29. Wilbert Montgomery. Eagles star running back, pro athlete-of-year
30. Ted Nash, coached Penn rowers to Pan-Am gold medal
31. George O'Neill, former international star, now Fever coach
32. Don Paige, Villanova runner, amateur athlete-of-year
33. Bernie Parent, retired Flyer goalie
34. Max Patkin, clown prince of baseball
35. Pete Peeters, unbeaten (18-0-5) Flyers' rookie goalie
36. Brian Propp, rookie all-star from Flyers
37. Pat Quinn, Flyers head coach
38. Tubby Raymond, coached Delaware to 13 wins, best in nation
39. Art Rooney, president of Pittsburgh Steelers, the team-of-the-year
40. Pete Rose, Phillies first baseman, player-of-the-decade
41. Matthew Saad Muhammad, world middleweight champion
42. Joe Scott, President of rebuilt Flyers
43. Jay Sigel, British Amateur golf champion
44. Dick Vermeil. Eagles, 1979coach-ot-the-year
45. Bob Weinhauer, coached Penn basketball team to final four in '79

Answering the mail:  Phils need bullpen help

By Ray W. Kelly of the Courier-Post

Answering the mail. Or, why didn't Grantland Rice tell me there'd be days like this?

Dear Mr. Kelly: Congratulations on your fine article concerning the selfish attitudes of some of America's athletes toward the Olympic Games boycott. We need more athletes like Bobby Clarke, Garry Maddox, Ernie Banks and Lou Gehrig.

James J. Coulter, Collingswood

Dear Jim. The athletes themselves sometimes forget the immense power they can wield in our society. It should be noted, however, that one of the most notable changes in sports over the past few decades has been the willingness of athletes to not only give lip service to worthy causes, but to also become personally involved in efforts to help others. Jocks used to visit hospitals. Nowadays they build them.

Ray Kelly: I have been reading you for years and have noticed that whenever you venture into the world of boxing, you come out swinging. Are you anti-boxing?

- C.T. Brown. Camden

Dear C.T.. On the contrary. Boxing is a great sport, which, unfortunately, has always spotlighted the knockout power of its athletes rather than the incredible conditioning and skill of the men who climb into the ring. Anyone who has put on a pair of gloves and gone a round or two knows what I'm talking about. Boxing has always been its own worst enemy.

Like the night a few weeks ago in Trenton, when a card of six professional bouts was presented at a local CYO and ended up with State Deputy Athletic Commissioner Robert W. Lee suspending and holding up the purses of three Philly fighters, all of whom sufferred knockouts in the first round. Another fighter, who lost on a technical knockout in the fourth round, was suspended for 30 days.

And, a fifth fight was ruled a no-decision due to a "misunderstanding," which the commissioner no doubt ironed out when he had a long talk with the managers and matchmakers involved. One thing is certain: no one deserved to run up the stairs of the art museum after this one.

Mr. Kelly: Some of the guys were rehashing the Super Bowl the other day and the question came up, why did the Steelers, who have all that talent, try to trick the Rams with an on-sides kickoff in the first quarter. What was the thinking on that play? Cousin - - Danny DiMona, Pennsauken

Hey Cuzz: You sure do have fancy hand-writing for a guy from New Jersey. But. seriously, the answer to that question kind of got lost in all the Super Bowl hoopla. Coach Chuck Noll explained later that the idea of looping the kickoff over the left side of the Rams front line on the kickoff came about when his people noticed in the game films that LA liked to use a quick sweep of its blockers to one side of the field as the ball was being kicked to them

That created the deserted area the Steelers targeted. Unfortunately, the kick wasn't deep enough and the Rams got good field position. The strategy, however, didn't fail, says Noll. From that point on, the Rams were far too wary to try their most successful way of returning kickoffs.

Ray W. Kelly: I think Brian Propp is going to be a truly great hockey player before he's finished playing for the Flyers. But, can you tell me who cuts his hair? He should be arrested.

- Betty Mathews, Cherry Hill

Dear Betty: The picture you saw of Brian was obviously taken after bis teammates gave him a little trim. It's part of a hockey ritual that takes place when a rookie proves he's got what it takes. Propp was lucky. On some teams part of the "welcome to the club" treatment includes the taping up of the newcomer's head. Which no doubt gave birth to the first "razor cut" hairdo.

Mr. Kelly: I am a die-hard Phillies fan who would like to know what will be the key to the learn winning the division this season. Will Manager Dallas Green really make that much of a difference?

- Mrs. Dorothy Wilson, Cinnaminson

Mrs. Wilson: What the Phils need most of all is to get healthy, which should restore the confidence of more than a few players. It reliever Warren Brusstar can't come back off his arm problems, a trade for bullpen help is mandatory. Young righthanded starter Marty Bystrom is the key to opening that door. If he's ready for the big time, the Phils have room to deal.

They'll need another good year out of Pete Rose, which is one more than the Cinncinatti experts thought he could produce. Look for him to bat leadoff. A solid year from Greg Luzinski might pave the way for an MVP season by Mike Schmidt.

Think positive. That’s what Green will be preaching. At this juncture, it appears as if Coach Bobby Wine will be involved quite a bit in the decisions concerning game tactics, while Green’s greatest contribution could be in providing the Phils with a strong dose of leadership.