The Journal News from Hamilton, Ohio • Page 28

Hamilton. Ohio Wednesday. August 1973 REPORTING: Jim Murray Cast Murray's vote for Aaron souvenirs. Kecords may be made to be broken, but not legends. Los Angeles Times Don't look now.

but Santa Claus is about lo be shot. Black Beauty is going to be lassoed. The Easter Bunny is going in the stew. Snow White is going to get mugged. Another Michaelangelo is going to get sledgehammered.

The Hope Diamond is going to be split into sequins. The glass slipper is going to get broken. Prince Charming is going to turn back into a frog. They're going to put a sheet over Sleeping Beauty. A brick is going to go sailing through a stained-glass window.

They're going to put a new ceiling on the Sistine Chapel--wormy chestnut. All the icons of our youth are going to be smashed. Our world is never going to be the same. We're all going to go off doddering into our old age, confused, broken, dismayed, illusions shattered, faith shaken. The American Dream has burst.

BABE RUTH'S RECORD IS GOING TO BE BROKEN! Oh, Infamy! Oh, Perfidy! Fie! For Shame! Gad- zooks, Bowie Kuhn, DO SOMETHING! Arrest the man wearing No. 44! Clap him in irons! Make him as asterisk! Who is he to trifle with out childhood fantasies? Surely, this is all a Communist plot! Where, oh where, are the verities of yesteryear? Where, our shining idols? One by one, they blink out in the record books, and leave us only with faded 11KMIY AAKON is about to become the Wicked Old Witch. Henry the Ripper. Bluebeard. The guy in the black hat.

Where is Rjn-Tin-Tin when we need him? Tipping over garbage cans? Frank Merriwell, come back, wherever you are! The Republic totters. Today Babe Ruth, tomorrow George Washington, Oh, that we should live to see such a day! What of this upstart, Henry Louis Aaron? No wonder they call him "Bad Henry." Henry Aaron, the baddest man in history. What did he do? Let's see: Well, he showed up for work back in 1954, carrying a bat and a glove and the loveliest swing this side of Rogers Hornsby. That was 20 years ago, and Henry Aaron is still showing up for work with all of same. Some ballplayers get caught in after-hours bars, or brawling in the streets, or named in divorce suits, or compromised in business dealings.

I don't think Henry Aaron has even had a traffic ticket. Some ballplayers go after home runs the way they go after airline stewardesses. Henry Aaron has never gone after either. Henry Aaron probably has more sacrifice bunts than any slugger in the history of the game. With his first one, he probably edged out the Babe's lifetime total.

"Home run hitters drive Cadillacs, singles hitters drive Fords," home run hitter Ralph Kiner said once. But Henry crept up on his record. He probably hit more ACCIDENTAL homers than Kiner hit on purpose. Home run hitters tend to get slovenly about fielding. But Henry Aaron probably was, and is, the most graceful fielder this side of Joe DiMaggio.

He was (and is now that Clemente's gone) the only major leaguer I would pay to see CATCH a ball. A pitcher once said, "Smuggling a line drive by him was even harder." No one hit a ball crisper than Henry Aaron. Ruth got a few schlock home runs, i. he upper-cutted the ball into the short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium. Aaron's blows fly off the fat part of the bat like golf balls hit on the screws.

The altitude in Atlanta (highest metropolis east of the Rockies) doubtless helped Henry Aaron. But he hit nearly 400 (398) of his 702 homers in Milwaukee, where the pitcher's moundwas the only thing above sea level. HENRY AARON has played probably 90 per cent of his 2,942 games at night. Ask any batter if he would rather swing at a ball in daylight or electric light, and it will be no contest. In the old days, batters even use to grumble if they faced a fastballing pitcher on overcast days.

Night ball, particularly in Henry's early career before intensity 'improvements, was at best a succession of games played in an overcast. There is no way to remove shadows from a baseball thrown at night in artificial light. Witness how astronomically no-hit games have gone up in the lighted era over the sunlighted era. Babe Ruth played in an era with no black pitchers no black outfielders. A small thing? Hardly.

Not to anyone who has seen a Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins or Don Newcombe blow a fastball past a Triple Crown batter. More significantly, not to anyone who has ever watched a Willie Mays or a Roberto Clemente race to a line drive on its way out of the park with Olympic sprinter speed, leap and turn a home run into an out. Home runs that Babe Ruth hit over Smead Jolley's head shouldn't have counted. I have the feeling several would have disappeared into the glove of Henry Aaron had he been in right field. In any event, a game restricted to four-fifths of the population cannot have had as high an order of competition as one open to all particularly when that one-fifth of the population was demonstrably athletically superior to the other four-fifths.

