The Post-Crescent from Appleton, Wisconsin • 11

AP's Rappoport titles for Chisox, BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS It's been so long since the Chicago White Sox won a pennant that they'd probably settle for a half-pennat this year. That's probably what they'll get, too. Slugger Richie me Allen is happy, pitcher Wilbur Wood is hearty and the Oakland A's are not as strong as you might think. That adds up to a West title for the White Sox in the American League, their first champions of any kind since 1959. "This is the strongest offensive team in White Sox history," says Manager Chuck Tanner.

those who saw the 1919 edition with Shoeless Joe Jackson might dispute the statement, but the White Sox do have power to burn for the 1973 baseball season. Allen, the AL's MVP last year with 37 home runs, 113 runs batted and a .308 batting average, signed a three-year contract in the fancy $675,000 neighborhood this year and showed his gratitude by reporting to spring training camp on time. You knew he was really grateful, because he hadn't done that since his rookie season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Joining the free-swinging first baseman in the lineup this year will be Bill Melton, who's coming back from injury, and Ken Henderson obtained in a trade with the San Francisco Giants. To obtain the slugging Henderson, the White Sox gave up pitcher Tom Bradley in a deal some think may have been lopsided in the Giants' favor.

But Tanner doesn't think so. He's planning to get more work out of two 20-game winners, Wilbur Wood and Stan Bahnsen. The are the defending World Champions, but may have dealt themselves out of another West championship with a puzzling, off-season trade that sent leading home run hitter Mike Epstein to Texas for relief pitcher Horacio Pina. Epstein had a personality clash with Manager Dick Williams last year, but the trade made the A's look ridiculous in some quarters. Although obtained catcher Ray Fosse from Cleveland in a later deal, the A's still lack the proper long-ball clout to be a pennant Reggie Jackson, now the only palpable home run threat in the lineup, will be troubled by the absence of Epstein.

With no big bouncer hitting behind the lefthanded slugger, the opposition cam more easily pitch around him. The A's still have some of the best pitching in the American League with the likes of Jim "Catfish" Hunter Vida Blue, John "Blue Moon" Odom and Ken Holtzman and a brilliant relief corps headed by Rollie Fingers. That's what will make the West interesting to the end. Firestone finals set Asher top qualifier AKRON, Ohio (AP) -A tremendous scoring burst in his final game Friday night vaulted Barry Asher of Costa Mesa, into first place in the $125,000 Firestone Tournament of Champions as five bowlers advanced to the finals. Sixth when the third and final block of match games began, Asher started with three straight victories, lost his next game, then closed out with three triumphs in his final four matches to claim the top position.

He joins four other pros in today's nationally televised battle for first place money of $25,000. Asher, who won the Showboat Invitational in Las Vegas, earlier this year, came down to the 48th and last game of the qualifying segment in third place, 47 pins out of the lead. His opponent was Dave Davis, Miami, who was trying to protect his fourth place berth. Asher, who owns seven Professional Bowlers Association crowns, started with a spare, then recorded 11 strikes in a row for a 290 and moved past both Jim Godman of Lorain, Ohio, and Don McCune of Munster, Ind. His victory also earned the 30-pin bonus given for each win.

For the 24-game match-play portion of the event, being played for the ninth time, Asher won 15 games and for 48 tilts spilled 10,141 pins. With bonus sticks added in, he showed 10,591, which was 32 better than runnerup Godman, who fell one notch, even though he defeated McCune, 211-155. Dick Weber, 24-time titlist from St. Louis, won his final game, 241-200, over Roy Buckley of Columbus, Ohio, and moved into third place, while McCune went into the finals as the fourth-placer, ahead of Larry Laub, San Francisco, who took his last game by a 216-205 count. Murphy refuses to play for Rockets next year HOUSTON (AP) Calvin Murphy, the Houston Rockets' popular 5-foot-9 inch guard, says he won't play for the NBA team next season and may defect to the Harlem Globetrotters if he can't get on with another National Basketball Association team.

