The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 8

i DH In Tonight's All-Star Game Assignment: Vanderbilt imwo By JIMMY DAVY fair itm inni p)iro "Die TENNESSEAN PqQG 1 9 SPOffFS MONDAY June 23. 1980 By TOM SQUIRES TcBMMCM 8 ports Writer JACKSONVILLE Nashville Sounds outfielder Buck Showalter, who led the Southern League in batting for most of the first half of the season, says he can always find room or improvement. "It's there. If you don't see it, you're just not looking hard enough," said the 24-year-old former Mississippi State All-American. Showalter is one of four Sounds selected to play In tonight's annual Southern League All-Star Same where the stars take on the Atlanta Braves ere at Wolf son Park in a 6:30 (CDT) contest.

Nashville pitcher Tom Filer (9-5) and Jamie Werly (5-2) are also on the team along with first baseman Steve Balboni, the only unanimous pick on the team. The left-handed hitting Showalter was chosen for the team as a designated hitter. Until a recent 12-game road trip, the 5-10, ISO-pounder was hitting at a .375 clip. He finished the first half with a .339 average which included 94 hits, 42 runs, and 47 RBIs all ranking among the league tedders "I really didn't think I did that well," said Showalter, who watched his club finish runner-up to Memphis in the Western Division race despite an impressive 46-25 record. "I was disappointed I let my average drop the last few weeks.

Stoff photo by S.A. Tarkington Four Nashville Sounds will be in oction at Jacksonville, tonight when the Southern League All-Stars take on the Atlanta Braves. They are, from left, designated hitter Buck Showalter, first baseman Steve Balboni, pitchers Jamie Werly and Tom Filer. Variety's WoicHt-cholic t-NE WEEK from today marks the end of the most intensive athletic fundraising fiscal year in Vanderbilt's history. Interrupted at dinner yesterday, Commodore moneyman George Bennett swore that he didn't have his ledgers on the dining room table.

"Bat, we will have at least $700,000 to report," he said. "And, who knows how much we'll take in before the Jane 30 deadline, considering that basketball season ticket priorities are on the line." Not included in this total by the way is a surprising $4,500 "gift" which best describes the renewed spirit which permeates Vandy's McGu-gin Center these days. Jay "Doc" Kries, the Commodores' strength and conditioning coach, spotted a German-made weight machine during a recent exhibit at the University of Texas. "I knew right off we needed one. It will help all our athletes get stronger.

quicker," said Kries, the former Clemson linebacker and one of the outstanding power-lift competitors in the country. The muscleman never mentioned the circumstances under which the machine is now on order for the cramped McGugin Center weight room. "He is gonna spend $4,500 of his own money, last so oar athletes can have it," explained Bennett. "I'm gonna try to get his money back, bat he didn't need this assurance. Be just got it." The $4,500 likely is a considerable chunk out of Kries' annual paycheck.

And, he is on record as not being a compulsive buyer. For one thing, he doesn't own a tie. This was discovered some weeks ago, when orders came down that all Vanderbilt athletic personnel with pictures in the 1980 football press guide would wear a coat and tie in the photograph. "I had a coat," Kries said, laughing. "But, I was a little short on ties.

So, George (Bennett) got me one." That isn't the entire story. The jury is still out on whether the weight-aholic has matching trousers for his coat and borrowed tie. He reported to the photographer attired in shirt, coat and tie above the waist. Below, were the traditional weightroom sweat pants and gym shorts. "01 Jay," said Bennett, "doesn't go in for putting on airs." Or, matching trousers.

A MAN WHO is in the McGugin Center weight room from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or later if business demands) five days a week doesn't need j' (Turn to Page 23) Effective July 10 McCov ey- Retiring "I believe I'm a good defensive outfielder, but I know there are a lot of gays on the team who can outran and oat-throw me," he said. "I've got to make it on my hitting average and RBIs. I need to get it back op where it was." Showalter is disappointed that he probably won't get to play in the field, but he's thrilled over his "I always like to play defense, but I'm sure I'll be in a DH role." he said.