Much is made of the fact Aaron went to bat 2,000 more times than Ruth. Let me lay one statistic on you: A base on balls does NOT count as a time at bat. Babe Ruth led the world in bases on of them. Henry Aaron gets fewer bases on balls than a myopic banjo hitter. Nearly 800 of those extra ABs represent walks Ruth got but Aaron scorned.

Write a poison letter to Henry Aaron? Not me! I'm saving mine for a dirty-faced little kid hitting stones with a barrel stave somewhere in Mississippi or Alabama or Texas or California today who will one day hit 750 big league home runs and topple the idol of my middle years, Good Henry AarOn. That, my friends, will really be throwing a brick through a Rembrandt, torching an orphanage, or selling the Roman Colosseum to a desert land developer to be put up near a mobile homes site in the Mojave. U.S. swimmers cop 3 win MOSCOW A America's swimmers who won three of the first four aquatic events go for six gold medals today, and the high-riding men's basketball team heads toward a Friday collision with the Soviets in the World University Games. The U.S.

men's basketball squad beat Czechoslovakia 100-59 Tuesday and planned a day off today. Instead the Americans will play Cuba, upset 51-49 by Brazil. Coach Ed Badger, apparently expecting to meet Bengals cut Kingman, Duncan I I i (AP) The Cincinnati Bengals scheduled their last heavy practice today in preparations for Friday night's pre-season game at Detroit with the Lions. The Bengals had an off day Monday following Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Coach Paul Brown said Ken Anderson, who did not see action against Cleveland, will be the quarterback this week.

The Bengals also announced two cuts: punter Ken Duncan of Tulsa, Okla. and wide receiver Steve i a of i a Mass. the loser of the Brazil-Cuba game Thursday and then play Friday's final, was surprised by the knockout setup that includes eight teams. "We were planning a day of rest Wednesday to prepare for the semifinals," Badger said. "I'm sure the boys will not like the change." Other games today pit Yugoslavia against Canada, the Soviet Union against Czechoslovakia i play Thursday for a spot in Friday's finals.

The Israeli basketball team defeated Puerto Rico 77-61 despite a third day of heckling by Russian soldiers who ringed the tiny arena ostensibly to control the crowds. Uniformed Red Army soldiers ripped up a paper Israeli flag held aloft by Soviet Jews while some spectators shouted "kikes, kikes." A representative of the I a i a i i Sports Federation (FISU) was lo have been on hand to observe the action, but none showed. A i a i finally got their feet wet Tuesday and, led by Cathy Carr, grabbed three gold medals in four swimming finals. American swimmers took three golds, a silver and three bronze, including a third place in diving, to run their medal total of five golds, four silver and 13 bronze for the games. But the Russians more than kept pace.

Vladimir Burre won the other event, the men's 100 freestyle, ahead of Kenneth Knox of the University of Tennessee. Vyacheslav Strakov gave the Russians another gold in the springboard diving event and a Russian also took the silver. American Steve McFarland of Amarillo, was third. Race Results River Downs FIRST RACE Steamboat Fete II Gunner Sa.xy Mac SECOND RACE Sweet Loom Lali- Koyal Ice Cream Cone 3.00 2.60 6.40 4.20 4.20 7.60 4.40 4.00 5..20 5.40 THIRD RACE 9.00 4.20 3.20 Miami Myrg I'luie G'wdby Sugar KOUKTII KACE Hold and Mighty Circus Act John U. Miller (JUINELLA 1-8 $42.30 FIFTH KACE Make More Money Ground Game Indian Squaw SIXTH HACK King lirook Hcacquirc B.CO 4.20 3.00 7.20 4.60 2.80 1:1.20 5.4(1 2.60 4.80 2.80 28.60 11.20 16.40 7.1SO 4.60 Come to the Fair! Meet that GOT A MINUTE Man! BILL McDULIN pm Tonight 0 got a by Bil McDulin Find out for yourself if he looks like "Rock" or "Duke' ENTER the GUESS the PENNIES CONTEST 2 PRIZES DAILY Enter daily from 6 pm SEVENTH RACE C)uipid 5.00 11.80 2.HII Oclaslar G.80 3.60 Mr.

