Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 6

ft- -uutv tii Jo. zeiv. igJSt 2S.1978 7 -humbly and snccrefy opocrjio' oersDectlve. 1 thlnl it has? that are hurt and to prevent arguments. I could have done all that very easily with just the right word or explanation or apology.

"I failed to do the right thing, and I humbly and sincerely 'apologize to anyone who has been embarrassed by this whole incident." Sutton -said he had learned "'some very valuable lessons" from the fight and it's aftermath. "I believe that there are lots of times that God has some messages for me," he explained, "but' I'm too busy being me to listen. And I believe that In this case I'm being told to reexamine my goals and motives in being a baseball player (and) the, Constancy of my life. "I thank God for Steve Garvey and for the role He has let him play in my life, and I can now thank Him for the Washington Post article and the disagreement in New York. Because together they have helped to point out to me very vividly that as By JIM COUR UPI Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (UP1) Don Sutton says his fight with Steve Garvey may have been a message from God to re-examine bis life.

Tbe Dodgers' pitcher told reporters Thursday night he got the message and, except for that consequence, he's sorry about the fight and anything he did to cause it. 5arvey, taking Sutton's introspective statement as a personal apology, said he accepted It and agreed with his teammate that the fight In the Shea Stadium locker room last. Sunday may nave had tfood outcome. And Dodgers Manager Tommy i Lasorda, predictably pleased with the apparent end of a feud between his pitching ace and first baseman, "It took a big man do say what Don said. It took God to Inspire what he said." Sutton, reading a prepared statement in a choked voice and at times with tears in his eyes, said long as my life isn't right, then I Can't be a good example for anyone.

"And I ask God's help in continuing to rectify the situation and in doing my part to have a team on which we can all work together with the same motives and One in which we can all add something positive to each other's lives." Garvey, his left eye still reddened by the fight, watched a tape of Sutton's comments on a television monitor in a local station's van. A few minutes later he told reporters: "First of all, i accept his' apology. I will not be able to forget what happened and neither will Don Sut-ton. But his apology is "Hopefully, he now realizes the things that I do are positive things." He later added, "The air is cleared now. I think' there is a better understanding by all parties.

If it puts things back In he was sorry as a Christian and a ballplayer tor his role in the fist fight. "I've tried over and over to figure out why this all had to happen," Sutton said two hours before the Dodgers met Philadelphia in tbe first game of a 13- gamebomestand. "And the only possible reason I can find is that my life isn't being lived ac- cording to what I know, as -a Christian, to be right. "Because if it were, then there would not have been an article In a newspaper In which I would offend any of my teammates. And there not have been a confrontation in which there were harsh words, "hurt feelings and a scuffle." Sutton said be does not recall making a remark about tiarvey's wfe that apparently triggered his added: "Having caused the feeling is the same as having said it.

"My role as a Christian should have been to, at all costs, prevent hurt feelings, to soothe those Sutton'l willingness to shoulder the blame for the -fight was In marked con- trast to Shis demeanor immediately following the dispute. He first joked that -the- fight followed: an-argument over the merits 1 of football played, the -Southeastern 5 and -Blg-10 football conferences, then claimed, that' Sarvey had provoked the fisticuffs by poking him withhis finger. Garvey started the discussion Ith Sutton, asking him about an interview lit the Washington Post the pitcher's complaint about Girvey's "All-American boy" (mage and saying he got credit for being the team's best player. -t Garvey said the Altercation began after Sutton mentioned his wife, Cyndy, in their conversation. The two players ended up wrestling and punching on the floor, but neither was seriously hurt.

LL Series title game Sa WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (UPI) After a pne-day Danville, and Pingpumj, Taiwain, will meet Saturday in ths finale nf hocohall'c I. litis Leaeue worasenes. Taiwan teams have Won the title six times including last year and have won their last 19,. games in World Series play.

11 Tearful Cards' Pete Vuckovich doesn't horse around ir-inreeror mmt-ai--ranj Chao-min in the -fifth Thursday and one-hit pitching 1 1 -J' Wyiyf 1 'V. fit )4i-l 31 VhK i by Pan Wen-chu gave Taiwan a 3-0 shutout over Santo Domingo, V.H Dominican Republic, in the semifinal rounds ka oft fearUettliplellMfriilHjnolxB1! Danville earned spoMh theS mil finals by defeating Lexingtenvv-isv; 6-5. Danville did all its scoring in the fourth inning. tS-i CINCINNATI (UPli Pete Vuckovich talks like he pitches: fast. "I come to pitch, play to win and get the hell out of here," the St.

