St. Louis Post-Dispatch du lieu suivant : St. Louis, Missouri • Page 26

Mar. 10, 1974 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Reggie The Rifle-Top Bird Arm In Right In 40 Years bob broeg sports editor I ST. PETERSBURG. March 9 Although at times more controversial than capable in Boston, yet indubitably one of the best ball players in the American League, Carl Reginald Smith figures to be front and center in the Grapefruit League spotlight and throughout the Cardinals' regular season, too.

What kind of guy is he, this 29-year-old, seven-season player who at a reported $90,000 a season is close to full-fledged, super-star status? He's articulate and self-confident, very much his own man, but also determined to win approval from St. Louis fans as well as ball games for the club that got him in the deal that sent Rick Wise and Bernie Carbo to the Red Sox. "The Red Sox have a good organization," he said, "and the Boston fans, though intense, can be quite critical. But believe much of that attitude is a product of the press and' other meida. "I believe reporters should report, not interject opinions or thoughts, and to quote, not misquote.

And I guess I think they should understand that players, momentarily angry, will say things they don't mean or even feel." Although not ready to concede that reporters should be mind readers or house men, I can sympathize with Smith or any other ball player, including Ted Williams, who played in Boston, where a hyper-competitive press has led to situations in which writers at times have stretched or distorted or sensationalized stories. Having worked in Boston, I consider this evaluation as fair as Smith will find the St. Louis media and, I'm sure, the St. Louis fans. If they liked Carbo's arm, they'll love Smith's.

Reggie the Rifle has the best throwing arm the Redbirds have had in right field since Wally Roettger. And that was more than 40 years ago. Good-looking and muscular, built for both speed and power, Smith is an all-round athlete. With a .303 average last season, his third over .300, he batted .339 righthanded and .290 lefthanded and, though missing 47 games with injuries, he hit 21 homers and drove in 69 runs. 'I'm a lowball hitter lefthanded and like the pitch up and away from me better righthanded," said Smith.

"I've learned that because my stroke at bat is quicker lefthanded, I hit the long ball more often that way, but I hit more line drives righthanded and hit for better average." Smith did not begin to turn around in the batter's box until he was 16 years old, demonstrating the remarkable reactions of a gifted person who made All-State in both California high school football and baseball and plays superior tennis, scuba dives, rides horses and plays the cello, the saxophone and the drums. He broke in as an infielder, opened his rookie big league season at second base because Mike Andrews was hurt, then shifted to center field for a pennanwinning team and has played right field, first base and third for the Bosox. "And," he said, smiling, "I've hit everywhere from seventh to first in the batting order." The seventh of eight children, Reggie was born in Shreve-port, but grew, up in suburban Los Angeles, where his father first had a tailor shop and the family then had a wholesale egg-distributing business. One of Reggie's older brothers, Lonnie, is a biochemist who worked on the Apollo space program. The baseball Smith turned down a football scholarship, but went briefly to Compton (Calif.) Junior College before accepting what he described as a "good" bonus from the Minnesota Twins in 1963.

At the end of that season in which he was left unprotected, the alert Red Sox drafted him and after he led the International League in hitting with a .320 average at Tornoto in 1966, he was promoted to Boston. Although he batted only .246 that rookie season, the 22-year-old Smith hit World Series home runs off Nelson Briles and Dick Hughes, narrowly missing a third off Bob Gibson. When Lou Brock stole a base late in the seventh game of the Series with the Cardinals leading by a 7-2 score, the trigger-tempered Smith blasted the Redbird star from his position in center field, labeling Brock a "hot modern vernacular for a showboat. Afterward, however, learning that Brock was tying a Series record of seven stolen bases set by Honus Wagner back in 1909, Smith waited in the parking lot outside Fenway Park to apologize to Brock. "I was," said Reggie, "just a dumb rookie." Now, he's a smart veteran who manages his own investments and figures his future will be as a real estate broker.

Smith is married to his high school sweetheart and tennis partner, Ernestine. They have two children, son Carl 5 and daughter Nicole LaShann, 2. The Smiths live in Sharon, about 25 miles from Boston. Reggie, who used to raise horses as well as ride them, gave up one hobby and merely emphasized tennis for leg conditioning after having been sidelined last season with knee ligament trouble, suffered as a result of sliding. "I like the hard countryball type of game played by the National League," he said.

