The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 27

Major League Baseball .2 Decision Time at TSV 4 The Sports Scoreboard 8 Mck Sullivan's Outdoors 10 SUNDAY June 19, 1983 Section FRY I II II exQiuu imHrmKm Scores on Page 4. 'OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) The challenge is there, dramatic and unmistakable: Tom Watson and jSeve Ballesteros, tied for the lead and going head- tU-head with the United States Open Championship and very possibly the leadership of world golf hint he was ready to uncork an 8-birdie round of 65. NELSON, 92ND on the season's money-winning list, one-putted nine times on the fearsome Oak-mont greens, and vaulted past 22 players to within one shot of the lead at 21 3. Also at that figure was Peete, the man who has led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy for three seasons.

He converted his specialty and some surprising putting into a round of 70. Peete was one of 38 players stranded on the course by darkness Friday. He had to return to the course at 7 a.m. yesterday to play one hole, and bogeyed it. Some 12 hours later, he bogeyed it again, a lapse that kept him out of a share of the lead.

Floyd shot a 72 and was only two away at 214. DR. GIL Morgan, the non-practicing optometrist who won the first two tournamenls of the tour season, was next at 215. He had a 70 that was all but overlooked by the Open record gallery of 38,046, which, for the most part, marveled at the accuracy of Peete, viewed the first act of the grim duel between Ballesteros and Watson, or flocked to the side of such old, familiar favorites as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Andy North, a non-winner since he won this title in 1978, and Hal Sutton, the tour sophomore who won the Tournament Players Championship earlier this year, were at 216.

North chopped his way out of the intimidating rough to a 72 and Sutton had a 73. John Mahaffey and Joey Rassett, who shared the 36-hole lead, fell victim to varied disasters and dropped back in the pack. Rassett had a 78-219 and Mahaffey, who has twice before seen the Open slip from his grasp, was a shot higher at 79-220. NICKLAUS, at age 43 still seeking a record fifth (Turn to Page 4, Column 1) at stake today. '1 Watson acknowledges it.

Ballesteros does not. "YOU KNOW me. I love competition," Watson said after he finished 54 holes in the defense of his American national championship yesterday. said Watson, the acknowledged leader of the game for the past few years but deep-, ly mired in a slump coming into this event, "some-l times I need a slap in the face to wake me up." The slap was supplied by Ballesteros, who took 'the Masters crown home to Spain two months ago, the British PGA title later and came into tournament poised to challenge Watson as the game's dominant figure. don't come to this country to challenge any- I come to play good golf and enjoy.

I don't try to challenge Watson. I just try to challenge the "golf course," Ballesteros said yesterday after he compiled a solid, 2-under-par 69 and tied Watson for the lead at 2 12. THAT'S ONE stroke below par on the fearsome Country Club course. Watson, playing with Ballesteros, responded with a 70. And they'll play in the same twosome Joflay.

certainly feel I can win the championship," said. If he does, he'll be the first since Ben H6gan in 1951 to make a successful defense of the title Watson insists is a necessary credential for golfing greatness. 2 Within two strokes is a group that includes vet- eran Ray Floyd, the current PGA title-holder, Cal-. vin Peete, the man who could become the first black to win any of the game's majors, and Larry Nelson, a former PGA champ who had given no jjliJIIBIilll 4 7s- TV? 'f 7 i I'; iMflHttVHHHHHHHiv vlllllllllliialillllllllill BBliHBKf lilllli "mmmmamammmmmf "I- Billy Back In Trouble NEW YORK (AP) The thread by which Billy Martin hung to his job as manager of the New York Yankees yesterday was stretched even thinner when club owner George Steinbrenner issued an angry statement about the latest in a succession of controversial incidents involving the Yankee skipper. Steinbrenner, through Yankee publicist Ken Nigro, told reporters that Martin had talked to him, "but by no means is everything OK.

It's not going to be OK until we get to the bottom of it." The New York Daily News reported today that Steinbrenner was waiting to see what action the American League was going to take against Martin regarding the incident Friday night. THE PAPER said there was the possibility that Martin could be found in violation of a clause in his contract regarding "actions detri- (Turn to Page 8, Column 1) 1 4 -K- 1 nUI i li i infilfifi iiiiHiI in I AP Laserphoto-'' It Just Won't Fall Billy Martin May Be Fired Again OAKMONT, Pa. Joey Rassett, who once 1 troubles begin as he misses a birdie putt on the shared the lead at the U.S. Open, watches his first hole of the third round. lyAdtson Fears Challenge From the Pack 1 nnnnnrmnn AYEM WITH JOHN BIBB SPORTS EDITOR 30 years to defend successfully the U.S.

Open titlel. The last man to do it was Ben Hogan in 1950-51: Now, on the heels of his victory at Augusta, Bal-; lesteros, the brilliant 26-year-old Spaniard, is one-round away from gaining a second leg of modern golf's Grand Slam. Does Ballesteros' challenge add; to Watson's determination "WELL, I certainly feel as though I can win this? tournament, and I've always loved Watson said, grinning and winking as he respond-? ed. Ballesteros, on record as regarding the U.S.t Open as no better than third back of the Britishi Open and Masters among major has all but abandoned his driver this week. He; prefers to sacrifice distance in favor of accuracy to keep the ball out of the ferocious OakmonC rough.