Louis Cardinals right-hander Thursday night fcfter pinning- a 4-3 loss on the jteds in the finale of a three-game serie's; that dropped Cincinnati four games behind he Dodgers in the National jeague West. I "I got no time for horsing around," he continued "When ihe baiter's in the box u. I'm You can't do the job Standing out there holding the ball." Vuckovich, who entered the game with a 2 18 earned run average, lowest in the league among starting pitchers, Restricted the Reds to seven hits mm noicning nis i-ui viuiury gainst nine losses. Four of Ihose seven hits. eluding a two-run homer by Griffey, his eighth of the ason and third of tne series.

ame in the bottom of Ihe third inning when the Reds scored their runs. tUnt Ihn rnAc- I dui uidi wda dim uic mus pad taken a 4-0 lead. George (fendrick's home run off Paul Moskau, who departed with a Stiff shoulder after the first Inning, gave the Reds their first score. i UJ 1 Sfl( ol3h IDllfC 10S M9A -It Padres rehire Craig ,1 for fight "Oh yeah," added Vuckovich, "and there was one winter I pitched in Puerto Rico instead of going back home to Johnstown, Pa." "You hear a lot about Vuckovich's change-up," said Simmons, "but actually it's a slow slider. He throws a hard one, too, and when he comes from over the top, he has a super fastball." Vuckovich was pleased when informed that the Reds' Pete Rose had nothing but praise for him Thursday night.

"That's good tb'fteVia said, "especially since I've got a new contract coming up. I've got a lot of respect for those Red hitters, but I got no love for them." Dodgers 5, Phils 4 Manny Mota has been getting paid about $8,750 per hit this year and the Los Angeles Dodgers figure he's worth every penny. Mota, a pinch hitter extraordinaire, isn't called upon often by manager Tom Lasorda but he seems to make the most of his chances. Lasorda summoned Mota to bat in the eighth inning against reliever Tug McGraw Thursday night and the 40-year-old Dominican delivered a run- scoring single off the glove of "Don is a little more physical than Rich, and having been a quarterback he has an idea what the quarterback is thinking which will help. Brown has good fundamental skills but has had a nagging injury which has slowed him this fall.

"If he gets healthy he could get his job back. He reads his keys well and is consistent it's the injury that has set him back some." JC transfer Glenn Thomas of Valley, Calif. CC, is the third man back there. "He had a good scrimmage first time out but then hurt his arm so it'll take awhile to get him back in shape." David 'Cobb, Dixmoor-Thornton, and Cedrlc Chester, Miami, are one-two at the left is more physical and aggressive and that's important because this is the hot corner. Most teams are righthanded sp most of the action ends up going this way.

Alertness is important on thisside. s. "Cedric has become, a more solid player this fall. Jfe had 4 few problems last year but if be maintains a positive frame of mind, be can do it all. He has, worked to make himself a disciplined player," Brown Two freshmen are also In the wings, Joe Sambucci of Franklin Park-East Leyden, and Kevin Jones of Springfield had his ups and downs but he's making progress.

Kevin was hurt early but he was pushing for a starting job and could work his way Qtis forced at second Kansas City's Amos Otis Is forced at second base when teammate Freddie Patek grounded to White Sox shortstop Don Kesslnger who flipped to secoodbaseman Greg Pryor above. Pryor'i relay to first was too late for a doubleplay. The action took place In the second inning of a 4-1 Sox victory. (UPIWirephoto) a Don Sutton apologizing They bunched three walks, two intentional, a Keith Hernandez, double and a bases-loaded single by Mike Phillips off Dave Tomlin in the top of the third for the other-three runs. Phillips' base hit was the last of four for the night for the Cardinals.

Because Vuckovich blanked the Reds with two hits after their three-run splurge in the bottom of the third, however, they didn't need any more. "Vuckovich didn't have his rhythm those first three innings," said Cards catcher Ted Simmons. "When he's right, he doesn't take longer than seven seconds between pitches. He was taking about 15 those first three innings. That's not him." The Cards acquired Vuckovich during a winter deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I'm tired of being a transient worker," said the blunt-talking Cards righthander. "Now I figure me and my wife Anna and boy Lazo (10 months old) can settle down in St. Louis. It's a tough life moving someplace different every summer." And since signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1974, Vuckovich has done a lot of traveling. Stop-offs included Appleton, Knoxville, Denver, Chicago, and Toronto.

overlook him at any time. I've never seen Billy shy away from contact. he gets to the football." Brown said. The free safety is a repeat performance of last year with three-year letterman Kim Wells, of Momence, battling sophomore Chris Merenowicz, of Tinley Park, who beat him out late last season. "Kim has exceptional quickness which obviously can-be advantageous.

But also he must learn that his quickness can get him out of position so he has to work on consistency. "Chris is persistent. He's a smart player. a real technician who reads patterns well, knows his position and can support the run. "This spot is really a tossup, and who starts will depend upon who has the best practices between now and the first game.

