The Daily Mail from Hagerstown, Maryland • Page 16

Sports Section Yankees Will Rise Again, Says Houk 16 Hagentown, Md. Tuesday, Sept. 6. A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION faces those who will do the selecting for the American League's rookie-of-the-year honors this season. There are more than thirty (30) youngsters of outstanding talent representing every team in the league with the exception of the Detroit Tigers.

Some very highly-publicized names are included in the list of eligibles, budding stars such as Baltimore's Dave Johnson and Andy Etchebarren, or Washington's Paul Casanova, or newcomer Jim Nash of Kansas City to mention a few. It was predicted early by observers that the American League would have one of the finest rookie crops in some time. These predictions have proven correct. Baltimore the league's pace-setter, has gotten considerable help from youngsters in its dash for the pennant. There are catcher Andy Etchebarren, second baseman Dave Johnson, pitcher Eddie Watt and catcher Larry Hancy.

Etchebarren was rewarded for his fine service over the first half by being named to the All-star team. He was the lad who stepped in when Dick Brown became ill. Dave Johnson has been the regular second baseman all season. His work was so outstanding that the Orioles felt they could deal away veteran infielder Jerry Adair to the White Sox. Other teams, however, are conceding nothing to the Orioles in this rookie balloting.

Washington fans insist that rookie catcher Paul Casanova is one of the "finds" of the year. The tall, rangy catcher came up from York (Eastern League) and took over the catching assignment. His popularity with Washington fans is such that he was given a standing ovation during a recent game when he trotted in from the bull pen to serve as a pinch hitter. Minnesota, the defending champions, feel there is none better than second baseman Cesar Tovar. Tovar alternated between the outfield and the infield, but finally seemed to find himself as a second baseman, teaming with Zoilo Versalles, the brilliant shortstop and Most Valuable Player.

Cesar is noted for this aggressiveness and his desire to play the game to the fullest. Since Cesar went into the lineup June 23 as second baseman the Twins have posted the best won and lost percentage in the league. Cesar's consistency in getting on base has tipped his batting mark to .271, and Manager Sam Mele has installed him as lead-off batter. Minnesota also has Ted Uhlaender, Andy Kosco and Peter Cimino among the first year contingent. That Chicago should be high on rookie outfielder Tommie Agee is not surprising.

Here is one of the most exciting young ball players in the league, a speedy runner who also has power and a fine throwing arm to go with his defensive ability. Pitcher Dennis Higgins and shortstop Lee Elia also rank high. Kansas City's Jim Nash, a recent acquisition, has tipped the American League on its ear. The 6-5, 220-pound young giant came up from Mobile and to date has posted a 10-1 record. New York's Fred Peterson, a left hander, must be reckoned with, as would Roy White and Dooley Womack.

Cleveland's rookie nominee is. right handed pitcher Tommy Kelley. California's Angels, liberally stocked with youngsters, have such standouts as jiitcher Clyde Wright, Minnie Rojas and outfielder Jay Johnstone. And Boston, of course, has three talented lads, pitcher Darrell Brandon and infielders George Scott and Joe Foy. It seems obvious, then, that selection of the American League's rookie-of-the-year is going to be a most difficult assignment.

Figuring The Orioles BALTIMORE (AP) Brooks Robinson snapped a hitless string of 28 at bats with a bouncing single in the fifth inning of Monday's second game. With two runners aboard and none out, the New York infield was looking for a bunt. But Robinson hit a high hopper over the head of third baseman Clete Boyer, driving in the first run of a four-run rally which led to a 7-4 victory. With two games remaining in the season series, the Orioles hold a commanding 13-3 edge over the Yankees. Over the past two seasons, Baltimore boasts a 26-8 record hi head-to-head competition with the fallen champions.

Since the start of the 1959 season, Baltimore has compiled an 84-66 mark against the Yanks. Robinson sacrificed the winning run into scoring position with a ninth-inning bunt in the first game, won by the Orioles 5-4. It was the first sacrifice of the season for the slumping clean-up hitter whose average has dropped to The Orioles broke a club record Monday by cracking three home runs, running their season total of 163. The old record of 162 was set ID 1964. Twenty-one of this tea- eon's total have been hit against the Yankees.