If he'll play it that way day in an day out with the Cardinals, Reggie Smjth will find that the St. Louis fans won't care whether (1) his quotes were twisted or expanded about racism in Boston, (2) whether catcher Carlton Fisk didn't like him or (3) whether he had just cause for decking Red Sox lefthander Bill Lee last season. They'll probably even try to understand it if, as in Boston, physically hurt and wounded by what he considered unjust criticism, he doesn't use his God-given speed on every 90-foot trip down to first base. They'll be interested most, as will those of us down here for the first look in the Grapefruit League, only to see what Reggie's friend and former teammate, Carl Yastrzemski, saw back there in spring training of 1969, the year before The Rifle hit .300 for the first time. Talented and temperamental himself, Yaz said five years ago: "Reggie Smith could be another Lou Brock or Curt Flood.

St. Louis will drink to that. Win One More For Me Busch ST. PETERSBURG, March 9-August A. Busch president of the baseball Cardinals, gave a brief pep talk to the players Saturday, explaining the organizational chain of command, wishing the athletes well and urging them to win one more.

Nattily dressed in a canary-yellow sports jacket and black slacks, the 75-year-old brewer-sportsman, appeared before the Reggie Smith CCA Promise: Quality Basketball CCA Schedule The schedule of events for the Collegiate Commissioners Association basketball tournament: MONDAY Noon) 'Press conference at Jefferson Hotel. Coaches of the eight teams will be Interviewed via a phone hookup. Sports Information directors from the schools will attend with members of the CCA. tournament committee. WEDNESDAY Teams arrive and will be quartered at Stouffer's Riverfront Inn.

At 7 p.m., teams and their official parties wiU attend a banquet and melodrama production on the Coldenrod Showboat. THURSDAY Tlpof luncheon at noon at the Stadium Club (open to the public; tickets 10 each). (Reservations can be made by calling 535-3300, extension 249, at St. Louis U. The luncheon is sponsored by the Honorary Coaches Association of St.

Louis, First-round games at The Arena, 7:05 p.m. and 9:05. FRIDAY First-round games at The Arena, 7:05 p.m. and 9:05. SATURDAY Teams will be guests of the Blues at National Hockey League game with Pittsburgh.

SUNDAY Semifinal games at The Arena, 1:35 p.m. and 3:35. MONDAY Championship game at The Arena, 7:30 p.m. Cardinals with general manager Bing Devine at his side. year at the baseball writers dinner in St.

Louis, that he feels the current Cardinals were the best crop since the last pennant six years ago. "Yes, I'd like the players to think positively, but I also meant what I said," Devine said. All of which prompted Busch's enthusiasm. "I told the fellas that they came so close last time that it would be a shame not to win this year. I'm getting along and I'd like to see them win one for me, Busch said." But I'd like to see them win it even more for themselves and for the great St.

Louis fans." BROEG The recent resignation of Dick Meyer as president of Anheus-er Busch, and as executive vice president of the Cardinals was one of the reasons for the meeting. "Recent unfortunate developments have no effect on the ball club or on you. As before, when he'd report to Dick or me, Bing Devine is in charge of the baseball operation. I have complete confidence in him. I'm glad he thinks we have the best tell club since 1967 and '68," Busch told the Cardinals.

Devine said he repeated his statement, made earlier this at the NIT. 'I've been to the NIT a couple of times and it was a heckuva tournament. We had a great time, it was a great trip and the NIT people were helpful." Pairings for the CCA event will be announced Sunday. How does a coach prepare his team without knowing who the opponent will be? "About all we've been able to do is sharpen our man-toman offense nnd man-to-man defense," said Bradley's Joe Stowell. "It's the same for everybody, of course, but the attitude of our kids has been so good this year that it isn't much of a problem.

"Our kids have played with a lot of intensity and a lot of pride. We've been able to stay up for almost every game." Some say that Arizona State's Kennedy is nicknamed The Rock because he moves like one. Kennedy has an answer. "When you're 6-1 and weigh 258 pounds, it's tough to run like a guard," he replies. Kennedy, who was given his nickname by former Arizona State great Paul Stovall, is an unpretentious guy who likes to tell stories on himself.

There was, for instance, a game when he was a sophomore. "Coach (Ned Wulk) brought me off the bench for one purpose," said Kennedy. "That was to throw an inbounds pass the length of the floor to Stovall. I threw it into the scoreboard hanging over center court. The maintenance man said I set a gym record 24 busted lights." The 6-5 Grunfeld, from Forest Hills, N.Y., moved to the United States from Romania as a 9-year-old when his family fled the Communists.

Grunfeld, named the Southeastern Conference's top freshman this season, averaged 17.4 points. Last summer, he was the leading scorer for the U.S. in the Maccabiah Games in Israel. Terrell, a 6-8 sophomore, averaged 22.2 points a game and was second in rebounding in the SWC this season. He picked the Mustangs up after a sluggish start and led them to victories in 10 of their final 11 games.