Murphy, who scored 1,001 points this season despite being used sparingly by two Rockets coaches, is unhappy with the amount of playing time he received. Rockets General Manager Ray Patterson pointed out that Murphy still has a year to go on his contract and the Rockets expect him to complete his obligation. "Naturally I would rather play in the NBA," the former Niagara star said. "I would play anywhere but here. I'm not doing this for more money or to put pressure on Mr.

(Ray) Patterson. "If money was what I was after I Vy Dickrell rolls 553 pin series Vy Dickrell registered a 230 game and 553 series in the Bird Couples at 41 Bowl. Bob Heiss posted a 583. Dick Williams hit a 605 series in the Football Couples at Colonial Lanes. Ray Hawkinson hit 229 in the Auto Couples at Sabre Lanes.

Henry Sommer posted 227 in the Automobile Couples at New London Lanes. Rob Ellis sent to minors SUN CITY, Ariz. (AP) The Milwaukee Brewers have announced they have sent five young players- -pitchers Gene Ammann and Dennis Yard, infielder Steve McCartney and outfielders Wilbur Howard and Rob Ellis- -to their minor league base at Shreveport, La. predicts Orioles While the shapes up as a likely -team fight, is every man for himself. No one in particular has an apparent lock on the crown and it could be an instant replay of last year when four teams went down to the bitter end before Detroit pulled it out.

The Baltimore Orioles might be given a slight edge because of their potential, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tigers involved in the mad. scramble. The Orioles' perennial pennantwinners fell apart last season with every regular having sub-par seasons. It shouldn't happen again this season and besides the Orioles have secured a power hitter to drive in runs for their tough pitching staff-catcher Earl Williams. The Yankees probably are the most improved team in the east, with the of outfielder Felipe Alou and third baseman Graig Nettles.

With Bobby Murcer coming off his finest slugging year, New York has its most powerful offensive unit since the Mantle-Maris days. The Red Sox, who took the Tigers down to the final series of the year before wilting in 1972, have a veteran team that might be stronger with the acquisition of Orlando Cepeda. The righthanded slugger will be the designated pinch-hitter in cozy Fenway Park. With their hitting, good defense and a pitching staff headed by Marty Pattin, the Red Sox figure to finish ahead of the Tigers. Detroit's pitching is suspect, despite the presence of 22-game winner Mickey Lolich.

The Tigers, also, appear to have too many players who have seen their better days. The Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers figure to hold up the East. Gaylord Perry, a 24-game winner, is one of the few bright spots in the Cleveland picture. But there's some suspicion that the righthander can repeat another year like that at the age of 35. The Indians gave up too much in trades to be called a contender and might have a tough time, even, keeping ahead of Milwaukee.

The Brewers, also, were guilty of trading away too much for too little. They obtained infielder Don Money from the Philadelphia Phillies but at a price that puzzled some savvy baseball folks. Jim Lonborg, the Brewers' top man, was traded away with three other major league pitchers. In the West, Chicago and Oakland appear to be all alone unless neither plays up to potential. In that case, the California Angels could make it hot in that division.

The Angels, lacking a longball offense last year, brought some power to town with the addition of Frank Robinson. Also coming to the Angels in the deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers was pitche: Dill singer. He'll join a sparkling staff headed by Nolan Ryan, Clyde Wright and Rudy May. The Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers will probably finish in that order to complete the West standings this season. The Royals have some solid hitting with John Mayberry, Amos Otis, Lou Piniella and Cookie Rojas, but their pitching staff is weak; the Twins' pitching isn't bad with Bert Blyleven the ace, but the rest of the team too many holes to consider them seriously and the Rangers will finish last with possibly the worst team in baseball.

Steelers sign Virgil Robinson PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday announced the signings of three 1973 draft choices and. a veteran running back who has been cut by two National Football League teams. The Steelers said their No. 2 draft choice Ken Phares, a defensive back from Mississippi State, has agreed to terms, as well as fifth-round choice David Reavis and 10th-round pick Don Wunderly, both from the University of Arkansas. Reavis was a defensive end and Wunderly a defensive tackle, but the Steelers say they plan to try both at offensive tackle position.