Curt Blefary continues to feast on New York pitching. In his two American League seasons, Blefary has clubbed 11 of his 42 homers off his former employers, driving in 23 runt. Although New York started two left-handed pitchers Mon- bunt dav Blefary was in the line-up He homered in the first game, and collected two doubles in the nightcap. The doubleheader sweep over New York was the sixth this season for the Orioles, who split their eight other twin bills. They haven't dropped a doubleheadcr since Sept.

2, 1965. In their last 61 doublehcadcrs the Orioles have dropped both games only three times. CORDON MAUD Writer BALTIMORE (AP) It may be a new twitt on an old cliche, but Manager Ralph Houk the win rise again. "I'm not facing the future with a black outlook," Houk said Monday after the had dropped doubleheader to the Baltimore 54 and 74. The twin defeat not only mathematically eliminated New York from the pennant race on the earliest date since 1D25 but dropped them into a ninth-place tie.

only one-half fame out of the American League cellar. "I certainly thought we would finish hither," Houk laid. "In tact, I thought we had a chance to win the pennant." That's what Houk said soon after be stepped down from the general port to replace Johnny Keane as the Yankee skipper in mid And. Houk said, that was his honest belief. "But two things hurt us." he said.

"One was the injury to Roger Mans. The other the Injury to Ruben Amaro. Clarke been satiafactory at ahortftop, but he "actually second Baseman." Houk noted that the nave loft 32 decisions by one run tnij season. "That's not the mark of a winner," be said, "but alto a dfn that we're not too bad if we've been in that many close It means that a little chance here or there could nuke a bit difference. "In other our future not black toot people anticipate" Houk then rattled off the of younfsten in the New York farm tome of whom will jam the club here toaifht.

The Yankee manager acknowledged that there would be tome changes in the squad before the 1W7 team, but declined to mention "because it would be unfair to the team and the Manafer Hank Bauer of Baltimore already been impressed by New York outfielder Steve WUUker, who hit five in since being recalled from the minor leagues --Including two Monday. "It looks at though they have another food left-handed hitter," Bauer said. "He hat that home run swing for the Yankee Stadium right field." Orioles Should Be Well Rested For The World Series By GORDON BEARD Associated Press Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Orioles, streaking toward their firs American League pennant, should be well rested for the World Series. Not only do the Orioles enjoy a game lead, but many of the players hav tiad considerable periods of rest while recuperating from injuries. Pitcher Steve Barber, an All-Star selection, is on the disabled list and firs aseman Boog Powell still is in and out of the line-up because of a chip fractur Birds Get Punch From Paul Blair, Dove Johnson By DICK COUCH Sports Writer Baltimore's power structure lay be crumbling, but a couple glovemen have the situation i hand.

Defensive stars Paul Blair nd Dave Johnson, who usually erform in the shadow of the Holes' Frank Robinson-Brooks obinson-Boog Powell wrecking rew, supplied the big punch onday in a 5-4, 7-4 doublehead- sweep over the skidding New ork Yankees. Powell is nursing a hand inju- Brooks Robinson is battling prolonged batting slump and Robinson hasn't hit a in six games--but the rank omer rioles are still winging toward leir first modern-era pennant. The Robinsons settled for iree singles between them in Monday's twin bill and Powel atched from the bench, but ilair and Johnson enjoyed fielc ays as the American League officially ousted the ankees from the race. Centerfielder Blair, a normal- light-hitting speedster who ays only against left-handed tching, numbered a homer mpng his four hits and knocked five runs, including the game- rinner in the opener. Second baseman Johnson, aking his first appearance nee suffering a broken toe and like wound in an Aug.

20 base- ith collision, stroked five hits, eluding a homer and two dou- es, while driving in three ns. The sweep stretched Balti- ore's lead to 10V4 games over second-place Detroit Tigers, ho bowed to Washington 64 efore beating the Senators 74 the second game of their dou- eheader. It also set the Orioles' magic umber for clinching the flag at while mathematically elimi- ting New York on the earliest ate since 1925. Elsewhere, Boston beat Cleve- ind 5-1 after dropping its dou- leheader opener 3-1; Chicago owned Minnesota 74 and Kanas City defeated California 4-1. In the National League, Allan- upended Pittsburgh 7-5 in the jcond game of a doubleheader ter the first-place Pirates took lie opener 13-5: Los Angeles pped San Francisco 4-1; Cln- innati swept New York 8-2 and Houston blanked St.