"My hometown is only about three or tour hours from Jacksonville, so I might have some fans there. I just hope they have those new lights at the park and Atlanta doesn't pitch a left-handed knuckle-curve-bailer." Filer, who has had three days rest since his last start, could very well get the starting nod for tonight's game. He pitched two shutouts against Charlotte, whose manager. Jimmy Williams, is managing the stars. Werly has had even more rest five days since his last trip to the mound.

He was added to the squad after three original picks were called up to another league. Balboni enters play after his first off-day of the season. He sat out Saturday's 9-8 win over Memphis in the first-half finale. The big first baseman brings a .346 average and league-leading 24 homers and 73 RBI into the game. Other infielders selected include Charlotte third baseman Cal Ripken.

Jacksonville shortstop Onix Concepcion, Chattanooga second baseman Ken Barton, and utility players Dennis Webb of Jacksonville and Doug Stokke of Columbus. Outfielders are Tim Tolman of Columbus, John Denman of Charlotte and Drungo Hazewood of Charlotte. Besides Filer and Werly, the pitching staff includes Kevin Mendon of Memphis, Steve Be-drosian of Savannah, Steve Mapel of Orlando, Larry Pashnick of Montgomery, Howard Bailey of Montgomery, Jesse Flores of Knoxville, and Charlie Lea of Memphis. Lea, Pashnick, and Mapel have all been called up and will not be here. The catchers are Tom Wieghaus of Memphis and Matt Sinatro of Savannah.

Doc Estes of Orlando was picked as a second designated-hit-ter. The All-Stars have beaten the Braves five of eight meetings. They won last year in Nashville when Sounds outfielder Duane Walker was selected MVP. Nashville opens the second half of the season tomorrow night in Columbus and also plays a series at Savannah before returning home to Greer Stadium July 2 against the Astros. Long Wins Tour Stop At Honry Horton Park CHAPELHILL-Rob Long of Clarksville won the Henry Horton Amateur Tournament yesterday, his second win in the last three years here.

Long shot 73 yesterday after a first-round 66 on. Saturday and his 139 total edged runner-up chuck Eastman by two shots. Eastman shot 69-72' 141. Dave Anthony and Nicky Hartsfield were tied for third at 144 and Kevin Knox was fourth at-145. Other flight winners: I (First Flight) Bruce Crawford 70-85-155; (Second) Buster terling 7M6-162; (Third) Ron Bell 8M4-167; (Fourth) John Wilkes 81-93173; (Fifth) John Fizer 86-8J-179; (Sixth) Jack Jones 90-98-188.

rVT. i'' SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The San Francisco Giants' Willie McCovey, who hit 521 home runs in a major league career which began in 1959, announced yesterday he will retire effective July 10. McCovey, 42, said before yesterday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, "Nobody can go on forever." He has been poshed into a pinch-hitting role with the Giants because of the strong play of Rich Murray, a 22-year-old first baseman promoted from the minor leagues recently. "I said all along that I would keep playing until some young 'phenom' forced me to retire, and it looks like thai phenom has arrived," said McCovey, one of only 16 players in major league history to compete in games in four decades. McCovey will take a front office job after retiring as a player, as stipulated in a 10-year contract he signed in 1978.

"I might take a few weeks off this summer, too. I haven't had a summer vacation since I was 16 years old," McCovey noted at a pre-game news conference. McCovey's home run total included only one this season, hit on May 3 at Montreal. It tied him with Hall of Famer Ted Williams for eighth place among baseball's all-time leading home run hitters. The Giants' slugger became the National League's leading left-handed home run hitter when he hit his 512th homer last year.

Other career statistics for the native of Mobile, include 2,209 hits, 352 doubles, 1,152 runs batted in and a batting average of .270 in 2,581 games. He hit 18 grand slam homers, most In league history, and second in major league history to Lou Gehrig's 23. McCovey has hit all his homers in the National League, including a career-high 45 in 1969 when he was named Most Valuable Player. He hit 52 in three seasons with the San Diego Padres. He finished the 1976 season with the Oakland A's of the American League, playing in just 11 games and getting five hits.

