The Daily Times from Salisbury, Maryland • 22

Conigliaro Ruffles Birds' Feathers SHORE SPORTS BY Ed Yanks Have No Choice Now, But Run For The Extra Base It seems strange to see Manager Ralph Houk stressing speed with his New York Yankees instead of batting muscle. He has no choice with all of the long ball belters gone. George Case was called in during spring training to teach the speedboys the finer points of base running. Houk wasted no time in putting his plan to work as the Yankees stole three bases in Monday's opener at Washington. The -footed boys are Roy White, Bob Murcer, Jerry Kenney and Horace Clark.

Clarke and White each stole 20 bases last year. Dick Simpson is also one of the league's speediest, and Bill Cowan once swiped 31 bases in the minor leagues. Youth, speed, good starting pitching, and a stronger bench definitely make the Yankees a better ball club. Still, it seems strange to see this club going for the running game. The extra bases they used to get with their explosive bats.

The Yankees and Red Sox have hit 100 or more homers for 23 consecutive years. Boston will probably break the deadlock this year, especially if Tony Conigliaro comes back. But the Yankees threats are down to Joe Pepitone and Tom Tresh, the only players with any homer history. The New York club has another 23-year streak that may end, and this one may go back even farther the No. 1 draw on the road.

Barring a miracle, the Yankees won't lead in away attendance this year, not without Mickey Mantle. Houk no doubt is hoping two of his regulars pick-up where they left off last year. Left-hander Fritz Peterson and outfielder Bill Robinson gave the Yankees a half season each, but it was the last half. Check the records, and you'll see this club won 32 and lost 19 after August 12, and made the first division. Maybe the once proud Yankees are on the way.

Here And There Collegiate Baseball Has New Look A news handout from the University of Miami says the Hurricanes' baseball team have drafted coeds to serve as bat girls. There are eight of them, called the Sugarcanes, dressed in baseball caps, orange blouses, miniskirts, and white tennis shoes. They arrange the bats neatly, chase foul balls, put up numbers on the scoreboard and sashay out with the pitcher's jacket if he should become a base runner. Some other college baseball teams have adopted the bat girl idea this week. In fact, at the University of Pittsburgh, Coach Bobby Lewis advertised for bat girls in the campus newspaper.

More than 100 replied. Collegians Handle Ball More RALPH HOUK The new college football rule which orders the clock stopped after every first down gave the fans more action for their money A survey by the American Broadcasting reveals that last season the colleges ran more plays than the pros. Georgia led all schools with 85.9 plays per game. Ohio State was second with 84.7. Oakland was tops among the pros with 69.9 plays.

A Query Florence Jenkins, Salisbury, no street addres: "When will Mickey Mantle be eligible for the Hall of Fame? How many years must a player wait? I want to settle an argument with a friend." Answer Mantle will be eligible to be voted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1974. A player must have been retired for five years to become eligible for the voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Have More Light On The Situation The lighting system in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, below big league standards for years, is doubled this season. Some 1,300 incandescent flood lamps have been replaced by 1,162 high intensity tubes. They are rated at 1,000 watts, 500 less than those being replaced, but will be under a 1,500 watt current to provide greater intensity.

The Oriole management says the new system will not only provide greater spectator enjoyment, but improvement of player per formance. Also, it is very good for color television. Seattle Pilots, Kansas City Royals Pull Surprise AL Expansion Clubs Win Debuts, Detroit Romps uled. Manager Joe Schultz of the Pilots, asked for comment on the surprising expansion victories, said, "It goes to show the owners did their job" by making some good players available. Seattle's Tommy Harper led off against Jim McGlothlin with a double and Mike Hegan homered.

Tommy Davis' single, a hit batsman, a walk and Gerry McNertney's single added two more runs. The Angels scored in the second on, three singles, on Jim Fregosi's homer fifth and on two walks, a sacrifice and an infield out in the ninth. But they ran themselves out of a possible big inning in the second. Aurelio Rodriguez and Tom Satriano hits. Denny McLain Hegan crashed into the righting field wall and was knocked trying to catch Bobby Knoop's drive, but Knoop passed Satriano on the basepaths and was called out.

Hegan suffered a sprained left wrist and bruised hip. The Royals tied Minnesota 3-3 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth but couldn't win it until the 12th before 17,688 fans who welcomed baseball back to Kansas City after a one-year absence. Harmon Killebrew's error opened the door for two unearnd runs in the sixth. Joe Foy began the winning rally in the 12th with a one-out infield hit and a passed ball and two By HERSCHEL NISSENSON tentional walks around a wild Early or late, expansion is pitch filled the bases. great and the American Rookie Manager Billy Martin posing formulas Tuesday to win drilled the ball over right fielder League's two new clubs used op- A pulled in his outfield but Keough their opening games by identi- Tony Oliva's head.