Louis 0 after losing 4-1. and Phila- split with Chicago, los- 2 5-4 and winning 7-2. Blair slugged a two-vun horn- in the seventh inning of the rst game and delivered the inning run in ninth with a wo-out single off left-hander ritz Peterson. He singled an- run across in the second Ming of the nightcap and capped a four-run burst in the fifth with a sacrifice fly. Johnson drilled his sevenfl home run in the opener and dou bled before Blair's fifth homer In the second game he drove ii two runs, stroking a double am two singles.

The Tigers bounced back against Washington in the night cap behind left-hander Johnny Podres, who yielded six hits on the way to his first complete game victory in the league Homers by Al Kaline, Norm Cash and Mickey Stanley pow ered the Detroit attack. Kaline and Don Wert homered in the first game but the Senators' Frank Howard countered by driving in three runs with two singles, breaking a 3-3 tie in the seventh with liis second hit Sonny Siebert pitched a six hitter for his 16th victory am struck out 11 as the Indians end ed a five-game losing, string in the nightcap against Boston Successive third-inning homers by Tony Conigliaro George Scott backed Lee Stange's four-hit pitching in the first game. Smoky Burgess drove in the tie-breaking run with a pinch-nit single in the seventh, sparking a rally that carried the White Sox past Minnesota. Tom mie Agee's two-run single and a run-costing passed ball competed the winning burst. Rookie Jim Nash held California hitless for 4 2-3 innings and finished with a five-hitter and lis 10th victory in 11 decisions.

Ed Charles paced the A's with three hits and a pair of RBI. peedway in a 1955 Chevy. Bow. rs had not ben at the speed- made his presence known when took the lead in the feature on the fourth lap and the checkered flag. Junior Feathers who was pro- isted and found legal in a 1955 hevy, finished seconk, third wa Hint leader Ray Fanning In a 955 Chevy and fourth was Rol.

nd Cox in a 1956 Ford. It took ten different starts dur- the 25 lap modified feature to et it completed with Ray Dovcl nd a new 327 F. I. Chevy en- ne winning their 12th feature the season. Shorty Bowers Wins Feature At Winchester Winchester, Shorty Bowrs of Hagerstown won nil fourth -fl-lap semi-late feature last Fri- at ter north Soon after he riding at Shenandoth Downs this spring.

Washington County, who has made his name in racing. The Maryland-riders will be acing stiff competition from ieir West Virginia counterparts ncluding Dean Johnston Jr. and Jesse Davidson. The 22-year-old 0' Rourke. from Denver, Colorado, larted his career in 1961, and has ridden in Kentucky before heading in the ring finger of hi left hand.

But the outlook has bee promising for other players re turning to action. Catcher Andy Etchebarren recovering from a 'bone in his right hand, rejoine the starting line-up last weel Pitcher Wally Bunker, in first start since July 20 after being removed from the disa bled list, allowed only four nil in seven innings while winnin Saturday. Catcher Charley Lau, wh underwent an elbow operation was reactivated last week. A though not eligible for the Worl Series, he already has delivere a couple of hits in pinch roles. Dave Johnson, out since Aug 20 with a broken toe and spik wound, made a triumphfal return to the line-up Monday.

rapped out five hits including homer and two doubles, drivin, in three runs, as the Oriole whipped the New York Yankee 5-4 and 7-5 in a doubleheader. Johnson ran the bases wel but acknowledged later that felt a lot of pain on several oc casions. Paul Blair, healthy but gene, ally ineffective at the plate, wa the hitting hero as the falterin Yanks were mathematicall eliminated from the pennan race on the earliest date sine 1925. Blair hit a two-run homer an singled in the winning run wit ninth-inning single In th opener. He had two more hit and two RBI in the nightcap.

Barber, who has been under ntensive care for his sore lef elbow, thre for the first time in days before Sunday's garni and reported his arm felt "pret ty good." He will rest a few days and then try again. Of the healthy Orioles, Brooki. lobinson could use a rest. He las batted only .164 in his las 41 games with two homers and seven RBI, while his average has umbled from .306 to .269. But Manager Hank Bauer vants Robinson In the line-up lecause of his defensive prow ess and Brooks doesn't want to sit on the bench anyway.

