The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 23

Murcer's Slams Sparks Yanks 24 Clem Lands Another Gem 25 Bass Fishing Busting Open 26 Pro, Amateur Scoreboard 30 Elliott Grabs Rebel Pole 40 FRIDAY Aprill 0,1981 Page 23 Map IB Box On Page 28 By TOM SQUIRES After blowing a five-run lead, Nashville scratched up an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth inning and opened the 1981 Southern League season with a 8-7 victory over Birmingham before 6,736 fans last night at Herschel Greer Stadium. Speedy Otis Nixon opened the A A more chances before the season's over." Game time tonight at Greer is 7:30, with right-hander Rod Box-berger slated to pitch for the Sounds. SOUND NOTES: Veteran Roger Slagle, who spent most of the spring with the New York Yankees, has been sent to the Sounds from Columbus and will arrive today To make room for Slagle, Nashville sent 6-7 Ben Callahan to Ft. Lauderdale Former Sound Tom Filer has rejoined the Yankee organization and may also be in Nashville in the near future Tonight is Money Scramble Night at Greer. i 1 i nil" 1 lor in the eighth and sat down Birmingham in order in the ninth to pick up the victory.

Dave Garcia, the victim of Nixon's hit to open the eighth, suffered the loss for the Barons who return to Greer tonight for the second of a four-game series. THE SOUNDS ripped three Birmingham pitchers for a total of 14 hits with Willie McGee matching Nixon's total of three. Robbins, Don Mattingly, and Rob Teegar-den contributed two apiece. Nashville spotted the Barons a 2-0 lead with two errors in the first inning but came back to score six times in the second for a four-run cushion. Ironically, the key to the inning was an infield error by the visitors on a bases-loaded grounder.

The Sounds' seventh run came in the seventh on a double by Robbins and single by Teegarden. Barbaro Garbuy had two of Birmingham's seven hits, but it was Dwight Lowry's two-run single in the eighth which tied the score. "I HATED to see us blow that lead, but it has to be nice to win the opener," said Sounds' manager Stump Merrill, who visited base umpire Joe Conley on several occasions despite recent knee surgery. "You could tell we have a young ball club. "We made some errors, but I' was impressed with the way we came back after they had rallied to tie it in the eighth.

Jamie pitched a helluva game and deserved to win it. But, he'll get a lot bottom of the eighth with his third hit of the game, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, to third on a groundout, and scored when Baron shortstop booted a slow roller by Nashville designated hitter Wes Robbins. THE SOUNDS had taken a 7-2 lead to the eighth before Birmingham put together a walk, a double, two singles, and a costly error to score five times and tie the game. The tie score, as brief as it lasted, ruined a brilliant opening-day pitching performance by Sounds' right-hander Jamie Werly who did not figure into the decision despite six strong innings of work. The 24-year-old veteran did not allow an earned run, allowing only three hits before being lifted in favor of Jeff Taylor after walking two batters in the seventh.

"I'm just glad we got the victory and I lasted as long as I did," said Werly. "Six innings is the longest I've gone this spring and I got a little tired. I got comfortable and got some confidence. After, that, things fell into place for me." WERLY WENT into the game still concerned about a freakish' arm injury which sidelined him most of the second half of last year. "I have to be concerned about it," said Werly.

"The arm is still untested. I felt good warming up in the bullpen. I didn't think about it after that," he said. Curt Kaufman came on for Tay I I 1iii iifiniliiiritioriPW lririimniiWifiiifWhmriwmfiiM Nixon Staff photo by Diane Milam Nixed Nashville Sounds shortstop Otis Nixon (24) is forced out at second base by Birmingham's Daryl Woodard in first-inning action of the Sounds' opener. v- Caulkins Breaks Own Record From STAFF REPORTS CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

Tracy Caulkins captured the 400-yard individual medley in American record time here last night at the U.S. Swimming Short Course Championship, defeating the field by almost the length of the pool. Runner-up Patty Gavin had just made her final turn when Caulkins touched the wall at the other end of the pool. The 18-year-old Nash-villian was timed in surpassing her own American record of 4:08.09 in the event. THE VICTORY, Caulkins 29th national championship, left her one win shy of the women's record for national championship wins set by Ann Curtis in the 1940s, and two shy of the all-time record, which is shared by CM.

