Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 1C

V.s Iff Sports Section Monday, February 28, 1972 Dogs, Jai Alai 2C Pro Basketball 2C Classified 4 9C I Business IOC Greene 7i Eagle Putt on 15th Earns TODAY SPORTS WRITE! Roberts May Get Last Laugh Ilonston Astros and their farm clubs part of Brevard County "boom," 3C. Fat Paycheck for Weiskopf FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) Tom Weiskopf vaulted "pastfront runner Jact Nicklaus with a dramatic eagle on the 15th hole Sunday and won pro golfs richest tournament, Jackie Gleason's $260,000 Inverary Classic. The tall Ohioan collected $52,000 for his fi nal round 68 under par on warm and muggy Inverrary Golf Club course and 278, total. Nicklaus finished one stroke back at 279 after taking a three putt bogey on the 16th Dave Roberts sat in the training room at Cocoa Stadium Sunday with his funny bone submerged in a bowl of ice and he felt like laughing out loud. Baseball has taken some funny bounces for the 6 2, blond pitcher.

In the last two years at San Diego, baseball got so funny that Roberts felt like crying. But now he feels as if he may have the last laugh. Who is Dave Roberts? He's a 27 year old lefthander who may turn out to be the last missing piece in the pennant puzzle which has baffled Houston all these years. "Houston just got me to keep the team loose," laughed Roberts. But he knows and Houston knows that he wasn't acquired from San Diego for his sense of humor.

"I was San Diego's oldest pitcher at the ripe ole age of 27, explained Roberts with something between mileanda.jsmlrk. "They were looking toward the future, so I was expendable. "Houston is looking toward this year." San Diego better be looking, toward the future. At its present rate of development, the city should have a pennant winner in 2001. The Padres lost 99 games two years ago.

Not a team to rest on its laurels, the Padres put it all together" last year and lost 100. Second Best in ERA And Roberts was there to experience it all. After those two years with the Padres, it's surprising he didn't give up baseball and enter a monastery. But the solidly built lefty had one thing oine.for himr he happened to be1 a good pitcher. Just how good was impossible to lelT" with a team sucn as tne raares, dui me Astros are hoping to find out.

In 1970, Roberts had an 8 14 record, which doesn't sound like the effort of a good pitcher. But that included a 10 game losing streak during which the pacifists Padres produced 16 runs. In 1971, 'Roberts went 14 17. Still doesn't sound like much, does it? But let me tell you that Roberts had to be the best 14 17 pitcher who ever lived. Y) Much jnore impressive than his recbrd was his earned run average 2.10.yOnly Tom Seaver of the Mets had a better ma: the National League.

Could Have Won 30 In fact, Roberts should be considered for the Hall of Fame by winning 14 games for the Padres. In those 14 victories, his ERA was 1.24. In the 17 games he lost, San Diego came up with 17 runs you can get more runs than that in San Diego just' by drinking the He lost five gamfes when his club was shut out and be lost six more when he was doled out a single run for support. If the Padres had been capable of giving him just four runs in each of his starts, his record would have been 314. It would have been understandable Sunday if Roberts had a chip on his shoulder instead of an ice pack.

But he found a way to keep smiling with the Padres. "With the club in last place and going nowhere, I made my earned run average the goal which kept me going," he said, while sitting through the ice treatment which comes from an operation on his elbow four years ago. "Of course, I would have rather won a game, tnan lose one, i u. Frank Robinson Pauses to Sign Autographs for Young Fans at Dodgertown Dodgers Hope Robinson Has Fun in FlagFight By KEN CLARKE TODAY Sport Wrlt.r VERO BEACH Frank Robinson is back in the National League, although he says it doesn't make much difference which league he is in, and happy to be with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robinson, one.

of about whom a writer doesn't hesitate in. calling a superstar, spent his first full day with the Dodgers Sunday, working out under the bright sun and talking about the switch from Baltimore to Los Angeles. He came from a World Series team to a team that finished one game behind San Francisco in the Western Division race last season. little empty a little strange' said Robinson about his first reaction to the trade, and an answer he must have given reporters a 100 times since.t "But now I feel fine. Not many players can say they were traded to a team that has a good chance to win the pennant," he said, while awaiting his turn in the batting cage.

"I feel lucky to go to. a contender and I'm happy to be here." Robinson will be beginning his 17th season in the major leagues, coming to Los Angeles with a .302 lifetime batting average. He is, of course, the only major league player to have the most valuable player cM Los Angeles award in both leagues, with Cincinnati and Baltimore. He has won the Triple Crown and with 503 home runs he is 10th on the all time home run bst with only Hank Aaron and Willie Mays ahead of him among active players. The switch back to the National League is no big deal he says.