The club also signed former would have signed with the Harlem Magicians when I got out of college. They offered me a $700,000 contract." Murphy said he had asked Patterson to trade him in January. "Mr. Patterson said no club wanted me and that I wasn't that valuable," Murphy said. "He gave me three alternatives.

He told me I could sit and keep quiet, go to the ABA or retire." The Philadelphia 76ers Buffalo Braves reportedly are interested in Murphy. Pool league results VALLEY POOL LEAGUE Buzz's Bar (64-53) beat Skunk Hill (55-62), 5-4. Beaver's Hut (64-53) beat Five Corners (57-60), 7-2. Techlin's (62-55) beat Log Cabin (55-62), 5-4. Reiland's (52-65) beat Home Tavern (59-58), 6-3.

Grambling College star Virgil Robinson as a free agent. He was Green Bay's second draft choice in 1971 but was cut in training camp. He later played 11 games with New Orleans. Last season he played three games with the Saints before being placed on the taxi squad. Fighting Saints' By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Minnesota Fighting Saints, whose, summer vacations apparently began when they lost to the Alberta Oilers 5-3, shouldn't make firm plans.

Immediately after the game Friday night, Saints' President Lloyd Leirdahl notified WHA President Gary Davidson that he was protesting a change in the league rules made March 21. The rule change, formulated by the WHA Executive Committee, eliminated the necessity of playoffs between two teams tied for the fourth playoff spot after regular season play had ended. The Saints' loss to Alberta gave both clubs identical 38 37-3 records and a split in their eight game season series. 'Kinda routine' for Snead Casper takes lead as Elder sags GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) Billy Casper said he was walking on air.

Lee Elder said it was a rough day. Sam Snead said it was "just kinda routine." While the first two comments were highly believable- -Casper vaulted into the secondround lead of the Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament with a 64 and the disappointed Elder faded into the field with a 72-Snead's appraisal left a little to the imagination. The incredible old hill-billy, still sporting that trademark Panama straw hat and the sweet, sweet swing, didn't miss a green in Friday's second round. He didn't make a bogey, didn't miss a fairway and was on in two on all three par five holes on the Sedgefield Country Club course. "I was pretty lucky," drawled Snead, who won the first of his eight Greensboro Open titles back in 1938.

"It wasn't very exciting. Just kinda routine." But his par 67, coming on Saturday, March 31, 1973 The Post- -Crescent, Appleton-Neenah-Menasha, Wis. B-3 Irish RIS RIS: 35 3 Irish Irish Trish Three in a row The Freedom High School freshman basket- Jeff Garvey. Back row: Jim Van Boxtel, Jeff ball team won its third straight Olympian Tiedt, Tim Smith, Joe Greiner, Dennis Van Conference frosh title this season. Shown in Rossem and Coach Ron Brinkman.

A squad the front, from left, are Tim Greiner, John member not shown is Paul Hermes. Guerts, Dave Vandenberg, Rick Konkle and Coin flip controversy goes on Costello's remarks irk MILWAUKEE (AP) Milwaukee Bucks' Coach Larry Costello said Friday night he hadn't meant to impugn the Los Angeles Lakers' courage. And he said he most certainly hadn't intended to make Lakers mad -although that the result statements Thursday was, precise. icizing use of a coin flip to settle the National Basketball Association's Western Conference championship. "I certainly never said the Lakers were chicken," Costello said Friday.

"After all, they are the world champions." Costello had said the day before the NBA should have gone through with its a plans for the Lakers and Bucks to meet here in a one-game conference championship playoff after the two had wound up the regular season with identical records. I But the coin flip was used instead after the NBA Players Association said Patriot '9' defends title Defending champion Appleton East has five lettermen to lead its bid for a third straight Fox Valley Association baseball crown. Coach Bill Radke seems to have strength up the middle with pitcher Doug Meyer, catcher Tom Sommers, shortstop Dan Heinritz and outfielders Jim Sager and Mark Smith. "The squad has a good attitude and is working hard," Radke said. "We just have to hope we can be respectable while we're trying to put it together.