Daniels and Johnny Weissmuller. (Turn to Page 25, Column 2) to halt Arnold Palmer's last big Open challenge, admitted he once considered himself the best golfer in the world. "Why shouldn't Check the records and you'll see what I mean," Miller said matter-of-fact-ly. The records, by the way, show he won eight tournaments in 1974 and four the following year: He seemed to make his point. BuJ, almost as suddenly as he flashed to the top of pro golf, he disappeared from leaderboards and was just another of dozens of the cottontopped, tanned bug-gywhip swingers with dazzling putting strokes and amazingly accurate wedge shots.

Overnight, almost, he became a trivia question. You know: Whatever happened to Johnny Miller? (Turn to Page 29, Column 1) The Masters tampedle ft Lead Fouir By JOHN BIBB Tennessean Sports Editor Ga. The' stampede for leadership of the first, round of the Masters Golf tournament wound up in a four-way tie here yesterday, with the front-runners shooting three-un-der-par 69s. Joining PGA Tour stars Curtis Strange, Johnny Miller and Lon Hinkle in front of the pack was Australian Greg Norman, making his first appearance in the Masters. Defying the accepted notion that success at the Augusta Na-' tional course requires considerable local knowledge, the 26-year- old Australian avoided going over i i A.

i 1 1 'r par on any noie umu ne reacnea No. 18. mill imt ft ts nukmain a approacn shot, a 5-iron which traveled 204 yards, left him with a downhill Jack Nicklaus Fashions a 70 Mi chip shot from the back fringe. He required three more strokes, including a final tortuous 6-foot putt for a bogey to gain his share of the lead. "I got here Sunday and played four practice rounds.

I seemed to be doing just fine, so I decided I would just think I was playing a practice round again. I felt my biggest problem would be allowing myself to get too pumped up and thus losing my concentration. I suppose the plan worked well until that 5-iron at 18. 1 can't explain what happened. Normally, I hit 5-iron shots somewhere around 163-165 yards," Norman said.

Prior to the finishing 5, Norman appeared in complete command of his powerful game that has Augusta National faithful predicting big things for him here this week. "I CANT say whether my game is or isn't made for this course. I can say, I felt comfortable all day, and playing in the Masters is the biggest thrill of my professional career," said Norman, winner of last year's World Cup Match Play and the Australian Open. His world-wide earnings for 1980 were more than $250,000. Meanwhile, Miller, Strange and Hinkle also tackled the Augusta National, with its new bent grass putting surfaces with sub-par success.

Strange was the first to post 69. He got his on nine-hole totals of 34-35. Then came Miller's 33-36 and Hinkle's 32-37. MILLER SEEMED unusually relaxed, particularly at ease for the first time in recent attempts here. The former U.S.

Opeq cham-x pion who dazzled the world of golf by shooting 63 at Oakmont in 1973 VE.J. and Bear' Give Bama Fans Many Memories By MIKE MORROW Alabama football followers had a memorable evening with E.J. and the Bear downtown last night. The Middle Tennessee Alabama Alumni group saluted E.J. Junior, the Crimson Tide Ail-American, with a hometown tribute.

And while Junior, the former Maple-wood High School star, was the honored subject, Bear Bryant the legendary one captured plenty of attention from the Civic Hall gathering. JUNIOR, WHO figures as a first-round selection in the upcoming National Football League draft, gave an appreciative and emotional address to the crowd. "Words can't really express the feeling of being here honored by the hometown people," said Junior in his address. He recalled a similar gathering for the Hume Award to the city's top scholar-athlete in high school. "Words couldn't describe that either," he remembered.

HE MADE it through most of his remarks in impressive fashion, but came to a stop and paused, fighting tears, as the emotion of the moment grew. Bryant, who jokingly informed the crowd "you can thank me for CM. Newton coming up here," complimented the talented defensive end at every turn. Bryant flew in yesterday from Tuscaloosa, where spring practice is in session. "I'll take great pride in watching E.J.

from here," Bryant said, who points to Junior's character off the field as well as on. Bryant, in his speech to the crowd, thanked the Junior family for "loaning E.J. to us for four years." JUNIOR WAS presented with a proclamation by Mayor Richard Fulton before the dinner and with a certificate from Congressman Bill Boner at the podium. Bryant was also honored by both officials, receiving a certificate from Boner, and the Key to the City by Fulton. Junior, a likely choice as line backer for the pros, compliments Bryant, in turn.