"The major leagues are the major leagues. As long as I'm here it's okay. This is the place to be." The 36 year old Robinson has had fun during his having played in five World Series and numerous pennant races. That pressurized' competition helps to keep the game a fun time sport. "It gets to be a grind," he said about the long schedule, "but you learn to accept it.

It bothers you you haven't played in the World Series. About July or August you start to hear the gripes, but only on teams that aren't going anywhere. If you're fighting for the pennant it's fun." Continued on Page 3C hole. The famed and feared Golden Bear had aJiYe iinder parJBT, inthe closhjgrodnd. Mac McLendon, an" obscure tour'regular from Birmingham, who hadn't finished higher than fourth in two years, was alone in third and picked up $18,460 for his closing 70 280.

Tony Jackiin of England, Bob Smith, young Buddy AUm and Chi Chi Rodriguez tied for fourth. Jacklin, who held the lead at one time as player after player made a run, at the huge first prize, shot a 70. Rodriguez came out of the pack with 67 and Smith and Allin matched 69s. Australian Bruce Devlin was alone at 283 after a 68. Arnold Palmer, who had a horrendous 80 in Saturday's thud round, improved only a single stroke to 78 and beat only one manjn theJieldwith a 301 total.

Lee Trevino had a fat 73 290 and Gary Player of South Africa, tied for first going into the final round, blew to a 74 284. The Woot Nicklaus a graduate of Ohio State, trailed Big Jack by a single stroke when he came to the 15th hole, a 532 yard par five. Nicklaus, playing two groups in front of Weiskopf, was nine under par at that point. winner of four previous tour titles, got off a good drive, then put himself 20 feet above the hole. He took his time lining it up, pacing nervously back ''and forth several times before he stroked it, the ball hanging tantakzingly on the left edge of the hole just a moment before dropping in and 'giving Weiskopf a sudden one stroke lead.

"ThenbTfacera'Waterlioter the 199 yard 16th. He put his tee shot safely away from the water, chipped to five feet and made the putt. Next came one of the strange "ones, Un the 17th, he pushed bis drive into the right rough behind some trees with a sand trap between bim and the green. He surveyed the situation, walking toward the greer. He walked through the trap to the green, came back through the sand raking it behind him to his ball.

He lofted In over the trees and over the trap to about 30 feet below the hole. Then he ran in the putt, clasping his hand to his head in relief and disbelief as be came out of potential trouble, possible disaster, and made a birdie. That gave him a two stroke lead, making a bogey on the final hole meaningless. "I wanted to see how far I was from the hole," Weiskopf said of his stroll through the sand on the 17th. "I was to the right of my line.

I did not walk through the trap in my line." A PGA official said, however, that had Weiskopf stroked that second shot into the trap, he would have been Continued on Page 3C TODAV Stuff Photo by Greg Uorv Scores and Standings BASKETBALL Pros NBA Sunday's Results Atlanta 113, Portland 110 New York 97, Baltimore 93, overtime Phoenix 127, Cleveland 123 Golden State 117, Houston 104 Chicago at Los Angeles, night Only games scheduled Saturday's Reaults Houston 122, Detroit 106 Baltimore 104, New York 97 Milwaukee 119, Phoenix 117, overtime Jh. Chicago 107, Golden State 103 Seattle 122, Cincinnati 106 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division WLPct. GB Boston 47 23 .671 New York 42 25 .627 3t4 Philadelphia 26 41 .383 19H Buffalo 18 48 .273 27 Central Division Baltimore 29 38 .431 Atlanta 26 41 .388 3 Cincinnati 22 46 .324 Vk Cleveland 20 49 .290.10 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Divisloa Milwaukee 54 IS .783 Chicago 49 20 s710 4 Phoenix 42 29 .592 13 Detroit 23 45 .338 3014 Pacific Division Los Angeles 55 11 .833 Seattle 42 26 .618 14 Golden State .42 28 .618 14 Houston Portland 27 40.403 281T He's Besfsov Rose Rollins to Host 4 A Region 2 Tourney tit vou can't blame anybody else if you "But you can't blame anybody else if you give up one run and lose," he added in a serious moment. "And how about that other guy who shut out your club? He did a better Job than you did." Some people feel it may not be too long before nobody is doing a better job than Roberts. For example, Pete Rose says: "Dave Roberts' is the best pitcher in the National League." "He says that because he hits me good," said Roberts with another laugh, while taking the elbow out to dry, "You always talk up the guys you hit good, so they'll be around longer." "Actually, it's true a I bear down harder against a good hitter, because it's only natural.