Lou Piniella, cal scores. acquired last week from Seattle, The Seattle Pilots struck ear- paced the Royals with a double ly, erupting for four runs in and three singles. Craig Nettles first inning and holding off the homered for the Twins. California Angels 4-3 a night "I'd have to say this is in Anaheim. The Kansas biggest thrill as a my City game at Royals scored on Joe said manager," Kansas City's Joe Keough's bases-loaded single in "The big thrill I got out of it the 12th and nipped the Minne- was the way the guys were all sota Twins 4-3.

pulling for each other. I'll tell In another night contest, Oak- you this- I'd have been real disland whipped the Chicago White appointed if we'd lost. The while world champion had battled so hard all day. guys Sox 5-2, Detroit trimmed Cleveland 6-2 Denny McLain held Cleveland and Boston edged Baltimore 5-4 to three hits and Al Kaline walin 12 innings during the afterloped a two-run homer as Denoon. The New York Yankees troit opened defense of its 1968.

and Washington were not sched- flag. McLain, who treated was Monday for an inflamed shoulder, blanked the Indians over the last seven innings after yielding a homer to Larry Brown in the first and another run in the second. Norm Cash's two-run double off Luis Tiant tied the game in the third and Kaline connected two innings later. A record Detroit opening day crowd of 53,572 was on hand. Chicago's Gary Peters was breezing with a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning when Sal Bando and Danny Cater singled.

for Oakland and Dick Green slammed a three-run homer. That was all John "Blue Moon" Odom needed as he spun a three-hitter, but the A's added two insurance runs in the seventh. Tony C. Sparks 5-4 Triumph Red Sox Capture Opener From Orioles In 12th BALTIMORE (AP) Conigliaro, who lived a yearlong nightmare with his career in jeopardy, couldn't have dreamed a more successful return to baseball. The 24-year-old Boston strong boy rapped a homer and a single Tuesday, in his first regular season game since being beaned Aug.

18, 1 1967, helping the Red Sox to a 5-4, 12-inning victory over the Baltimore Orioles in a 1969 opener. "It was a thrill just to get out there and play," Conigliaro said. "I didn't expect to have a big day." A year ago, Conigliaro was hospitalized, under doctors' orders to sit out the 1968 season because of a damaged left eye. "I was only half listening to the opening. game last year," Tony after Tuesday's game.

"I thought I was With a hole in his retina, which appeared permanent, Tony decided to make a comeback as a pitcher. In the Florida Winter League he began to see better, then continued the remarkable recov- THE DAILY TIMES ts 22 THE DAILY TIMES Salisbury, Apr. 9, 1969 ery during spring training and won his outfield job back. "There's no explanation medically for what he said. "The hole was supposed to stay there, but it shrank up to about nothing.

The doctors told me prayers must have been responsible. I know I received thousands of letters from people, and they sent rosary beads." Conigliaro, who says he is nervous prior to every opening day, spent a particularly restless night preceding his return to the line-up. "In other years, I'd go to bed about 10 o'clock, but still get only a half-decent sleep," he said. "This time I stayed up until about midnight, so I'd really be tired. Then I had about 15 nightmares, and every time I woke up I'd be thinking how they were going to pitch to me." Tony struck out with two runners in scoring position in the first inning, walked in the third and singled in the fifth.

His run homer gave Boston a 4- 2 lead in the 10th, and he walked and scored the winning run in the 12th on a bases-loaded pinch sacrifice fly by Dalton Jones. "I was very nervous the first time up," he said. "But by the second time I felt like myself and was more aggressive." Baltimore's Frank Robinson, bothered by fuzzy vision last year as a carryover from a 1967 baseline collision, slugged a tworun homer with two out in the Orioles' 10th to further extend the contest before 36,100 fans. Boston took an early 2-0 lead against Dave McNally when Carl Yastrzemski, the American League batting champion the past two years, doubled home a first inning run and scored on Ken Harrelson's hit after singling in the third. Mark Belanger, a .208 hitter last season, homered for Baltimore in the third and scored to make it 2-2 on Don Buford's sacrifice fly in the eighth after rapping his second single.