Guard Lon Kruger was chiefly responsible for keeping K-State in the Big Eight race all season. He has made the league all-academic team three straight seasons and repeated this season as the most valuable player in the Big Eight. By Dave Dorr Of the Post-Dispatch Staff When UCLA coach John Wooden said that "streaks are freaks" after his Bruins were ambushed twice last month on the Oregon Trail, he obviously was talking about basketball and not the latest campus craze. On The Hill, as the Southern Methodist University campus is called around Dallas, they have been turned on by the streaking Mustangs, who saved their best kick for last and finished with eight straight victories that lifted them into a tie for second place in the Southwest Conference. SMU has momentum and its coach, Bob Prewitt, has his fingers crossed hopeing the Mustangs can keep rolling when they play in the new Collegiate Commissioners Association tournament that will begin Thursday night at The Arena with two first-round games.

Instant success is what CCA officials are seeking. If the eight teams that compete here put on a good show, the tournament can't miss. Quality basketball Is assured and, because of the commitment to the CCA by the major conferences, the coaches of the six teams which already have been selected seem convinced that the tourney is destined for a long run. Success is what Big Eight Conference commissioner Chuck Neinas, chairman of the tournament committee, had in mind Saturday when he jokingly suggested that "maybe we ought to have a streaking contest, at hulftime." You won't need one, Chuck. The National Collegiate Athletic Association finals here last March and.

the UCLA-North Carolina State game at The Arena in December offered the best in college basketball. Both events were received with gusto by area sports fans. The CCA could provide much of the same. There will be an abundance of outstanding individual talent. Tennessee's Ernie Grunfeld' and Kansas state's Dean Harris are among the nation's top freshmen.

Arizona State is counting on "The Rock," 6-foot-ill1 center Ron Kennedy. Toledo has Mike Parker, Bradley has Greg Smith and Seymour Reed and SMU has Ira Terrell. thought behind the CCA is good and sound," said K-State coach Jack Hartman. "And Florida Upsets Vanderbilt, BQ-77 GAINESVILLE, March 9 (UPI) The Florida Gators came up with some clutch free-throw shooting in the waning seconds Saturday to defeat league champion Vanderbilt, 80-77, in a Southeastern Conference basketball game. The victory gave Florida its first winning season in five years, 15-11, and a 9-9 mark in the 'SBC.

Vandy finished its season with a 23-3 record, include ing a 15-3 performance in the SEC. The loss cost the Commodores the undisputed SEC championship. Vanderbilt dropped into a tie with Alabama, but will represent the SEC in next week's NCAA Mideast Regional by virtue of its two victories this season over the Crimson Tide. VETERANS take advantage of Your Educational Benefits With or without high school diploma, attend full or part time. Full-time single vets entitled to $220 per month, married vets $261, married with one child $298.

Half-time student vets receive half benefits. Call VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE Florissant Valley Community College 524-2020, extension 339 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. K-State's Lon Kruger while it might take a while to get it off the ground, I think it has an excellent future." Then, alluding to the war of words between backers of the CCA and the National Invitation Tournament, Hartman said: "There are enough basketball teams to support both the CCA and the NIT and, for that matter, the NCAA. I don't think anybody need take a slap Tickets Still Available Officials at The Arena said Saturday that plenty of tickets are available in both price ranges for all four sessions of the Collegiate Commissioners Association basketball tournament.

Tickets are priced $6 and $8 for each session and can be purchased at The Arena box office. Sports On Radio, TV vy Misses Record SUNDAY Arnie 'In Heritage HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., March 9 (AP)-The Heri-tage Golf Classic announced that Arnold Palmer has agreed to play in its tournament March, 21-24 at the Harbour Town course. John Sees Cyclones Win fourth place in the conference, and 14-12 overall. The Cyclones wound up 6-8 for a fifth place Big Eight finish and 15-11 overall. COMPLETE BRAKE JOB Rebuild All Wheel Cylinders Pack Front Wheel Beorings Inspect Master Cylinder CAAQC Replace All Brake Shoes tO.O Turn All Broke Drums HrTT BANNER TIRE CO.

AMERICA HOCKOT: Blues at Mlniwdota, 1 p.m. (KMOXAMj; Philadelphia at Bui-rilo. p.m. (KSD-TV). TRACK: Videotaped highlights of United States-Russia dual meet, Moscow, on "CBS Snorts Spectacular," noon (KM OX-TV).