Zuif 2.60 I I A EIGHTH KACE llollin Koman fi.40 H.dO 2.60 UucksPal 7.60 4.00 Susan S. 3.011 NMNT1I RACE Kayo's Law 8.20 4.20 2.80 Hoinctte 4.40 3.20 Master Figliler 3.00 IJU1NELLA 2-7 S31.80 K1RST HACK Six fur. Sounds Silly no Lip Lip 115 Mauncho 115 Kebels Boobie 114 Craft 104 It. Cec's Cadet 114 Ohio Klin 115 Sheik 120 By By 0 11s Mizzoo's Pride 1 14 Itosarium 115 Sea Uilch HW SKCUND KACE Six fur. Paula's Lark 120 Hold lioy 120 Iron Again 120 Twill Happen 115 Anarctic 120 Dotted Cap 120 Black Forest 120 Busher's Lynx 115 Dorace 115 Evaluation 120 On the Swap 109 Batlle Koad 113 T111KI) HACK-- S's fur.

Texas Beauty 115 Kelly's Klown 115 Tipsy Rose 1 15 Steppin Wolfe 115 Espea's Singer 113 Squirrel 109 So Sassy 115 Cachalot 110 My Helio 115 llctler Sister 115 Miss Midget 110 POUKTII RACE-- 1 1-16 Clayville 120 Charm in Cheater 113 Early Artist 115 Princess 115 Indiana Tudor 113 Starling Light 100 Sherries Got To Go 120 All Mine 115 Point The Way 120 Mike's Gift 120 Road Lion 104 FIFTH KACE Six (ur. V. Whip 113 Kibolel Bing 114 My Own Q. 116 Princess Adair 113 Sknlletla 120 Grand Belle 102 Tiny Love 120 SIXTH RACK-- I 70 yds Earl's Melody 113 Bing Bon 116 Collegian Man 120 British Arc 113 Doc Crowder 115 Brown Bing 115 Hack Up lie Buis 113 SKVKNTH RACE Six fur Uncle Pen 111 Sir Tudor 2nd 113 Koyal Dog 120 Cyd's Relic 116 Invalidily 120 Lesrnid ill Tricky Games 110 Gallant Missile 115 Rebel's Fuzzy 113 Tim Lynn Jr. 116 Double Creek 116 EIGHTH HACK 5 fur Wandering Gail Kitz Penny 116 Ruler's Song 111 Spring Rush 116 Joint Agreement 119 Subtotal 119 Dyed 110 Cold River 119 NINTH HACK I in 1-IH French Journey 114 King Bing 119 Headley Slryam 110 Tudor Moslem 114 Winsor Bee 114 Danny Girl 114 I-ady Sebring 114 Razor Strap 120 Iron Son 119 Dauntless Josie 104 Kelat 119 Latonia FLORENCE, Ky.

Weather clear Track fa.sl. Daily Double (34) paid $83.80. FIRST KACE Claiming Pace. Eddie Dell R.QQ 2.80 Sola Ship i.40 2.80 Brads buddy 2 80 Time 2:08 -t-5. SECOND RACE Conditioned Pace.

Shapely Jane 20.00 UO 3.2G Fair Knighl 2.40 2.40 Ensign RoseG 3.40 Time 'I'M -1-5 THIRD RACE Conditioned Trot. Shcs a Spinner 8-fiO 4.20 4.40 Kadepus 2.60 Suit and Pepper 3.80 Time 2:07 3-5. FOURTH RACE Claiming Pnce. OliiosGene 4.80 4.20 3.00 LivinPace 5.00 4.20 Had A King 360 Time 2:06 3-5. FIFTH RACE Conditioned Trot: Smolder 12.40 6.80 3.40 Justly Rewarded 8.20 4.60 Egerlon Lady 2.80 Time 2:07 SIXTH RACE Conditioned Pace.

Jay Jeff Counsel H1.40 6.80 5.00 SkipperJim 4.60 3.80 On The Dodge 5.80 Time 2:06 1-5. SEVENTH RACE--Conditioned Pace Miss Best 6.20 6.00 5.00 Miracle Hoy 12.80 9.00 Red Rapsidy 6.60 2:08.1 EIGHTH RACE-Conditicmed Pace D's Dagger 5.80 4.00 3.20 Sun Dial Patsy 8.80 4.80 Slopes Florit 2.80 2:06.3 PERFECTA R-7) (7-2) 52,230.80 I RACE-Handicap Pace Little Miss Ellen 6.40 3.60 2,60 Double Strength 3.60 3.00 Siverign Scotch 2.80 2:04 TENTH RACE-Claiming Pace Excellent Scott 5.20 3.80 3.40 Win Sam 6.40 4.00 April Vintage J.Essig Royal Ranger C.Wright MissDubbycJo F.Finn, Jr. Dandy High Chief Sixth--Cond. Pace $700 Steady Susan C. Mellen Tartan Rose M.