"This a rebuilding year and our top priority is to rebuild the infield. Heinritz is our only experienced infielder. Meyer could help us at third when he isn't pitching. The competition is good for all positions and we're going to be patient until we find our best combination. "Besides Meyer, Kelley (Tim) and Thomack (Russ) will have to show they can get the job done pitching," Radke said.

Leading, infield proapects are Kelley, LeRoy Matuzsak, Paul Moderson, Kevin Beaudo, Andy Reynolds and Mark Nelson. Bruce Clark, Jeff Werlein, Randy Koester, Jim Struck and John Pro hockey East Pts GF GA -Montreal 50 10 16 116 319 180 Boston 51 20 107 223 N.Y. Rangers 47 22 101 293 200 Buffalo 36 27 14 86 254 218 Detroit 36 29 11 83 258 238 Toronto 26 41 61 236 272 Vancouver 22 46 53 230 N. Y. Islanders 12 59 29 164 333 West 42 26 92 278 217 Minnesota 37 30 85 254 230 Philadelphia 36 29 83 282 249 St.

Louis 31 33 12 74 225 246 Los Angeles 30 36 11 71 226 242 Pittsburgh 31 36 9 71 250 254 Atlanta 25 38 14 64 187 235 California 16 46 16 48 213 323 clinched division title Friday's Games Minnesota 3, Vancouver 3, tie California 3, Los Angeles games scheduled Saturday's Games New York Rangers at Montreal Boston at Toronto New York Islanders at Philadelphia Chicago at Detroit Vancouver at Los Angeles Pittsburgh at St. Louis vacation may Leirdahl said Davidson was expected to take a poll of WHA trustees early this morning to determine whether the Saints and the Oilers would meet in a tie-breaker Sunday in Minnesota. Leirdahl claims to have the support of six of the 11 voting trustees. All this post game jockeying became necessary when Alberta's Ken Baird poked home a goal with 2:13 left in the game to break a 3-3 deadlock. Baird, who also scored Alberta's third goal, slapped the winner behind goalie Mike Curran after play-making passes Raiders' Jim Otto has knee surgery LOS ANGELES (AP) Center Jim Otto of the Oakland Raiders was "doing fine" Friday evening after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage to his right knee, according to a spokesman at Midway Hospital.

Otto, the starting center and one of the original Raiders, injured the knee in a preseason game last summer but refused to have surgery then. He proceeded to start every regular season game of 1972 and currently shares the No. 2 spot on the all-time list of most games played consecutively. He, Jim Ringo and George Blanda have all played in 182 games in a row Forrest Gregg played in 188. FORT FREMONT Sales-Service-Rental-Storage "A Full Service Marina" 2 Mi.

South of Fremont on Hwy. 110 (Call Fremont 446-3220) Sharman teams were not required to play more than 82 games in a regular season. Costello had said: "To me, if you don't have the guts to come in here and play game for a conference championship, well, "There's it's hard for me to visualize." supposed to pride," he said. "Our guys had the heart. They were willing to go to LA and play.

When was told LA didn't want to play us, I couldn't believe it. I think the game should have been played." McGregor are the leading outfield candidatea. The Patriots open the season April 10 against Menasha at Goodland Field. April 10- Menasha; April 13- at Oshkosh North; April 17-Kaukauna; 19-Appleton West; April 24-April 24-at Kimberly; April 27-at Neenah (2); May 1-Oshkosh West (2); May 4-at Menasha; May 8 Oshkosh North; May 11-at Kaukauna; May 15-at Appleton West; May 18-Kimberly. Laker Coach Bill Sharman reacted angrily to Costello's remarks.

"To answer the charge made by Costello that we were gutless, we highly resent any implication that our team would refuse to meet another team because we were afraid," Sharman said. "If we are fortunate enough to meet Milwaukee in the second round of the playoffs, the players will be happy to handle Milwaukee's charges on the court," he said. Weather, fine print control race HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) Subject to the whims of a March storm, officials at Atlanta International have two options in completing a 40-car lineup for Sunday's Atlanta 500-mile stock car race. One depended entirely on then weather, the other on some fine print in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing rule book.