Jim Lonborg, another Boston comeback candidate, was removed from the mound in the third with a pain behind his right shoulder. An examination disclosed only muscle strain, and it was not considered serious. Lonborg, a 22-game winner in 1967, slipped to 6-10 last year after injuring his left knee in a preseason skiing accident. Bill Landis was the winner and Mike Adamson the loser as each team used six pitchers. O's Box-Score BOSTON BALTIMORE a br bi ab bi RSmith ct 6110 Buford If 2101 Andrews 2b 4 0 1 0 Blair cf 50.00 Ystrmski If 5121 FrRobnsn rf 6112 Harrelson 1b 6 1 1 1 Powell 1b 3000 AConigiro rf 4 2 2 2 Rettenmd rf 2010 Scott 3b 0 BRobinsn 1000 Petrochi 5020 DJohnson 26 4 Gibson 6 0 1 0 Etchebrn 0 000 0 Lonborg 0 000 0000 0000 0 Belanger Stange 0 McNally 0000 Lyle 0 0 0 0 Leonhard T000 Wenz 0000 DMay ph 1000 LaHoud ph 0 0 Hall 0.0 0 0 0 Landis 0 Hendrcks ph 10 DJones ph 0001 Watt 0000 Pizarro 0 0 0 Richert Motton ph 1000 Adamson 0000 Total 42 5 11 5 Total 38 Boston 101 Baltimore 001 000 010 200 E- -Andrews, Fr.

Robinsn. DP -Boston 2, Baltimore 2. LOB -Boston 14, Baltimore 10. 28 Yastrzemski, Rettenmund. HRBelanger (1), A.Conigliaro (1), Fr.

Robinsn (1). $-Lonborg, Stange, B. Robinson; Andrews, Adamson, SFBuford, D.Jones. IP RER BB SO Lonborg 2 2-3 Stange 5 2-3 Lyle 11-3 Wenz 1-3 Landis Pizarro McNally 21-3 Leonhard 2 2-3 Hall 3 Watt 2-3 Richert 11-3 Adamson -by Stange (Etchebarren), by Landis (Etchebarren). WP -McNally, Watt 2.

A Oriole Chatter At Opening Day BALTIMORE (AP) Press box observations at 1969 baseball opener: With baseball celebrating its 100th birthday, Baltimore's Dave McNally learned anew that bases on balls can kill you. The Orioles' lefty walked Boston's lead off hitter, Reggie Smith, who later scored the first run of the game on Carl Yastrzemski's double. Yaz also singled in his second appearance, giving him an early his quest for a third consecutive American League batting championship. After the first three Boston batters reached base and McNally threw two balls to Ken Harrelson, the first Boo-Bird of 1969 made his appearance. "Take him outa there," a disgruntled fan yelled.

Shortstop Mark Belanger did not produce the new Oriole slogan, "It's a brand new ball game," but he could be responsible for its continued existence. A .208 hitter last season, Belanger collected a homer and Yesterday's Stars By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BATTING Ernie Banks, Cubs, and Don Money, Phillies, both hit two homers and a single and batted in five runs in game won by the Cubs 7-6 in 11 innings. PITCHING Dick Selma, Padres, hurled a five-hitter and struck out 12 as San Diego's expansion team won its opening game, beating Houston 2-1. 00 40 and Orioles. (AP Wirephoto) CONIGLIARO COMEBACK.

Boston's Tony in his first regular season game since being Conigliaro crosses home plate Tuesday after beaned in August 1967. Boston won 5-4 in 12 socking a two-run homer against Baltimore innings in the opener between the Red Sox TIEING RUN. Baltimore Oriole shortstop in the eighth inning of Tuesday's game in Mark Belanger slides safely under the throw Baltimore. The ball was hit by Oriole Don from Tony Conigliaro to catcher Russ Gibson Buford scoring Belanger and tieing the score. Baltimore Tutor Is Runaway Choice Bullets' Gene Shue Voted Coach Of Year In NBA BALTIMORE (AP) Ge Monroe and Wes Unseld in the season, Shue has been a member Shue, a career insurance man, draft, and each was named of the "Million Dollar Club" as is the Coach of the Year in the Rookie of the Year.

Unseld also an insurance man all but on National Basketball Association. won the Most Valuable Player year. That's where his future "I'm very pleased I got into award this season after keying lies. coaching," Shue said Wednesday a Baltimore's fast break with his Still, the coaching job has fulafter being informed of the rebounding and quick release filled a longing ambition. award, "but I have no intention passes.

"I talked it over with my wife of making a long career out of "There's nothing like starting lots of times," he said, "but I it." at the bottom," Shue said. "I never knew if I'd ever get into For leading Baltimore from believe that way in life, too. coaching. Then the opportunity last place to the Eastern Divi- "After winning only 20 games, came along. sion title in one season, Shue it was just like starting from "I like the competition, and easily won the seventh annual scratch.