I'd feel comfortable with either one in there. Kim pulled a muscle early In practice which allowed Chris to gain some ground but Wells is fighting back," Brown said. Two freshmen learning the position are Wilbert James, Washington, D.C.-Woodson, ami John Fishel, Areola: "Both are making progress but need to. learn the system. but we have plenty of experience playing ahead of them so we don't need to rush into anything." Rich Brown, Akron, Ohio-1 Buchtei, and Don Pittman, Fort Mill, S.C., are the top two at right corner.

Brown gained the starting berth late last season as a freshman but Pittman, who started at quarterback the final two games last fall, has the Charleston's AAoore Soderholm bats Sox past Royals probable EIU starter third baseman Mike Schmidt to give the Dodgers a $-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Mota's pinch hit was the 130th of his career and it was his eighth pinch-hit in 26 plate appearances this season. Mota earns $70,000 a season from the Dodgers for his pinch-hitting efforts. Tommy John was the benefactor of Mota's hit as he went eight innings to gain his 15th victory. The loss was the Phillies' 20th in 26 road games against National League West teams.

Pirates Braves 1 Bert Blyleven tossed a seven-hitter over 8 1-3 Innings and stroked a three-run double to highlight a five-run seven-thinning that carried Pittsburgh to its 10th straight victory. The Pirates snapped a scoreless tie off loser Phil Niekro, 15-14, in the seventh. Bob Horner hit his 15th homer for Atlanta. Joel Youngblood hit a sacrifice fly and an RBI double and John Stearns hit a two-run double tQ pace New York. Mike Bruhert, 3-6, scattered five hits and struck out six in 7 1-3 innings to get the victory with Bob Owchinko suffering the loss.

Gene Tenace homered for San d-z loses Diego. CHAMPAIGN, 111. Colonia Pantry of Champaign built up an 8-3 lead over Mattoon's D-Z Sporti Center and then held on for an 8-7 win here Thursday in the Colonia Pantry Little League All-Star baseball tourney. Mattoon rallied for three runs in the sixth and final inning to pull within one run of tying the score. Ralph Smith suffered the mound loss.

D-Z had settle for third place in the tourney. It concluded post-season play for the local youngsters who finished with a tournament record of 13-2. The top three hitters. In the Champaign tourney were Randy Steele Guy Taylor (.600) and Ralph Smith all members of the D-Z team. sign ST.

LOUIS (UPI) The St. Louis Cardinals Thursday signed rookie free agent Eason Ramson of Washington State to fill a desperate need for a tight end. Tight ends J.V. Cain, George Amundson and Joe Mosley Were lost to the Cardinals during training Camp because of injuries. The Cardinals also announced they cut wide receiver David Trospert who had been signed as a free agent from Kentucky.

Laker sign Dickey INGLEWOOD, UPI -The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent Derrek Dickey, a five-year NBA veteran, Dickey spent the final three months of last season with the Chicago Bulls and the Bulls were compensated with future SAN DIEGO (UPI) Craig says he started the season hoping the San Diego Padres -ft, would play .500 bali, Now he's aiming for 85 wins Ja." and a finish in the -National League West up there with the 9 Dodgers and the Giants and the 2 Reds. Craig, hired during training to replace Alyin Dark, was rehired before the opening; game of the Padres' new homestand to coach through the 1979 season: The Padres, coming off their; most successful road trip in the club's history, dropped a 6-3' 'T decision to the New York MeU, "Lj, just their second loss at home Id nearly a monm. But Craig is not discouraged. 1 "We're playingWell right now; and you never know what wlH happen," Jie said. move up to thirtj place or higher, "When I got the Job I said would be nice to play .500 ball.

rr. I'm setting my sights on 85 Jj now. To do that we have to' almost maintain the pace we've been playing at. That will' be tough to do because pldy Jil only the teams In. our own 9 division after this homestandl." Los Angeles now leids Sant Francisco by on game with' Cincinnati four sames back and vfy rt i 3 -W 1.7 and my pants once.

1 got four innings out of the first shirt." Royals Manager Whitey Herzog said, "It was the pitching and our not hitting. When you get shut out In one game and score one in the next, you don't win many. We need some hitting and we need the long ball." Tigers 5, Blue Jays 2 Lou Whitaker, bidding for Rookie of the Year honors, tripled home two runs and scored on the same play on Otto Velez's error in the third Inning to pace the Tigers, who Wednesday night dropped a double-header to the Blue Jays. Alan Trammell and Ron LeFIore singled before Whitaker slammed his triple into the gap In right-center. Whitaker, hitting .303, continued home without stopping when right fielder Velez had trouble picking up the ball, Rangers 4, Twtaii 4, Jim Sundberg hit a three-run homer in the loth inning and Ferguson Jenkins pitched a four-hitter to win It for Texas.