And It's really pleasing for a great hitter like Pete to say that." So. Roberts has come to Houston and given the Astros the fourth starter in what could turn out to oe uie oesi piicning suui in the leaeue. If Roberts bad won 14 games for Houston last year instead of San Diego, the Astros would have won their divisional title instead of finishing In a tie for fourth. Even for a good natured guy like the pressurized situation he's In should be no laughing matter, "No, there's no extra pressure," countered Roberts. "I know my nouston hopes it's the sky.

Rockledge and Vero Beach will be traveling to the midsection of the state, and Melbourne Central Catholic and Jotyi Carroll will head south as four Space Coast teams inoVe to regional play in the state basketball playoffs. la' the Class 4 Region 2 tournament, to be held at College in Winter Park, District 7 champion Vera Beach will face Orlando Evans In Friday's second game at 8:30 p.m. Gainesville rand Lake Worth wm meet in the opening game. Central Florida Community College in Ocala win be the site of the 3 Region 2 games. Rockledge will open the action Friday with a 7 p.m.

game against Haines City followed by the Ovledo Ocala Forest contest, in a class 3 A meeting, Melbourne Central Catholic will be at Immokalee, playing Arcadia. DeSoto in the first game of the Region 4 tourney at 7. Host Immokalee will then take on Opa Locka Pace in the second game. John Carroll, In the class 1 Region 4 games at Moore Haven will challenge the host school at 8:30, preceded by Coral Gables Deerborn Key West Mary Immaculate. Other pairings: Class AAAA Region I at Pensacola Escambia remaimdmaaBiEiBawm; Cowboys Still High on Alvarez Despite His Attack on Dickey By PETE GALLAGHER TOOAV Spor Writer GAINESVILLE The recent controversy involving former Florida Gator flanker Carlos Alvarez and head coach Doug Dickey doesn't bother the team which picked the Cuban Comet in the recent college draft.

"We don't ever like to hear an athlete attack his coach," said Red Hickey, a pro scout for the iworld champion Dallas Cowboys. "I personally think Doug Dickey Is a very fine football coach. "But we had problems, you know. ifcMateBMMlllBlaatffl with Duane Thomas and he took us on to the Super Bowl," added Hickey. "If our boys play for us, they don't necessarily have to Jove us." Alvarez was drafted in the 17th round last month, because, according to Hickey, "We recognized Carlos as a great football player and he assured us that with the success of his recent knee operation he could be able to play for us in 1973." Alvarez will graduate this month and plans to attend Duke Law School with a 11,000 NCAA post graduate scholarship.

Panama City vs. Jacksonville Fletcher; Jacksonville Sandalwood Pensacola High. Region 3 at Florida Southern at Lakeland Tampa Hillsborough vs. St. Petersburg Senior; Clearwater vs.

Lakeland Senior Region 4 at Dade Jr. Coll. North, Miami Miami Carol City vs. Miami Jackson; Lauderdale Nova vs. Coral Gables Class AAA Region 1 at Tallahassee Rlckard Pensacola Washington vs.

Quincy Shanks; Orange Park vs. Tallahassee Rlckards Rgio 3 at Tampa Catholic St. Petersburg Glbbs vs. Fort Myers Cypress Lake; Palmetto vs. Tampa Catholic Region 4 at Martin County Stnart Miami Columbus vs.

Fort Continued Next Page 15 56 .211 42tt (x Late games not included) Monday's Games No games scheduled ABA Sunday' Results Denver 113, Carolina 105 New York 131, Pittsburgh 123 Kentucky 135, Floridjans 112 Only games scheduled. Saturday's Results Virginia 121, New York 119 Carolina 146, Pittsburgh 130 Indiana 115, Dallas 113 Kentucky 123, Memphis 100 East Division Pet GB Kentucky 53 14 ,791 Virginia 40 27 497 13 New York 32 36 .471 22 Floridians 27 40 .403 26 Carolina 27 40 .403 26 Pittsburgh 23 44 .343 30 West Division Utah 46 20 .697 Indiana 37 29 .561 8Vi Dallas 32 37 .464 UH Denver 27 39 .409 19 Memphis 24 42 .364 22 Monday's Games No games scheduled. College Sunday's Results Louisville 84, St. Louis 78 Niagara 80, St. Bonaventure 74 Duquesne 72 Providence 67 Dominican, N.Y.

114, St. Thorn. Aquinas 68 Continued on Next Page frishTngwj Forecast! Indian and Baaaaa Rivers yielding occasional Junker trout and good catches of smaller ones. Trout scattered and anglers most search them oat Best bet Is oa or around shoreline flats early mornings and late evening, and deeper depths through day. Some bloefUh, pompaae and waiting from Space Coast beaches.

Offshore dependent pou wind. Speckled perch cootlwu from Lake Marian but are tpetty in St. Joans River. A few small bat kiting..