He'll do that again today, for as both co-i leaders agree, "you're dead if you get it off the; OAKMONT, PA. If you're thinking today's final round of the 83rd U.S. Open Golf Tournament is going to be a two-man shootout, think again. Tom Watson has a word of caution for those who 'envision the nose-to-nose battle between him and Seve Ballesteros as the match for the championship. would be fun, but in this tournament, on a "course as strong as Oakmont, I believe anybody within 5 or 6 shots has a darn good chance to win thing.

Remember the last two Opens have been won by somebody coming from out of the pack on the last day," said Watson. IT WAS David Graham who roared from behind to-win at Merlon In 1981, and last June on the bluffs above Carmel Bay, it was Watson, his memorable chip-in at the 71st hole which -enabled him to pull from the pack at beat Jack "Nicklaus at Pebble Beach. "Frankly, if I had to pick a score I think I'll need to win this time, it would be a 68." WATSON specifically pointed out that Larry Nelson's 65 yesterday is a case in point. Nelson, one of the more competitive players in big-time golf, came from six over par to move within one stroke of the co-leaders. "Who knows? Larry might do it again, or if he doesn't somebody else might.

My own attitude will be to try and make enough birdies to compensate for the bogies. I'll try to avoid a head-to-head match with Seve, but as the round progresses, it's difficult to say what might occur. I know one thing, though. I certainly hope he doesn't go out and knock out the field like he did in the Masters," Watson said. HE MADE reference to Ballesteros' remarkable sub-par surge in.

the early going as he went birdie-eagle-par-birdie to nail down his second Masters earlier this year. Regarded by many golf authorities as the finest player in the world in recent years, Watson is attempting to become the first golfer in more than For those who have been keeping track of the proceedings here this week, that means the defending champion would have to play at least two strokes better than he has in any of his three pre--vious rounds. And, if you look at the 54-hole standings, you'll find no less than 10 men fall within the parameters established by Watson as potential champions. fairway. (Turn to Page 4, Column 1) 4 -V 'Sounds Host- S(uhn, All-Star Contest At Greer Johnny Johnson and his field resentative, former Pittsburgh? Pirate star Dale Long.

Also on hand for the game will be Bill Lajoie, vice-president of-the Detroit Tigers; Detroit's rov- ing minor league pitching coach Billy Muffett; Baltimore Oriole: player personnel director-Tom-; 7 77 i 1 I -4 i i li' -n III v' 1 I Another pitcher making his first appearance of the season today at Greer will be left-hander Charles Tomaselli who will come up from Fort Lauderdale to pitch for the Sounds against the All-Stars. He will not be on the active roster, but will remain with the Sounds who have had their started rotation somewhat revamped for the second half of the year. The Sounds will be matched up against group of Southern League standouts headed by Jacksonville outfielder John Morris, the top vote-getter, and teammate Butch Davis, the des-ignated-hitter who leads the league In batting with a .346 average. SECOND BASEMAN Miguel Sosa of Savannah has the lowest All-Stars on the basis of last year's team winning the Southern League championship. Although no Sounds could be included on all-star ballots, the league will recognize all the Nashville players as all-stars.

Holmquist said he would have voted for at least five of his players for the midseason all-star club. "I would have voted for Vic Mata, Scott Bradley, Mike Pagli-arulo and Keith Smith," he said. "Pagliarulo is the best third baseman in the league and Smith is the best shortstop. There's no doubt that Scott Patterson belongs on this team, too." KUHN WILL head a list of baseball dignitaries at today's game which also includes National Baseball? Association president By TOM SQUIRES Nashville baseball fans will get to see Bowie Kuhn's best pitch when the Sounds host the Southern League All-Stars this afternoon at Herschel Greer Stadium. Kuhn, scheduled to give up his job as commissioner of major league baseball later this summer, will throw out the first pitch for today's 2:30 contest which officially marks the midway point of the Southern League's split season.

THE 56-year-old former Wall Street attorney was elected to the commissioner's post in 1969 but voted out of that position by the 26 team owners last November. He is still considered, however, as a candidate to retain his job when team owners meet next month. Related Story on Page 3 batting average for the All-Stars but leads the league in RBI with 52. The All-Star catcher will be former Motlow State star John Stefero of Charlotte who tops the league home run department with 15. Heading the All-Star pitching staff will be Chattanooga lefthander Mark Langston, whose 8-2 record includes two wins against the Sounds and their ace Scott Patterson.

"I see a team that can run, plays defense and has adequate pitching," said Sounds' manager Doug Holmquist. "I know of at least six sure-fire major league prospects on the All-Star team." THE SOUNDS are hosting the my uioraano; international League president Harold Cooper; Edmund Fitzgerald of the Base-T ball Exectutive Committee; Flor- Ida State League president. George McDonald; and veterani Boston Red Sox scout George1 Digby who has signed at least-two complete major league; teams including catchers Bob. Montgomery and Bob Tillman of; Nashville. Rounding out the All-Star (Turn to Page 3, Column 1) Bowie Kuhn At Greer today.