Then, to finish first in a the winning part of it. And alpoll of writers covering NBA tough division makes the ac- though I like to start on the botgames. complishment that much great- tom, I wouldn't want to leave er. Not for me, but the the play- the Bullets now. It could be an- two singles, or half of Baltimore's hit total.

que Belanger's homer, which just reached the left field bleachers, put him one game ahead of his home run pace of 1968. Last season, Mark hit homer No. 1 in Baltimore's second game and No. 2 in the 16th game. He never did hit No.

3. Boston came up with a new offensive strategy: Don't hit the ball to Brooks Robinson. Baltimore's stellar third baseman fielded only one grounder all day. Only once did the public address system play the "Charge" call in an effort to stir up an Oriole rally. It didn't work.

Something else didn't work. A defective part prevented the introduction of the clock which will be used to enforce the 20- second limit between pitches when the bases are empty. The Memorial Stadium scoreboard, previously outmoded, shows up even worse with the latest expansion. With only enough room for five games in each league, one game each day will have to be omitted. There was almost an emergency situation in the press Something happened to the freezer and 21 gallons of ice cream melted.

Attendance Figures NEW YORK (AP) Topped by the record turnout of 53,572 at Detroit, a total of 401,310 fans attended the 12 opening games of the major league baseball season. This included the three openers on Monday and the nine on Tuesday. Of the over-all total, the National League drew 213,297 and the American (League 188,013. ers." other interesting season next Since retiring after the year." BASEBALL A By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NATIONAL LEAGUE East Division Chicago 1 0 1.000 Montreal 0 1.000 Pittsburgh 1 0 1.000 St. Louis 0 .000 New York .0 .000 Philadelphia 0 1 .000 West Division Atlanta 2 0 1.000 Los Angeles 1 0 1.000 San Diego 0 1.000 Houston 0 1 .000 Cincinnati .0 1 .000 San Fran 0 2 .000 2 Tuesday's Results Montreal 11, New York 10 Chicago 7, Philadelphia 6, 11 innings San Diego 2, Houston 1 Pittsburgh 6, St.

Louis 2, 14 innings Atlanta 10, San Francisco 2 Only games scheduled. Today's Games Montreal (Stoneman 0-1) at New York (McAndrew 4-7) Philadelphia (Wise 9-15) at Chicago (Hands 16-10) Pittsburgh (Veale 13-14) at st. Louis (Briles 19-11), Los Angeles (Sutton 11-15) at Cincinnati (Maloney 16-10), Houston. (Dierker 12-15) at San Diego (Podres 0-0), San Francisco (Bolin 10-5) at Atlanta (Pappas 12-13), Thursday's Games Montreal at New York Philadelphia at Chicago Pittsburgh at St. Louis Houston at San Diego, night Only games scheduled.

The 36-year-old native of Baltimore, who played 10 seasons in the NBA after starring at the University of Maryland, received 24 votes from the 39-man committee. Jack Ramsay of the Philadelphia 76ers was second with 11 votes. Red Holzman of the New York Knicks received three votes and one went to Larry Costello of the Milwaukee Bucks. "A lot of coaches did standing jobs this year," Shue said. "I am really pleased wonderful that was picked.

It's a honor. Shue became Baltimore's third coach of the 1966-67 season, which ended with the Bullets winning only 20 games. They won 36 last year, but still finished last. The low finishes enabled Baltimore to nab Earl "The Pearl" Gene Shue AMERICAN LEAGUE East Division L. Pet.

GB New York 1 0 1.000 Detroit 1 0 1.000 Boston 1 0 1.000 Baltimore 01 .000 Cleveland 0 1 .000 Washington 0 1 .000 1 West Division Kansas City 1 0 1.000 Oakland 1 0. 1.000 Seattle 1 0 1.000 California 0 1 .000 Minnesota 0 1 .000 Chicago 0 1 .000 Tuesday's Results Detroit 6, Cleveland 2 Boston 5, Baltimore 4, 12 innings Kansas City 4, Minnesota 3, 1 12 innings Seattle 4, California 3 Oakland 5, Chicago 2 Only games scheduled. Today's Games Chicago (John 10-5) at Oakland (Nash 13-13) Seattle (Marshall 0-0) at California (Messersmith 4-2), Minnesota (Kaat 14-12) at Kansas City (Nelson 4-3), New York (Bahnsen 17-12) at Washington (Coleman 12-16), Only games scheduled. Thursday's Games Cleveland at Detroit Boston at Baltimore New York at Washington.