Robinson was given an aware iy Baseball Commissioner Wil iam D. Eckert Monday for voted the Most Valuable Player the 1966 All-Star Game in July. "That was the last good game played," Robinson said. Top Jockeys Coming To Local Meet The Hagerstown Race Course, which opens it annual three- week meeting on Monday. September 12, is expected to attract all of the top riders in the area, and should be the scene of one of the most interesting jockey races in years.

Leading Maryland riders will be put to the test by several of the hottest saddlesmiths in West Berlin. Currently at the Timohium meeting, Ronald Witmer and rVilliam Passmore are in a dead-to-head duel for riding after leading jockey Robert Fitzgerald was injured in spill which took him out of scion. Passmore has been a familiar figure at Hagerstown for years, usually appearing in the rankings, while Witmer is a local boy, born and raised in the Houston Astros To Move Out Of 4th Spot CHICAGO (AP)-The Phillies may not be happy in fourth ilace, but they don't seem to be nble to do much about it Last Tuesday they were in ourth place seven games behind the Pirates and Giants. One week later, they are still seven games back, and still in fourth lace. There was one difference be- ween this week and last a ive-game winning streak which hey built up at the expense of 0' Rourke Impressed both a fant with his get the most out of each of his mounts.

He is currently the lead- ng rider at Shenandoah. Giving him a close chase are lean Johnson, Jr. nd Jesse Javidson, the leading rider in he nation last year. Davidson piles hi trade mostly In West Vir- but makes his home just outside Hagcrslown. The competition furnished at Hagerstown should be Interest- ng, and will guarcntee local hitti Allen to win 7-2 tity.

fork Mets only to have it broken by a 54 victory for the last place Chicago Cubs in the first game of a Labor Day twin bill. The Phillies took the second 7-2. Glen Beckert's two-out ninth nning single produced the tying nd winning runs for the Cubs the first game. The Phillies came back in the second behind the five-hit pitching of Ray Culp (6-4) and the Allen's 37th homer in the fifth inning scored Dick Groat from first and gave the Phillies a winning edge. They broke the game open in the ninth by scoring four runs off Dick Ellsworth (5-20).

Allen also had a double and sin jle in the second game. In the first game, relief pitcher Darold Knowles, who came in for starter Larry Jackson In the seventh, retired the first two Cubs in order then loaded the some of the best riding talent bases by giving up two singles ever, both In quality and quan- and a walk before Beckert's win- A Happy Birthday Pitttburgh Pirate MCMK! batenun Bill Mt- nraki dlgt into a birthday cake otle- brain Mi Nth birthday in the Buc clubheuM between lulvti of devbloheader. Mai celebrated during flrtt game with Atlanta by rapping two rum, em a grand slam, driving in runt. Mai tald hit grand tlamt ordtn from Coach Johnny Paiky. (AP Wirophoto) Bill Mazeroski Celebrates Birthday With Grand Slam By RON RAPOPORT Associated Prtii Sportt Writer Pittsburgh's theme song start- feated California 4-1.

ed out as Happy Birthday to You, but the Pirates ended up inging the blues. Bill Mazeroski celebrated his Oth birthday Monday with a rand-slam homer in the third inning of Pittsburgh's 13-5 blitz Atlanta in the first game of oubleheader. Maz came back vith a bases-empty shot in the sixth inning and he also drove in run in the first with an infield ut. But in the nightcap. Braves itcher Tony Cloninger breezed uto the ninth Inning, with a six- un margin, having allowed the leavy-hitting Pirates just three its.

The first-place Bucs put up ferocious fight, scoring four uns in the final frame, but Jloninger held on raves won 7-5. and the With the split, the Pittsburgh margin dwindled to a game and alf over second-place Los Angeles, which beat San Franisco 4-1. The Giants fell 2'i ames off the pace in third lace. Mazeroski's "grand slam was second this season and the bird of his career. He has 15 omers this season.

But he asn't the only long-ball hitter i the doubleheader. Joe Torre, enry Aoron, Ed Mathews and Denis Menkf all hit them out foi the Braves. In other National League ames, Cincinnati swept a dou- from New York, 8-2 nd 8-5. the second game In 10 nnings, Philadelphia and Chica- split 4-5 and 7-2, and St. ouls and Houston divided a air 4-1 and 6-0.