Clevenger C-imbalUirl T. Tharps Cyrstal Aire R. Hayes ArlcncsWuy W.Taylor Petticoat Time Frost Widower H. Parshall Seventh--Claiming Pace $800 Jay Strong Tuxedos Pride T. Morgan Coalmont Boh T.

Tharps Mary Ruth Adios K. Justice Spunky Squire F. Finn, Jr. Gallant Anderson II. Pcdersen Shaker To- J.

Conover Eighlh-Cond. Pace $800 Karadon T. Tharps Beauty Time J. Conover Poppin Popcorn R. Murphy Eva The Great R.

Coker Shanty Boat R. Rankin Justly Irnn Bars Admirals Dream Hd. Baker Perrys Pride J. Roach Ninth--Cond. Pace $800 Tame Freight Straight Chance ShantysSon 0.

HUeman J. Karnes R. Rankin G.Williams T. Prickett Winter Warrior 2:08 PEKFECTAlandSSSl.lO ATTENDANCE 1,527 HANDLE: $107,745 First--Cond. Pace S500 Little Loser R.

Murphy Brother Charlie 0. Hitcman Schuey Bingen K. Justice Gay Darlaway J. Karnes Rendesvous Sunny R. Hofstra Peggy Mary Hd.

Baker Silver Creed True Dawn B. Montgomery Second--Claiming Pace $600 PapaByrd T. Tharps Nassau Lady D. flitter Kandy Key F. Williams Eyre Jewel Ro.

Finn Empire Warrior H. Pedersen Guess Who R. Dingman WwdioHeir F.Finn, Jr. Coldwell Charm Third--Cond. Pace $500 Craig Fancy Trixie Pride My Dad Herman Honcybrook Easter Boy Kellytuck Harry Kingly Portin Miss Jill Expre Fourth--Claiming Pace SGOO R.

Dingman R. Kobbins T. Tharps 0. Hiteman E. Morgan, Sr.

G.Williams B. Montgomery Marks Pilot Potomac Man Greens Pronto Simplicity AllwoodMark Flowing Elk GeorganaTony Maggie Jo Fifth--Claiming Pace Shane Roell Midnight Danny Justly So J.Turner C. Mellcri H.Pickett Her. Baker J. Essig K.

Justice J.Applcgale 1. Montgomery R. Dingman W. Carney Journal TRUCKLOAD MATTRESS SALE BUY A MATTRESS AND GET A BOX SPRING FREE Famous brand Mattresses PLAZA HOME FURNISHINGS 2270 Dixie Hwy. Ph.

863-1300 HAMILTON PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER Lucky Lowell Dizzie Dan Buckeye Frances S. Noble III Tenth--Claiming Pace $600 Philips Princess F. Williams Donna Chief H.Pickett Scotamor Misnapol Shines R. Coker Glad Heart M.Sabatka Hanger Tom W.Loney Heeds Millie J.Essig. Golden Point W.Carney Cincinnati WHA team signs star CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) Cincinnati's World Hockey Association franchise has signed a young Canadian they believe would be the No.

1 draft choide of both the WHA and the National Hockey League in 1974. Dennis Sobchuk, 19, Tuesday was signed to a 10 year contract at $100,000 a year, according to William 0. DeWitt executive vice president of Cincinnati Hockey Club Inc. DeWitt labeled Sobchuk, who played the past two years with the Regina Pats of the Western Canadian Hockey League as the No. 1 junior player in Canada.

DeWitt said the contract becomes valid in 1974 when Sobchuk becomes eligible for the draft in both leagues. Under the terms of the franchise purchase, the Cincinnati group, which has yet to select a team name, has the first draft choice of 1974 in the WHA. Sobchuk, at a Canadian hockey school in Saskatchewan, said his lawyers advised him to sign with Cincinnati now. He said they felt there might be a common draft between the NHL and WHA in 1974 "and I could be hurt." He said he elected not to wait for contact from the NHL. for deeper, faster carpet cleaning rent new SHAMPOOER 142 'Larger Brushes For Faster Cleaning Only'2 per Day ROEMER flint Gooii 2275Nmini.