"Given minimum of three hours of dry racing surface, we could qualify the entire 40-car field," said Lin Kuchler, executive vice president of NASCAR. Otherwise, a NASCAR rule used only once in almost 10 years, would allow race officials to assign starting berths in the order in which drivere and their crews signed in at the track on registration day last Wednesday. The situation was caused by rain that washed out the first two days of time trials, when the top 30 starters were to have been decided. The forecast for today was a 60 per cent chance of rain with 31 starting positions still vacant. Nine drivers made qualifying runs Friday when a light drizzle let up long American Indoor Archery Howles Menasha Eagles 52 Fox Tire Co.

33 Burger Chef 46 37 Midway Archery Lanes 42 41 Fox Valley Aquarium 31 52 Greyhound Lines 29 55 0 Team Score Shot Score Possible Fox Tire Co. 1,132 1,200 (Men) Chuck Gyrion 290 300 be delayed from Rusty Patenaude and Steve Carlyle. Ron Anderson iced the game with an open-net goal at 19:51. In Friday night's other WHA action, New England downed the Raiders 5-4 in overtime and Cleveland tripped the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Terry Caffery's third goal of the game at 7:30 of suddendeath overtime snapped New England's three-game losing streak.

The Kings, who now trail fourthplace St. Louis by three points with only one game remaining, were tied with California at 1-1 late in the second period when Reg Leach scored for the Seals. Pete Laframbo added the final blow on a break-away goal at 18:22 of the third period In the NHL, Los Angeles was eliminated from playoff contention by California 3-1, while, secondMinnesota increased its lead over Philadelphia to two points by skating to a 3-3 tie with the Vancouver Canucks. BOWLERS! BOWL 2-HOURS SUNDAY 2-SHIFTS -2 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

and 10:00 to 12 Noon 00 We reserve the right to put a maximum of 4 bowlers to a lane. (Less than 3 bowlers on a lane 40c game) TWIN CITY BOWL MENASHA-981 Plank Road enough to get the asphalt track into reasonable shape for the cars. But their qualifying runs were to be recognized only if the remaining entries got an equal chance under the qualifying clock. There Will Be NO $1.00 BOWLING Sunday Morning (April 1st) at SABRE LANES Due to the State Junior Bowling Tournament Listen to our Radio ads on WHBY WNAM WROE and learn about the $15 TRADE-IN On Suits, Sport Coats and Slacks MENSWEAR Across from Gimbels APPLETON Across from Jandrey's NEENAH the heels of an opening 66, left him nine under par at the midpoint of this 72 hole tournament and just two back of the leading Casper. Casper -trying to fight his way out of a victory drought, the longest of his brilliant career- -needed only 26 putts on the wet and soggy greens as he want sevan under par for the day and established the lead at 131.

Lou Graham, the quiet, largely overlooked tour veteran who has finished just one stroke out of first place in the last two tournaments, made another challenge. He matched Casper's 64 and was again one away at 132. Then came Snead and colorful Doug Sanders, tied at 133. Sanders had a second-round 68. Rod Funseth, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Canadian George Knudson and Ken Still were tied at' 134.

That put eight players linked within three strokes of each other going into the last two rounds in this chase for a $42,000 first prize. Arnold Palmer and leading moneywinner Lee Trevino both improved and were tied at 137, very much in contention at only six strokes back. Trevino blazed home with a 66 and Palmer had a 68 as the extremely low scoring continued in the cool, cloudy, sometimesdrizzly weather. Jack Nicklaus is not competing in this last event before next week's Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga. "It was a lousy putting round," said Elder, who went from the first-round lead to five strokes back.

He missed five times from five feet or less- -once from 18 inches- -and five more times from 10-12 feet. "My feet were barely touching the ground," the obviously delighted said. "I'm playing better now than I have in the last two years.".