In the American League, Balmore took a pair from New ork, 54 and 74, Boston split ith Cleveland 5-1 and 1-3, Chiago took Minnesota 74, Wash- ington beat Detroit 64 before bowing 74 and Kansas City de- Tne Dodgers snapped a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning with four bases on balls and wrapped il up with a run-scoring single by Willie Davis in the ninth, followed by Tommy Davis' run- scoring double. Willie Davis and Hal Lanier of the Giants matched solo homers earlier in the game. Billy Hoeft issued three of the ninth-inning walks, one intentionally, bul Frank Linzy, who walked leadoff hitter Jim Gilliam, took the defeat. A crowd of 54,769 turned out to see the traditional rivals, the largest crowd ever to see a day. time game in Dodger Stadium.

Gordy Coleman's pinch-hit single in the 10th inning of the second game broke the tie and started a four-run Cincinnati rally that beat the Mets. Leo Cardenas and Tommy Helms homered for the Reds in the openar. Cardenas and Vada Pinspn homered in the nightcap as did Cleon Jones for the Mets. Rich Allen's 37th homer and a four-run ninth inning gave Philadelphia all the runs it needed in the finale after Glenn Beckert's two-run, two-out single nave the Cubs the opener. Beck- ert has now hit safely in straight games.

Larry Dierker brought Houston's nine-game losing streak to a halt by throwing a five-hitter in the second game of the doubleheader. Bob Gibson won his 18th game in the opener with a three-hitter for the Cards. Orlando Cepeda hit his 19th homer in the opener and John Bateman of the Astros got four hits and drove in three runs in the nightcap. Colts Release Butch Allison BALTIMORE (AP) The Baltimore Colts were almost a idl day ahead in reaching the National Football League's 40- player limit. The Colts announced Monday night the release of their second draft choice, offensive guard Butch Allison of Missouri.

Dead- ine for the 40-player squad is oday. Weekend ay THI ASSOCIATED MISS TOKYO Yosbiakl Akasaka, 52, Japan, outpointed Terry Flores, 152, Philippines, 10. Rochester Wins Pennant In I.L ROCHESTER. (AP) he Rochester Red Wings are 1966 champions of Interna- onal League baseball. Manager Earl Weaver's ings nailed down a record 13th ennant Monday the last day the IL's 83rd season--by win- ng the same they had to win rom their favorite "cousin," yracuse, 10-7.

It was the Wings' 15th victory 21 meetings with the last- Chiefs, and if Rochester dn't won it, there would have en a three way tie for the ampionship between the Red Major League Leaders By THI ASSOCIATED PRISS American League Batting (350 at F. Robinson, Baltimore, 011- va, Minnesota, .310. Runs F. Robinson, Baltl more, 103; Foy, Boston, 88. Runs batted in Powell and F.

Robinson, Baltimore, 102. Oliva, Minnesota, 1(4; Apiricio, Baltimore, 162. Doubles Yastrzemtki, Boston, 35; Oliva, Minnesota, 31. Triples Campaneris, Kansas City, and Brlnkman, Wash- ngton, t. Home runs F.

Robinson, Baltimore, 43; Powell, Baltimore, 34. Stolen bases Campaneris, Kansas City, 43; Buford, Chicago, 42. Pitching (12 decisions) --Me- Nally, Baltimore, 12-4, National League Batting (350 at -Alou, Pmtburgh, Alou, Atlanta, Runs Alou, Atlanta, 105; Aaron, Atlanta, 99. Runs batted in Aaron, Atlanta, and Clemente, Pittsburgh, 106. Sanford, California, .722.

Strikeouts--McDowell, Clevc- ings, Columbus and Toronto. 177, and, 185; Richert, Washington, Alou, Atlanta, 197; Rose, Cincinnati, 185. Doubles Callison, Philadelphia, 34; Alou, Atlanta, and Rose, Cincinnati, 31. Trl McCarver, St. Louis, 13; Allen, Philadelphia, and Clemente, Pittsburgh, 10.

Home runs Aaron, Atlanta, and Allen, Philadelphia, 37. Stolen bases Brock, St. Lou- Is, 61; Jackson, Houston, 44. Pitching (12 decisions) -Re- Los Angeles, 12-1, Marichal, San Francisco, 21-5, 808. Strikeouts Koufax, Los An geles, 266; Running, Philadel phia, 207..