Allentown Morning Call - March 5, 1980

Green and Carlton have a ‘private’ running matter

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

CLEARWATER, Fla. – There is this "private" matter that Dallas Green, the manager, and Steve Carlton, the pitcher, have between them. Neither talk about it because, as Green says, "It's between Lefty (everybody calls Carlton Lefty) and me." 

You see, Carlton doesn't like to run. No ifs, ands or buts about it – the usual pitchers' sprints rub Carlton the wrong way. So, he doesn't participate.

On the other hand. Green, a former pitcher elevated to the manager's office, says, "Running's the best thing for a pitcher." No ifs, ands or buts about it. 

"I'm a big believer in running, always have been," said Green. In fact, I still do a lot of it myself." 

Carlton, always better known for his stubbornness rather than diplomacy, did NOT run yesterday. He took a lap around the Carpenter Complex with the rest of the 45 Phillies who officially opened spring training in ideal, sunny weather. The one lap was enough for Carlton. 

Sounds like preferential treatment? Sure it does. But the suggestion turns Green, well, it turns him green. 

"I challenge any of you (pointing to a handful of newspaper types to do what Lefty goes through," said Green. "He's never worked harder than he did over this past winter. Look at him, he's in the best shape I've ever seen him.”

Yeah, but Dallas, what about the running? Is he getting a special dispensation? And how about the affect it could have on the younger pitchers in camp? 

Good questions, indeed. Especially for a no-nonsense kind of man Green portrays. And what's this he said as recently as last month when the Phillies' Caravan made its annual visit to Allentown.

At the time, Green said: "If we run, Carlton will run." 

That, obviously, was February talk. At showdown time, which was yesterday, Green looked at it differently. 

"I respect Lefty's theory," said Green. "He doesn't believe in running. We talked about it privately. I can't tell you what was said… it's between Lefty and me. It's confidential. And I don't think Lefty will tell you about it, either." 

Green hesitated momentarily, then, with half a smile, said: "He did some running out there this (yesterday) morning." If Carlton did, he did it like Casper, the Friendly Ghost. Nobody saw him. 

Green defended his 35-year-old pitching ace like a father defends his son. "Lefty does everything else," said Green. "He did his exercises, he shagged flies and he ran around the complex." 

What Green wasn't aware of was that Carlton did a lot of clowning around in the outfield. In fact, he was doing a tricky thing that could have been dangerous. When a fly ball came in his direction, he picked up a bat and tried hitting it before it touched the ground. 

"Naw, I didn't see that," said Green with some concern. But quickly, another case for the defense. "You gotta have a little fun," said Green. "Pete Rose has fun. This game has to be fun." 

Enough of that – let the defense rest. 

There was one casualty among the pitchers, and, oddly enough, it happened because he was running. Carlton must have gotten some satisfaction out of that. 

The pitcher who pulled up lame was Marty Bystrom, but it didn't happen in camp. He came here with a pulled hamstring last week after running in the Miami area where he lives. 

"What a shame," said Green. "I wanted to show him off around here, to the fans and to our coaches.  This kid is almost there (in the majors)." 

Bystrom, a strong looking kid who'll turn 22 in July, has always been a favorite of Green's. He spent his first three years in Spartanburg, Peninsula and Oklahoma City. Last year he was 9-5 with Oklahoma, and, as Green said, "ready to pop up here." 

There's no telling how long Bystrom will be sidelined, but Green said: "It's gonna be awhile." 

Green, who during the winter promised there would be no standing around during spring camp, was satisfied the way things opened yesterday. "There were some rough edges," he said, "mainly because my coaches weren't sure of what had" to be done. You know we are doing things a little different this spring." 

The reference, of course, was to Danny Ozark's soft style. "There was some standing around today (yesterday), but we'll iron that out," Green said.

Green held a 45-minute team meeting before drills opened, mainly to spell out his procedures. He said his inaugural address was "outstanding." 

"I kept them a little longer for this first meeting," he said, "but I had a lot of things to say. I still believe in a lot of minor league details which some of these guys are not used to.”

Organization is a word that Green uses a lot. "That's always been my technique," he said. "You can't run smoothly without organizing. This is one thing they're gonna learn about me. I'm big on bulletin board notes, procedure and all that stuff that was missing around here.”

Green believes in signs, too. Like the one in the locker room that says, "We, Not I.”

Funny thing about that sign. You wonder if "we" means everybody but Steve Carlton. 

Hmmmm.

Another strike against baseball?

By Ralph Bernstein, Associated Press Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The executive i board of baseball's players association yesterday authorized striking the opening of the 1980 season if a new labor contract is not reached with major league club owners. 

The action was disclosed after a nearly five-hour meeting between the executive board and its director, Marvin Miller. 

Miller said that a resolution was adopted directing him to seek ratification of the strike action by major league players. 

Miller said the board would meet again on April 1 in Dallas to consider the status of the 16-week old negotiations and take whatever action warranted at that time.

Miller explained that the strike action, if ratified by the players, would be taken on or after April 1. The season is scheduled to open April 9. 

Miller added, however, that the board hoped movement is shown by management and that the players remain hopeful that an agreement can be promptly concluded. 

Miller said, "Accordingly, the players association calls upon the owners to com mence bargaining in good faith, in a serious attempt to reach an agreement." 

Miller said that during the last four years of the contract that expired Dec. 31 and that introduced the free agent reentry draft, baseball had experience unparalleled prosperity.

"The game has reached record attendance levels each year and achieved record television contracts for the next four years. 

"Against this background, it is not appropriate for management to try and turn back the clock and cut." 

Miller said management has not yet chosen to bargain in good faith. 

Ray Grebey, the owners' chief negotiator, declined comment on the action. 

Miller said that during the 23 negotiating sessions thus far, management has proposed a radical departure from the way player salaries traditionally are negotiated.

The players union executive director said management had proposed a maximum salary structure with incremental increases each year for all players with less than six years of major league experience.

"In most instances this (salaries) would fall below the 1979 average in each group," Miller said. 

"If adopted, this would reduce salaries in the 0-6 year period by approximately 30 percent." 

He said the owners also had demanded a major change in compensation for clubs that lose a free agent. They want a major league player instead of an amateur draft pick. 

"This is intended to impair the freedom of bargaining power for free agents which would seriously reduce salaries for those with more than six years of service, Miller said. 

"It would open the door for practical elimination of free agency." Miller added.

Miller also said that the owners' proposed pension changes were a blatant attempt to deny players their traditional share of national television.