PRO Los Angeles at Boston, 1:30 m. (KMOX TV). OOLF: Dorai-Eastern Open Miami, 1 p.m. (KTiVI). AUTO RACING: California 500, Ontario, 3:30 pm.

(KTVI). BASEBALL: Taped replay of Cardinals vs. New York Mcts. St. Peters, burg, following Blues-Mlnne-aota hockey game (KMOX AM).

MONDAY BASEBALL: Cardinals vs. Detroit TWers, Lakeland, 12:30 p.m. TUESDAY HOCKEY: Blues vs. Toronto, The Arena, 8 m. (KMOX-AM).

WEDNESDAY BASEBALL: cardinals vs. Los An- gslt Dodgers. St. Petersburg, 123C p.m. KMOX-AM).

THURSDAY HOCKErY: Blues at Philadelphia. 7 j.jh. (KPLR-TV and KiTOX-AMl. PffSO BASKETBAUL: New York at WoldMi mate, Oakland, 9:30 p.m. XMX-TV).

Ralph Telken To Join NAiA Hall Of Fame CARS 11702 MANCHESTER 3300 LEMAY FERRY RO. 3S01 S. Kinqthiqhway87 S. Hwy 140 adidas LEATHER ATHLETIC-LEISURE SHOES Alex Mazeika had 10. Ivy, a Post-Dispatch All-Metro selection when he starred for Northwest High, fell 13 points short of becoming the highest-scoring sophomore in Iowa State's history.

He has been named the United Press International's newcomer of the year in the Big Eight Conference. Nebraska's leading scorer, reserve Ricky Marsh, had 14 points, all in the second half. Iowa State, after shooting only 28 per cent in the first period, went on a rampage and scored 30 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a 60-36 lead. ISU's biggest margin was 25 points, 62-37 with 9:07 to play. The Cornhuskers finished their season at 7-7, good for nnrn in 3 SESk From Post Dispatch News Services AMES, March 9 A surprise visit by ailing head coach Maury John helped inspire Iowa State to a 76-53 Big Eight basketball victory over Nebraska Saturday.

John, undergoing treatment for a tumor, had missed the Cyclones' last 19 games. The head coach was given a three-minute standing ovation that held up the start of the game. Iowa State's scoring effort was led by Robert Wilson, who fired in 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Four other Cyclones hit double figures. Ives Harris scored 14 points, Hercle Ivy and Eric Heft each had 12, and reserve Cougars' Dooley Wins High Jump With 6-10 Leap Special to the Post-Dispatch WARRANTY EXTENSION Ackerman has extended the warranty' on all remaining new '73 Buicks to 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first).

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63130 PHONE (314) 735-4145 CARS- Autos hond machine arde 1 and chemical- 42 YEARS IN ST. LOUIS EZHZZZni W'y before' I ON ALL 1974 BUICKS OPELS DIG SELECTION Ho Reasonable Offer Refused BRAKES RELIUED Y0UR TRADE-IN WILL NEVER BE WORTH MORE! Cfenetal to the Post-Dlapatcti KANSAS CITY, March 9 -Ralph Telken, a basketball standout at DeAndreis High School in St. Louis and Rock-htifst College, is one of four individuals who will be inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame at a noon luncheon Friday at the Muehlebach Hotel. Telken, who played three seasons at Rockhurst, was a member of the 1974 Rockhurst team that won the NAIA national tournament. Telken, who was known as The Rabbit, was named winner of the Charles Stevenson Hustle Award at the '64 tourney.

Others to be inducted are Claude Overton, a former basketball star at East Central State College in Ada, Americo (Mertz) Mortorelli, former football coach at Wisconsin-Superior State College, and George W. Hine assist-aftt to the vice president at Howard Payne College in Browrwood, who did publicity work for NAIA national tennis, golf and track and field championships. 1 fCT and FENDER REPAIR 3) FREE ESTIMATE OVER SIZED PREMIUM LININGS INSTALLED FORD CHEVROLET PlYMOUTHS AND MOST COMPACTS LOW PRICES ON ALL MAKES NAPIERVrLLE, 111., March 9 Kevin Dooley of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville set a school record in the high jump and won the event in the Midwest Invitational indoor track and field meet Saturday at North Central College. Dooley jumped 6 feet 10 inches. He held the previous Cougar record of 6-7 set in 1973.

Softball Entries Entries for Muny men's fast-pitch softball must be filed by Wednesday. There is an opening for a Class A women's fast-pitch team in a Sunday league. Information can be obtained from G. Middleton, 647-8160, between DOORS OPEN 6:30 A.M. MON.

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