In 1977, McCovey returned to the Giants as a free agent, made the team with a good spring training performance and had a great comeback season at age 39. He played in 141 games, his highest total since 1970, and batted .280 with 28 homers and 86 RBI. Injuries hampered him the next two seasons, and he shared the first base job with the younger IT ff 1 S.t i AP Loserphoto SAN FRANCISCO Willie McCovey, whose career spanned four decades, is shown with Giants' owner Bob Lurie at a press conference where it was announced that McCovey is being placed on the voluntory retirement list effective July 10. McCovey, the all-time leading left-handed home run hitter in the National League, will remain part of the Giants' organization, however. TSSAA Spells Out Plan For Seniors-Only Schools By CINDY SMITH Athletes at two nrnnnspri seninrs-nnlv Mike Ivie This year, McCovey took over for the injured high schools would not retain athletic Ivie earl in the season and sot off to a good start eligibility if they transfered to another Staff photos by Billy Easley Vanderbilt weight coach Jay Kries obviously is able to carry "his weight" in the strength-building program at McGugin Center.

He lifts with the athletes as encouragement. tion." he said, and later added that a student-athlete could not attend one school and participate in athletics at another school. "Of coarse, nothing is certain until Judge Wiseman rales," Carter added. "But we do have a plan for the athletes should the schools remain open for seniors only." Wiseman is expected to make a ruling during the first week in July. to another Metro school without losing eligibility.

An athlete in the lower grades could transfer to a new school ut would have to sit out a year. Carter said that the TSSAA realizes that a school utilizing a seniors-only athletic program would operate at a disadvantage in the Nashville Inters-cholastic League. "But we could not lighten their schedule or change their classifica He drove in seven runs in the first seven games he started, collecting three RBI in the Giants' (Turn to Page 22) Unser Just Too Fast For Pocono Rivals school once the term began, the TSSAA has announced. The TSSAA clarified the matter due to a proposal by the Metro Board of Education which would leave Bellevue High and Joelton High open next year on a seniors-only basis, a move which would greatly limit the athletic programs at the two schools. The proposal, which has been for warded to U.S.

District Judge Thomas A. Wiseman, will allow seniors at those two schools to either stay at their present school or transfer. Bellevue students can transfer to Hillwood and Joelton students can go to Whites Creek. The decision by the individual student-athlete must be made prior to the beginning of the school year, however, according to TSSAA Assistant Executive Director Ronnie Carter. "Once an athlete makes a decision in the fall, he or she cannot change schools at midseason," said Carter.

kid, for. example, could not play football at Hillwood and then switch back to Bellevue for basketball. A senior at Bellevue or Joelton who desires to transfer to the assigned school must go before the TSSAA Board of Control in August and request such a move, Carter added. "Because of the court order desegregation plan, the student would be allowed to go to the proper school," he said. Carter also pointed out that the senior could not transfer to a private school or II "7 A'.

mk mi 111 11m niim mm tuuuimm mt wirttamin riniM 'Ofcx i M. tai mniii 1 r-a-iiMiimiir- n-iinvr irtrr mining said his radio was not working toward the end of the race and he did not know of Rutherford's costly 14.5 second pit-stop on the 179th lap that virtually gave Unser the checkered flag. "My crew simply gave me a sign on how many seconds I had ahead of Johnny." said the 46-year-old Unser. "I knew I had about 12 seconds on him and his long pit stop more than doubled my winning margin." Unser promised his PC-9 "will be better before the year is out. It has room for improvement but we're working out the little kinks every time we go racing." In the Unser family skirmish for (Turn to Page 20) MT.

POCONO, Pa. (UPI) "Believe it nor not, we're starting to work on next year's car right now," says Bobby Unser, who proved that his PC-9 Cos-worth is definitely the class of the champ car field by winning his second straight race. Unser equalled runner-up Johnny Rutherford at two wins each this year with a mile-long margin of victory in yesterday's Pocono 500 over the 1980 Indianapolis winner. "This race proved again there's a weakness in Rutherford's Chaparral," said Unser of his rival's vaunted Yellow Submarine that was considered the dominant vehicle earlier in the season. "His car just wasn't as fast as ours on the straightaways." Unser, who earned $74,800 to Rutherford's $38,580 for winning the Pocono, Keith Phillips, of Nashville, Vanderbilt's senior football center, yells as he drives incredibly heavy weights off the rack under the watchful ee of Commodore weight coach Jay Kries..