"People often ask me what it's. like to play for a man like Coach: Bryant," he. said. "Well, I always; say it's something you can't explain. It's some you have to feel." Junior was joined by a supportive gathering of friends and family at the affair.

(Turn to Page 28, Column 1) Hall Thompson fit LJ 4 ff i f' I Greg Norman 34-3569 Lon Hinkle 32-37-69 Johnny Miller 33-3669 Curtis Strange 34-3569 John Cook 37-3370 David Graham 35-3570 Jack Nicklaus 37-3370 Hubert Green 36-3470 A-James Holtgrieve 36-3470 IsaoAoki 36-34-70 Jim Simons 36-3470 DonPooley 33-3871 Tom Watson 35-3671 Gibby Gilbert 35-36-71 Peter Jacobsen 35-3671 Ben Crenshaw 36-3571 Jerry Pate 35-3671 Dave Stockton 34-3872 J.CSnead 36-3672 Wayne Levi 37-35-72 Bob Gilder 35-3772 UPI Telephoto Johnny On the March Johnny Miller Displays Fine Form Thompson Disavows Part In Vandy Shakeup (Turn to Page 30, Column 3) WITH inun ninn wwnn uiuu SPORTS EDITOR ing Kramer "Such been be weeks project AUGUSTA, Ga. Hall Thompson, whose name is linked closely with Vanderbilt athletic affairs, pooh-poohs any suggestion that Rov Kramer's authoritv as athletir riirertnr nac noon nimin cnoi nu otronte at ranartr live dkZJ speculation that he was among the "influential alumni" who usurped the authority of as the No.l force in Vanderbilt athletics. an idea is absolutely wrong. Quite honestly, my. association with CM.

Newton has a casual relationship. We certainly cannot described as long-time friends. In recent we have worked together on a civic in Birmingham. During our work, we obviously discussed the controversy and disappointment in Vandy's basketball season. But prior to that, I have had very, very little personal contact with Newton," Thompson said.

"MY PART in this matter was nothing more than a telephone call to Roy Kramer several months ago and another call last Friday morning. Last spring, in a conversation about Vandy sports in general I simply reminded him of what I think he already knew that Newton once had mentioned he considered the Vanderbilt basketball job to be one of the best in the nation. Any suggestion that I threatened withdrawal of support to the university unless Coach Schmidt Was fired and Newton hired is absolutely erroneous. Any inference that I coerced any Vanderbilt official, or demanded Kramer make changes in the basketball coaching job is pure poppycock." Thompson has been a liberal contributor financially and otherwise to Vanderbilt for many years. He is in the big-bucks league in this respect, donating among other money, $500,000 to help assure the school's commitment to the rennovation and enlargement of Dudley Field.

If there is a person in position to exert influence on Vandy athletics, it would be a man such as Thompson. "It is true I was in Chancellor Heard's office a few days ago. I was there, however, on a matter totally unrelated to athletics. As a matter of fact, my wife accompanied me and our visit had nothing to do with Mr. Schmidt, Mr.

Newton or Mr. Kramer. "LAST FRIDAY MORNING I was told of the imminent resignation of Schmidt. When I got the word I called Kramer and reminded him of our talk months ago about Newton. He said Newton would be considered.

That's all that (Turn to Page 40, Column 1) "Anyone who has had any association with Vanderbilt in recent years surely understands Roy Kramer is the key figure in Vandy athletic affairs. To my knowledge nothing that has happened in the past 10 days has altered that situation," Thompson said. THOMPSON IS a former Nashvillian who maintains membership in the Belle Meade Country Club and now lives in Birmingham where he is owner of Shoal Creek Country Club, site of the 1984 National PGA Championship. A member of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust, Thompson has been reported to be the man who introduced CM. Newton's name to Kramer as a potential Vandy basketball coach.

Thompson does not deny such involvement He admits freely he discussed Newton's ration for the Vanderbilt iob with Kramer. HE DENIES VIGOROUSLY, however, that he was any part of forces exerting "outside influence" on Vanderbilt's Chancellor Alexander Heard, President Emmett Fields or Kramer which demanded the firing of Richard Schmidt and the hiring of Newton. Thompson is a member of the ever-so-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club and he serves here on the press committee for the Masters Championship. Yesterday he was anxious to clear the air about his role in the recent Van-. derbilt basketball coaching change.

He was even more anxious to express his opinion deny several months acn ann rpminHcH him nf Newton's interest in Vandy when I tht Coach Schmidt had resigned last got word.