Jenkins, 12-8, struck out seven and walked none. Al Oliver opened the 10th with a single off loser Dave Goltz, 10-8. Bobby Bonds beat out a bunt and Richie Zisk sacrificed to set the stage for Sundberg's drive into the bullpen In rightcenter field. 4 Indians 9, Brewers I Andre: Thornton belted his, 26th home run leading off the 11th Inning to lift the Indians to Victory and offset five RBI by Milwaukee's Sixto Lezcano, had a grand slam In the San Diego behind 1 ti 03 1 With their same nercentace. EDITOR'S NOTE This is the lourth In a series on Eastern nUnols University's 1978 var- ty football team.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD CHARLESTON. III. Eastern Illinois University defensive backfield has more I layers returning than any ther segment of the 1978 team. Therefore if experience is the best teacher, second-year coach Jerry Brown's secondary iwuld be better equipped to Hickoff the season Saturday. Sept.

2 against Central State, Ohio. 1 Still Brown says there is irong competition for a starting spot at all of the backfield spots. Only strong safety Jimmie DeWitf, of Washington, p.C.-Woodson, is labeled a Starter although Charleston's Bill Moore, a two-year let terman, is very much in the picture. DeWItt was one of the 20 or so Junior college transfers (came from Butler County Kansas CO Who entered last winter so he has had the benefit of spring drills. "Jimmie came in as a linebacker but I noticed that he moved so well that 1 convinced everyone we needed him in the secondary," Brown said.

I "He's a hitter and can defend the pass well, which 1 think is one of the toughest assignments on the field. but he's also got to keep his mind open and head straight. "Moore Is hanging tough. He's played all the spots in the secondary but free safety, and has the knack of making things CHICAGO (UPI) Eric Soderholm went from the crest of delight to the depths of disappointment he discovered success Thursday night. With two out in the sixth inning and Mike Squires on third base and LaMar Johnson on first, Soderholm lashed a pitch from Kansas City's Paul Spiittorff to the far left-field corner.

"I thought It had a good chance to go ouUand I was delighted," Soderholm sald. "Then; I watched it and saw he had a chance to catch It so I was disappointed. Then, whew, he didn't, so I was not disappointed." Soderholm's drive went for a double, scoring both Squires and Johnson to give the Chicago White Sox a 3-1 lead and spark an eventual 4-1 win over the Royals. xi''v It was Soderholm's second double of the game and he drove in the first three runs. His first double came after a fourth inning triple by Ralph Garr to score a tying run for the White Sox' and Chicago's final run came In the eighth when Don Kessinner singled, stole second and scored on Johnson's single.

Soderholm's two hits gave the winning pitcher, rookie righthander Mike Proly, his fourth win against two defeats with his third complete game In fivestarts. Proly, while delighted with the victory, was pleased about another aspect, too. "It showed me I can come back and pitch nine Innings in said. "I'd been concerned because the first time I went nine innings I only tasted four in the next game, and 1 want to be able to go slx'or seven or eight consistently." Proly actually pitched 8 2-3 innings and Lerrtn LaGraw got the final out, but it was Proly's game. "The heat was tough! he said.

"I changed my shirt three times and my uniform top twice 14-inch Softball COLUMBIA MACHINE COCA-COLA 4-Dennis James was the winning pitcher. CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK 5, GROSE 2-Bank rallied for three runs In the final Inning to snap a 2-2 tie for the decision runs. Mike Cisna pounded two home runs for tfie winners while P.J. Rogers found the range for Grose. Curt Devore was the Winning pitcher.

MATTOON MERCHANTS 10, "JOURNAL GAZETTE 0-1 Merchants constructed an early 8-0 lead In the first two innings and breezed to victory over the hapless JG team. Dan Spite was the winning pitcher allowing only three bits. IPCO 15, VOLKMAN'S 4-Kenny Trimble pitched and batted IPCO to He pounded two Inside-the-park homers, while J. Riccanelly' collected one, Teammates Willy High and Randy Peterson each cleared the fence with home run 5 i .523, the Padresjwould.be one game' behind Philadelphia In the NL East. Craig had hoped' for threeyear contract; but said he Was satisfied With his1 salary (W9t and realized there was no way he could get more' tluB'a'onew'iai year deal.

V1' "I have confidence Irf'lmo myself," he 5 added. Mf Mu security Is in knowing what can do. I have a feeling I'll be here a long time." t-i. i rui9l ssr niifiii Widmanftres hole In on 1 11909 EATTOOM -i Tom Wldmaa'tt of Mattoon shot a bole In one nnriui Wednesday 00 the third bole at' Rofala Golf Course. i -viwisl Widman used an eight iron to' Mtbeace.

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